Nature Reserve Feasibility Study: Paxton Pits

Client: Huntingdonshire District Council

Paxton Pits Nature Reserve is a large reserve in the Great Ouse Valley with an impressive mosaic of wetland and terrestrial habitats. As a former quarry site, the nature reserve has been used for gravel extraction since the 1940s and has now been restored. Paxton Pits Nature Reserve forms part of the Green Corridor along the Great Ouse. The reserve comprises extensive areas of lakes, meadow, grassland, scrub and woodland. The Ouse Valley Way is a long-distance footpath that passes along the edge of the reserve. The reserve is managed by Huntingdonshire District Council and is supported by a very active Friends Group – there are over 2,000 volunteers.

Planning Solutions Consulting were commissioned to prepare a visitor experience masterplan to enhance the ‘offer’ available to different audiences. Our work involved a site assessment, an audit of existing experience and operation, a market assessment (including demographic profile), extensive stakeholder consultation, and identification and evaluation (using a weighted scoring matrix) of future options to enhance the visitor experience. As part of the options appraisal, it was critical to understand what creates an engaging nature experience, identify guiding principles and priority markets and take into account operational considerations. A financial model was prepared to identify key income-generating opportunities and costs to ensure the reserve’s long-term financial sustainability.  Find out more about other nature reserve projects we have worked on.

How can we help?
If you have any questions about carrying out a feasibility study or preparing a business plan or visitor experience masterplan or income generation strategy for a nature reserve or would like to discuss our work please don’t hesitate to call Richard Linington on 07866 742628 or email richard@pslplan.co.uk