A TOP family visitor attraction is preparing plans for a major new development that will include the Forest’s biggest indoor children’s play area and the region’s first trampoline hall.

Chris Turney of Dick Whittington Park in Longhope says there will also be a new equine centre for horse riding, plus a large outdoor environmental nature trail, involving hills, lakes, meadows, flora, fauna and wildlife, ancient woodland, a sensory and cottage garden, and a ‘mother orchard’ that is home to 70 different varieties of local apple.

Mr Turney said the plans were nearing completion and would be submitted soon to Forest Council planners in a bid to attract thousands more families and youngsters to the venue.

“We are at capacity, and are hoping to double the size of the visitor centre and indoor play barn to meet demand. It’s a very exciting development.”

He also sought to clarify that he no longer has anything to do with the lodges complex next to his park.He said his name had been used on the revised planning application submitted last August to put up 45 lodges, which has now been withdrawn by the current owners after objections from the local parish council and others.The application submitted last summer by planning consultant SF Planning Ltd was subsequently amended to Swallow Lakes Ltd, owner of Swallow Lakes Farm Park, a business Mr Turney says is nothing to do with Dick Whittington Park.“It was submitted in my name, but I’d already sold the business and it was absolutely nothing to do with me,” he said. “When it was drawn to my attention, I made it clear to the planners I was not involved in this application, as it could affect other plans I have.”

And he said local councillors and other residents are excited by his proposals for Dick Whittington Park.

“I’m meeting my planning consultant this week and hopefully we can put the plans in very shortly,” he revealed.

“We’re aiming to establish a large horse riding centre and looking to double the size of the current visitor centre.

“We hope the improvements can grow the number of visitors to over 100,000 over the next five years.

“The bigger activity play centre will be one of the biggest indoor complexes of its type in the region, with a significant increase in the amount of play equipment.

“Obesity is a big issue with children, so we will be installing equipment that gets youngsters exercising while having lots of fun, such as climbing up and down and bouncing in the trampoline hall, which will be the first of its kind in the Forest.

“We are also planning a massive outdoor environmental nature trail, including a valley and lakes, a zig-zag uphill path to spectacular hilltop views, ancient woodland, a mother orchard and a sensory and cottage garden.

“We want people to enjoy the flora, fauna, insect and bird life in a countryside location that has been nurtured in an environmentally friendly way.”

The park orginally housed animals as part of a farm attraction, but Mr Turney said he had to remove them in 2016 after he was told by the authorities that regulations meant he would have to accept regular testing of them.

He subsequently obtained permission to put up timber-style lodges next to the site as part of a need to diversify, and says he is still pursuing action over what he says was a misrepresentation of the rules over animal testing by the authorities.

For more information about Dick Whittington Park, go to www.facebook.com/DickWhittingtonPlayBarnEquineCentre/