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Recreation at Dalby Forest Centre Project  

The first phase of an ambitious project to create “world class” visitor facilities in Dalby Forest, near Pickering, North Yorkshire, is nearing completion.

The Forestry Commission, together with support from the Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber, Yorkshire Forward and Ryedale Council, have agreed an investment in the region’s biggest public woodland.  This will convert the buildings around the existing visitor centre into craft units, a resource centre, office space and a purpose designed bike hire outlet. 

Dubbed the courtyard development it is backed by nearly £250,000 of ERDF Objective 2 funding.

The purpose of the project is to improve and develop the forest as a regional centre of excellence for sustainable economic activity.  The project aims to develop tourism activity in a way that builds upon and enhances the distinct character of
the forest, maintain those aspects which contribute to the special qualities of the national park, create benefits to the community in terms of economic regeneration, quality of life and enhanced environment. 

SMEs with innovative applications are to be considered for showcases within the new development and it is hoped that it will help boost the local economy.

Paul Cody, District Forester, said:

“Dalby Forest is the Forestry Commission’s jewel in the crown and deserves 21st century visitor facilities.  We can now make a start realising our ambitions.  The benefits to the local economy will be immediate and significant.  The courtyard development will become a hive of activity, offering rural enterprises high quality commercial space.

“The development has been devised after extensive consultation and assistance from the local community and user groups to whom we are very grateful.  We have finalised our plans and secured planning permission from the North York Moors National Park.  We are now working with our partners to complete the funding package, with a target date of 2007 to have all the work completed.”

Dalby currently attracts over 300,000 visitors each year and was originally planted in 1923 to bolster the nation’s timber reserves.  Now recreation outstrips felling as the main commercial revenue.

The forest was recently named one of the top ten places in the UK to go mountain biking and the Dalby Astronomy Centre, set up two years ago, is the first of its kind in any Forestry Commission wood.

The project will accommodate 20 existing jobs and create 10 new jobs.  £613,000 of Increased Business Sales will be generated and 0.9 Hectares of Land Developed including 567m2 of premises provided using ERDF on land already developed.