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The Blue Sky Forest vision is one that incorporates an international standard golf course, a prestige sporting academy, hotel and spa, adult adventure centre, ski slope, children's activity centre, go kart courses, a holiday village and indoor leisure centre, and the generation of renewable energy from a Wind Farm of up to 15 turbines.
Located across 2,500 acres of former surface mining land, it is anticipated that the multi-million pound project will create hundreds of jobs and act as a major boon to tourism in the North East as visitors flock to the proposed leisure complex.
Blue Sky Forest is the brainchild of the Widdrington Regeneration Partnership, a local community partnership aiming to regenerate this part of Northumberland. By turning the former surface mines into a top tourist attraction the WRP is hoping to leave behind a positive legacy for future generations.
Backed by Sir Bert Millichip (Sports) Ltd, the plans include a sporting academy that will encourage youngsters to develop skills across a wide range of sports including football, rugby, hockey, tennis and netball. Visitors to the academy will mix with a host of stars who will be passing their experience on to talent destined to become tomorrow’s sporting heroes as well as those just out to enjoy a break at Blue Sky Forest.
There is also an ambitious scheme for an international standard golf course surrounded by wind turbines that would generate renewable electricity for the complex as well as supplying local homes and businesses. It is anticipated that the Blue Sky Forest course will offer a unique golfing experience to visitors and be a major draw to tourists.
David Heads, of leading leisure development company Stoneheads, commented: “We have an absolutely fantastic opportunity to create a golf course within the turbines that will be one of a kind and attract golfing tourists from Britain and the rest of the world. It’s sustainable, brings money into the area and will become a centrepiece of Blue Sky Forest. What more could anybody want?”
Peel Energy’s Patrick Keogh said: “The Wind Farm proposal injects further sustainability to an already farsighted land remediation scheme. It’s an added bonus that the area enjoys excellent average wind speeds.”
Peel Energy would lay the foundations for the site by creating access roads and installing essential electricity network connections, which can then be used by the other partners, hopefully acting as a catalyst for future development prospects.
It is expected that the academy, golf course and Wind Farm projects will attract other leisure industry participants to Blue Sky Forest and will underpin future projects such as a hotel development at the complex.
Eddie Peat, representing Blue Sky Forest land owners UK COAL, said that the plans are very welcome news: “Stoneheads have created numerous golf course developments and are acknowledged leaders in the field whilst Peel Energy has great expertise in Wind Farm development and operation.
“Working together, we expect the academy, golf course and Wind Farm projects to be right at the heart of Blue Sky Forest over the coming years. It’s a magnificent concept that will put Blue Sky Forest and Northumberland right on to the tourist map.”
Local residents and other interested parties will be able to view and discuss the plans for Blue Sky Forest at forthcoming public consultations scheduled as follows:
- Widdrington WI Hall, Widdrington Village, Wednesday, 16 March, 2pm - 8pm
- Hadston House, Hadston, Thursday, 17 March, 2pm - 8pm
- Widdrington Community Centre, Widdrington Station, Friday, 18 March, 2pm - 8pm
Members of the public will be able to talk to the BSF partners on a one to one basis about the whole Blue Sky Forest development.
Further Information:
For further information, please contact Carole Riley or Alex Doyle on 0161 786 8000.
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