17 September 2007
Lord Mayor opens new Eco-Visitor Centre at Burnham Beeches
The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman John Stuttard,
visited Burnham Beeches on Friday 14 September to officially open
new eco-friendly buildings that include a café, toilets and a
permanent information point.
The new buildings have been designed and constructed using the
latest environmentally friendly materials and techniques such as
grass roofs, green oak cladding, light tubes and water-saving
devices. The buildings provide visitor facilities in a purpose
built, permanent environment at the heart of the site for the very
first time.
The Lord Mayor, the Head of the City of London Corporation,
visits Burnham Beeches each year to see the work carried out by the
City of London team.
Lord Mayor John Stuttard said: “Burnham Beeches is a wonderful
place to visit and the conservation work undertaken by City of
London team and volunteers is exceptional. The magnificent
new buildings are perfectly in keeping with the ethos of Burnham
Beeches and provide wonderful new facilities for the many visitors
to this National Nature Reserve.”
Andy Barnard, Superintendent of Burnham Beeches, said:
“It is wonderful to see the new facilities open as, for the very
first time, we can provide visitors with food, site information and
loos all in a single attractive setting at the heart of the
site. This project completes a programme of changes at the
Beeches that has included the extension of the car-free zone,
expansion of the conservation grazing area and the introduction of
donation machines in the car parks on Lord Mayors Drive. I
would like to thank everyone who has helped us to deliver these
projects and particularly to thank our visitors for their patience
and understanding over the last six months.”
Regarded as one of the best examples of ancient woodland in
Britain, Burnham Beeches was acquired by the City of London in 1880
in response to a threatened purchase by residential
developers. Its 540 acres attract over half a million
visitors a year, who come to enjoy its tranquillity and its rich
diversity of habitats and wildlife, which include woodpeckers,
woodcocks, tawny owls, muntjac deer, foxes, dragonflies and some of
Britain’s rarest invertebrates. The City of London spends over
£700,000 each year managing and protecting the Beeches, at no cost
to the taxpayer.
Ends
Notes for editors
Burnham Beeches:
Now regarded as one of the best examples of ancient woodland in
Britain, Burnham Beeches in Buckinghamshire was acquired by the
City of London in 1880, in response to a threatened purchase by
residential developers. Despite its relatively small size of 220
hectares (540 acres), Burnham Beeches attracts around 500,000
visitors a year, who appreciate its tranquillity as well as its
rich diversity of habitats and wildlife.
The conservation work has resulted in Burnham Beeches being
designated a National Nature Reserve as well as winning several
other prestigious awards. In 2005 Burnham Beeches was
confirmed as a Special Area of Conservation under European Habitats
legislation.
Press enquires to Michelle Logie at the City of
London: 0207 332 3450
michelle.logie@cityoflondon.gov.uk