PICTURES: Eye-catching plans lodged for new discovery centre at Highland Wildlife Park
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Scotland's Wildlife Discovery Centre will create up to 20 jobs and shine a light on the invaluable work being carried out by its owners to save species from extinction across the world.
Plans have been lodged by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland this past week for the development which will be built on three separate sites at the attraction by Kincraig,
The conservation charity has said in the past that the new centre will open around Spring 2023 subject to planning consent being approved.
David Field, RZSS chief executive, told the Strathy: “We are delighted to be moving toward the next stage in our plan for Scotland’s Wildlife Discovery Centre.
“This is an initiative that we hope the whole community will get behind.
"With their help, we want to create a truly special, world class experience here in the spectacular Cairngorms National Park.
“The centre will play a pivotal role in inspiring more people to protect and connect with nature and wildlife. Together, we can make Scotland’s Wildlife Discovery Centre become a reality.”
The application by RZSS states: "There are already visitor facilities at the Highland Wildlife Park including a shop, café/restaurant and educational rooms.
"The Discovery Centre will provide more information on the species available for public viewing, and will also set out other species at the park – not open to the public– which are intended to be rehabilitated into the wild, for example.
"The proposed Discovery Centre is not primarily intended to attract more visitors but to enhance the visitor experience and highlight the global
conservation work of the RZSS.
"While the RZSS do hope for continued growth in visitors to the park – which is the main source of income for their conservation work, it is difficult to separate that ongoing growth in visitor numbers from those associated with this specific development.
"The development will include improved car parking."
The report goes on to state: "A total of 39 core staff are currently employed at the park, with 14 additional seasonal and variable hours staff.
"There is a residence within the park, for one overnight staff member in case of emergencies. The remainder of the staff travel to and from the site each day.
"There would be up to 20 additional staff employed as part of the development of a new visitor centre.
"None of those would be resident on site."
The wildlife park will continue to be served by the existing access junction on to the B9152 Aviemore-Kingussie road.
The planning papers reveal the average number of daily visitors in 2018 was 564, while the maximum, on April 12 was 2127 visitors.
Badenoch and Strathspey Highland councillor Muriel Cockburn has welcomed the plans being submitted.
She said: "The wildlife park is an integral part of the Badenoch economy and recognised as an exemplar in the field of protecting endangered species. and promoting conservation.
"The wildlife park is recognised nationally and internationally.
"The discovery centre as well as bringing much needed skilled jobs will be an additional learning hub both locally and nationally."
The application has been called in and will be determined by the Cairngorms National Park Authority's planning committee.
The European funding was awarded in March through the Natural Cultural and Heritage Fund, led by NatureScot.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise has also awarded £1 million funding towards the new development.
Click here to find out more and support Scotland’s Wildlife Discovery Centre.