Visitor based long term masterplan for Reculver village and surrounds with the detail design and delivery of the new Visitor Centre adjacent to the Saxon Towers, a designated Scheduled Ancient Monument. For years the village and adjoining country park has been dominated by poor caravan parks and near derelict amusement ‘attractions’ and businesses have been struggling. The aim of the masterplan and visitor centre was to provide long term guidance for regeneration and short term enhancements. A market-led approach was taken and a strategy was developed to brand Reculver as an eco-tourist destination with an emphasis on cycling, wildlife, heritage and healthy living. This encouraged local businesses to consider new ways to present their business to maximise on the benefits of their location including the nearby SSSI and RAMSAR sites. Consultation with local stakeholders and conservation agencies was fruitful and built up a good consensus for positive change leading to thirty individual physical and management projects from the provision of new holiday accommodation, the visitor centre, the relocation of car parks and an extension to the Country Park boundaries.
