The Lookout Education Centre in Hyde Park

The Royal Parks and the Royal Parks Foundation are proposing to build an environmental education centre in Hyde Park.

This new facility, surrounded by a nature trail and dipping ponds, will enable young people to learn about plants and wildlife in a safe, enjoyable environment.

The new Look Out building will replace a row of converted Metropolitan Police dog kennels which are currently used as a classroom and are unsuitable for use in the winter months.

The new facility will provide two fully-equipped classrooms that can accommodate 30 children each and use modern technology to help young people explore the surrounding natural environment.

The landscaping will create a wide variety of habitats for wildlife. It will include two dipping ponds, a nature trail, raised planter beds and mini-beast log piles.

The existing Gate House building will be restored and used as a much needed meeting space.

The Royal Parks' education team, volunteers and the Royal Parks Foundation will be relocated next to the classrooms, providing them with a new office where they can work closely together.

DEVELOPING OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMME

The Look Out will enable The Royal Parks to engage with community groups and educate thousands of young people about the importance of the environment.

It will provide a comfortable and modern, environmentally-friendly centre, together with a range of outdoor learning facilities.

The new Look Out will be open all year round and will cater for many more young people than is possible at present.

The current education programme is limited to primary school children - we hope that the new centre will allow the team to expand and reach secondary school children as well as community groups and adult learners.

The landscaping will open up an area of the park that is currently closed and it will give young people an opportunity to learn about nature through fun activities like pond dipping, gardening and exploring.

PROJECT DETAILS

The proposed Look Out building will be designed and built using sustainable materials to a very high environmental specification. The surrounding landscaping will be habitat-rich and actively managed to encourage wildlife.

The Royal Parks and the Royal Parks Foundation have worked closely with the architects and the landscape designers to ensure that there will be minimal impact on the surrounding area and wildlife.

About the building:

The new building, located on the roof of an existing reservoir, will replace some existing poor quality buildings and cover an area of 406 square metres.

The structure will be made from lightweight and sustainable timber. The footprint of the building will take up no existing green space.

In order to achieve a high standard of environmental design a number of energy-saving measures are proposed, such as: maximising natural ventilation and natural light; a green or rubble roof; and the use of low-carbon and water saving appliances.

About the location:

The new single storey Look Out building will be 4.6 metres high at its highest point. It will be surrounded by existing trees and new planting, which will screen it from view.

We value the existing habitat on the site and have undertaken a range of ecological surveys during 2009 including: habitats; bats; breeding birds and an overall impact assessment. The results of these surveys have been carefully considered and any future works will be timed in order to have minimal impact.

An arboriculture impact assessment is currently being carried out. We are aiming to avoid any net-loss of trees - any potential loss will be carefully balanced against ecological gain.

WHAT NEXT

The Royal Parks applied for planning permission from Westminster City Council in December 2009.

If planning permission is granted, then work on the Look Out will start in summer 2010.

The aim is to open the Look Out in 2011.

How you can support the Look Out:

There is just £660k of the £1.83m left to raise - please help us reach the final target! The Royal Parks Foundation is a registered charity and is responsible for raising the funds we need. You can help by dedicating a plaque at the sculpture Isis or by making a donation in whatever other way you choose to the Look Out Appeal. We would also like to hear from any businesses or charitable foundations interested in helping us with the project in any way. For more information please contact the Royal Parks Foundation or pick up a copy of their magazine.