PLANS have been unveiled for a new visitor centre near Spurn National Nature Reserve.
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (YWT) is working with energy firm Eon on the project.
It is hoped the facility will improve resources for visitors, as well as ensuring the fragility of the wildlife and local environment is better conserved.
It would include a classroom, visitor information, a café and shop, YWT offices, public toilets, car parking and storage for habitat management equipment.
The trust is currently considering a number of locations for the centre, with the favourite being on land owned by them, which lies between Kilnsea village and the entrance to the reserve.
Rob Stoneman, chief executive of YWT, said: "The trust hopes the visitor centre becomes the starting point for any visit to Spurn and Kilnsea, with maps of routes and features to see in the area, so that whatever the weather or interest, visitors will be able to have a great stay in the area.
"The investment will bring clear benefits to local businesses that cater for the tourism trade.
"Having the facility to engage with visitors to Spurn will ensure they enter the nature reserve understanding the fragility and importance of the site and how to minimise the impacts they have on this sensitive, dynamic landscape and its wildlife."
The planned location would provide views over the Humber Gateway Offshore Wind Farm currently under construction by Eon and will be mostly hidden from the village of Kilnsea.
The trust also believes the scrub and grassland habitats found there could be enhanced to provide better areas for wildlife.
Mr Stoneman said: "The trust is designing the building to use the first floor for the main activities, allowing the ground floor to cope with flooding from time to time.
"Our key aim as a wildlife trust is to enhance habitats for wildlife benefit, so we are naturally excited about how we can do this for the benefit of both wildlife and people.
"We have already established a constructive dialogue with Natural England, the Environment Agency, RNLI, Associated British Ports, local councillors and the Spurn Bird Observatory Trust as part of this process."
Jon Beresford, operations manager at Eon, said: "As part of our £2m community fund, we have chosen to support this funding application as we feel it will benefit the community and enhance an outstanding area, while not compromising its natural beauty."
The YWT hopes work will start in spring next year, subject to planning permission being secured from East Riding Council.
