Plan for new 'education centre' at Alladale Wilderness Reserve
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Alladale Wilderness Reserve is seeking planning consent to erect a new “education centre”.
The reserve, located near Ardgay, has lodged an application with Highland Council to construct a new timber framed and clad building in its garden.
It is stated that the new building will be used as an “Education centre for small groups to be instructed about the reserve’s wildlife and garden”.
The building will sit directly in the centre of the garden - which won the sustainability category of the 2020 Green Energy Awards. It will have a wrap around open verandah with local Douglas fir for the structure and larch as cladding.
A design statement submitted to planners reads: “Small groups of eight to 10 students will be taught a wide range of subjects relating to the production of microgreens, herbs, fruits and vegetable.
“The site offers a unique response to the government’s net zero targets, whilst promoting the major advantage in achieving maximum nutrition by growing locally.”
Electricity will be taken from an existing hydro plant installed on the reserve in 2008 and additional heating will be powered by an air source heat pump.
The design statement continues: “To help promote the educational aspect of the building, Samsung UK are to supply equipment which will digitally stream selected video of the daily life of the gardens in real time to schools, colleges and other educational centres both in the Highlands and around the world.”
