Visitor Centre - Public Consultation

We are delighted to share plans for a new visitor centre and café at Broadland Country Park.

These developments are designed to elevate the park’s appeal as a key outdoor destination and country park, with significant improvements to toilet facilities, parking, and accessibility.

Background information

The park was created to offer a beautiful, tranquil space for residents and visitors to enjoy nature and recreation, providing a much-needed green space for relaxation, biodiversity, conservation, and exploration.

The site also offers informal walking trails, picnic benches, conservation grazing, and a variety of family-friendly events. However, as the park's popularity increases, so does the need for improved visitor facilities to fully establish it as a go-to destination for the community.

The plan ahead

To address these needs, Broadland District Council have plans to build a new visitor centre that includes a café, toilets, and indoor seating areas, as well as, enhanced parking facilities, including the addition of dedicated spaces for buses, school groups, and visitors with disabilities.

These upgrades will make the park more accessible and enjoyable for everyone, from families to older visitors and those with mobility needs. These improvements will mean that the park is welcoming to all, encouraging visitors to stay longer and explore everything the park has to offer.

Recent visitor surveys confirm the need for these upgrades, with 92% of people visiting similar country parks expressing a desire for toilets, and 82% supporting the addition of a café. Visitors have also requested clearer wayfinding signs and more information about the park’s natural features and conservation efforts.

The new facilities will significantly enhance the overall visitor experience, transforming Broadland Country Park into a vibrant and inclusive space for recreation and leisure. By making these important upgrades, we are committed to creating a park that appeals to a wide audience, from local residents to tourists, and serves as a prime destination for outdoor activities in the Greater Norwich area.

These investments in infrastructure mark a major milestone for Broadland Country Park, ensuring that it can continue to grow as a beloved outdoor haven for the entire region. The council looks forward to welcoming even more visitors to enjoy the park’s natural beauty and new amenities.

Protecting green space and achieving bio-diversity net gain

This project will be undertaken with sustainability at its heart, prioritising minimal environmental impact. We are committed to achieving operational net-zero CO2e emissions within the cafe and visitor centre by integrating renewable energy systems such as heat pumps and solar panels, along with the use of sustainable materials. Throughout the design process, we’re focused on reducing embedded carbon and are working closely with local architects and specialist contractors to ensure the project is as eco-friendly as possible.

We’ll also take great care to preserve the surrounding landscape, minimising excavation near tree roots and incorporating solutions that allow important trees to flourish. Any unavoidable tree loss will be mitigated with replacement planting, and we are committed to delivering a 10% biodiversity net-gain across the site.

Our ongoing management at Broadland Country Park has already resulted in significant biodiversity improvements, from restoring heathland to reintroducing the Silver Studded Blue Butterfly and seeing the return of nightjars. This project reflects our continued dedication to protecting the park’s natural beauty while creating a sustainable, welcoming space for everyone to enjoy.

The consultation

You can see the proposed plans in more detail, and have your say below:

The consultation is now closed.