A nature reserve on the outskirts of Preston is applying to extend its opening hours – for weddings, funerals and events.
AdvertisementBrockholes at Samlesbury, just off the M6, says it needs the money from events to help make ends meet.
The award-winning wildlife haven, opened in 2011, wants a restriction on its opening hours and allow it to have live music performed until later.
Two complaints have been made in the venue’s history from residents across the water in Samlesbury about noise from events at the floating visitor centre – which can currently run until 12midnight. However music has a cut off to 11pm.
Related: Watch a stunning frosty morning at Brockholes from the air
A report from the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, who operate Brockholes, outlines how they want to be allowed to open until 1am and have music – recorded or live – until the same time.
They state: “The £12m Brockholes development was funded from public money to develop the nature reserve, on the provision that it generated enough income to operate in perpetuity. The Trust has not yet progressed to a break even position on this site and any impact on the business model would significantly increase risk, in terms of the Trust not being able to maintain and operate this major visitor attraction in Lancashire.”
A report commissioned by the Trust outlines how the sound from events at Brockholes should not travel to nearby properties due to its distance and siting in a former quarry.
Since Brockholes has been open it has held more than 60 weddings and other celebration events.
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