The Living Legend, Sherwood Forest

As Project Managers, we were initially appointed to coordinate the production of a design brief. Our involvement was then extended to participating in an RIBA design competition, and setting the protocols and strategies to deliver a full planning application and Environmental Impact Assessment and associated Appropriate Assessment in one of the most environmentally sensitive areas of the UK in just 18 weeks!

Working alongside the successful architectural practice MAKE, the new visitor complex was to be built in Sherwood Forest, of a futuristic design, but with its focus rooted in the history and legend of the region.

The project had many components aimed at providing a catalyst for regeneration in North Nottinghamshire as well as returning the historic forest to its former glory. The scheme would have seen the development of 95km of public access routes, 300 hectares (400 football pitches!) of forest replanting and up to 50 community projects.

Once complete the project would be a centre of sustainable ecological excellence, using technologies including energy from wind turbines, willow coppicing to fuel its own biomass boiler, and a sustainable drainage system.

The £50 million BIG Lottery Fund bid received full planning permission under our direction.