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Minera Quarry Trust |
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Designed & Hosted by Step IT Solutions Ltd. |
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A brief summary of the findings of the feasibility study report conducted by TACP, August 2007
Option 1 - do nothingMay attract what could be seen to be inappropriate future development and/or uses Restrict future access to the site for local residents and potential visitors Restrict future access to the industrial heritage and geology of the site Put at risk the future management of the SSSI sites Put at risk the future management the listed historic structures Spoil the peaceful and tranquil nature of Minera Quarry Endanger the habitat of wildlife species Endanger the ecology of the site
Option 2 - low key Access & Car Parking from Maes-y-Ffynnon Road 2 x Visitor Information Shelters with interpretative panels Large information panels located around the site Low level interpretation boards Footpath networks based on existing rights of way Links to wider countryside recreational network trails No immediate works to historic structures/ kilns No opening access to cave system No direct operational / staffing requirements. Limited volunteer support for occasional accompanied site-guide tours Option 3 - opening of cavesAccess & Car Parking from Maes-y-Ffynnon Road Visitor information shelters and site interpretative panels as Option 2 Footpath networks and links to wider trails as Option 2 Limited site and vegetation management Limited works to historic structures/ kilns Opening access to cave system Small pay boundary and visitor shelter located at cave entrance Dedicated operational/ staffing requirements with volunteer support for occasional accompanied site-guide tours Option 4 - Caves with visitor facilitiesAccess & Car Parking from Maes-y-Ffynnon Road Visitor Information Shelters and site interpretative panels as previous options Footpath networks and links to wider trails as previous options Limited site and vegetation management Limited works to historic structures/ kilns Opening access to cave system New build visitor centre facility located adjacent to the caves entrance Exhibition space to more effectively promote on site interpretation Dedicated operational/ staffing requirements to manage the centre with some additional volunteer support for occasional accompanied site-guide tours Removal of culverted section of Aber Sychnant and opening up river corridor
Option 5 – Full Scheme New access road into site (subject to agreement with WCBC) New Car Park to be surfaced to meet EA requirements New Build Visitor Centre employing best sustainable and energy efficient design principles to include the following facilities:- - high Quality Interpretative Exhibition - interactive screens for viewing on site wild life - visitor reception area with combined shop and café - educational schools room / community meeting room Visitor information shelters and site interpretative panels as Option 2 Restoration/consolidation of historic structures (kilns etc) Extensive landscape/ vegetation/ habitat management Footpath networks and links to wider trails as Option 2 Opening access to cave system Visitor holding shelter and entrance / admissions barrier arrangements Opening up of culverted section of Aber Sychnant stream
Evaluation of optionsThe risk factor of Option 1, doing nothing, is high. The community could perhaps lose current access and usage of the site, possible inappropriate development could cause a nuisance factor to the local community, and the sensitive nature and important historical/ archaeological heritage could be put at risk. Option 2 provides a low cost low risk solution.For relatively little capital investment could secure a viable and sustainable future for the quarry. On site interpretation, footpaths and links to trails would significantly improve the current facilities and bring enhanced local community benefits. The development option would require little operational management or revenue cost implications and we would propose that future and ongoing investment under this option would be met through specific grants applied for on an ‘as required’ basis.
Option 3 provides the low cost solution to opening up the caves, with limited visitor centre facilities comprising a small entrance pay boundary and visitor shelter.
Option 4 also opens the caves, but would provide a larger visitor building to enable improved on-site facilities and educational provision. Both options 3 and 4 need ongoing dedicated operational management which incurs associated revenue costs, although this would be met from income generated through visitor admissions etc. The outline business plan shows that both options could be financially viable and with the proposed site interpretation could represent a small but significant visitor attraction for the area.
Option 5 “provides a dedicated visitor/ heritage centre building located on a new car park with improved site access. The new build visitor centre would feature a paid admission exhibition, educational/ community meeting room facilities, and wide ranging visitor facilities to enable a greatly enhanced visitor product. This option would also include the opening of the caves, on-site interpretation, and footpaths which link to the wider trails and other nearby attractions. The business plan shows this option would incur the greatest level of operational management and costs, thereby representing the greatest overall financial risk, although the scheme would generate the highest level of potential visitor audiences.”
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