Hollybush Lakes

12% Net Ecological Gain for Former Mineral Extraction Site and Car Breakers Yard

BACA architects have secured full planning permission for an ambitious aqua sports leisure park, hospitality venue, and visitor attraction in the Blackwater Valley near Farnborough, UK.

The proposals include:

• An aquatic sports center offering water-based activities such as kayaking, boating, and a seasonal inflatable assault course alongside gym facilities and an elevated cafe.
• An equestrian center offering stabling, grazing, and schooling facilities alongside overnight guest accommodation for a local riding school.
• Floating holiday accommodation and fishing experiences for visiting guests, introducing 'eco-tourism' to the local area.

The site is currently closed to the public. The 16-hectare site, of which 9 hectares are water, is in flood zones 2 and 3, was a former mineral extraction site and car breakers yard. Proposals have been developed in close consultation with both Rushmoor and Hampshire County Council, Heads of Economy and Strategic Regeneration, and the Planning Team.

Despite a challenging set of constraints, the scheme went through unanimously at Committee.

The proposals will promote healthy lifestyles and encourage physical activity, indoor and in-built sports and recreational facilities.

Working with Aspect Ecology, the proposals offer the opportunity for the existing lakes and surrounding habitats to be brought into favorable conservation management in the long term. The proposals will deliver an ecological net gain of 12.45% (Habitats) and 277% (Linear Features). New diverse wetland margins and reed beds will be introduced at three locations within the lakes, and the whole of the smaller central lake will be restored to create a pond and wetland area.

Team

Client: Drayparks
Planning Consultant: Bell Cornwell
Architect: BACA architects
Landscape & Ecology: Aspect
Flooding: Tetratech
Highways & Transport Plan: Waterman Group
BREEAM: Scott White and Hookins
Leisure Needs Assessment: Avison Young
Ground Contamination: Waterman Group
Floating Homes: Floating Homes Limited

‍