Work is set to start on the development of a new floating visitor centre at Brockholes Wetland and Woodland Reserve near Preston, Lancashire, in a bid to establish the site as a major attraction.

The facility is being developed as part of the £59m Newlands regeneration scheme through a partnership including the Forestry Commission, the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and site owner Lancashire Wildlife Trust (LWT).

Designed by London-based Adam Khan Architects, the new centre will float on the reserve's main lake and will boast a café, a shop and a gallery, as well as meeting and education rooms in a bid to allow visitors to engage with the natural world.

Around £8.8m has been invested in the transformation of Brockholes Wetland and Woodland Reserve, which boasts wildlife habitats covering more than 106 hectares (261.9-acres), including lakes, reed beds and grasslands. An adjacent 66-hectare (163.1-acre) area of semi-natural ancient woodland also forms part of the site.

LWT chief executive Anne Selby said: "The start of work at Brockholes is a momentous occasion for us and for the region as a whole, and it comes at an appropriate time, almost exactly three years on from our purchase of the site.

"We have worked hard since then to get to this stage and look forward to continuing towards our goal, which is a natural adventure that brings wildlife to everyone and can inspire, educate and entertain all at the same time."

NWDA head of environmental quality, Richard Tracey, added: "Brockholes is an important site for the region and a flagship for the Newlands programme. It is a prime example of how the natural environment can be harnessed to create economic activity.

"Not only will Brockholes enhance the positive perception for the area, it will also provide a distinctive visitor attraction creating new jobs on the site, offering a well managed green space for local people that will influence future investment for the area."