Moira Furnace set to benefit from £2.45million Phase Two work as part of council plans

Graham Hill

— 2 min read
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Moira Furnace set to benefit from £2.45million Phase Two work as part of council plans
Moira Furnace and Country Park. Photo: Supplied

By The View, Moira

NORTH West Leicestershire District Council is set to give the green light to further redevelopment at Moira Furnace and Country Park.

Next week’s Cabinet meeting will discuss the £2.45million phase two of the project - and the ‘Visitor Experience Programme’.

Phase two investment proposes the following improvements:

  • A fit for purpose on-site operational and storage facility for the Moira Furnace Museum Trust
  • A new visitor centre (café/restaurant, interpretation and toilet provision)
  • Improved site access, roadways  and parking upgrade (including electric vehicle charging), play facilities and canal structural and safety works.

Councillors are also due to seek approval to allocate funding from the Business Rates Reserve to the Council’s £8million Capital Programme.

NWLDC says the regeneration of sites within North West Leicestershire is a key priority within the Council Delivery Plan - and the Moira Furnace project is one of the flagship schemes.

It adds that the continued development of Moira Furnace Museum and Country Park will contribute to the Council's ‘long held ambition’ to transform the former coalfield area of Moira and Donisthorpe as part of the transformation of the Heart of the National Forest.

Moira Furnace is owned by the Council and is listed as a scheduled monument dating back to 1806.

While the Trust is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Furnace, liability for structural repairs remains with the Council as freeholder. 

It is the Council that has legal responsibility for protecting the building as a scheduled monument and Historic England ensures the Council meets its obligations.

NWLDC says that further development and investment will secure the site as a visitor attraction in the Heart of the Forest.

It says the following benefits are expected to be achieved as a result of the Phase Two improvements: 

  • Increased footfall and visitor numbers
  • Longer dwell time on site (more site attractions) 
  • Visitor experience upgrade (café, visitor hub)
  • Reputation and status as a visitor attraction
  • Increased footfall to associated businesses on site
  • Opportunity to improve the financial stability of the Trust.

Councillors will be told that the plans recommend the Council allocates £2,455,000 - comprising £446,000 of consultancy fees and £2,009,000 for construction over the next two years 2026-2028.

•NWLDC's Cabinet meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday, May 19.

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