Visitor centre plans for Jodrell Bank Observatory submitted

11 Mar 2010, 09:40

Michael Hunt

Proposals for a new visitor centre at the Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire have been submitted by architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios.

Plans include a multi-purpose space pavilion exhibition and event area, and a new planet pavilion entrance building, within a 10,000 sq ft Discovery Centre at The University of Manchester's popular tourist attraction.

Capita Symonds is project managing the scheme, which will also feature a galaxy maze based on the shape of the Milky Way.

The first phase of the plans have been submitted to Cheshire East Council and are part of a proposed and wider redevelopment of the visitor facilities. Funding is still being required for the scheme.

The site is part of the university's School of Physics and Astronomy, which features the iconic 76-metre Lovell Telescope.

The famous telescope was the only one in the world during 1957 that was powerful enough to track the rocket that carried the Soviet satellite Sputnik into space.

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