The National Forest has announced plans aimed at improving key attractions near Ashby - including Hicks Lodge, Conkers and Moira Furnace.

The Heart of the National Forest Vision was launched on Tuesday - a pivotal step towards creating what is described as a sustainable, thriving destination in the Midlands over the next 10 to 20 years.

In collaboration with North West Leicestershire District Council, Leicestershire County Council, Forestry England, tourist attractions, businesses and communities, the Heart of the National Forest vision has a renewed focus on sustainability, wellbeing, and community engagement.

Over the past three decades, the Heart of the National Forest has undergone a remarkable transformation from an industrial landscape to a flourishing, newly forested area.

Forest cover in this specific area has increased from as low as two per cent to 40 per cent, showcasing the power of trees as catalysts for change.

The area around Hicks Lodge. Photo: Dreamstime

The new plan will promote the Heart of the National Forest as a beacon of sustainable living, tourism, and enterprise.

Place: Strengthening the region's identity as a net-zero destination, with sustainable travel options, renewable energy initiatives, and continued landscape enhancements.

Experience: Creating engaging, nature-connected activities and events that improve wellbeing and inspire a deeper connection with the environment.

Enterprise: Fostering a green economy through innovative business support, research, and education, positioning the area as a hub for sustainable enterprise.

To bring this vision to life, the Heart of the National Forest Vision focuses on six key investment sites, each offering unique opportunities to enhance the area's appeal and functionality:

Hicks Lodge Cycle Centre

Opened in 2011, the Hicks Lodge Cycle Centre is already a popular attraction, featuring a café, cycle hire, natural play areas, and extensive cycling and walking trails. To accommodate growing demand, plans are in place to extend car parking facilities and improve connections from Hicks Lodge to nearby areas, particularly Ashby. The Centre will continue to be a key location for outdoor activities and sustainable travel within the Heart of the National Forest.

Conkers Discovery Centre

As one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region with more than 200,000 visitors each year, Conkers Discovery Centre will undergo significant investment to transform it into Britain's most inspirational natural adventure. The site will offer an immersive, hands-on, adventure-driven experience in a woodland setting that will be fun, inclusive, and accessible, where experiential learning will inspire visitors to become more connected to nature.

Conkers will act as a central hub, telling the story of the National Forest, and serving as the gateway to the Heart of the National Forest, providing orientation, access to forest experiences, and showcasing local businesses and produce.

Conkers in Moira. Photo: Instantstreetview.com

Conkers Waterside

Building on the successful educational programmes delivered at Conkers to 30,000 school children each year, Waterside will become a centre of excellence for forest outdoor learning from early years through to higher levels and beyond. Educators will be able to visit to learn and share best practice, and future generations will be inspired to take action for a positive future.

Forest Hub

The Forest Hub, an expansive site with open glades and mature woodland, will become a focal point for forest-inspired events and festivals. The southern area of the Forest Hub presents an opportunity to host a National Forest research, training, and demonstration centre, supporting the growth of forest-based industries and enterprises.

The Lakes

This site will consist of three interconnected lakes set within young woodlands, offering diverse experiences for both the local community and visitors. The central Albert Village Lake will be enhanced to ensure accessibility and continued use for walking and nature watching. To the east, a quieter area will be developed to allow wildlife to thrive, while the west will see the creation of a new lake at the Clay Stocking Yard. This new body of water will support waterside leisure activities, further diversifying the visitor offer.

Moira Furnace

The Moira Furnace site, an historic 19th-century iron-making blast furnace now serving as a museum, will see enhanced development with a focus on heritage and culture. The site's canal-side location offers potential for improved access and interpretation and expanded retail and hospitality offerings, including local produce and crafts. These enhancements aim to boost the site's appeal as a key cultural destination within the Heart of the National Forest.

This vision will span 10 to 20 years, with phased projects set to deliver immediate and long-term benefits. Funding and investment from both the public and private sectors will be critical to achieving the ambitious goals set out in the vision.

Allison Thomas, chief executive at North West Leicestershire District Council said: "I'm very much looking forward to being part of the Heart of the Forest launch.

"North West Leicestershire is deeply rooted in the National Forest, and I passionately believe good growth comes from creating the right environment.

"It's our long-standing partnership work with the National Forest Company that's one of the key reasons we have so many beautiful and thriving forests and wooded areas for local people to enjoy."

Moira Furnace is also included in the National Forest Vision. Photo: Moira Furnace and Country Park

John Everitt OBE, chief executive of the National Forest Company said: "Trees are truly transformational, and the Heart of the National Forest stands as a powerful testament to that fact, having seen such rapid change.

"Over the past three decades, we've witnessed how trees can heal a scarred landscape, regenerate communities, and grow a vibrant economy.

"But this is only the start. The next stage of development in the Heart of the Forest will create a truly sustainable destination; a place where habitats are reconnected, where people will come to be inspired, and where new green businesses can thrive.

"It demonstrates what can be achieved here in the National Forest with committed partners and a shared vision for the future."

The National Forest also aims to be a place where nature thrives, businesses innovate, and communities are deeply connected to the forest landscape.

The idea is that visitors will come to learn, explore, and unwind, leaving inspired by the unique experiences the area offers.

New and improved trails are planned, which will create a green web of linear and circular routes that connect local settlements and key points of interest, encouraging visitors and residents alike to leave their cars behind.

The Heart of the National Forest aims to set a new standard for sustainable development.

New and repurposed buildings will adhere to the highest standards of sustainable design, seamlessly integrating with the natural environment and local character.

The area will also aspire to be a showcase for renewable energy, with communities and businesses benefiting from locally generated heat and power.

There are also plans to create a new lake through the restoration of the Clay Stocking Yard, near Moira, alongside more woodland and habitat creation to support wildlife.

Community woodlands, orchards, allotments, and wildlife gardens will provide spaces for local communities to engage in a variety of outdoor learning, cultural, and wellbeing activities.

Residents will be encouraged to play a key role in preserving the area's heritage while shaping its future. Through continued collaboration with local leaders, businesses, schools, and community groups, the vision aims to ensure that the Heart of the National Forest is a place that belongs to and benefits everyone.