To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site.  Learn more

Allow cookies
South Downs Heritage Centre and Lodges Needs Assessment

About

Summary 

The South Downs Heritage Centre applied for planning permission for an education barn and nine self-catering eco-lodges. Acorn undertook an assessment of the need and demand for the South Downs Rural Crafts and Heritage Centre and full planning permission was granted. 

Our Approach 

We worked closely with our client, the project architect and planning consultant to ensure we had a full understanding of the proposed development and undertook a thorough review of the proposed expansion plans to support the planning application. 

To deliver the Needs Assessment we:

  • Reviewed the strategic content of the site
  • Assessed the tourism market trends for rural visitor accommodation
  • Evaluated the potential demand for holiday lodges and use of a heritage centre
  • Analysed the competitor offer in the region 
  • Undertook an indicative economic impact analysis of the proposed development. 

An in-depth report was produced that clearly presented the findings of our comprehensive research and which provided our client and their planning consultant with the robust research and analysis required to support their planning application. 

Outcome

Acorn’s assessment clearly identified a need amongst both the local community and from the education market for the existing South Downs Heritage Centre to be expanded. An Education Barn was needed to maximise the benefit of this local heritage museum. To enable the Education Barn to be viable and add value to the local economy it needed to be combined with self-catering accommodation and located on land adjacent to the South Downs Heritage Centre.

Directions

Projects Nearby

  1. A project that assessed the impact on the environment and cultural heritage that visitors…

  2. To deliver a high-quality programme of education and outreach work, the Sussex Wildlife…

  3. The Sussex Wildlife Trust’s Countryside Centre, located in Woods Mill, is a Grade 2…

  1. Research and production of a guide for local producers explaining how they can sell their…

  2. Horsham needed to develop the district's identity to attract visitors, particularly in…

  3. Acorn collaborated with environmental planners to research community needs, accessibility…

  4. Borde Hill is a stunningly beautiful and botanically rich heritage garden, set within…

  5. Nine short break outdoor activity itineraries were developed in Kent, West Sussex and…

  6. Acorn provided market-led options for the development of the house at Leith Hill, a…

  7. This study was commissioned by a leading UK adventure tour operator to examine the market…

  8. This private estate needed initial feasibility and planning advice to restore a 100-acre…

  9. Evaluation of rural tourism and self-catering accommodation market trends, appraisal of…

  10. Workable options for improving the Visitor Centre had to consider tight planning…

  11. This study was commissioned to provide a greater understanding of the potential of…

  12. A robust analysis of Wealden’s visitor economy was undertaken to inform the next tourism…

  13. The 3-year Business Plan needed to address restructuring and funding constraints, while…

Previous Next

South Downs Heritage Centre and Lodges Needs Assessment

Client:

Tate’s of Sussex,

Location:

Sussex, United Kingdom
Tate’s of Sussex

Contact us

3 Woodland Enterprise Centre, Hastings Road,
Flimwell, East Sussex, TN5 7PR, UK

+44 (0) 1580 879970

contact@acorntourism.co.uk