A NEW visitor centre is on the cards for a unique nature reserve on Yorkshire's coast.

The Spurn Point Visitor Centre has been two years in the making already, and now the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (YWT) has made a formal planning application for the new facilities.

The plans are for a building with a natural green roof and wildlife features, with space for toilets, a classroom, a café and low-impact parking nearby.

The YWT says it will help preserve the fragile ecology at Spurn by drawing visitors away from the most delicate areas.

YWT Chief Executive Rob Stoneman said: "Tens of thousands of people visit Spurn every year to experience its wild landscape, rich cultural and marine heritage and wonder at its spectacular wildlife. Unfortunately, unmanaged access in the past has had a negative impact on Spurn’s wildlife and many visitors do not get the chance to become inspired by the rich heritage of Spurn."

The project is set to be funded by energy firm E.ON and Salt architects have produced images of the proposed Spurn Visitor Centre and the Associated British Ports new radar tower which will be built next to it.