June opening for giant farm attraction

A NEW 70-acre tourist attraction will open in Puxton this summer.The development, called Puxton Park, in Mays Green Lane, is a multi-million pound working farm, and is expected to pull in over 120,000 visitors a year. Due to open at the end of June, it is being built by Mead Realisations, headed by dairy farmer and developer Derek Mead.Puxton Park will aim to educate people on the production of food and farming methods. It will feature an organic dairy farm with viewing galleries and seating and walkways through crops and planted areas to show how productivity and conservation are achieved using modern and traditional techniques. A lake and woods will provide a home for a range of wildlife and there will be areas for demonstrations and shows. There will also be a covered three-storey play area, outside activity areas, restaurants and food halls. Although the development has raised some concerns in the community, project manager Fred McCaig says the farm has educational and conservational benefits.He said: "This attraction will explore the farming process in a fun and exciting way."It will be a fully functional working farm with fruit and vegetable crops, dairy and beef production areas and activities. We have also planted 150 apple trees to produce cider."We will employ around 40 full-time staff and we aim to work with schools to enable children to be better informed and give them an understanding of farm work, organic foods and conservation." Puxton Parish Council chairman Roger Foulds said: "The council is in favour of the development. It is a good thing for the area and will provide employment."The increase in traffic will, of course, be a problem. But it is not until the road is saturated with traffic that the district council will be forced to do something about improving it, which again, will be a good thing."A planning application for part of the scheme was submitted to North Somerset Council this week.