How the wild bird discovery centre will look

More than 1,000 acres (400 hectares) of former industrial land on the north Tees at Saltholme is being transformed into a nature reserve.

The project has moved a step closer with Stockton Council agreeing planning permission for a �4m visitor centre.

The largest wetland restoration project in the North of England, it is expected to attract 100,000 visitors a year.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has teamed up with the Environment Agency and Teesside Environmental Trust to prepare the site for a range of rare species.

'Major milestone'

The discovery centre will be at the heart of the nature reserve and will feature a futuristic structure that emerges out of the lakeside landscape, incorporating a roof in the shape of feathers.

Kevin Bayes, RSPB Saltholme project manager, said: "This is a major milestone for the project and a massive boost for the Saltholme team.

"Seeing the detailed plans on paper is incredibly exciting. I desperately want to turn them into reality and show what a fantastic asset Saltholme is going to be for the Tees Valley."

Work on the new building is due to start next year and will open to visitors in 2008.