Marsh Farm dinosaur park construction starting next week

Marsh Farm, a children’s animal adventure park based in South Woodham Ferrers, will be starting construction on its dinosaur park.

It comes after plans, which will feature 15 replica dinosaurs and a spacious theatre hall, were accepted by Chelmsford City Council last January.

According to Partyman’s James Sinclair, the man who has been at the helm of the region’s 50-acre visitor attraction since 2013, he said the project is expected to be open by “May half-term”.

Concept art - Marsh Farm's new dinosaur park (Image: Marsh Farm)

Mr Sinclair added the new development is “going round the back in an area that we used to use as a yard; where no visitors have even been before, so it’ll make the park a lot bigger”.

With some of the most iconic species making an appearance, including a Stegosaurus and Velociraptor, it is being marketed more as a useful tool for schools and children’s learning.

Making all of this a reality is UK-Italian firm SPI Global Attractions, who have been awarded the contract.

Paul Boyes, CEO and managing director for SPI Global Attractions, said: “For us, we’re the number one concept supplier, and our aim is to always grow ourselves and support our customers.

“Working on this Marsh Farm project will enable us even more to do that.

“Everything is really exciting for us at the moment, and we can’t wait to get the attraction open for everyone to use.”

However, there were concerns about the project disrupting traffic.

South Woodham Ferrers town council objected Marsh Farm’s plans due to concerns with the traffic, as a result of the predicted increase in visitor numbers and the additional 40,000 cars per year.

For Bob Massey, Chetwood and Collingwood ward Conservative councillor, he believes the project is a “great investment".

Brilliant - Bob Massey (Image: Chelmsford City Council)

He said: “I support the plans.

“It’s great news for the attraction and the town, in terms of attracting more people to the town, which is brilliant for our tourism, as well as our economy.

“I support James and the team down at Marsh Farm and wish them the best.”