The 9m euro (£7.1m, US$14.2m) eco-attraction will be developed on the site of a 120-year old river research station and will combine a destination attraction with a working aquaculture station.

UK-based leisure development specialist, Petersham Group, has master planned the attraction, which will tell the story of the local River Ave and the surrounding wildlife.

Petersham will also manage the development of the existing aquaculture building, showcasing the use of sustainable technologies and utilising a range of alternative energy resources.

Keith Thomas, director of Petersham Group, told Attractions Management that the company is currently working on a full feasibility study on the attraction and expects the site to open during spring 2010.

“The attraction will tell a story based on the building’s history and the ecology of the region," he said.

“We are managing the development on behalf of the town of Vila do Conde and its public sector partners, which include the University of Porto and the Greater Porto metropolitan government and the Ministry of Agriculture.”

Petersham Group has worked with Dorset-based Creative Solutions on the detailed plans for the three-hectare site.

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