THE new £1.2million museum at Wat Tyler Country Park will be built by a Basildon company.

Work on the “green-themed” free museum is set to start this week, after councillors awarded the contract to Basildon-based contractors Forest Gate Construction.

The company was behind the renovation of the Wat Tyler Centre, which opened in July last year.

Visitors to the Green Centre, due to open next spring, will learn about environmental sustainabilty, including practical tips on how to become greener.

Displays will also give an insight into the social and geological history of Basildon, tracing its evolution from farmland, to a collection of market towns, and the inauguration of Basildon New Town.

The centre will house the collection held by wildlife enthusiasts the Essex Field Club, which will form part of a Biological Records Centre, open to everyone. There will also be a cafe.

Kevin Blake, Basildon councillor responsible for leisure and the arts, said: “The Green Centre will continue to raise Wat Tyler Country Park’s reputation as a truly first-class visitor attraction for the whole of Essex.

“I am very pleased the contract has been awarded to a local company, so this Government funding remains within the local economy.

“Forest Gate did a fantastic job on the Wat Tyler Centre, and I have every confidence it will deliver the same level of professionalism and excellence on this project.”

The museum will be housed in half of the former Motorboat Museum, which closed earlier this year due to dwindling visitor numbers.

Forest Gate will renovate the existing building and add a single-storey side extension, using sustainable materials and including energy-saving devices such as water recycling and biomass heating.

Andrew Baggot, Basildon councillresponsible for communities, said: “It’s great there will be a history section because it’s not a New Town anymore, it’s 60 years old.

“This will be a jewel in Basildon’s crown.”

Trevor Hosking, managaing diorector of Forest Gate, said: “It’s nice to be working with our local authority and giving something back to the community.

“It’s also great we’re continuing our partnership with the team down at Wat Tyler.”

The council said the unoccupied half of the old Motorboat Museum will be leased out.

The project is being funded by a £1million Government grant and £200,000 from the Veolia Pitsea Marshes Trust.