PLANS have been submitted to construct a community roundhouse for learning and wellbeing sessions at a nature reserve near Bridgwater.

Steart Marshes is one of the UK's largest new wetland reserves. The wetland protects homes and businesses against flooding and provides space for wildlife.

The marshes are managed by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) on behalf of the Environment Agency.

The WWT has proposed building a small roundhouse to provide covered accommodation and facilities for school visits and health and wellbeing activities.

It says the roundhouse would be a valuable resource for people living with chronic illnesses and mental health issues who have been prescribed nature-based approaches to health care as part of a Blue Space programme.

Health and wellbeing programmes are run at the marshes with local healthcare organisations. More than 250 people have been involved in them since spring 2021.

However, some education and healthcare sessions have to be cancelled because of adverse weather conditions and a lack of a covered space.

The roundhouse would have a six-metre diameter and be made from natural materials (stone, timber and cob, a mixture of clay stone and straw). 

It would be built around 360 metres away from the public car park and toilet block, with access provided by an existing gravel path network. 

The planning application says: “Steart Marshes offers an excellent outdoor classroom and laboratory for educational use, but our offer could be enhanced by the addition of a covered area.

“This could be used for talks, demonstrations, practical workshops such as willow weaving, storytelling events, etc.

“It would also provide a dry social area for visiting groups to have lunch without us needing to close off the bird hides which is currently our only option.

“We have great potential to increase our educational offer as there are 18 learning establishments within a five-mile radius, and 59 within a 10-mile radius of Steart Marshes.

“We are pursuing a partnership with STEM Learning to create bespoke resources and train volunteers and school staff to deliver learning sessions on site. 

“A covered base for these sessions would make the offer more attractive to potential visiting groups.”

The team of 50-plus volunteers at Steart Marshes would be able to use the roundhouse to take breaks along with work experience students and other regular users.

The WWT hopes the space could be used in the future for art, craft and rural skills events based around the use of willow and other natural products.

The full planning application can be viewed on the Sedgemoor District Council website (reference number 39/22/00012). Comments can be made until February 3.

Planning applications and public notices can be found by visiting publicnoticeportal.uk/bridgwater-mercury.