A community interest company in Stratton-on-the-Fosse that helps rough sleepers transition out of homelessness through horticulture, has been given planning permission to create a therapeutic learning hub in the village.

A planning application for two timber framed non-permanent 12m x 4.8m structures with access track and car parking at Manor Farm, Fosse Way, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, was submitted to Mendip District Council by Rob Addicott, on behalf of Root Connections.

Manor Farm is the home of the Dairy House, where rough sleepers are given the opportunity to transition out of homelessness, in conjunction with Elim Connect Centre and Mendip District Council.

The Dairy House has been operating for more than five years, and the residents have always had the opportunity to look after vegetables and animals, both in their own gardens, and on the farmland that surrounds the property.

The farm is largely mechanised and would be dangerous for unskilled workers, so about three years ago a community garden was established to provide a therapeutic place for meaningful activity, and the potential to develop an income to support the work of the Dairy House.

This began as a project run entirely by volunteers, but at the beginning of 2018 a community interest company was established to run the garden and develop both the commercial sales of vegetables and flowers, but also to expand the number of people that can access the horticultural therapy that is available – this CIC is called Root Connections.

The organisation proposed to building two timber framed non-permanent structures, with wood cladding, which will serve as a therapeutic learning hub, office, and will also have fully accessible toilet facilities.

These facilities will allow Root Connections to be more accessible to the local community, and help support mental and physical health, especially in the aftermath of Covid-19.

There is funding available to make this happen, and now Mendip have given the green light for the work.

The planning officer's report said: "Given the design, scale, massing and siting of the proposed development, the proposal would not cause significant harm to the amenities of any occupiers or adjacent occupiers through loss of light, overshadowing, overbearing impact, loss of privacy, noise, smell, traffic or other disturbance."

Planning applications in the Shepton Mallet area that have been submitted to Mendip District Council this week include:

Erection of straw barn and weaner calf building, and retention of earth bund on land at Long Lane, Wanstrow, has been applied for by Mr Adam Buitelaar.

Erection of an agricultural building at Hooting Ash Farm, Lamberts Hill, Pilton, is wanted by Mr Jonathan Morris.

Application for prior notification of an agricultural development: proposed concrete yard and access to service existing buildings at Bridge Farm, Whitstone Hill, Shepton Mallet, has been made by S Taylor.

Planning applications in the Shepton Mallet area that have been decided by Mendip District Council this week include:

Application to vary condition 2 (plans list), remove conditions 3 (materials), 5 (surface water drainage) on planning permission 2020/1240/FUL at White Oak Farm, Strap Lane, North Brewham, by Jono and Zoe Ekin has been approved.

Removal of existing garage and replace with an office and a garden storage (part-retrospective) at 14 Southfield Road, Shepton Mallet, by Susan Penn has been approved.

Proposed vehicle access to west side of property with boundary fencing at Tadhill House Farm, Old Wells Road, Leigh-on-Mendip, by Rhiannon Batten has been approved.

Two storey side extension and parking space to the front at 33 Beech Avenue, Shepton Mallet, by Mrs Whittaker has been approved.

Division of property into two dwellinghouses at Rock Cottage, Thrupe Lane, Croscombe, by Mr and Mrs Lewis has been approved.

Reconfigure the ground floor plan with minor demolition work; enlarge the opening in the facade of the single-storey extension; raise parapet of single-storey extension; add two bedrooms and bathrooms into the upper storey of the barn/workshop; on the north elevation, reinstate the historically infilled opening; reconfigure and replace existing PVC SVP with a cast iron version on the south elevation; on south elevation of barn, reinstate the historically infilled opening and install a metal-framed window; replace all rotten windows of the main house with like for like timber framed windows to match existing at Elm House, Kale Street, Batcombe, by Mr S Mathers have been approved.

Retention of access track and erection of artist studio building at Folly Lodge, Folly Lane, North Wootton, by Dr T Flaxton and Mrs C Humpston has been approved.

Minor amendment to north entrance door being infilled under 2020/2519/LBC to include a window at St Mary's Cottage, St Mary's Lane, Pilton, by Morton Clarke and Wilson has been approved.

Application for a certificate of lawful proposed development for infrastructure on improvement of tracks at Higher Bitcombe Wood, Hunters Lodge Farm Lane, Wanstrow, by Mr Harry Stevens has been approved.

Partial demolition and erection of two storey extension and alterations to dwelling at Camp Five, Blackey Lane to Withy Lane, Neighbourne, by Mr and Mrs D Jukes has been approved.

Application for a proposed lawful development certificate for six dropped kerbs and a RH splay kerb at 31 Beacon View, Coleford, by Mr David Hughes has been approved.