New signs to welcome visitors to the Somerset Rural Life Museum in Glastonbury have been given the green light, and more enhancements are planned at the tourist attraction.

A planning application for a new pole-mounted entrance sign and the relocation of an existing ground-mounted sign at the museum at Abbey Farm, Chilkwell Street, Glastonbury, had been submitted to Mendip District Council by the South West Heritage Trust.

The proposals consisted of a new steel banner post sign located adjacent to the entrance of the site and the relocation of an existing ground mounted sign board adjacent to the western site boundary.

The site entrance can easily be missed on Bere Lane by visitors and also missed when driving along Chilkwell Street with orchard trees screening the view of the site.

Therefore, the new pole mounted sign adjacent to the entrance will improve the visibility of the main vehicle entrance and access onto the site.

The new pole banner sign has been positioned within the existing grass verge and set back from the pavement edge to enable it to be read with minimal impact on the street scene.

The existing ground-mounted sign board adjacent to the entrance will be removed after the new post sign is constructed.

The relocated sign away from the roundabout aims to improve the site's presence within the street scene where Bere Lane and Chilkwell Street meet.

The ground-mounted sign will be positioned above the existing stone wall with the existing hedge behind, reducing the amount of signage near the roundabout and enabling the relocated sign to be clearly read before reaching the site entrance.

In approving the plans, the planning officer said the proposals would preserve the setting of the listed building, thereby resulting in no harm to the significance of the designated heritage asset.

Now, a planning application for more enhancements to the site with proposed new estate rail fencing and gates, and replacement steps within the existing orchard, has been submitted.

These enhancement works are to improve site safety by creating two separate vehicle and pedestrian access routes.

The fencing will divide off the grass area in front of the Abbey Barn for public events and provide a safe route onto the site for pedestrians.

The existing timber orchard steps have decayed and are currently not safe or fit for purpose. Therefore, the proposals look to replace the existing steps with new stone steps to ensure their longevity and compliance with safety standards for public use.

Other planning applications in the Glastonbury area that have been submitted this week to Mendip District Council include:

Erection of agricultural building for storage on land to the south east of Cold Harbour Farm, Meare Road, Glastonbury, has been applied for by Mr and Mrs Goldsmith.

Resurfacing existing hardcore farmyard area with 150mm of reinforced concrete is wanted at Shalders Farm, Shapwick Road, Westhay.

Other planning applications in the Glastonbury area that have been decided this week by Mendip District Council include:

Proposed replacement porch at 3 West Park, Butleigh, by Mr Colin Reeve has been approved.

Application for a non-material amendment to permission 2020/0819/HSE for the increase in building width x 0.6m and external door to be fully glazed at 3 Chilkwell Street, Glastonbury, by Mr P Banks has been approved.