Somerset Wildlife Trust has submitted a planning application to create a new research centre at Honeygar Farm in Meare, near Glastonbury.

The proposals would see existing farm buildings at the former dairy farm converted and redeveloped into a research and teaching facility focused on restoring lowland peatlands across the Somerset Levels.

The application marks the next stage for Honeygar Farm, which the Trust purchased in 2021. Since then, the site has been managed to allow nature to recover while supporting research into peatland restoration.

The proposed centre aims to support research, learning and collaboration around some of the biggest environmental challenges linked to peatlands, including climate change, water quality, flood risk, food security and biodiversity loss.

Honeygar Farm sits within the Somerset Levels and Moors — one of the few areas in the UK that still contains deep lowland peat.

Since acquiring the site, Somerset Wildlife Trust has introduced low-intensity grazing and stabilised water levels to support peatland recovery. Monitoring work is also under way to better understand how lowland peatlands can be protected and restored for the benefit of wildlife, climate and local communities.

Peatlands cover just three per cent of the Earth's land surface but store more carbon than all the world's forests combined.

Despite their importance, much of the research carried out so far has focused on upland peat sites. The Trust says Honeygar offers a rare opportunity to gather evidence on how lowland peatlands — such as those across the Somerset Levels — can be managed in ways that support wildlife, sustainable farming and local economies.

advertisement

Georgia Dent, chief executive of Somerset Wildlife Trust, said the plans represent an important milestone for the project.

"This planning application marks the next step in our long-term commitment to Honeygar Farm," she said.

"We want Honeygar to become an internationally recognised hub for research, innovation and collaboration — testing and gaining a better understanding of how peatlands can be managed to support nature, communities and local economies."

She added the development could also support Somerset's economy through the use of local contractors and businesses during construction and operation, alongside creating jobs and training opportunities.

Plans include public access improvements

The proposals also include improvements for visitors and the local community.

Plans outline enhanced public access through a circular walk with viewing areas and public toilets, alongside the restoration of the farm's existing orchard using traditional techniques and local species.

Adam Preece, Honeygar project manager at Somerset Wildlife Trust, said the design brief focused on creating sustainable and resilient buildings.

"We set our design team the challenging goal to design a sustainable, resilient, and delightful place for students, academics and other partners to carry out their studies," he said.

He added the buildings are designed to be energy and water efficient while also able to withstand flooding, power cuts and rising temperatures.

Chris Beaver, planning adviser to Somerset Wildlife Trust, said the plans had been informed by technical studies and engagement with Somerset Council, the local community and other stakeholders.

He said the scheme would reuse former agricultural buildings while introducing sensitively designed new structures that retain the rural farmstead character of the site.

The planning application will now be considered by Somerset Council as part of the statutory planning process. Further details are expected as the application progresses.

More local stories

• Glastonbury World Heritage debate enters new stage
• Garden centre between Wells and Glastonbury wins approval for new shop

Subscribe to the free Glastonbury Nub News newsletter Get the biggest Glastonbury stories straight to your inbox.