Glastonbury & Street Sea Cadets has been given the green light for a new headquarters in Glastonbury. Somerset Council has approved plans to replace the charity's ageing Benedict Street base with a larger, purpose-built building.

The move is a major boost for the volunteer-led youth group, which supports 10 to 18-year-olds from Glastonbury, Street and surrounding villages. Planning papers said the current single-storey building is outdated, short on space and has been fenced off for safety reasons since 2006.

The approved scheme will replace the existing building and container with a new base designed for year-round training, activities and events. The charity said the new facility is vital to secure its future and meet demand in an area with limited youth provision.

Documents submitted with the application say the current built footprint is 157 square metres, with an extra 30 square metre container. The replacement building would provide around 330 square metres of space, plus an attached 80 square metre garage for a minibus and trailer, while keeping a similar overall height.

The Sea Cadets said the new home would deliver a more accessible, inclusive and energy-efficient base, while improving safeguarding, supervision and storage. It also said the extra space would help remove barriers to taking part and allow more young people to sign up.

Supporting papers said the building would include classrooms, a hall, a galley kitchen and storage space, and would be built using corrugated grey steel, timber cladding and brick.

In its impact statement, the charity said the new building is essential if it is to keep providing structured training, adventurous activities and life skills for local young people.

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