Nearly £2m will be spent to create a "regenerative farming centre" on the Somerset Levels as part of broader regeneration plans.

Glastonbury was one of 101 towns across the UK – and one of only two in Somerset – which has received funding from the government's towns fund, with £23.6m being provided for projects designed to enhance the town centre and improve the town's fortunes.

Following the approval of the individual business cases in September 2022, two of the 11 projects have successfully obtained planning permission – namely the creation of the Glastonbury community sports and leisure hub on the A361 Street Road and the revamp of the entrance to Glastonbury Abbey on Magdalene Street.

Planning permission for a further two projects are currently being considered – namely the regeneration of the Baily's Buildings on Beckery Old Road and the creation of a health and well-being hub at St. Dunstan's House on Magdalene Street.

Detailed plans have now been unveiled for the Glastonbury food and regenerative farming centre, which will be constructed on Porchestall Drove by 2026 if planning permission is granted.

The chosen site for the centre lies to the south of Porchestall Drove, between the Sydenham Timber Centre and Bride's Mount (the latter of which is also due to be regenerated through the town deal).

The centre is designed to be "a community-led agroecological facility which will enable people to find a place of learning and development, and gain knowledge and experience in producing local food."

A spokesman for the Glastonbury Town Deal said: "Through demonstrations and hands-on learning, people will learn how to work with, rather than against, the land. In doing so, they'll be helping to improve soil quality, support biodiversity and enhance natural ecosystems.

"As well as producing local food and thereby reducing food miles, other aims of the project include inspiring smallholders, landowners and gardeners to care for the land in harmony with nature; increasing food resilience; and improving the mental and physical well-being of local residents."

The bulk of the site will be used for agricultural purposes, including crop growing, an apothecary and herb garden, wetlands and a forest school.

A processing barn will be constructed on site, as well as roundhouses for training, shipping containers to provide kitchens and offices, and a number of polytunnels and composting toilets.

A total of 26 car parking spaces will be provided on site, as well as 20 cycle spaces.

New footpaths will be created to link the site to the Beckery Village area of the town, which will be brought forward as part of a separate town deal projects, dubbed the Robert Richards initiative.

A spokesman for Orme Architecture (representing Somerset Council, the applicant) said: "The project is partnered with St. Dunstan's and St. Benedict's Schools, Strode College and the Skills and Education Group, all of whom require a local site for delivery of outdoor learning and land-/ nature-based education and opportunities for developing a greater connection with nature.

"Provision will link into curriculums, spanning primary and secondary education as well as further and higher education courses."

A total of £1.93m will be spent on delivering the site – of which £1.13m will be provided from the Glastonbury town deal, with the remaining £800,000 being match funded from other sources.

Somerset Council is expected to make a decision on the plans in the summer.