New outdoor recreation centre at Northamptonshire fishery recommended for approval

'Adventure 4 You' would be for all ages but particularly to help teach vulnerable children
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A new outdoor recreation centre in Northamptonshire for all ages but particularly vulnerable children has been given the backing of the council's planning officer.

Adventure Ways' plan to open a second site at a fishery on the A5 near Paulerspury has been recommended for approval by a West Northamptonshire Council officer ahead of a meeting next week.

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The Moulton-based firm needs to change the land's use and get retrospective permission for six large barrel-shaped pods, a classroom, outdoor seating area, equipment store, tool store, office, classroom/kitchen and shower block.

'Adventure 4 You' outdoor activity centre would be at a fishery on the A5 Watling Street near Paulerspury. Photo: Google'Adventure 4 You' outdoor activity centre would be at a fishery on the A5 Watling Street near Paulerspury. Photo: Google
'Adventure 4 You' outdoor activity centre would be at a fishery on the A5 Watling Street near Paulerspury. Photo: Google

"Although the proposed site is modest in scale it will result in some small-scale economic benefits to the district and inward investment from businesses," the officer's report, published on Thursday (April 8), states.

"The adventure/educational activities to support vulnerable young people that have been identified as ‘at risk’ and developing their education through outdoor activities would have a positive social effect improving mental and physical health for those in particular need.

"The proposal includes the retention of existing landscape planting, and the applicant has improved the land through additional planting and maintaining the water source."

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Adventure Ways, which already runs an outdoor activity centre in Moulton, would call the new site 'Adventure 4 You'.

The centre will be predominantly used to continue to support vulnerable young people that have been identified as ‘at risk’ as well as for other children and corporate bookings.

Outdoor activities such as fishing, canoeing, bush craft, cooking, temporary climbing wall and football would be used to develop their education, according to the report.

The six pods, which have already been built, would house various activities like a library, a sensory room, a 'den', a 'discovery room', and two changing rooms.

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The applicant's planning statement says the fishery has become less profitable in recent years so the outdoor activity centre is a chance to diversify the landowner's business.

"There is no justifiable reason why this planning application should be refused," the statement adds.

"The change of use of an existing lawful recreational fishery does not impact negatively on the use of the wider countryside setting, access, highways or parking, nor the appearance of the site.

"However, it will enable the established rural land-based business to strengthen its diversification strategy enabling revenue to continue to come into the business from a strictly non-rural venture."

The council's planning committee for the South Northamptonshire area will discuss the proposal on Thursday (April 15).