We have a plan for a comprehensive redevelopment of the site to improve facilities for the children and young adults who use it. The main focus will be on enhancing the accommodation to address issues such as age and sex segregation, increasing disability accessibility and providing a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to development that complements our natural woodland setting.

The immediate priority, however, is to rebuild the Camp Centre to provide a reception, office and administration space and volunteer accommodation. Without updated accommodation for volunteers, overnight camping can no longer be offered, as we need to have volunteers on site whilst the campsite is in use. Recruiting new volunteers is becoming more difficult, and the poor quality of the existing accommodation is a major barrier to attracting them.

The current Camp Office and volunteer accommodation, over 40 years old, consists of timber-frame construction, lightweight blockwork, and a former hire-fleet modular cabin. It has deteriorated significantly, with issues such as mould from water leakage, poor insulation, inadequate ventilation, inefficient heating, limited hot water, and no shower facilities. It will only remain habitable for another couple of years without significant repairs or rebuilding.

The proposed new Camp Centre will meet the needs of the camp, providing sleeping accommodation for volunteers and additional facilities, including disabled access bathrooms, in an energy efficient building which fits in with the natural woodland landscape. Planning permission for this new building has already been obtained, and it is expected to cost approximately £370,000 to build it, which includes irrecoverable VAT.