LANDOWNERS in Bishopsteignton are bidding to create a forest school at a plantation site used to grow commercial timber.

Humberdown Wood is a 123-acre site of woodland planted in the 1960s used to grow timber which is also home to a few acres of native hardwoods.

Now there is a plan to create a non-profit social enterprise project consisting of replanting native woodland, with the help of the Woodland Trust, along with an orchard of heritage apple trees for community use.

Grant funding of £4,000 has already been secured and further applications are being made with the aim of opening the school by September 2017.

Local people already use the site for dog walking and riding horses and bikes.

A planning application for change of use of the land from forestry to the school, parking, orchard and office space has been submitted to Teignbridge planners.

In a statement, the applicants explain: ‘There is a growing movement to make green spaces more accessible to people and enable them to interact with their local environment.

‘Forest schools have been established around the country providing quality outdoor education, improving children’s confidence and reconnecting them with nature.

‘We would like to establish a forest school and agroforestry area within Humberdown Wood.’

The plans include a wooden shed for use as an office and workshop and a second open timber shed to be used for semi-outdoor eating, a Swedish corner shelter, two compost toilets and a treehouse.

Timber would be sourced from the wood itself or locally.

The proposal is to place a deer fence around a two-acre area where lodge pines have recently been cleared due to fungal disease.

Inside there would be under-planting of a surviving Corsican pine with an agroforestry scheme of planting with the aim of explaining the importance of biodiversity to visiting school groups.

A small tree nursery could also be planted with a supporting biodome.

The corner shelter, second toilet and treehouse would be further down the hill among spruce pines.

Volunteers are to be sought from the community to help create the growing area and build the wooden buildings.

Following ‘considerable’ windfall of conifers, particularly at the top of the hill, the proposal is to replant with native woodland and chestnut coppice and self-seeding birch.

In the future, it is intended for children at the forest school to use these for craft activities and foraging. Activities would include walks, creating items from wood using tools, firelighting skills, building dens, climbing trees, campfire cooking and animal-themed games,

The heritage apple orchard would be used to teach members of the community about ancient traditions and enjoy the harvest.

Bishopsteignton Primary School has volunteered to plant the orchard.

The statement continues: ‘Once the forest school has  been established, we would like to progress on working with adults, particularly those with mental health issues, teaching forestry, agroforestry, rural skills and wildlife management.

‘Healthy eating will also be emphasised with food grown or foraged on-site and cooked outdoors.

‘We would like to further enable public access to the site with open days so the whole community can benefit from interacting with the wood.

‘The project would be based on a carbon reduction plan using local materials, traditional methods and having consideration to the distinctive character of the landscape.

‘We believe this would create a truly unique and valuable asset for the Teignbridge area and would provide a rural retreat for local people and tourists to learn about forestry, rural crafts, sustainable horticulture and wildlife.’

A decision under delegated powers is expected in October.