Weymouth's Tumbledown Farm being developed into a community asset
An application's gone in for the 27-acre former farm to be repurposed
Last updated 24th Aug 2022
A formal planning request has been made for the Weymouth Tumbledown Farm project which will open the area for wider community uses.
The future of the site, off Radipole Lane, has been under discussion since 2019.
Weymouth Town Council, which owns the land, is working with the Weymouth Area Development Trust (WADT) on projects which include growing food, providing health and wellbeing activities, food production and growing plants in an on-site nursery.
A business plan for the site says it could also be used for a range of educational purposes offering facilities for people of all ages, needs and abilities which could include working with local schools, colleges, and childcare providers, local community groups and adult social care. A Forest School is already using the site.
It has also been suggested that the site could offer ways to meet the needs of local children who have been excluded or are at risk of exclusion from school by offering alternative educational activities.
A limited amount of work has already taken place on the site, including refurbishing one building, and parts of the farm are currently being used for growing fruit and vegetables.
The Tumbledown site is around 10 hectares including an area that is designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI), with two woodlands, an orchard and three fields with the River Wey flowing through it.
The planning application submitted to Dorset Council this week includes proposals for the demolition and replacement of three outbuildings, the partial demolition of another, followed by some rebuilding; the building of a car park with linking footpaths, poly tunnels, a mini-bus drop off area, electric charging point, solar panels on most of the buildings, cycle storage and widening the access.
Among the proposed uses for the buildings are workshops, offices, WC’s and a food packing house; demonstration and skills based learning areas and covered storage.
The building to be partially demolished and the eaves and ridge then raised will be used as a kitchen and food preparation area.