The tower is set to be installed at Honeygar Farm, at Westhay. Pictures: Pearce+/Somerset Council

Environment Glastonbury & Street News News Planning

Six-metre-tall wildlife tower on former Somerset dairy farm approved

Paul JonesOctober 7, 20250 Comment0

PLANS for a six metre-tall wildlife tower on a former Somerset dairy farm have been approved.

The scheme would see the structure installed at Honeygar Farm, at Westhay, which is owned by the Somerset Wildlife Trust.

As part of wider plans to create a centre of excellence for scientific research and training at the site, SWT commissioned PlanningSphere to submit a planning application for the structure.

The tower is also part of “a wider vision to create an ecological network connecting Honeygar Farm to the wider countryside and other existing designated wildlife sites”.

Designed by architects Pearce+ and built using reclaimed materials, the nature tower would provide a habitat for birds, mammals and invertebrates.

The tower aims to provide habitats for a range of species. Picture: Pearce+/Somerset Council

The application outlined how the structure would be loosely divided into three zones.

It said: “Ground zone – The three legs rise the building out of the water zone and provide a wetland habitat around them through loose piles or rocks and boulders and within the mortar which will be purposely left with recesses for invertebrates.

“Mid-zone – As the legs change from masonry to timber select timber boards are recessed or omitted to create niches and perching ledges characteristic of the elevational treatment. Behind and between the upper parts of the legs there is a sheltered area that buffers wind and weather without complete enclosure. This area houses a number of Kent bat boxes.

“Upper zone – An enclosed upper chamber contains warm- and cold-roost bat boxes, plus nesting boxes for kestrel, barn owl and little owl. A fixed vertical ladder gives safe access for inspection and maintenance.”

The application went on: “The tower’s footprint lies within a man-made depression – thought to be an old quarry or possible holding pond – on ground that is especially soft and waterlogged outside the summer months.

“Tree cover is sparse allowing strong prevailing winds which sweep across the open site.”

The plans were approved by Somerset Council and for more details, log on to somerset.gov.uk and search application reference 2025/1088/FUL.