AN outdoor activity centre in Taunton is seeking permission to build a new covered area to help it deliver more sessions.

The Centre for Outdoor Activity & Community Hub (COACH) has submitted a planning application to Somerset Council for a new open-sided building.

This proposed structure aims to enhance its facilities, providing additional space for community activities and outdoor education, especially benefiting school groups and those with disabilities.

COACH is located in French Weir Park and serves as a vital community hub supporting various activities and groups.

 It is home to a canoe and rowing club, Channel Adventure and Applebees Fitness.

Channel Adventure offers a range of outdoor activities for schools, youth groups and adults, including specialised sessions for individuals with disabilities and mental health challenges. Applebees Fitness provides a variety of fitness classes and one-on-one sessions. 

COACH also acts as a base for parkrun and junior parkrun and stores equipment for the Friends of French Weir Park and the Friends of Longrun Meadow, whose volunteers maintain both parks.

The proposed 21m x 4m open-sided covered area is designed to be built adjacent to the River Tone at the back of the COACH building. 

In a covering letter, COACH said: "So that we can deliver sessions to a wider audience and during inclement weather, we want to build an open sided 21m x 4m covered area at the back of COACH adjacent to the River Tone.

"This will help especially with school groups and those with disabilities. I will also allow groups to be briefed and debriefed at the start and end of sessions.

"The proposed open sided covered area is at the back of COACH and is fenced off from the public."

The design of the new structure consists of a wooden frame with 100mm square uprights and 150mm x 50mm joists, all painted black to blend in with the existing building.

It will feature a black bitumen corrugated roof, open on three sides with the fourth side being the existing wall of the building.

The site already has a hard-surfaced area covered in AstroTurf, so no additional groundworks are required. The roof drainage will be directed into water butts, which will be used to clean boats and maintain the boathouse floor.

The design also emphasises sustainability, with materials and construction methods chosen to minimise environmental impact.

To view or comment on the application, visit the Somerset Council planning portal and search for reference number 38/24/0078.

COACH’s website explains its mission to create a hub for outdoor activity and community interaction in Taunton.

The organisation aims to encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to engage in outdoor pursuits, promoting physical health, mental well-being and social inclusion.

For more information about COACH and their programmes, visit coach-taunton.org.uk.