PLANS for a new �160,000 training and activity centre for a Nailsea scout group have been submitted to North Somerset Council.

Beavers, cubs, explorers, leaders and families of 1st Nailsea group were shown the exciting proposals during an Open Doors event at its current base, in Clevedon Road.

Initially the hall, which runs parallel with the existing two-storey structure will be replaced, with a new main room and two meeting rooms added.

The major work is planned for the rear of the current building with the front remaining largely unchanged.

The two-storey building and front entrance containing meeting room and toilets will stay as they are.

A second phase of construction, which is planned for a later date when more cash is secured, will see plans to extend the two-storey block to provide additional storage facilities, for sectional and outdoor activity equipment, come to fruition.

The scouts have been raising funds for the revamp for more than a year and to date �30,000 has been added to savings the group already had in the bank.

Planned events, including a sponsored family walk around the boundary of Nailsea in June, and the Nailsea Carnival and Fair on July 7 will continue to swell the coffers in the next 18 months.

And the Munro Challenge, which will see scouts scaling 450 ascents of a 26ft climbing tower is due to take place in the town centre’s Somerset Square on Saturday.

Leaders had to scale down ambitious plans for the rebuilding of the centre, following consultation with contractors.

Group chairman Charles Elliott said: “The centre was built in 1965 and has served the group well for 46 years but is now beginning to show its age.

“As the group has maintained an average of nearly 200 young members over the past 16 years we find the current hall too narrow to allow us to take full advantage of the type of activities we wish to undertake.

“In inclement weather, water leaks have started to increase the deterioration of the fabric of the building and as it does not have any thermal insulation it is costly to run. “We wish to replace the old building with one more environmentally friendly and one that will suit our needs for the next 50 years.”