PROGRESS is being made with a wildlife project on a Dorset Wildlife Trust farm site north of Dorchester.

Plans have now been approved by Dorset Council for the demolition of some former agricultural buildings at Lyscombe Farm, Piddletrenthide, with the creation of a volunteer hub and 24-space car park.

One of the former farm buildings is likely to be converted into a three-bed private home.

The new base for volunteers and equipment will be created by the conversion of two barns.

Dorset Wildlife Trust has denied it is creating a visitor centre or turning the area into a tourist attraction and says there are no plans for a café, which some have suggested.

"There is a proposal to offer toilet facilities and a covered space for visitors and volunteers to shelter. The use of Barn 6 as proposed is predominantly for a secure tool and machinery barn with welfare facilities for our staff and volunteers who are managing the site," said DWT chief officer Brian Bleese.

He has also denied that the sale of 'nutrient credits' associated with the site is anything to do with the Trust and says that will be operated, separately, by Natural England.

"Dorset Wildlife Trust has no involvement in the sale of Nutrient Credits nor any input as to whom they are purchased by. The suggestion, made by some objectors to the planning application, that Dorset Wildlife Trust has in some way done a deal to facilitate the north of Dorchester development is entirely false."

The 833-acres estate which includes chalk grassland, scrub, wildflower meadows and an ancient woodland, is the source of the River Piddle, which eventually flows into the sea at Poole Harbour.

The farm purchase was made possible with Natural England's nutrient mitigation scheme, backed by £30 million of government funding, and its national nature reserves funding alongside donations from Dorset Wildlife Trust supporters.

Natural England said it would be offering nutrient "credits" for sale to developers to offset the impact of building homes in the area, recouping taxpayers' money spent on the farm.

Natural regeneration, rewilding and traditional conservation management techniques – including continuing to graze livestock – will be used to support the downland and boost wildlife through the landscape, Dorset Wildlife Trust said.

Talks are underway for the Trust to work with neighbouring farms to create what has been dubbed "a nature recovery network" across the area.

Dorset Wildlife Trust hopes that its operation of the farm, which has already started with two rangers and teams of volunteers, will provided a model way of working with nature for other farms to follow.

Cheselbourne parish council welcomes the proposals although says it has concerns about light pollution from the buildings in an area previously unaffected by domestic lighting.

"The demolition of the modern farm buildings and conversion of the concrete yard to a meadow is well received, as is the conversion of barn 5 to a bat roost.

"The conversion of barn 6 to form a volunteer hub and car park is of more concern. Whilst we can see that it would be beneficial to the management of the site, it gives the impression that a considerable number of visitors – be they volunteers or general visitors – are expected.

"This is contrary to what we were led to believe during a meeting with representatives of Dorset Wildlife Trust. The potential unintended consequences could be significant for the village of Cheselbourne should the volume of traffic increase as a result of the development of the visitor facility."