Former dairy farm could become peat research centre

## Summary
Former dairy farm could become peat research centre 46 minutes ago Share Save Bea Swallow West of England Share Save Michael Holmon Honeygar Farm is one of the few areas in the UK that still holds deep lowland peat A former dairy farm could be transformed into an "internationally recognised hub for research", focused on restoring lowland peat bogs. Somerset Wildlife Trust has submitted a planning application to convert and redevelop the existing farm buildings at Honeygar Farm in Westhay. Poynton Bradbury Architects The plans include energy and water efficient buildings that are able to withstand flooding, power cuts and increasing temperatures "We want Honeygar to become an internationally recognised hub for research, innovation, and collaboration," Dent said. "We know how important and precious peatlands are, and that sensitive management can help find solutions to some of our biggest challenges such as adapting to climate change and improving water quality. "Honeygar will bring researchers, academics, land managers and conservationists together with businesses, land agents and other professionals to collaborate, share learning and rise to the challenges we face locally and nationally." Poynton Bradbury Architects Designated spaces for nature have been built into the designs The planning application also includes public access along a circular walk, viewing areas, public toilets, spares to hire and restoration of the existing orchard. More on this story Former dairy farm to become 'wildlife corridor' Conservation carpenter fixing remote science base AI analyses bird sounds for conservation project Related Internet Links Somerset Wildlife Trust Conservation Peatlands

## Article Content
Former dairy farm could become peat research centre
46 minutes ago
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Bea Swallow
West of England
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Michael Holmon
Honeygar Farm is one of the few areas in the UK that still holds deep lowland peat
A former dairy farm could be transformed into an "internationally recognised hub for research", focused on restoring lowland peat bogs.
Somerset Wildlife Trust has submitted a planning application to convert and redevelop the existing farm buildings at Honeygar Farm in Westhay.
The land, situated on the Somerset Levels and Moors, is one of the few areas in the UK that still holds deep lowland peat - which are waterlogged wetland ecosystems.
Georgia Dent, CEO of the trust, said the research project could help find solutions to challenges such as adapting to climate change and improving water quality.
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Since acquiring the site in 2021,
the trust has been allowing nature to recover with low-intensity grazing and stabilising water levels for peatland restoration.
Lowland peatlands found at low altitudes (<150m) that form over thousands of years as dead plant material accumulates in waterlogged, acidic conditions.
According to the United Nations, peatlands cover just 3% of the earth's land surface but store more carbon than all the world's forests combined.
Despite this, the majority of the limited research and restoration has focused on upland sites.
Honeygar offers a rare opportunity to generate robust, real-world evidence about how lowland peatlands can be managed in ways that support wildlife, sustainable land use and local economies.
Poynton Bradbury Architects
The plans include energy and water efficient buildings that are able to withstand flooding, power cuts and increasing temperatures
"We want Honeygar to become an internationally recognised hub for research, innovation, and collaboration," Dent said.
"We know how important and precious peatlands are, and that sensitive management can help find solutions to some of our biggest challenges such as adapting to climate change and improving water quality.
"Honeygar will bring researchers, academics, land managers and conservationists together with businesses, land agents and other professionals to collaborate, share learning and rise to the challenges we face locally and nationally."
Poynton Bradbury Architects
Designated spaces for nature have been built into the designs
The planning application also includes public access along a circular walk, viewing areas, public toilets, spares to hire and restoration of the existing orchard.
The plans will now be considered by the local planning authority as part of the statutory planning process.
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More on this story
Former dairy farm to become 'wildlife corridor'
Conservation carpenter fixing remote science base
AI analyses bird sounds for conservation project
Related Internet Links
Somerset Wildlife Trust
Conservation
Peatlands

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- Honeygar offers a rare opportunity to generate robust, real-world evidence about how lowland peatlands can be managed in ways that support wildlife, sustainable land use and local economies.
- Poynton Bradbury Architects The plans include energy and water efficient buildings that are able to withstand flooding, power cuts and increasing temperatures "We want Honeygar to become an internationally recognised hub for research, innovation, and collaboration," Dent said. "We know how important and precious peatlands are, and that sensitive management can help find solutions to some of our biggest challenges such as adapting to climate change and improving water quality. "Honeygar will bring researchers, academics, land managers and conservationists together with businesses, land agents and other professionals to collaborate, share learning and rise to the challenges we face locally and nationally." Poynton Bradbury Architects Designated spaces for nature have been built into the designs The planning application also includes public access along a circular walk, viewing areas, public toilets, spares to hire and restoration of the existing orchard.

### Areas for Consideration
N/A

### Implications
- Former dairy farm could become peat research centre 46 minutes ago Share Save Bea Swallow West of England Share Save Michael Holmon Honeygar Farm is one of the few areas in the UK that still holds deep lowland peat A former dairy farm could be transformed into an "internationally recognised hub for research", focused on restoring lowland peat bogs.
- Georgia Dent, CEO of the trust, said the research project could help find solutions to challenges such as adapting to climate change and improving water quality.
- Poynton Bradbury Architects The plans include energy and water efficient buildings that are able to withstand flooding, power cuts and increasing temperatures "We want Honeygar to become an internationally recognised hub for research, innovation, and collaboration," Dent said. "We know how important and precious peatlands are, and that sensitive management can help find solutions to some of our biggest challenges such as adapting to climate change and improving water quality. "Honeygar will bring researchers, academics, land managers and conservationists together with businesses, land agents and other professionals to collaborate, share learning and rise to the challenges we face locally and nationally." Poynton Bradbury Architects Designated spaces for nature have been built into the designs The planning application also includes public access along a circular walk, viewing areas, public toilets, spares to hire and restoration of the existing orchard.
- The plans will now be considered by the local planning authority as part of the statutory planning process.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers farm, research, honeygar topics. Notable strengths include discussion of farm. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 489.