A NEW Scout Hut is to be built at Yetminster - replacing an old Army hut bought secondhand.

The planning consent, given by Dorset Council, allows for the demolition of the existing hut off Sussex Farm Way.

The 1st Yetminster Scout Group say their activities in the village can be traced back to the 1930s and over the years the group has had a number of homes, finally settling on Hamcrate Fields, where it has been for almost 35 years.

The existing hut was bought from the army at Piddlehinton Camp providing a base for around 45 Beavers, Cubs and Scouts.

Read more: Green Space Dark Skies' magical event lights up Maiden Castle

“Today Scouting is as strong as it ever has been in the village and surrounding communities and the success of the current Group attracts young people from Yetminster and the surrounding villages of Thornford, Chetnole, Ryme Intrinseca, Leigh, Batcombe, Melbury, Beer Hackett and the town of Yeovil,” said a statement in support of the new building, adding that once the new building is open the group will also be able to support an Explorer unit and younger Squirrels Section.

Group Scout Leader Paul Hollick said the group will replace the existing building with a new single storey premises with a slightly extended footprint to the rear (East) of the property.

“This would allow the Group to have two additional rooms thus encouraging more activities, enabling a breakout area for smaller groups to work without distraction, providing accommodation for parents wishing to remain and meet during sessions and providing a much-needed quiet space for young people with behavioural issues, who sometimes struggle to cope in a noisy environment and need to relax in a safe quiet area.”

Read more: Streets and beaches cleaned during month long Litter Free Dorset Challenge

The replacement building is to be steel framed and clad in wood or plastic wood and would have a ridged roof, modelled on the new Scout HQ at ‘Scoutland’ in Beaminster."

Said the Group Scout Leader in a letter supporting the planning application, made in March 2022: “Over the past 12 months the Group has been busy fundraising and applying for grants, to date raising approximately £43,000 towards the new building...

"It is planned that the new building will be as eco-friendly and energy efficient as possible in line with current regulations. ... It is envisaged that the new building would provide a base for Scouting for several future generations and has the opportunity to be a huge asset to the village and surrounding communities. Our aim would be to commence building of the new Hall as early in the Spring/Summer of 2023, completing the build in Winter/Spring 2024.”