The Gaia Trust has been given the go-ahead from Cornwall Council for plans to restore and convert its Bodwannick Manor Farm property near Bodmin into a centre for wellbeing through nature activities.

As well as the garden and 67 hectares of productive meadow, the farm includes a group of unoccupied buildings which is going to be converted to create facilities for wellbeing, volunteering, community use and to house Gaia Trust offices.

An old apple-pressing barn will be renovated to provide a volunteer shelter whilst other barns will house covered activity spaces, offices, toilets and refreshment facilities. The farmhouse will be renovated to provide residential accommodation for volunteers and, for some periods of the year, holiday letting space to generate an income to support the charitable activities. The new facilities have been specifically designed to be accessible to all so that people with mobility and other disabilities can enjoy the buildings and garden.

The Farm is already being used by Bodmin Hospital mental health patients who do voluntary activities there.