A SOUTH  East Cornwall social enterprise working with children and families has won a public vote to win funds for new ‘hobbit-house’ facilities.

I Love Nature is based on the side of Caradon Hill at Upton Cross.

It provides nature-based activities for children and families and training for professionals who work with children. 

Phil Waters and Amanda Hignett, who run the community interest company, have been raising funds to develop a fully accessible composting toilet with changing facilities for disabled visitors. 

And Phil says if he can ‘have my creative way’, it will be hobbit-house style.

He said: ‘We are getting more requests to provide nature-based activities for disabled children and adults, and while our temporary horsebox toilet has been great, if you have a mobility impairment, getting on and off the toilet, let alone having the dignity to change yourself in comfort, is nearly impossible.’

Now I Love Nature has won a public vote in the Aviva Community Awards Fund for projects costing between £10,000 and £25,000.

Plans are being finalised for the completed project now the outcome of the contest is known

‘We suspect construction will start in early spring, as the land is very boggy at the moment, and we need to complete the planning process,’ said Phil.

‘We’re very excited and we’re very grateful to everybody who voted for us’.