Puxton Park expansion plans green light

Plans for a £2 million pound extension at Puxton Park providing 40 jobs in a new garden centre, large gift shop and bigger restaurant, have been approved.

The family run visitor attraction submitted plans to North Somerset Council last November, for an 8,000 square metre extension to existing farm shop and restaurant.

North Somerset Council met to discuss the scheme last week and councillors voted unanimously in support of the project.

Managing director Alistair Mead says he is delighted.

Puxton Park which opened more than five years ago currently employs more than 50 full-time and part-time workers and attracts approximately 200,000 visitors annually to the animal adverture park.

Work is due to begin on the scheme this autumn with completion expected next year.

He said: "We invest in new attractions every year and are thrilled North Somerset Council has given us its full backing towards this new extension.

"The project will help to boost the local economy through the creation of 40 jobs, plus a further 20 jobs during the construction phase.

"We look forward to getting on with the building works during the quieter winter months and aim to open the new garden centre next year."

The extension will seek to help the environment by investigating the use of solar roof panels and the replacement of mains water with rain water harvested from the roof.

In addition some of the plants and trees on sale in the garden centre will be grown at Puxton Park itself, with an area of the farmyard set aside for this purpose.

Set in the beautiful Somerset countryside the 70-acre family park is one of the largest visitor attractions in the region offering a pet village, farm animals and a falconry centre.

For play there is an indoor three-storey play barn, outdoor play with an inflatable bouncy pillow, giant castle, maze, adventure course, boating lake, and JCB sand pit.

There is also the award-winning Meadow's restaurant and a farm shop selling local produce including Somerset grown vegetables, local cheeses and meats from award winning Gerald David Butchers.

For further information contact reception on 01934 523500, visit www.puxton.co.uk or email marketing@meadgroup.co.uk.