Young people have been given the chance to learn new skills by helping build a community woodland project is to create an outdoor classroom.
Three Hares Woodland CIC (THCW) has been given the go ahead to build a new roundhouse on its land, on the edge of Roslin.
The building will be used to provide outdoor learning experiences for all ages including school groups and young people who are not in education.
And it has been supported by the Rural and Urban Training Scheme (RUTS) which is based in Penicuik Youth Hub.
The support statement from the CIC says the roundhouse will be a Community Build, offered for free, with a chance for people to learn new,
transferable skills.
It says: “Places on the build will be given to young people in Midlothian not accessing the education system, with the hope they will gain skills to help them into employment, or to further studies with apprenticeships and/or a place on Historic Environment Scotland Craft Fellows Programme.
“Indeed, after the build, we will run an 18 month Traditional Crafts Workshops
programme, funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund, with the aim of bringing young people into employment, whilst also helping keep some traditional Scottish crafts and building techniques alive.”
Steve Kerr from RUTS added his support to the plans saying: “THCW exposes young people to skills and training that would not ordinarily be available within the school curriculum.
“The location and environment surrounding the THCW is conducive to positive
mental health, providing a wealth of physical and mental health benefits for
young people who may not have access to the countryside, and we hope that
this can be formalised in a more long term fashion through the heritage
training that they can provide.”
Midlothian planners approved the application for the roundhouse which will stand five metres tall at its highest point and received no letters of objections.
An officers report says: “The community woodland project is a land use that aims to protect and development the woodland, to enhance biodiversity and improve access to the countryside. The proposed shelter will aid the furtherance of the education objectives and enhance community access to the woodland.”
By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter
