A DORSET field studies centre which has been visited by tens of thousands of students over more than half a century is to get a makeover.

The Leeson House Field Studies Centre at Langton Matravers is run by Dorset Council, catering for up to 80 pupils at a time and up to a dozen accompanying staff.

Changes being planned include a new single storey extension to provide additional showers and toilets; a new dormitory and the addition of a mezzanine floor to be used as an equipment store, together with converting the existing powder room into a shower room.

Part of the works involves the demolition of a small outbuilding, thought to date from the mid-1940s.

The centre caters for primary school to A-level age students taking part in geography, geology and biology fieldwork with the building, parts of which date back to the 1500s, set within 7 acres.

Residential bookings are taken at the centre seven days a week throughout the year, with a wide range of day visits and outreach activities also offered.

Prior to becoming a Field Studies Centre in 1967, Leeson House was a boarding school before and after the Second World War with the house and grounds used by scientists developing secret military projects, including radar.

Most of the main house, which is a grade 2 listed structure, was built during the early to mid-1800’s, although parts of the house date back to the 1500’s when it was a farmhouse known as Leaston. The location was mentioned even earlier, in the Doomsday Book.

Langton Matravers Parish Council has supported the application asking for a condition to be added that the existing soakaway is improved, by adding attenuation tanks, in order to reduce flooding in the area caused by water run-off from the site.

Comments on the proposed changes should be received by Dorset Council before August 22nd – reference P/FUL/2024/03475