A UNIQUE outdoor activity centre for schools and youth groups in Easingwold has unveiled plans to turn its historic wartime cabin into an eco-friendly solar powered classroom and meeting hall.

1st Easingwold Scout Group, which is co-ordinating the Easingwold Outdoor Centre project at its campsite on the outskirts of the town, is calling on youth groups and the parents of youngsters who use the centre to write in support of the scheme.

The Group Scout's Leader Dave Waring, organiser of the annual North Yorkshire Scouts cooking competition which was held at the centre last weekend, described it as a vital facility.

“The Easingwold Outdoor Centre is unique in this area," he said. "It's somewhere where supervised groups can play, learn, camp and generally enjoy being in the outdoors. We need people to add their support to the project to help us to get the money we need though grants.”

York architect Philip Rickinson of PRA Architects designed the new facilities free of charge after seeing for himself how the centre is benefitting young people.

“This project is already helping hundreds of children from local nurseries, primary schools and youth groups to access the outdoors,” he said.

"Everyone who leaves a comment on Hambleton District Council's online planning portal will be helping the Scouts get the money they need for the project because the people who give grant aid want to see local support,” he added.

The Easingwold Outdoor Centre is run as a not for profit venture and has received support fromEasingwold Town Council as well as local and national businesses.

Messages of support can be left on the Hambleton District Council planning portal.