A family adventure centre on the edge of the Forest of Dean and just 15 minutes from Gloucester has been given the go-ahead to expand its dining facilities to meet growing visitor demand.

The Tom Roberts Adventure Centre (TRAC), which operates a Christian activity holiday park for families and school groups on 22 acres of land at Yates Farm, at Malswick, near Newent on the B4215, recently gained approval from Forest of Dean District Council for five separate log-built buildings which are connected within one footprint, while also converting a former milking parlour into a dining space.

The centre, which operates as a charity, offers holidays with a broad range of sporting and activity options, including a large lake, indoor courts, a climbing tower and 55-metre zipwire as well as a chapel for communal gatherings and worship.

To add to existing camping facilities, eight additional log cabins for accommodation were also recently permitted, five being now in place; applicant Mr Kenneth Ettie told planners that increasing demand at the centre had subsequently created a need for bigger dining area.

Mr Ettie told planners: "Even with the consent you gave us to extend the dining room it is obvious that we need more floor space to allow all potential campers to sit down comfortably and safely to eat their meals."

Current dining facilities could comfortably seat 55 campers, or up to 60 when younger generation groups were staing, he said, but demand for residential use since the log cabins had been completed had translated into 80 more people using the site.

The new proposals show that the extended dining building which would add 25 sqm to the dining facility, would be "designed to match the existing externals so that it appears to have been built as one building including walls and roof."

Mr Ettie added: "We do not anticipate any increase in vehicular movements on and off site other than that outlined in our (approved) application for the cabins."

Approval would carry no impact on planning issues other than those outlined in the consent granted for the log cabins. Specification for the build shows that the roof will be clad in corrugated steel sheets painted Buckingham Gloss, with all finishing to match the existing dining room.

Ryan Morgan, FoDDC Case Officer, said: "The application relates to an existing commercial premises and seeks a modest expansion to the sites facilities by extending an existing dining room. It is considered that the proposals would likely enhance the local economy through the increased amenities for customers."

Joe Aldridge, manager at the centre, told Punchline-Gloucester.com that in the wake of a spend of some £100,000 on lodges, the work for expanded dining facilties was now likely to match that figure.

He said: "It's been a worthwhile investment because what we have found is that demand from schools is particularly strong. So many are cash strapped, and what we offer is bespoke packages which meet safeguarding requirements at an affordable level.

"These can be tailor-made and meet the requirements for SEND provision. The dining dimension was a bit of bottleneck, but this now means up to 100 will be able to sit down together, so we are delighted that our latest request has been granted."

● Schools in Gloucestershire can find out more about the TRAC and its stay packages here .