PLANS to expand a nursery in Poole and create a new shop are progressing.

The Chestnut Nursery in Kingland Road, a sheltered work opportunities project for adults with mental health problems, received planning permission for its proposals back in 2015. However, the finer details of the new building, including materials, have only recently been sent for the approval of Poole council.

The nursery worked hard to raise money for its expansion project, which will see existing buildings demolished and a new shop and plant growing houses built, as well as an extension to the existing car park area.

The charity also secured a £9,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund to help purchase items for the shop.

When it approved the nursery’s plans, officers from Poole council said the new building would enhance the site, which currently contains a mixture of sheds and greenhouses.

“The creation of a ‘central hub’ at the heart of the site as a focus for visitors would be an improved arrangement, presenting a clear reception for members of the public,” planning officer Helen Harris said in a report.

She added the nursery’s plans would see a “safe, therapeutic and stress free environment within the polytunnels” for volunteers working with the registered charity SWOP (Sheltered Work Opportunities Project).

“The existing ad hoc arrangement of members of the public wandering around the site would be formalised by retail only occurring from the new shop and the polytunnels occupied only by the volunteers in use for horticulture only,” she said.

The plans are set to create one new job at the nursery, in addition to the various voluntary roles already provided.

Speaking previously, Chestnut Nursery said: “The shop offers lots of learning opportunities for the volunteers and will enable us to offer a wide range of gardening items to our customers as well.

“We are all really excited and are looking forward to a grand reopening in October.”

Founded in 2001, Chestnut Nursery is open to the public six days a week, selling a wide variety of plants.