Improvements are in the pipeline to boost a college farm in Mansfield that provides specialist education, including animal-assisted therapy, for people with disabilities.

The farm is part of the 32-acre woodland campus at Portland College in Harlow Wood, which has an outstanding reputation for delivering “excellent programmes that inspire and empower disabled people to live more independent, fulfilling lives”.

One of those programmes is animal-assisted therapy (AAT), which uses trained animals, such as donkeys, goats and poultry, to improve mental, physical and emotional health.

So the Portland Charity, which runs the college, has submitted a planning application to Ashfield District Council to make alterations at the farm, including restructured animal pens.

The farm at Portland College prides itself on its award-winning animal-assisted therapy using donkeys.

placeholder image — The farm at Portland College prides itself on its award-winning animal-assisted therapy using donkeys.

The project would feature a dedicated yard for donkeys, three specialised chicken coops and a housing and covered petting area for pygmy goats.

Earlier this year, the college won a national award for its innovative approach in developing donkey assistive therapy to support learners.

Horticultural enhancements are also proposed, including a suite of high-spec polytunnels and pavilions, alongside an espalier orchard and berry garden, protected by a mesh-roof.

The college says the polytunnels and orchard would provide “real-world work-experience in horticulture, whereby learners would manage the full cycle of food production – from planting in the pavilions to harvesting and storing produce”.

An aerial shot of the Portland College campus at Harlow Wood.,

To complete the project, Portland would like to create a new storage area for vegetables and also a new car passing/drop-off bay so that learners with limited mobility “can access the farm with safety and dignity”.

The college is being supported in its application by the Nottingham-based firm, Reform Architecture and Interior Design Ltd, which has compiled a planning statement.

The statement says: “The vision for Portland is to create a care-farm environment that fosters independence, health and employability for its learners through direct engagement with nature and animal husbandry.

"New living quarters for the donkeys, pygmy goats and poultry is a deliberate move to enhance the AAT offering.

Two of the donkeys, Mollie and Maddie, that have been used to provide animal-assisted therapy at Portland College in recent years.

"Interacting with animals is proven to reduce anxiety, improve social skills and provide emotional regulation for learners with complex needs and autism.

"The petting area would be a safe, inclusive space for these vital interactions, and it would be covered so that it can be enjoyed all year round.”

The statement concludes: “These proposed changes represent a significant investment in the future of the college’s learners.

"With these additions, Portland will further its reputation as a leader in specialist education, providing a unique, sensory-rich environment that empowers people with disabilities to thrive.”

The council’s planning officers are currently considering the proposal and hope to make a decision or recommendation by their deadline date of Wednesday, June 10.

THE details of many planning applications can be found in public notices advertised by local and regional newspapers. To catch up on all the latest public notices, go to https://publicnoticeportal.uk/