PLANS are afoot to develop Roves Farm following a devastating fire earlier this year.

The visitor centre at the popular family attraction was struck by disaster in May when an electrical fault destroyed it completely. The centre had been the site’s main reception and ticketing area, as well as hosting arts and crafts activities.

The farm, run by the Burr family, faced being shut indefinitely as a result of the damage, but the hard work by staff and volunteers ensured that the agricultural barn, previously used for Christmas activities and storage, could be transformed into the new activity barn.

Now, a planning application has been submitted to Swindon Council to erect a replacement building to accommodate the cafe and farm shop, retain the existing temporary accommodation as a new play barn, provide new livestock and storage accommodation together with repair of a separate building as storage and boiler housing.

Simon Chambers, agent for the application, said: “Obviously their immediate focus after the fire was operational, but once the business was up and running again, albeit with reduced facilities, they were able to address how best to replace the lost building and take this opportunity to also rationalise the visitor centre’s overall operations.

“Specifically, the application proposes to rebuild the destroyed barn – it will be used to accommodate the centre’s main reception, toilets and the cafe with indoor eating areas to complement the covered picnic building only recently built.”

The application also proposes to provide a farm shop and renovations to the play barn to include a straw bale maze and pets corner, with the Burr family hoping to create more equipment to attract older children.

Mr Chambers said: “The building will be used solely for soft play activities. It is positioned in the middle of the complex and is hoped to accommodate some more adventurous play equipment for older children.

“They would also like to develop more craft orientated/ activity themed courses for older children using this space.”

It has been a whirlwind of a year for the attraction, as only four months after the fire, it celebrated its 20th anniversary of being a visitor centre with a Family Fun Day.

There was a variety of events including welly wanging, animal racing and tractor rides.

All money raised was donated to Alzheimer’s Research UK.

A decision on the application will not be made until January, but to view it visit www.swindon.gov.uk.

The farm opens daily from 10.30am to 5pm until November 30.

For December times visit www.rovesfarm.co.uk.