PLANS for a forest nursery in the middle of Fordell Firs Scout Centre are back on the table.

Dalgety Bay teacher Louise Licznerski has applied for a certificate of lawfulness for an area at the centre to be used for an outdoor nursery.

As reported by the Press last month, a planning application was submitted then later withdrawn by the applicant to use three shipping containers and a clearing at the National Scout Activity Centre near Hillend for early learning outdoors.

The latest application said no request for a change of class had been made as the current activities carried out on site matched those which have been proposed for a forest kindergarten.

"Planning permission has not been requested as there is no alterations to land or construction of a permanent building," added a planning statement. "Overall, nothing will change within the centre. What is being proposed is a minor development with no alternation to any land.

"The operation of a forest kindergarten will be closely associated with the activities that currently and historically take place within the site."

The proposed operation would see existing woodland being used to offer outdoor education for children aged between two-and-a-half and five. Activities will take place between 8am and 6pm with the option of full-day or half-day sessions.

"Activities will be based exclusively outdoors and will consist of bush craft, nature exploration, backwoods cooking, shelter-building and developing environmental awareness," added the planning statement. "The activities would involve a maximum of 30 children and will be carried out by experienced outdoor pre-school teaching staff.

"The Scouting association fully supports this application for a Certificate of Lawfulness and shares in our interest in bringing outdoor education to a younger age group.

"The response to the potential of a forest kindergarten within the area has been overwhelmingly positive with over 100 pre-applications from local families for spaces."

Applicant Louise Licznerski told the Press previously that her proposed education facility – to be called The Little Bugs Nursery – will help develop confidence, resilience and mental wellbeing.

“We are really excited because we know how brilliant a place Fordell is for young people," she said. "As educators, it’s the best possible location to explore nature and create new adventures for our little ones.

“For children, the Fordell Firs site is a magical place. Attending an outdoor nursery here will immerse them in the wonders of nature and allow them to learn, using their local environment. Parents will love the variety and flexibility of our childcare provision.”

A lease has been agreed with the Scouts Association and the plans that have been withdrawn included the removal of an existing portable building and installing two 40-foot shipping containers and a 20-foot shipping container.

It said that a larger indoor area will be available should the weather conditions be too severe for the nursery to operate outdoors.