PLANS have been put forward for a £250,000 project to build two ‘holiday lodges’ on an historic copper mining site on the edge of the Quantock Hills.

The Counting House, in Doddington, on the A39 a mile east of Nether Stowey, was once the headquarters of the Marquis of Buckingham’s mining company.

Copper was regularly mined around Dodington from 1786 and shipped out through a port in Combwich until it became unviable by 1801 and stopped.

It was revived in 1817 by Thomas Poole, of Nether Stowey, and continued until 1821.

Now, current owner Mr P. Hubbard wants to build holiday lodges with two and three bedrooms to raise rental income estimated at about £60,000 a year to help him maintain the site.

Planning consultant James Venton, of Wiveliscombe-based James Venton Planning and Building Design, said Mr Hubbard had invested in the ecology of the site and it had quickly become a wildlife haven.

He said Mr Hubbard only wanted two lodges so as not to spoil the environment that he had created, but at the same time allow visitors to enjoy it.

The lodges would bring in an income to help fund future environmental works and general maintenance on the site.

Mr Venton said the ecology matters were such a positive that they outweighed any minor negativity around the perceived sustainability of a proposal in a rural location.

He said bringing tourists to the area would benefit the wider economy because visitors would be encouraged to use the facilities in nearby villages and towns.

Mr Venton said: “The applicant is not seeking to make huge amounts of money from this proposal, but more importantly to him it will enable him a regular income to upkeep and maintain the woodland, grassland, and main house.”

Somerset Council, which will determine the application, is asking for any public comments about the plans to be submitted by September 1.