Plans for a major new water sports lake in the Mendip Hills have been approved by Somerset Council.

Mendip Activity Centre has secured full planning permission to build a purpose-dug lake on its 250-acre site near Churchill, bringing non-motorised water sports to the flagship outdoor venue for the first time.

Construction is due to begin in 2026, with the lake expected to open in 2027.

The project will support kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, raft building and open-water swimming — and is aimed at school groups, summer campers and trainee instructors.

Centre CEO David Eddins said the approval marks "a landmark moment" in the organisation's 40-year history.

He said the lake would make adventure sports more accessible and environmentally sustainable, while creating new habitats and supporting biodiversity across the site.

The facility will include a sloped beach for inclusive access and will be screened from view by existing trees and land contours.

The new lake will become the main training base for the centre's instructor programme and provide thousands of school pupils with a safer, on-site environment for water-based learning.

Final planning conditions are expected to be signed off before building work begins.

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