CREATIVE designs and fundraising ideas are being explored as part of an ambitious plan to build a new greenhouse in Dartmouth's Royal Avenue Gardens. Dartmouth Green Partner­ships needs to raise funds to get the project, which could include a pyramid-shaped greenhouse off the ground. Meanwhile, it is hoped work to prepare the site, in conjunction with owner South Hams Council, can get under way. A planning application is due to be considered by the district's development management committee next Wednesday when councillors are being asked to approve a scheme to develop a community greenhouse as well as creating 28 extra car parking spaces at Mayors Avenue. The present dilapidated glasshouse and shed structures and a timber fence would be removed, along with a play area, which has been replaced with a similar structure in nearby Coronat­ion Park. Partnership chairman Stevie Rogers said several greenhouse designs were still being considered for a structure that it was hoped would have a 'wow' factor as you came along the embankment. 'South Hams Council is being very supportive by agreeing to provide the base and putting in the foundations,' she said. 'They have also offered a long lease at a peppercorn rent but we will have to raise the money for the greenhouse and to do this we are hoping to become a charity.' She said the partnership was hoping to create something visually different on the site that would become a real talking point and attract visitors. It is considering the possibility of a pyramid-shaped glass structure of 30ft x 30ft square and 35ft high. 'We are not sure at this stage how much we need to raise but would be grateful to hear from anybody who could assist us with the administration to help us register as a charity and get up and running,' she added. No sizes or designs have been submitted with the South Hams Council planning application. A report to the meeting said the works, subject to conditions, would not harm the setting of nearby listed buildings, the character or appearance of the Conserv­ation Area or scenic value of the South Hams Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The plans also include extra car parking within the town centre. The car park would be also provided with separate ways in and out. There would be no harm to ecology, residential amenity or land drainage, says the report. At present the site is occupied by a council recycling area, depot and storage area and a children's play area. Within the site are several mixed species board leafed trees of varying ages and the application includes the removal of six trees, some of which are mature and said to offer good amenity value. A one-way system would be introduced, with the existing site entrance being widened to 4.8m, incorporating a footway and dropped kerbs at the road access. The county council's highways department has raised no objections to the scheme and neither has Dartmouth Town Council, but town councillors said they would have preferred to have been consulted before the formal planning application was put in.