THE National Trust hopes to transform a patch of unused land into a 'walkers retreat' at Dunham Massey.

The charity's hub in Altrincham submitted a planning application to Trafford Council at the end of August.

This application concerns a patch of land on the estate, less than one kilometre from its centrepiece – the Grade-I listed Georgian mansion, Dunham Hall.

Formerly an allotment next to Yew Tree Farm, the land is now out of use, but the National Trust hopes to use it to provide a new attraction for its visitors.

Its application reads: "The site will provide a place for people to sit and rest, enjoy the views over the wetland and learn more about the work the National Trust is doing.

"It will allow people to explore green spaces on the Dunham Estate and get closer to nature and wildlife."

Included in the application are proposals to remove an old garage and some invasive bamboo plants, and to replace them with benches, fruit trees and information boards.

There is also a proposal to create a bird blind overlooking a pond, allowing visitors to watch the wildlife.

The application reads: "The natural bird blind will allow people to view birds and other wildlife on the wetland without disturbing them.

"The benches and the fruit trees will provide a welcoming, comfortable and natural setting for people to stop, rest and picnic," it goes on.

Among the wildlife on view are birds like grasshopper warblers, green sandpipers, greylag geese, herons, house martins, lapwings and snipes, some of which are endangered.

Visitors will also be encouraged to forage for apples, pears and plums from the fruit trees, as well as various berries from the remnants of the bushes on the former allotment.

A consultation on the application is open from now until mid-October, with a deadline for Trafford Council's decision in mid-November.

To view the application or to contribute to the consultation, go to Trafford Council's website.