Hampshire County Council (HCC) has announced the start of work to build a new £6.1m outdoor adventure centre for young people at Runways End near Farnborough.

The local authority, in partnership with Rushmoor Borough Council and the Blackwater Valley District Scout Association, secured grant funding for the scheme from the government. Designed to offer educational and recreational opportunities, plans include an 8-acre (3.2-hectare) woodland adjacent to Basingstoke Canal, a climbing and abseiling tower and ropes courses.

A caving system, an indoor multi-activity hall, an indoor bouldering facility for climbing, a BMX track and an amenities block for a large camping zone are also proposed. Meanwhile, a biomass boiler to produce hot water and heating and a rainwater harvesting system to flush the toilets will feature as part of the centre's bid to be sustainable.

A HCC spokesperson said: "The site is already well used by the Scouts but after completion school groups will also be able to use the site throughout the week to increase the number of children to benefit from the centre." HCC has started to clear the site, with Morgan Sindall set to move in to deliver the scheme.