A £50,000 loan has been given to the Norman Lockyer Observatory by East Devon District Council to help budding astronomers.
The proposed classroom at the site on Salcombe Hill in Sidmouth will also be used by visiting school groups for hands-on science sessions, as well as for Sidmouth Science Festival and British Science Week.
The Astroscouts, the young astronomer group, can no longer be accommodated in the meeting room due to the sheer number of them and their parents.
Speaking at last week’s East Devon District Council Cabinet meeting, chairman of the Observatory, David Strange, said: “A Public Works Loan from the council would assist with starting the build of the classroom particularly having the roof on before winter.”
The extension to the Lockyer Technology Centre will also enable the observatory to conduct scientific experiments in radio astronomy.
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