Youngsters from Worcester and the surrounding area could be getting a close-up view of a revitalised Severn at Diglis if new plans are approved.

The Canal and River Trust has applied to Worcester City council for permission to turn listed former workshops at Diglis island, near the junction of the Worcester Canal and the River Severn into an educational facility.

The scheme is part of the trusts’ Unlocking the Severn project - which aims to allow several species of fish which nearly disappeared from the river in the Nineteenth century to return, and they have plans to let children see them in their natural habitat.

John Spottiswood, who is leading the project for the trust wrote: “During the nineteenth century weirs were constructed to facilitate river navigation. They prevented the passage of certain fish species including sturgeon and Allis shad and caused significant declines in Twaite shad, eel, salmon and lamprey.”

Unlocking the Severn aims to open the river and the Teme just south of Worcester.

The trust has already applied for a fish pass and viewing gallery at Diglis Weir, and they want schools and other groups to visit and watch the fish from the viewing gallery.

The empty workshop buildings could be used as a teaching space for these groups to assemble and begin their visit before walking over to the weir and gallery. The space would also have a toilet block and a coach drop off point and turning area.

While the building is grade II listed, the trust’s application said: “Finding a viable new use for the workshop is essential to its survival.

"The proposed new use avoids significant alterations to its structure or fabric. It will preserve the working character of the site and allow us to retain many of its distinctive artefacts, preserving its interior as an example of an historic waterway workshop.

"There will be no impact on the external appearance of the building. The options for other re-use of this building are limited because the site can only be accessed on foot."