New educational facilities planned for Stonehenge Visitor Centre
English Heritage has applied to Wiltshire Council for permission
A planning application has gone in to Wiltshire Council for major construction at the Stonehenge Visitor Centre.
English Heritage is seeking to build new education facilities on the site, through two new buildings and associated landscaping works.
The proposal is part of a 'wider investment strategy for supporting improvements to the visitor experience at Stonehenge'.
The first building would be a new learning centre east of the Ancillary Building, adjacent to the shuttle bus turnaround north of the visitor centre.
The second building would be a ‘Neolithic structure’ for a ‘Neolithic classroom’ east of the visitor centre, near the existing ‘Neolithic village’.
According to the application, the continuous archaeological research at Stonehenge increasingly relies on scientific insight to fully understand and explore the discoveries made. It states:
“English Heritage are increasingly asked for learning content that includes STEM and this is a significant part of the story of Stonehenge to be able to share that with education visitors.”
The construction of the 'Neolithic classroom' would be based on evidence for Neolithic communal buildings found at Durrington Walls in the north east of the World Heritage Site. The proposal says:
“The ‘Neolithic classroom’ would provide a unique experience that cannot be delivered in any other form of space, enabling educators to transport students back in time to the Neolithic period.
“It will provide an immersive and authentic feeling space where a combination of costumed storytelling, object handling and hands-on activities will provide students with a deepened and enhanced appreciation of Neolithic life.”
One of the main priorities of the construction is reported to be providing a net zero carbon building operation.
The proposals also include the retention of the existing temporary facilities building to 'address a need to improve the working environment and welfare facilities for staff in line with changing operational requirements'.
The Ecological Impact Assessment found that the proposed development would have a neutral impact, while a Heritage Impact Assessment said:
“The proposed development has a clear purpose to support and enhance the educational provision at the Stonehenge part of the World Heritage Site.”
The application concluded:
“Given its international status and cultural significance, English Heritage believes that Stonehenge should have a sector-leading education offer as befits this unique and special place – one that ensures that all education groups, both free and paying visits, have a world-class experience.”
Comments can be submitted to Wiltshire Council about the application until Friday 15th December.