Major planning application goes in for works at Stonehenge

A planning application for major construction at the Stonehenge Visitor Centre has been submitted to Wiltshire Council. 

English Heritage is seeking to develop 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 version of the design was submitted to Wiltshire Council and Historic England in February 2022. (Image: English Heritage)

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’.

The learning centre would have a total floor area of 397m2 and would include a STEM lab, as well as a learning studio connected to outdoor spaces.

The proposed learning centre is described as accessible and inclusive. (Image: English Heritage)

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 Neolithic period lasted from around 4300 BC to 2000 BC. (Image: English Heritage)

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.”

Its total floor area would be 102m2, and neither building would exceed the 8m pre-existing visitor centre.

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.

The 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 current education programme started in 2013 and sees on average 60,000 educational visits per year. (Image: English Heritage)

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.”

The consultation deadline for this application is Friday, December 15, 2023. 

Wiltshire Council must make its decision by Thursday, February 15, 2024.