Gateway to Nature project construction FAQ’s
About the Project
What is Gateway to Nature?
Gateway to Nature is our plan to improve the welcome starting point to the landscape around the Wittenham Clumps, helping people feel comfortable and confident in the outdoors. It provides the basic facilities and information people need so they can enjoy the landscape safely, discover new routes, and begin to build a lifelong connection with nature.
What is being built as part of this project?
Phase 1 was completed in 2021. Phase 1 of the project involved the construction of Earth Lab (our education building) and the refurbishment of another building which contains meeting spaces and a welcome space. Phase 2 will involve a new access track from the road at Sires Hill, new car parking for ~80 cars, indoor building refurbishment for a grab and go cafe, landscaping and a nature-based play area. This Phase also means we will close public access to the existing Centre car park via Hollow Way.
Although we have existing planning permission for a further car park, amphitheatre and play barns, we have no plans to construct them.
The construction works to connect the Centre buildings to Sires Hill and the new facilitates around the Centre sit alongside the range of other things we’re doing in the landscape to improve it for nature and people – including new paths through the Arboretum and Bessie’s Field.
Why is this project happening, and why now?
We are improving access to this landscape so more people can enjoy it safely and sustainably. The existing access, parking and visitor facilities are no longer fit for purpose, and visitor pressure has increased. Now is the right time because we have secured funding, completed the necessary surveys and design work, and aligned this project with our long-term land management and visitor experience strategy.
Is this work covered by existing planning permissions?
The majority of the works are covered by existing planning consents but there are a range of conditions that are in place before construction can begin, or one area can be used. These conditions include things such as explaining how we will manage drainage across the site or how we’re preventing or minimising harm to the environment. These will be considered by South Oxfordshire District Council planning officers in the usual way.
To the east of the area, we have existing consent for three roundhouses and associated landscaping. Unfortunately, these proposals are not viable. When thinking about how we can better use this area for play, nature and families, and how to generate funds for our work, we identified the need for different types of structures and a different design. It assumes no more visitors than previously imagined but would be a much better experience. This evolved design will be subject to a planning variation.
Are there any new planning applications?
No. We have planning discharges and one proposed planning variation, but we have no plans for any new application.
Who is funding this project?
The project is funded through a combination of Earth Trust’s assets, charitable fundraising, grant funding, and contributions secured specifically for improving nature-based access and visitor experience.
Why are you building a playground?
Play is one of the most effective ways for children to build a relationship with nature. Many families currently struggle to use the site because there is no dedicated, safe space for younger children to explore. A nature-led play space encourages curiosity, outdoor learning, and lifelong valuing of this landscape.
We have been working with an adventure play specialist to design an experience that is immersive, fits into this landscape and how we manage it, has high levels of play and fun. The paid-for access will help us generate new funds to better secure the longer-term financial viability of Earth Trust.
How does this project help Earth Trust’s long-term vision?
It supports our vision of inspiring people to care for nature by making the landscape safer, more accessible, and more resilient to visitor pressure. It enables us to generate much-needed funds to diversify our income. Better infrastructure means we can welcome people allowing us to minimise harm to habitats or surrounding farmland.
Access & Impact During Construction
When will construction start and how long will it last?
Construction is expected to begin in March 2026 and last for six months. Hedgerow clearance will happen in February 2026 before nesting season. We will publish clearer timelines once the contractor programme is confirmed.
Will there be road closures, construction traffic, or noise?
Construction traffic will use designated routes, and work will be scheduled during standard daytime hours to minimise disturbance. Some noise is unavoidable, but we will follow strict construction-management requirements to keep this to a minimum – including no noisy work before 8am and no work on weekends unless we are behind schedule.
With Oxfordshire County Council’s permission here will be a time-limited lane closure on Sires Hill, facilitated with traffic lights, to allow the safe creation of the new vehicle entrance. Dates of this will be shared once the final construction programme is known.
How will access to the site be affected during construction?
There will be limited impact to vehicle access during construction albeit there will be an increase in HGVs on nearby roads to facilitate deliveries and the removal of waste. We are not proposing to divert any public footpath during construction but there will be a short period that the new track is built at the intersection of the exiting public footpath.
Who is doing the work?
Earth Trust will appoint a contractor who will manage a range of subcontractors to undertake the works. Once the final set of contractors have been appointed, we will share further information from them.
Will the site be fully closed at any point?
No. If a short closure of a specific path or small area becomes unavoidable for safety reasons – such as during heavy machinery movements or surfacing works – it will be kept as brief as possible and communicated in advance.
What are you doing to reduce disruption to wildlife and local residents?
Our aim is to carry out the works responsibly while protecting the character and tranquillity of the landscape during construction. Works will be timed to avoid periods for breeding birds and are only currently due to take place Monday- Friday.
How will you manage mud, dust, and safety during construction?
Contractors will use strict controls to keep the site safe and tidy, including regular inspections, and traffic management plans. Once the final set of contractors have been appointed, we will share further information from them.
Environmental Protection
What are you doing to protect wildlife, trees, and hedgerows?
Earth Trust has over 40 years of experience managing land for people and nature, enhancing habitats, improving outcomes for wildlife and biodiversity. All of the planned works have been informed by independent ecological surveys. Sensitive areas are being avoided wherever possible, and protective buffers will be used around hedgerows, tree root zones, and known wildlife habitats. Construction timing will consider nesting and breeding seasons.
Around 150m of the 25km hedgerows we manage have to be cut down – this is primarily because of the visibly splay required for cars leaving the site onto Sires Hill.
New swales will manage water flow and create new habitats alongside the track, leading to a new balancing pond alongside Sires Hill.
Are you allowed to do this work in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)?
Yes. We have to carefully balance different pressures in this landscape, with our planning consents based on stakeholder engagement, planning guidance and our ability to deliver infrastructure improvements that make the best use of our resources. We are proud to be in what is now called the North Wessex Downs National Landscape – our aim is to enhance people’s experience of the landscape while protecting the very qualities that make it special.
What surveys have been done around badgers or nesting birds?
Comprehensive ecological surveys – including badger assessments, breeding bird surveys, and habitat mapping – have been completed. Any active setts or nests will be protected through exclusion zones, timing restrictions, and ecological supervision where required.
Will any hedgerows or trees be removed?
Around 150m of the 25km hedgerows we manage have to be cut down – this is primarily because of the visibly splay required for cars leaving the site onto Sires Hill. Already this winter we have planted more hedgerows than will be removed due to this project.
At the conclusion of the works, further tree planting and hedgerow establishment will take place.
How are you designing the project to fit in with the landscape?
Materials, colour palettes and forms have been chosen to blend with the rural setting. The layout follows existing field boundaries and topography to reduce visual impact, and new planting will help the car park and track settle naturally into the landscape.
Practical Questions
How will this affect local traffic?
Access to the Centre via Hollow Way will stop for visitors when the new track opens – leading to a substantial reduction in traffic coming through Little Wittenham village. For people that have always parked by Day’s Lock or the Clumps Car Park, we anticipate they will initially continue to park there but the new access track, cafe and reliable car parking will encourage these visitors to change their parking habits.
Will the number of visitors increase significantly?
We expect modest growth due to it being easier to visit and park, alongside the improved facilities and new walking routes, but not a major increase. The project is primarily designed to better manage existing visits and respond to local population growth.
How will you make sure this doesn’t spoil the peace and quiet of the area?
We have thought a lot about how to maintain the things that people love about this landscape in the design and wider plans for the land we manage here. The aim is a high-quality, nature-based visitor experience, not a high-intensity attraction. We call our plans Gateway to Nature – so while the area around the Centre will be busier – we are actively installing new paths and designing new routes to disperse visitors.
Were local communities consulted before the plans were approved?
Yes. Local residents, parish councils, and partners engaged in early design workshops and statutory consultation during the planning process. Feedback directly shaped things such as the location of the car park, where planting is permitted and the scale of the facilities.
How can I give feedback or raise concerns now?
We welcome feedback on how we collectively care and manage this wonderful landscape. Specific queries or questions on this project are best sent to our Project Lead – Dave Lewis – Director of Operations who lives in Didcot with this family and is on site everyday – [email protected].
Visitor Experience
How will I access the playground?
Parking will be via the new car park or improved trails across our landscape and accessed via the existing paths through the Centre buildings.
What facilities will be available?
Gateway to nature is about getting people used to coming into rural settings such as ours, so the Centre buildings will have toilets, baby changing, a cafe open at times to meet customer demand and a paid-for nature playscape.
Will your plans make it more inclusive for people with disabilities or buggies?
Yes. Inclusive access is a core design principle—gentle gradients, accessible parking bays, firm and level paths, and clear signage will make the site easier for everyone to use.
Are you keeping existing walking routes and views?
Yes. All existing public paths will be maintained, and key views toward the Clumps and across the farmland will remain open. Some routes may be temporarily diverted during construction, but access will be maintained.
When will it open?
Our current programme assumes that the track, car park and cafe are able to open in summer 2026 followed by the nature playscape by spring 2027. During construction, there will continue to be events, activities and parking at the Centre.
What will happen with the Clumps car park?
The Clumps car park will remain open. There is no plan or aim to change how the current Clumps car park is used. However, the new car park will provide additional, more reliably available car parking for visitors, helping spread visitor pressure across the wider landscape.
I have a different question
Please send this to our Director of Operations [email protected] who will be best able to respond to our neighbours on their queries, concerns or request for more information.
3rd February 2026.