Wildlife reserve plans new visitor centre after old building demolished

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 8 Oct, 06:14 · Archive

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust plans a new education and visitor centre at Lower Moor nature reserve in Oaksey after its previous building was demolished for safety reasons.

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust has revealed plans for a new education and visitor centre at Lower Moor nature reserve in Oaksey, following the demolition of its previous facility. The original timber-framed building, which King Charles opened nearly two decades ago, was removed in November 2024 after becoming structurally unsafe.

The Trust has applied to Wiltshire Council for permission to construct a replacement visitor building and toilets on the site. According to the Trust, the new building will be constructed on the existing concrete pad foundations, avoiding the need for fresh excavation and reducing the project's carbon footprint.

The approach is intended to minimise disruption to wildlife, soil structures and nearby vegetation during construction. A key feature of the scheme is its flood-resilient design. The building would be raised around half a metre above ground level, with an open void beneath allowing floodwater to flow freely through the site without reducing floodplain capacity.

The single-storey structure would be clad in thermally treated timber designed to weather naturally over time, helping it blend into its rural surroundings. A low-profile roof has also been proposed to limit its visual impact on the landscape. The Trust said of the original building: 'Sadly the previous timber frame building did not stand the test of time.'

How it is being reported

• Wildlife reserve with backing from King Charles reveals big plansPlans to build a new education and visitor centre at a Wiltshire nature reserve have been revealed.Swindon Advertiser · 8 Oct, 05:00
• Wildlife reserve with backing from King Charles reveals big plansPlans to build a new education and visitor centre at a Wiltshire nature reserve have been revealed.Wiltshire Times · 8 Oct, 05:00
• Wildlife reserve with backing from King Charles reveals big plansPlans to build a new education and visitor centre at a Wiltshire nature reserve have been revealed.Gazette & Herald · 8 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Wiltshire Wildlife Trust · King Charles · Lower Moor · Oaksey · Wiltshire Council

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