AN ANCIENT landscape is in danger from a £5m expansion of the Earth Trust's headquarters according to a group of local residents.

The conservation of the Wittenham Clumps, a pair of wooded chalk hills dating back to the Iron Age, has been called into question as the environment charity's plans include a new access road of Sires Hill.

Also included in the application is a 185-space carpark, a cafe and farm shop, an amphitheatre for plays and exhibitions and three replica roundhouses.

The Sires Hill Residents’ Association (SHRA) has lodged an objection with South Oxfordshire District Council about what it calls the Trust’s 'ambitious project'.

Chris Hollebone, a Sires Hill resident, said no one was objecting to what the Trust stands for but that there are concerns about how safe this new access road will be.

The 65-year-old said: “The existing access to the Wittenham Clumps is a fairly dangerous access on the road of Sires Hill and what they are proposing is to put another entrance on at Sires Hill.

“So instead of one dangerous junction there will be two.

“This plan is outside their remit and at odds with all main national and local planning guides.

“It is damaging to the ancient landscape, visually unacceptable and will cause additional safety concerns on an already dangerous road and it should be refused.”

Brightwell-Cum-Sotwell parish council has also refused the application.

Jayne Manley, the trust's CEO, said: "This iconic place is loved by many and we take our guardianship of it very seriously.

"It receives more visits than any other free to access greenspace in the south east; there has been an increase in visitor numbers and the prediction is, that with more homes and businesses planned within South Oxfordshire, our visitor numbers will go up in future.

"So we need to manage this properly and minimise the impact on the local community and the environment.

"In order to protect nature, wildlife, the history and the archaeology for future generations to enjoy, as we do now, we need to manage these visitors better and continue to provide opportunities that enable children, families, school groups and grown ups to gain a deeper connection with the world that protects and nurtures us all."

Dr Manley said the trust had been developing the plans for the last three years and have involved community stakeholders and residents in the process.

She added: “The plans also include much needed improvements to our teaching facilities; we already welcome over 4,000 children and school groups from across Oxfordshire and we’re proposing two dedicated fit for purpose classrooms along with outdoor features that bring the history of the site to life – three roundhouses and a small outdoor meeting and teaching space in the amphitheatre.”