AN ECO education charity is working to create its new visitor centre from sustainable materials.

The Earth Trust has hired Beard Construction to build its new sustainable education space in Little Wittenham near Didcot.

The charity will be working to build an Earth Lab and also to convert an existing barn into an innovation hub for use by local 'sustainable businesses'.

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The construction will begin this month and once it has been completed it will enable the Earth Trust to further deliver its charitable objectives and involve people of all ages with the environment and climate change through access to natural green spaces.

The new Earth Lab will provide an accessible and flexible classroom space for STEM (Science, Technology and Maths) and art-based environmental education sessions.

The centre will aim to show people what they can do to care for the natural environment.

Dean Averies, director for Beard Oxford, said: “This project is a fantastic opportunity for Beard to demonstrate our commitment to sustainable construction.

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“Earth Trust’s passion for the scheme is infectious and we will do our utmost to live up to the challenges they’ve set us.

“This project will provide a showcase for how sustainable construction can contribute to meeting climate change goals.”

Beard said that it would demonstrate sustainable construction in the building of Earth Lab by using 'a sustainable amount of water' and by using materials such as wood and straw.

The trust, meanwhile, said the lab would double its capacity to provide opportunities to bring environmental education to life.

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The innovation hub will offer multi-use business units to be used by likeminded sustainability-conscious businesses.

Adam Godwin, Earth Trust gateway programme manager, said: “We are delighted to be working with Beard. Their bid supported our vision for a better future for the environment by demonstrating sustainable construction.

“As well as improving accessibility, Earth Lab and the innovation hub will also demonstrate the sustainable use of water and materials such as wood and straw. The new facilities will provide visitors with interactive experiences as they discover the rich history and complex ecosystems of the surrounding landscape”.

The Earth Trust has promised Long Wittenham Parish Council that it will be working closely with Beard to ensure that disruption and noise is kept to a minimum.