PROPOSALS for a replica Iron Age roundhouse at Hengistbury Head have been compared to the reconstructions on offer at Stonehenge.

BCP Council has applied to its own planning department for permission to add to the facilities on offer around the visitor centre.

The application sets out a proposal to build a roundhouse with a five-metre diameter on land at the seafront location.

A statement submitted in support of the application said: "We have a unique opportunity to bring the subject matter to life for people of all ages and abilities something which the Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre was originally set up to do in 2013 with Scheduled Monument Consent.

"There are comparisons here with Stonehenge – another internationally important archaeological site which has similar reconstructions as part of its educational offer."

The statement said the roundhouse would provide an "authentic space" to practice ancient crafts as workshops, along with demonstrations.

There is also potential for teaching and archaeological research to be enhanced and offer a 'living history' exhibit for visitors, the council said.

The statement added: "The construction of a replica Iron Age roundhouse mirroring the broad archaeological evidence from the 1980s excavations of the Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM) itself should be seen as an exciting opportunity providing the exceptional archaeology of Hengistbury Head is protected from harm.

"The new proposed location of the roundhouse following pre-application advice has reduced the potential harm caused to the prehistoric archaeology of the area but with greater likelihood of disturbing Second World War material.

"The aim of the reconstruction is to provide a community project which is intrinsically linked to the archaeology of the headland. A space created upon the archaeological evidence from the 1980s excavations of the Iron Age settlement which will bring the archaeology alive for visitors. This will be a representation of how people likely lived on Hengistbury Head thousands of years ago, allowing us to cultivate a sense of connection and ownership of the ancient site."

The plans can be viewed on the council's planning portal, with resident comments open until December 17.