The Stonehenge World Heritage Site is owned and managed by a number of organisations. English Heritage looks after Stonehenge and Woodhenge, while the National Trust owns most of the fields surrounding the stone circle. The rest of the land is owned by the Ministry of Defence, the RSPB, farmers and householders.
Also involved in managing the site are Natural England, the Highways Agency, Salisbury District Council, Wiltshire Council, the parish councils, DEFRA and the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS).
The Management Plan
The Stonehenge World Heritage Site Management Plan provides a strategy to conserve and manage the Site for present and future generations. It covers an area of more than 2,600 hectares and is based on a detailed assessment of the significance of the Site and of the management issues. The Plan outlines long-term aims, short to medium term policies and includes a detailed action plan.
The first Stonehenge Plan was published in 2000 and then revised and updated in 2009 after extensive consultation with landowners, the local community, statutory bodies and other interested parties.
Drawn up by English Heritage on behalf of the Stonehenge World Heritage Site Committee, the Plan is recognised by all parties as the overarching strategy for the sustainable management of the World Heritage Site.
The Plan is divided into four parts, with additional supporting information including appendices and maps:
- Part 1: Description of the World Heritage Site, assessment of its Outstanding Universal Value, policy and management context, assessment of the 2000 Plan
- Part 2: Key management issues affecting the site and monitoring indicators
- Part 3: Vision, long-term aims, short and medium-term policies
- Part 4: Action Plan for 2009-2015
- Bibliography, maps, appendices, facts and figures
Implementing the Plan
Stonehenge and Avebury were inscribed in 1986 as a single World Heritage Site and they have many issues in common. But as the priorities, the stakeholders involved and the management framework are different, they both have their own World Heritage Site Management Plan and Coordinator.
The co-ordinator for Stonehenge is responsible for making sure that the Management Plan is implemented, working closely with the many stakeholders involved at Stonehenge as well as maintaining close links with Avebury.
A steering group of key stakeholders, the Stonehenge World Heritage Site Committee, meets quarterly to take decisions on priorities, new projects and funding.
A wider consultative group, the World Heritage Site Advisory Forum, meets at least annually to keep interested parties informed of progress and to provide an opportunity for consultation.
Funding
Funding for the World Heritage Site team and small-scale projects is mainly provided by English Heritage, with a smaller grant from the National Trust and the local authority, Wiltshire Council. Most of the World Heritage Site projects are funded through specific grants negotiated for each project, such as a grass restoration scheme funded by Defra.
