Future of Stonehenge – Have your say

Elevated view of StonehengeProposals to revise the Stonehenge World Heritage Site Management Plan and proposals to improve the monument’s landscape setting and presentation to visitors in time for the 2012 Olympics have been unveiled today (15th July 2008) for public consultation by Margaret Hodge, Culture Minister, and Lord Bruce-Lockhart, Chairman of English Heritage.

These proposals have been developed by English Heritage on behalf of a group of heritage and government organisations to take forward the Government’s commitment to make environmental improvements at Stonehenge, following the Transport Minister’s decision, in December 2007, to cancel the scheme for improvements to the A303 road at Stonehenge.

The public will be consulted on two initiatives:

• A revision of the Stonehenge World Heritage Site Management Plan, which will provide the policy context within which decisions will be taken on the proposed environmental improvements. The long term vision of the 2000 Management Plan remains, but because of the Government’s decision on the A303 road scheme, the Plan now focuses on creating a framework for improvements that could be delivered in the immediate future. It includes a new Statement of Significance for the World Heritage Site, with greater clarity as to the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of Stonehenge, and it will propose to evaluate developments, inside or outside the WHS, according to their impact on the site’s OUV.
   
• Environmental improvement proposals
   
• Five options for the location of new visitor facilities have been shortlisted:
   
• redevelopment of the current visitor facilities site;
• the area around Byway 12 near Durrington Down Farm;
• the area around the A344 near Fargo Plantation;
• the area around Airman’s Corner junction; and
• the area around Rollestone Camp junction. There are further variants of some options, depending on where the parking area is located.
   

Traffic on the A344 The aim is to provide better interpretation of the World Heritage Site, a new café, larger shop and improved visitor amenities, within a high quality building that is at the same time sensitive to its surroundings. Environmental friendliness, carbon footprint, energy saving and water recycling will be considered. It will also be reversible, allowing for easy removal in the future, if desired.
 

Closure of the A344 where it runs adjacent to the Stones. This involves the closure of its junction with the A303, which would in turn require changes to other nearby junctions on the road network. With the redundant carriageway removed and the land returned to grassland, there would be a major improvement to the environment around Stonehenge, and better access between the Stones and the landscape immediately to the north.
 

Margaret Hodge, Culture Minister, said:” “Stonehenge is one of the UK’s most recognisable landmarks and it’s important that we preserve it so that future generations can enjoy its mystery. Today’s consultation will give everyone the opportunity to have their say about the future of one of the world’s most important sites, whilst ensuring that we have the right measures in place to improve the setting of the stones and deliver an improved visitor centre in time for 2012."

The entrance to Stonehenge Lord Bruce-Lockhart, Chairman of English Heritage, said: “Stonehenge is the greatest achievement of prehistoric culture anywhere in Europe, an international tourist attraction and a much loved icon of British identity. It is inconceivable that the inadequacies of the site should be allowed to continue any longer. With political will and financial commitment I believe the Government can achieve a breakthrough this time and I urge all of you who care for Stonehenge to take part in the consultation. We are putting forward practical and affordable options that could be delivered by 2012. Our long term aim is still the vision enshrined in the Management Plan. “

The Government is expected to make a decision on the proposed A344 road closure and the location of new visitor facilities by the end of this year. A planning application for the new visitor centre will be submitted in summer 2009, when there will be further public consultation on the scheme. Construction work is expected to take place in 2011, with the new visitor facilities scheduled to open in early 2012, in time for the London Olympics.

The public will have a chance to learn more about these proposals at the following exhibitions:

17 – 19 July, Antrobus House, Amesbury
39 Salisbury Road Amesbury, Wiltshire, SP4 7HH
Thursday 17 July 1pm – 6 pm
Friday 18 July 1pm – 6 pm
Saturday 19 July 10 am – 5 pm

24 – 26 July, Society of Antiquaries, London
Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, W1J OBE
10 am – 5 pm daily

28 July – 17 October, Wyndham House, Salisbury
65 The Close, Salisbury, SP1 2EN
Monday – Friday. By arrangement during office hours – please call 01722 343830 to make an appointment

A consultation booklet with feedback questionnaires is available by calling 0845 026 4409, or online at Stonehenge Consultation