Environmental Improvements
The need for improvements
As a World Heritage Site (WHS), Stonehenge and its surroundings are powerful witness to the once great civilisations of the Stone and Bronze Ages. Its WHS status requires the UK Government to conserve and communicate its Outstanding Universal Value to present and future generations.
Today Stonehenge is severely compromised. Busy roads cut it off from surrounding monuments and landscape and, most importantly, from the Avenue - its ancient processional approach. Visitor facilities and parking so close to the Stones represents a significant visual intrusion at the centre of the WHS.
The facilities themselves are basic and cramped and there is no space for education or exhibitions. The shop is regularly overcrowded, and refreshments are only available from an outdoor kiosk. Parking is inadequate, overflowing onto adjoining fields at busy times.
The need to care for Stonehenge properly has been recognised for many years. Improvement to its landscape setting and presentation to visitors are identified as priorities in the WHS Management Plan, the agreed framework for the site's management.
Over the years, there have been several attempts to do something about it and we are delighted that in May our latest proposals were given the go-ahead in principle by the Government. Airman's Corner was announced as the selected location for a new visitor centre together with the closure of the A344. This scheme has been agreed by a group of key stakeholders, established by the Government in December 2007 and led by English Heritage, to identify improvements to the WHS that could be made by 2012. A planning application has now been submitted to Wiltshire Council who will conduct public consultations as part of the formal planning process.
Find out more about these proposals at www.stonehengevisitorcentre.org
