Stonehenge Alliance points out: the Planning Inspectors disagreed and did not think the scheme was appropriate for the World Heritage Site and recommended that it should not proceed. 

“We are reassured that UNESCO has now considered the advice from us and the Advisory Bodies and not placed Stonehenge on the List of World Heritage in Danger.”

This is misleading.  The Stonehenge Alliance reminds Historic England:  For many years the World Heritage Centre and their advisory body ICOMOS have had a deep criticism of the road proposals with which UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee has agreed.  The UK Government’s advice and cosmetic improvements were considered but nevertheless UNESCO experts recommended that Stonehenge should be put on the List of World Heritage in Danger. [Note 1]  

The WH Centre’s report reveals lobbying by the UK of members of the World Heritage Committee on three separate occasions.  Whilst this resulted in the overturning of the World Heritage Centre’s recommended decision it is noteworthy that UNESCO has recently welcomed the cancellation of the Scheme.  On July 31st the Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, stated that UNESCO “welcomes the Starmer government’s decision to cancel the construction of the road tunnel under the #Stoneenge World Heritage Site.”  

Mr Wilson’s statement ends by saying that:

“We remain hopeful that at some point in the future, this scheme could be reconsidered as the best option to solve the longstanding traffic issues around Stonehenge and reunite this internationally important prehistoric landscape.”

The Stonehenge Alliance reminds Mr Wilson that reuniting the prehistoric landscape is limited to a visual appreciation from the Stone Circle since most of the land south of the A303 is privately owned and restricted to existing rights of way.

Of greatest concern to various NGOs is that the ‘longstanding traffic issues’ has polarised the historic and heritage community. [Note 2] The Government’s cancellation of the scheme is an opportunity to develop a consensual approach that does not compromise the unique landscape of the World Heritage Site.

NOTES

1] Their recommendation in para 11, p16 states: Decides therefore, in accordance with Paragraph 179 of the Operational Guidelines, to inscribe Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) on the List of World Heritage in Danger with a view to mobilizing international support” 

Furthermore, the UK’s State of Conservation Report to the World Heritage Committee was suppressed until the Delhi papers were published.  Not even Danny Kruger MP was allowed sight of it.  Thus the £55m worth of modifications were not publicly available but used for selective lobbying.

2] See statement by Rescue – The British Archaeological Trust, 30 July 2024: ‘A303 Stonehenge Bypass’