Stonehenge’s ‘heritage monument’ status hangs in the balance amid controversial tunnel plan

Stonehenge, an iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site, is at imminent risk of being delisted if plans for a £1.7bn road tunnel near the monument go ahead, a High Court hearing has warned.

The government’s approval of the tunnel has sparked fierce opposition from activists, who argue that UNESCO’s concerns have been unduly ignored, jeopardizing global recognition of the site.

Stonehenge, a cultural and historical landmark that attracts more than a million visitors annually, was designated by UNESCO as a ‘World Heritage in Danger’ site in 2021.

Save Stonehenge Site World Heritage (SSWHS) says the government’s approval marks the first step towards delisting, marking a major turning point in the ongoing battle over the controversial road project.

The campaigners, represented by David Wolfe KC for SSWHS, argue that the approved plan, including a two-mile tunnel covering a section of the A303, would result in the irreversible destruction of around seven hectares of the World Heritage site.

The consequences of such a disaster extend beyond the physical effects, covering the site’s research value, cultural significance, iconic significance and the UK’s reputation for fulfilling its obligations under the World Heritage Convention.

Transport Minister Mark Harper’s support for the tunnel project, including the overhaul of eight miles of the A303, is at the heart of the legal challenge.

The proposed tunnel had previously faced setbacks when an order to approve the development was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2021 over environmental concerns. However, the Department for Transport (DfT) re-approved the tunnel in July 2023, reigniting the controversy.

James Strachan KC, representing the DfT, argued that there was no deficiency in dealing with the hypothetical risk of deletion, stressing that the World Heritage site had not been deleted.

The DfT argues that the benefits of the scheme, in particular improved traffic conditions, outweigh the potential damage, including what it describes as “less than substantial damage to heritage assets”.

The hearing before Mr Justice Holgate is expected to conclude on Thursday, with a decision expected at a later date. The outcome of this legal battle has significant implications for Stonehenge’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its preservation for future generations.