Round in circles - new Stonehenge consultation

From the 24 Hour Museum.

English Heritage are to launch a three-month public consultation on the future of Stonehenge to get feedback on two proposed initiatives for the future management of the World Heritage site.

Beginning in the middle of July 2008, the consultation will coincide with the unveiling of revised plans for the site by Lord Bruce Lockhart, Chairman of English Heritage. The plans include environmental improvements, alternative proposals for the roads near Stonehenge and options for the location of the new visitor facilities.

These will be on display at Antrobus House, Amesbury; the Society of Antiquaries, London and Wyndham House, Salisbury. The consultation materials can also be downloaded from July 15 from the Stonehenge Consultation Website.

This site will also carry feedback links so that people can state their views on the new plans once the consultation period opens.

The need to revise the Management Plan came about after the government scrapped a multi-million pound scheme to dig a tunnel to house the nearby A303 in December 2007, saying it was “not the best use of taxpayers’ money.”

English Heritage, as the Government’s statutory advisor on all matters relating to the historic environment, has been given the task of coming up with alternative startegies. Meanwhile, the ministers for Culture and Transport will chair a new Stonehenge Project Board to oversee the Management Plan review and the environmental improvements.

The public can learn more about the revisions to the Management Plan and other proposals for the site at the following times and locations:

July 17 – 18 1 pm – 6 pm and July 19 10 am – 5 pm at Antrobus House, 39 Salisbury Road, Amesbury, Wiltshire.

July 24 – 26 10 am – 5 pm at Society of Antiquaries, Burlington House, Piccadilly London.

July 28 – October 17 at Whyndham House, 68 The Close, Salisbury during office hours but by prior arrangement by calling 01722 343830.

Full story here.