Representation by Rosemary Norton
- Date submitted
- 8 January 2019
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
The proposals will cause irremediable damage to the archaeological landscape of the Stonehenge WHS and its setting. This landscape has been described by UNESCO as a 'landscape without parallel'. Recent research has demonstrated beyond doubt how much more there is to find and study at this wonderful WHS site. We owe it to future generations to preserve it and we owe it to our ancestors to respect it.
UNESCO’s international advisers say the scheme should not go ahead in its present form. Failure to heed that advice will be grievous and shameful.
As well as Stonehenge the proposals also threaten the unique and precious site and landscape of Blick Mead Mesolithic and its setting. This site is also of huge archaeological importance and value.
The current proposals have the effect of cutting the monument and landscape off from the public. Generations have viewed and appreciated the landscape and monument when travelling past it. Under these proposals Stonehenge is not visible any longer from the road. It is turned into a theme park, controlled by English Heritage and available only to those who can pay to see it and then only at certain times of day. This not how the monument and landscape should be. It would be a fundamental change in its character - for the worse.
The landscape around Stonehenge offers habitat for rare bird species (Stone Curlew and Great Bustard) who will be disturbed by these plans. At a time when so much of our wonderful nature is under threat this would be unforgivable.
The proposals will increase the disturbance in the landscape with increased noise from faster traffic