
Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet has approved a Setting Study for the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site (WHS), which, if adopted by Full Council later this month (October), will be used to ensure that developments in Wiltshire do not adversely impact the internationally significant monuments and the area they are located in.
This follows a six-week public consultation held earlier this year, which included the council directly contacting stakeholders and hosting a public webinar, as well as a series of in-person drop-in events for people to learn more and ask questions.
Among the consultation responses were representations from organisations including the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Historic England, Natural England and National Highways.
The Supplementary Planning Document will ensure consistency in assessment and decision-making by providing guidance to support decision-makers, developers, applicants, and consultees. When formally adopted, it will become a ‘material consideration’ and will be taken into account when deciding any planning application in the area.
In association with Chris Blandford Associates, the consultation document was developed with representatives from the council’s planning team and input from the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site Partnership.
Cllr Adrian Foster, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Development Management and Housing, said: “We are committed to working positively with partners to enhance and protect our environment for future generations. Having Stonehenge and Avebury on our doorstep is wonderful for Wiltshire, but we have a vital collective responsibility to safeguard these historic sites.
“The Setting Study will ensure that any planning decision or strategy regarding the World Heritage Site is as informed as possible and will provide guidance and clarity to developers, designers, applicants, consultees and decision makers.
“My thanks go to all who took a keen interest and contributed to our public consultation. This feedback has proven to be valuable in finalising the document. We now look forward to presenting this to Full Council so that it can be formally adopted.”
The Setting Study integrates UNESCO Guidance on Heritage Impact Assessments and advice from Historic England with the National Planning Policy Framework and Local Plan requirements.