Here from my quick reading is a summary of some key points from the #Stonehenge tunnel consent (long thread coming up!). Whatever your views it's a momentous decision
…https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/south-west/a303-stonehenge/
…https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/south-west/a303-stonehenge/
Examining Authority recommended in Jan 2020 that Secretary of State for Transport withhold consent. If SoS decided otherwise, ExA recommended a form of consent
SoS sees clear need with benefits that weigh significantly in their favour
Can be challenged only by judicial review
SoS sees clear need with benefits that weigh significantly in their favour
Can be challenged only by judicial review
• over 30 years of acute congestion problems on part of Strategic Road Network
• existing traffic problem has not been exaggerated
• would help reduce collisions & casualties
• important benefits for communities suffering from rat running
• existing traffic problem has not been exaggerated
• would help reduce collisions & casualties
• important benefits for communities suffering from rat running
• accords with Government vision & strategic objectives
• support from local authorities & other parties, partly for economic benefits
• presumption in favour of consent for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects
• support from local authorities & other parties, partly for economic benefits
• presumption in favour of consent for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects
• present road limits enjoyment of surrounding area & setting of nationally designated heritage
• proposal would allow visitors to see Stonehenge without visual & aural traffic distraction, unify areas divided by A303, reconnect Avenue route to Avon, improve access across WHS
• proposal would allow visitors to see Stonehenge without visual & aural traffic distraction, unify areas divided by A303, reconnect Avenue route to Avon, improve access across WHS
• it would also bring improved pollution control
• & significant benefit of 186ha new semi-natural habitats
BUT
• The ExA disagrees with assessment of heritage benefits & impacts on historic environment, landscape & visual amenity
• & significant benefit of 186ha new semi-natural habitats
BUT
• The ExA disagrees with assessment of heritage benefits & impacts on historic environment, landscape & visual amenity
• loss of productive farmland during construction & reduced productivity of restored chalk grassland, but modest impact on best land
• impacts of construction compounds & tunnel works areas can be adequately mitigated
• no substantive effects on livestock welfare during works
• impacts of construction compounds & tunnel works areas can be adequately mitigated
• no substantive effects on livestock welfare during works
• the proposal benefits WHS Outstanding Universal Value, especially to the present generation. But permanent irreversible harm critical to OUV would also occur, affecting present & future generations. Overall effect on the WHS OUV would be significantly adverse. This is...
... inconsistent with WHS Management Plan Policy 1d. “This is a factor to which substantial weight can be attributed”
• poor consideration of effects at Longbarrow Junction on OUV; inadequate attention paid to less tangible aspects of setting; ...
• poor consideration of effects at Longbarrow Junction on OUV; inadequate attention paid to less tangible aspects of setting; ...
concerns about interaction & overall summation of effects.
“The ExA is content overall with the mitigation strategy, apart from the proposed approach to artefact sampling & various other points identified" These should be resolved
“The ExA is content overall with the mitigation strategy, apart from the proposed approach to artefact sampling & various other points identified" These should be resolved
• substantial harm would arise to spatial relations, visual relations & settings (contra Historic England)
• ICOMOS reports relevant & important, but not of such weight as to be determinative in themselves
• ExA accepts that cultural heritage, landscape, visual impact ...
• ICOMOS reports relevant & important, but not of such weight as to be determinative in themselves
• ExA accepts that cultural heritage, landscape, visual impact ...
... & other harms are matters of planning judgment on which there have been differing & informed opinions
• SoS notes ExA’s view on substantial harm is not supported by Wilts Council, NT, EH, DCMS & Historic England, who place greater weight on WHS benefits of road removal...
• SoS notes ExA’s view on substantial harm is not supported by Wilts Council, NT, EH, DCMS & Historic England, who place greater weight on WHS benefits of road removal...
The SoS considers it appropriate to give weight to Historic Englan's judgment as his statutory advisor
• sufficient safeguards for historic environment protection
• sufficient safeguards for historic environment protection
The new-found Durrington pits
• The SoS asked “in the interests of good administration & fairness” that late evidence be treated as “further information” under 2017 Regs
• SoS places great importance on views of Historic England, who see no substantial harm
• The SoS asked “in the interests of good administration & fairness” that late evidence be treated as “further information” under 2017 Regs
• SoS places great importance on views of Historic England, who see no substantial harm
• SoS accepts HE’s views that proposed mitigation measures, including artefact sampling, are acceptable & will help minimise harm
Landscape
• The ExA considers landscape character would be significantly harmed around Longbarrow Junction, west cutting & portal, & there would be adverse effects to landscape & visual amenity from the carriage embankment & River Till crossing to west
• The ExA considers landscape character would be significantly harmed around Longbarrow Junction, west cutting & portal, & there would be adverse effects to landscape & visual amenity from the carriage embankment & River Till crossing to west
• SoS satisfied reasonable mitigation will minimise landscape harm; “beneficial impacts throughout most of the WHS outweigh the harm caused at specific locations”
• only adverse health & wellbeing impact is loss of Stonehenge views from road, of modest weight
• only adverse health & wellbeing impact is loss of Stonehenge views from road, of modest weight
• no material adverse impacts upon users of rights of way etc
• SoS does not accept that finding of harm to OUV inevitably means consent would result in the UK being in breach of its international WHC obligations
• SoS does not accept that finding of harm to OUV inevitably means consent would result in the UK being in breach of its international WHC obligations
• representations outside formal consultations include Stonehenge Alliance petition with over 125,000 signatures
SoS considers no new issues were raised
SoS considers no new issues were raised