A POPULAR historian has described the government's decision to approve plans for a tunnel by Stonehenge as "an act of vandalism that shames Britain". 

The planning inspectorate website was updated earlier today to say that the Secretary of State for Transport Mark Harper has granted development consent for the construction of a new two-lane dual carriage way for the A303 between Amesbury and Berwick Down. 

Tom Holland, who is president of the Save Stonehenge World Heritage Site campaign group, said on Twitter: "At the best of times this would be a grotesque decision, but at a time when the country is faced with so many bills, such a financial shortfall, this desecration of a World Heritage Site is the height of folly - an act of vandalism that shames Britain."

 

He added: "The courts stopped the Government before; hopefully, they will do so again."

The decision comes after a previous granting of development consent issued by the Secretary of State in November 2020 was quashed by the High Court.

Dr Kate Fielden is an archaeologist and environmental campaigner, and honarary secretary to the Stonehenge Alliance.

She told the Journal: "It is disappointing and shocking that the government is prepared to severely damage a World Heritage Site and potentially lose its status.

"UNESCO has advised against the plans and said it needs to be fundamentally amended, and English Heritage also advised the government not to go ahead. 

"We will look carefully at the decision letter and I am sure that the Stonehenge World Heritage Site company, which was set up to challenge an earlier legal decision made by a previous secretary of state, will need to seek the advice of its legal team and see if there are grounds for another legal challenge." 

More to follow.