STONEHENGE will not be placed on the 'World Heritage in Danger' list, a UNESCO committee has ruled.
Members of the World Heritage Committee met in New Delhi, India, this week to discuss threats to World Heritage Sites around the world as well as to designate new sites.
Stonehenge was originally added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986 - however experts had recommended listing Stonehenge as “in danger” over plans for development of the A303 nearby.
An amendment to the draft decision to place Stonehenge on the World Heritage in Danger list, proposed by Kenya, was passed on Wednesday, July 24.
It rejected the proposal to list Stonehenge as in danger, and instead asked for an updated report on the state of conservation of the property by December 2025.
The amendment contradicted some of the draft's original points, such as suggesting that the A303 Stonehenge tunnel would have "a significant positive impact" on the site's Outstanding Universal Value (OUV).
National Highways' plans for the Stonehenge tunnel.
Campaigners from the Stonehenge Alliance said they were shocked by the decision, which effectively gives the green light to go ahead with a £2.5bn plan to build the A303 Stonehenge tunnel.
The group has now called upon on the new Labour government to distance itself from what it said were "political manoeuvrings" in New Delhi.
Chris Todd and John Adams, from the Stonehenge Alliance. (Image: Stonehenge Alliance)
John Adams, chair of the Stonehenge Alliance and one of the three directors of Save Stonehenge World Heritage Site, said: “This is a dark day for Stonehenge and a hollow victory for the UK government as this decision won’t stop the harm to the World Heritage Site.
"We should not forget that this scheme failed the planning test. It was recommended for refusal because of the ‘permanent and irreversible’ harm it would do.
“After their promises of change and greater integrity in politics, we hope that the new Labour government will distance itself from the shocking goings on in New Delhi."
Tom Holland, president of the Stonehenge Alliance, added: “This is a travesty of justice."
A Government spokesperson said: “We care passionately about the UK's heritage, especially our iconic World Heritage Sites, with Stonehenge being one of our oldest and most celebrated sites.
“We welcome the Committee’s decision not to place Stonehenge on the List of World Heritage in Danger."
The plans for the A303 - a traffic hot spot - would see a tunnel built by National Highways, which would cut journey times as well as removing the sight and sound of traffic passing the site.
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