Campaigners cry foul as Stonehenge tunnel gets the seal of approval

Protesters say the decision is an ‘international scandal’ amid warnings the scheme may cause lasting damage

A ROAD tunnel is to be built under Stonehenge despite planning officials’ advice and concerns that the decision breaches the UK’S commitment to protect heritage sites.

Campaigners called the Transport Secretary’s approval of the tunnel for the A303, which is supposed to ease congestion near the ancient Wiltshire stone circle, a “violation” and a “scandal”. The Planning Inspectorate had recommended consent be withheld, warning it would cause “permanent, irreversible harm” to the World Heritage Site. But yesterday, the Department for Transport wrote to Highways England saying that Grant Shapps, the

Transport Secretary, was “satisfied that, on balance, the need case for the development together with the other benefits identified outweigh any harm”.

Mr Shapps cited the economic benefit of better road access between the South East and South West, as well as the support of the National Trust and Historic England, which said the development would help visitors enjoy the site without traffic noise.

He said he was not convinced that harm to the site would be “substantial”.

Religious groups, archaeologists and environmentalists criticised the move.

Prof David Jacques, of the University of Buckingham, called it “gut-wrenching” and said that it would compromise the site.

“Stonehenge i s precious for the whole of humanity, for our understanding of how we have adapted and evolved as a species since the Ice Age. It’s an international scandal,” he said.

The site is also of religious significance to modern druids, who travel there for equinox celebrations. Cas

Smith, a druid and anti-tunnel campaigner, told the BBC the scheme was “a complete violation”.

The Stonehenge Alliance, a campaign set up to oppose the scheme, claimed the decisions breached the UK’S UN treaty obligation not to disrupt the site, as well as climate change commitments.

Richard George, the head of transport at Greenpeace UK, said it was a “disaster for England’s heritage and the world’s climate”.

In its letter, the Department for Transport said it was satisfied the decision would not put the UK in breach of its UN obligations. English Heritage, which manages the site, said it supported the scheme because it would “restore the ancient landscape”. Highways England said it supported the plan, arguing recent finds were “well outside the scheme boundary”.

Opponents are preparing to seek a judicial review, which can be brought to the High Court for the next six weeks.