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State of Conservation (SOC)

Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites (2005)

UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds
International Assistance granted to the property

Requests Approved: 0
Total Amount Ap proved: 0USD

Missions**

UNESCO site visit in June 2003;

Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports

Controversial "A303 Stonehenge Improvement" scheme to upgrade the A303 trunk road and closure of the A344 road.

Corrective Measures
Current conservation issues

The State Party submitted the state of conservation report on 31 January 2005.  According to the national authorities, the Inspector's Report and recommendations following the Public Inquiry (17 February to 11 May 2004) on the A303 Stonehenge Improvement, originally expected in September 2004, still has not been published.  In September 2004, English Heritage submitted the planning application for the Visitor Centre and Access Scheme, which was followed by a formal public consultation period. 

The report also states that about 250 hectares at Stonehenge is undergoing grassland regeneration and reversion to chalk downland under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme, is contributing towards improving the setting of monuments and biodiversity.

In addition, the excavations at Silbury Hill, which forms part of the Avebury site, have established that it is a robust monument with no major defects to threaten its stability.  English Heritage is considering what remedial work needs to be carried out in the longer term to deal with inadequate backfilling of earlier tunnels.

ICOMOS is concerned that about lack of progress in resolving the upgrading of the A303 trunk road, since this is essential before the A340 road, which crosses the property very close to the Stones, can be closed.  It stated that in 1986, when the property was inscribed on the World Heritage List, it had ‘noted with satisfaction the assurances provided by the authorities of the United Kingdom that the closure of the road which crosses the avenue of Stonehenge was receiving serious consideration as part of the overall plans for the future management of the property.’

Conclusion
Decision

  • Adopted

  • Draft Decision

29COM7B.88
Link to the decision

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC-05/29.COM/7B.Rev,

2. Recalling its Decision 28 COM 15B.102, adopted at its 28th session (Suzhou, 2004),

3. Expresses its concerns on the fact that no progress in resolving the controversy over the "A303 Stonehenge Improvement" scheme has been made;

4. Takes note of the planning application for the visitor centre;

5. Requests once again that the Inspector's Report of the A303 Stonehenge Improvement Inquiry be provided to the World Heritage Centre upon publication;

6. Requests the State Party of the United Kingdom to provide the World Heritage Centre with an updated report by 1 February 2007, for examination by the Committee at its 31st session (2007).

Draft Decision:29 COM 7B.88

The World Heritage Committee,

1.              Having examined Document WHC-05/29.COM/7B.Rev,

2.              Recalling its Decision 28 COM 15B.102, adopted at its 28th session (Suzhou, 2004),

3.              Expresses its concerns that no progress in resolving the controversy over the "A303 Stonehenge Improvement" scheme had been made;

4.              Takes note of the planning application for the visitor centre;

5.              Requests once again that the Inspector's Report of the A303 Stonehenge Improvement Inquiry be provided to the World Heritage Centre upon publication;

6.              Requests the State Party to provide the World Heritage Centre with an updated report by 1 February 2007, in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 31st session in 2007.  

Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites
State Party:
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Date of Inscription: 1986
Nomination records (Year): 1985, 2008
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (i)(ii)(iii)
Exports
Word File
SOC Reports (year)
2011
2009
2008
2007
2005
2004
1992
Threats*
  • Ground transport infrastructure
  • Other Threats:
Documents
WHC-05/29.COM/7B.Rev
Other Documents:
View inscribed site documents, nomination file, reports, decisions, ...
SOC ID: 1348

* : The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).

** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.