Alistair Hardaker
Image: Stonehenge © English Heritage
Study will guide decisions on building height, light pollution and landscaping near World Heritage Site from October.
A new planning document to protect Stonehenge and Avebury from inappropriate development has been approved by Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet, the council has announced.
The Setting Study will guide planning decisions around the World Heritage Site, covering issues such as building height, light pollution and landscaping.
Developers, planners and consultees will use the document when proposing or assessing any development that could affect views to and from the monuments.
The document will become official planning guidance if approved by all 98 councillors at Full Council on 21 October. Once adopted, it must be considered when deciding planning applications near the World Heritage Site.
Wiltshire Council developed the Setting Study with consultants Chris Blandford Associates, the council’s planning team and the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site Partnership. The document brings together UNESCO World Heritage guidance, Historic England advice and national planning policy into one framework.
The council held a six-week public consultation earlier this year with drop-in events and a webinar. The UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Historic England, Natural England and National Highways provided feedback that helped shape the final document.
Councillor Adrian Foster, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Development Management and Housing, said: “Having Stonehenge and Avebury on our doorstep is wonderful for Wiltshire, but we have a vital collective responsibility to safeguard these historic sites.
“The Setting Study will ensure that any planning decision or strategy regarding the World Heritage Site is as informed as possible and will provide guidance and clarity to developers, designers, applicants, consultees and decision makers.”
