English Heritage’s plans for new visitor facilities at Stonehenge were approved by Wiltshire Council’s Strategic Planning Committee on the 20th January 2010. The new visitor centre and facilities are approximately 2.5 kilometres to the west of the stones, with the centre linked to the stones by a new transit system. Regeneris Consulting undertook a comprehensive socio-economic impact assessment of the proposal as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). As well as playing a key role in the planning process, our assessment also contributed to the award of £1m of South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) Single Programme funding to support the project.
Regeneris Consulting also has an on-going role in the development of the business case for the project. Our work has included advising on the assessment of options for the scheme, and in developing the Strategic Business Case and the Outline Business Case. Any capital funding from DCMS to English Heritage has to be approved by HM Treasury, and as such, each business case is considered by both DCMS and HM Treasury. DCMS and HM Treasury are currently considering the Outline Business Case.
Located in Wiltshire in the South West of England, Stonehenge is English Heritage's number one visitor attraction in terms of visitor numbers and attracts significant interest both nationally and internationally. In recognition of its Outstanding Universal Value based on its archaeological and historic importance, it received World Heritage Status (WHS) in 1986.
In 2000, a project was developed to relocate visitor facilities to a new centre, away from the stones. This was linked to plans to remove roads from around Stonehenge by placing the nearby A303 in a tunnel. Following the government’s announcement in 2007 that it would not continue with the A303 tunnel scheme (due to the estimated cost of around £500m), the board re-convened in December 2008 to discuss options. Regeneris Consulting advised English Heritage on these options, which has involved assessing a long-list of 12 options based on deliverability and operational issues.
The government announced in 2009 its intention to support the development of a visitor centre at Airman’s corner, one and a half miles west of the current visitor centre. Also included are plans to close the nearby A344, which takes traffic very close to the stones. The government announced the provisional go ahead for the project, subject to a rigorous assessment of the requirement for funding from the public sector and planning permission. Funding will be provided through a range of private and public sources, including English Heritage, Heritage Lottery Fund, Highways Agency, Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Transport. The Project is intended to deliver the environmental improvements by 2012, in time for the London Olympics.
For further information on the range of feasibility, business planning and impact assessment services offered by Regeneris Consulting, please contact Neil Evans on 0161 926 9214 (n.evans@regeneris.co.uk). |
