New visitor facilities Option 1

1a – redevelopment of the current site with visitor facilities and parking within existing footprint (Area V).

1b – visitor facilities within the existing footprint, parking at Airman’s Corner Junction (Area Y) and a ‘park and ride’ link to Fargo Plantation (Area X).

1c – visitor facilities within the existing footprint, parking at Rollestone Camp Junction (Area Z) and a ‘park and ride’ link to Fargo Plantation (Area X).

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Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Site

The visitor facilities would remain as a significant adverse impact on the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Site, although this impact could be reduced with the removal of the A344 and – for 1b and 1c – the relocation of parking. For 1b and 1c the drop-off point at Fargo Plantation would need to be sensitively designed and positioned to avoid adverse impacts on the Outstanding Universal value.

Visitor access and experience

For 1a visitors would approach the Stones across grassland from the facilities and parking about 100m away.

For 1b and 1c visitors would approach the Stones across grassland or along the line of the present A344 from Fargo Plantation, about 1.25km away. The walk to the Stones would be preceded by a ‘park and ride’ journey of 1.25km from Airman’s Corner or 3km from Rollestone Camp.

The distance to the parking area from the A303 via Longbarrow Crossroads would be about 3.5km for the current visitor facilities site, 1.5km for Airman’s Corner or 3.25km for Rollestone Camp.

Environmental and other impacts

Landscape

Area V is within the World Heritage Site(WHS) and the Special Landscape Area(SLA). Area Y (parking for 1b) is within the SLA, with the NE and SE quadrants within the WHS. Area Z (parking for 1c) is within the SLA (SE, SW and NW quadrants) and the WHS (SE quadrant only). Area X (drop-off point for 1b and 1c) is within the WHS and SLA.

Setting of the Stones

For 1a the facilities and parking would be in the immediate setting of the Stonehenge monuments. For 1b and 1c only the facilities would be in the immediate setting of the Stonehenge monument.

Historic environment

There are seven Scheduled Ancient Monuments within 250m of Area V. There are no Scheduled Ancient Monuments within Area Y, but six within 250m of the area. There are no Scheduled Ancient Monuments within Area Z, but four within 250m of the area. There are six Scheduled Ancient Monuments within Area X (three in the NE quadrant, two in the NW quadrant, one in the SW quadrant) and six more within 250m of the area (all to the NE).

Ecology

There are no habitats or species of nature conservation importance within Area V. Areas Y and X support some habitats and species of nature conservation importance. Area Z supports some habitats and species of nature conservation importance, and is within (NE quadrant) or close to (SE, SW and NW quadrants) areas designated for their conservation value.

Local community

There are no residents in close proximity to the current site. For 1b the parking area would be in proximity to residents of Greenland Farm (about 1km). For 1c the parking area would be in proximity to occupants at Rollestone Camp (less than 250m), and residents of Greenland Farm (750m) and Middle Farm (1km), with the ‘park and ride’ route passing close to Greenland Farm.

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