Planning consent revoked by government for Stonehenge tunnel project
Wiltshire Council's cabinet member of highways says the decision is a "a huge blow for Wiltshire"
Last updated 2 hours ago
Planning consent has been formally revoked by the government for the A303 Stonehenge Tunnel.
The Department of Transport (DfT) said it had made the decision to revoke the development consent order (DCO) due to "exceptional circumstances" and had considered the 181 responses supporting revocation as well as the 49 against.
The long planned A303 project between Amesbury and Berwick Down was halted by the government in July 2024 due to financial reasons after initially being given planning permission in 2023.
The DfT added that the decision had been made by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander due to a "substantial change in the scheme's deliverability" and "the absence of secured funding."
It also said "the continued safeguarding of the scheme would not reflect the present policy framework or the most effective use."
The said the revocation also lifts the "planning blight" that affects the land and, will allow other infrastructure development proposals to be come forward which "better reflect current needs."
Wiltshire Cabinet member for Highways Cllr Martin Smith said: “We are extremely disappointed that the Government has decided to revoke the Development Consent Order (DCO) for the A303 Stonehenge Tunnel, as this now marks the end of the project.
“This is a huge blow for Wiltshire, our communities and the wider South West region. The decision discards years of detailed planning, extensive consultation and significant public investment, and undermines what was a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity to address long‑standing issues on one of the region’s most important transport routes.
“There has not been any discussion on a viable alternative that reduces congestion and stops the rat‑running through Wiltshire villages
“We call on the Government to now engage in meaningful conversations with us on alternative solutions to help relieve the continued congestion and rat‑running that our communities face on a daily basis.
“Wiltshire, and indeed the South West, deserve a long‑term, strategic commitment to infrastructure, and we will continue to make the case for solutions that meet the needs of our communities.”
The decision to revoke the A303 scheme can now be challenged by a judicial review in the next six weeks.