Stonehenge Tunnel ruled as ‘unlawful’ by High Court

The High Court has quashed the development consent order (DCO) today, 30th July 2021, which would allow the construction of a dual-carriageway road tunnel under Stonehenge replacing the existing A303 road.

Mr Justice Holgate has allowed the judicial review by Save Stonehenge World Heritage Site on the grounds relating to the adequacy of the information before Ministers and his consideration of alternatives.

On the 12th November 2020, The Secretary of State for Transport authorised the construction of a new 13km long route on the A303 between Amesbury and Berwick Down.

In the ruling, the judge found Grant Shapps unlawful on two grounds.

First, that the government made a “material error of law” in the decision-making process as there was no evidence of the impact on each individual asset at the heritage site.

Secondly, it was ruled that Shapps failed to consider alternative options. Third parties had raised alternatives and the Examining Authority had addressed the information about them in its Report.

More to follow.