At last... Stonehenge Management plan published

Submitted by Andy B on Friday, 06 April 2001 Page Views: 729

DCMS 134/00 - 31 May 2000
STRATEGY FOR THE FUTURE OF STONEHENGE AND ITS LANDSCAPE PUBLISHED
Chris Smith launches World Heritage Site Management Plan

Culture Secretary Chris Smith today launched the publication of the Stonehenge World Heritage Site Management Plan. The Plan, which is a formal requirement by UNESCO, provides a strategic framework for the management of the Stonehenge World Heritage Site landscape.

Launching the Plan Culture Secretary Chris Smith said:

"The Stonehenge World Heritage Site Management Plan is vital to the future of the Stones and to the protection of the surrounding World Heritage Site. I am delighted that there has been such a positive response to the public consultation from so many interested bodies and local people. It illustrates how we are all working together towards a sustainable approach to the future management of Stonehenge and an approach which balances both archaeological and nature conservation with visitor access and farming."

Welcoming the publication of the Plan, Sir Neil Cossons, Chairman of English Heritage said:

"The World Heritage Site Management Plan is of key importance in shaping the future of Stonehenge and its unique landscape. The Plan has been drawn up under the guidance of a group of over 50 people and organisations who understand the importance of Stonehenge, and this has been supplemented by local, national and international consultation. The recommendations it contains form a comprehensive and, we believe, practical framework for the future management of Stonehenge and its landscape." The main aims of the Management Plan are to :-

provide objectives for the management of the Stonehenge World Heritage Site landscape to conserve its unique interest;

outline a sustainable approach to the future management of the World Heritage Site encompassing archaeological and nature conservation as well as visitor access and farming;

identify the economic and cultural benefits of Stonehenge without damaging the archaeological resource; and,

promote the conservation, understanding and, where appropriate, improvement of the World Heritage Site for all those who visit Stonehenge and live or work in the area.

The publication of the Plan follows an extensive public consultation exercise last autumn and reflects the many constructive comments received, especially from local bodies and individuals. The publication today of the World Heritage Site Management Plan serves to underpin the future developments to Stonehenge as outlined in the Stonehenge Master Plan.

Notes to Editors

1. The Stonehenge World Heritage Site Management Plan is published by English Heritage on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Journalist can obtain copies of the Plan, or the Summary Document, from the DCMS press office on the number below. A copy of the Plan on CD ROM will be available shortly. In addition the full Plan is published on the English Heritage website at www.english-heritage.org.uk in the News section.

2. In 1972 the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) adopted a convention aimed at protesting sites of universal importance. As a signatory to the World Heritage Convention, the UK Government has an obligation to produce Management Plans for all its World Heritage Sites.

3. Stonehenge and the related monuments and sites on Salisbury Plain form part of the Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites World Heritage Site, which was inscribed by UNESCO in 1986 - one of the UK's first nominations.

4. The draft World Heritage Management Plan was issued for public consultation in September 1999.

5. The Stonehenge Master Plan was launched on 23 April 1999. For further details please contact English Heritage Press Office.

Contributor Bio for Andy B: Megalithic Portal Founding Editor.

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