The Department for Transport (DfT) has revoked the development consent order (DCO) for the controversial tunnel under Stonehenge, officially putting an end to the scheme that was originally granted permission over five years ago.
According to the DfT, the scheme was scrapped by transport secretary Heidi Alexander due to ‘exceptional circumstances'. Included in this was ‘a substantial change in the scheme's deliverability' since the project was first approved and that the scheme ‘no longer aligns with current strategic policy objectives'.
It also stated that the revocation of the DCO would ‘remove the planning blight' that has been affecting Stonehenge and the surrounding area and that its removal would allow for ‘alternative infrastructure or development proposals' that ‘better reflect current needs'
Whilst the scheme was originally given planning permission in 2023, it was later scrapped just a year later due to financial reasons, with £179.2m already spent on the project.
Speaking to the BBC, Wiltshire Council member Martin Smith said: ‘This is a huge blow for Wiltshire, our communities and the wider South West region.
‘We are extremely disappointed that the government has decided to revoke the DCO for the A303 Stonehenge tunnel.
‘There has not been any discussion on a viable alternative that reduces congestion and stops the rat‑running through Wiltshire villages.'
