Work on the controversial £2.5 billion Stonehenge Tunnel scheme has been stayed once again after the UK Court of Appeal granted campaigners permission to appeal against the recent ruling.

Campaign group Save Stonehenge World Heritage Site (SSWHS) has won the right to challenge the outcome of a judicial review by a High Court Judge. The review, which took place in February, had previously given permission for the project to begin.

But another hearing will now take place after the go-ahead was given this week for SSWHS’ right to appeal the Judge’s decision. A key focus will be to present arguments about the fairness of the decision-making process and the need to comply with international law protecting the World Heritage site.

The ongoing legal battle will delay preparatory work by National Highways, which was expected to start this month. The building of the tunnel itself was also scheduled to commence in early 2025, with more than 100 archaeologists already having been hired for the purpose. National Highways said it was “hugely disappointed by this decision”.

Jonathan Weekes, co-founder of Sacred Earth Activism, on the other hand, was delighted.

“It’s great news that SSWHS has been granted an appeal against this destructive tunnel, expressway and flyover that would irreparably harm this sacred landscape,” he said. “As time goes on, more people are coming to realise the scale of the damage the scheme would do to this important World Heritage Site, numerous local sacred sites, and fragile ecosystem that are all part of this sacred landscape.”

Weekes added that Sacred Earth Activism continued to stand in solidarity with SSWHS “in all its efforts to protect this sacred landscape from the desecration and harm this scheme would cause”.

A public interest decision

SSWHS had contested the Judge’s decision on three grounds: that the Government had failed to consider either the risk to the World Heritage Site monument or the scheme’s climate impact. The campaign group also attested the Government had not properly assessed alternative routes that would mitigate any need for tunnelling.

UNESCO, five planning inspectors and more than 238,000 individuals are likewise opposed to the scheme. But SSWHS’ legal action has been the single concrete barrier standing in the way of the destruction of this sacred landscape.

John Adams, chair of the Stonehenge Alliance and a SSWHS director, said: “All those who care passionately about our cultural heritage can breathe a sigh of relief. We now have an opportunity for the Government decision to be thoroughly scrutinised.”

Rowan Smith, a solicitor with Leigh Day who is representing SSWHS, agreed. “In granting permission to appeal, the Court of Appeal acknowledged the scale of public interest around ensuring that a decision about Stonehenge is lawful,” he said. “The Court said there is a compelling reason for an appeal hearing.”

SSSWHS now needs to raise an additional £34,000 in funds to cover the costs of the hearing after hitting just over £100,000 so far. Please give as generously as you can at this pivotal point in the campaign.

You can also help us raise funds for the Save Stonehenge WHS legal campaign and show your support with these T-shirts and Hoodies. All proceeds go to the Save Stonehenge legal fundraiser.

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