We're all singing from the same song sheet.....

We're pleased that there are now a number of letters/objections posted onto the "download plans and documents" page of Wiltshire Council's web site. www.wiltshire.gov.uk  They include letters from CPRE Campaign for Rural England, Stonehenge Alliance, Winterbourne Stoke Parish Council and a number from local residents.   This is in relation to the previously mentioned application by
www.english-heritage.org.uk to extend the coach and car parks at the visitors centre, which are already a blot on the landscape on the beautiful Salisbury Plain in the county of Wiltshire.  They say they need a further 26 coach places and 50 staff car places for a temporary period of 2 years and we would like to know what exactly do they mean by 2 years???   They also say they need the car park over spill area to be resurfaced to a more permanent arrangement. .....If this application gets the green light, one wonders if this is the thin end of the wedge and we will be in this same position next year when they ask for further land from the National Trust??   These photos show Airman's Cross, prior to the visitor's centre construction and the now newly named Airman's Corner and what we see now.....

 STAG has already written the following e-mail to Ian Wilson of the National Trust, to see if they can in fact provide an opinion:
Re: EH application Numbers: 14/12106/FUL and 14/12107/FUL
Dear Ian, You will be aware of the above applications to extend both coach park and car park at the SH Visitor’s Centre, and have probably checked the comments/objections page on Wiltshire Council’s web site.    I am pleased that local people have gone to print where most are of the opinion that these extensions should not be allowed and would add to the existing blot on the landscape of our beautiful county, not to mention the increased traffic prior to fixing the A303.   It does appear to us, that EH think they can dictate what happens to this whole area of Wiltshire making further demands to suit their perceived needs and we feel this will not stop here.   Whilst I understand this may be sensitive information, I would appreciate a comment if in fact you are in a position to do so in your capacity as Assistant Director of Operations, National Trust. 

Best Regards Janice STAG: Stonehenge Traffic Action Group 

So! from an uninterrupted view across this part of Salisbury Plain before Visitor's Centre construction........ this is what we see now and is what we mean by a "blot on the landscape"! 

English Heritage say they need the extra coach space to prevent further traffic hold ups on the A360....So, why 26 extra spaces and for a temporary period of 2 years.....what is going on here?.....we have a right to know!!    Why do they need 50 staff car spaces.....if this is for blue badge taxis, the coach park is certainly not a safe place to be allowing guests to alight from any sort of vehicle and to have them meandering around till they get together as a group!

No further extensions or alterations to the landscape should be agreed before the A303 is fixed in what ever fashion!!!! 

Lack of forward planning and joined up thinking.....perhaps?