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| Stone Formation Archive 1989 |
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 Stone Formations news, views, gallery and archive brought to you by Weird Wiltshire Introduction Latest News News Archive Stonehenge Stonehenge Project Stonehenge 360 Avebury Saviours Stones Village Solstice Wayland Smithy Long Barrow Woodhenge Gallery Summer Solstice Gallery 2002 Summer Solstice Gallery 2004 Postcards Wallpaper Links  |
First published on February 2, 1989 DEMOCRAT peer Lord Kennet is to discuss the protection of World Heritage sites like Avebury in the House of Lords. And the Department of the Environment this week issued a directive concerning plans for a 66-bedroom hotel complex at West Kennet. The Article 14 order received by Kennet District Council means if planners view Marlborough Homes' scheme for West Kennet farm favourably, they have to send their decision to the Environment Secretary. He will then decide if there should be a public inquiry. But Marlborough Homes managing director Bob Sparrow is unperturbed and says building work on the complex could start in the Autumn. "This is something we anticipated because it is such a sensitive area," he says. A similar directive has been issued in respect of planning applications made by Avebury Manor owners Ken and Gillian King. When Kennet planners meet next Thursday they will be recommended to refuse all the manor plans on the grounds that the cumulative development would spoil the setting of the Grade I listed building and the stone circle environment. But Mr Sparrow says his hotel plans have been received sympathetically. English Heritage, custodian of ancient monuments in the area, is happy with the scheme, he says. The National Trust has made no adverse comment and archaeologists have been invited to investigate the site before building work starts. Although the parish council was divided on the farmyard plans, the Avebury In Danger (AID) group is opposed to the development. If the Environment Secretary does order a planning inquiry this would probably not be heard until the autumn, says Mr Sparrow. "If our plans are found to be acceptable it is possible that we could make a start by late summer." Meanwhile Lord Kennet, who has a home at Lockeridge overlooking the National Trust Valley of Stones, is taking the whole planning issue to the House of Lords. Although he could not be contacted yesterday, a House of Lords spokesman confirmed that he has tabled the subject for a Provisional Future Business session on February 13. Avebury, including West Kennett with its long barrow and Silbury Hill, was declared a World Heritage site. Back to 1989 index |
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