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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 April 6, 1989 AVEBURY is in turmoil as it reels from three major planning applications which have set neighbour against neighbour. But despite the division, parish chairman Betty Hunter says Avebury must not become an archaeological showpiece. "I think it's important that the archaeologists should not try to turn the village into an archaeological fossil, it's a living village, that's part of its charm, and as such it should grow as one," she says. Speaking at the annual parish meeting, which was attended by about 50 people, she says one of the most distressing aspects of the year's events is the split that has appeared in the village. "In the past year the village has been in total turmoil, we seem to have had one major proposal after another thrust upon us," she says. Controversy and debate have surrounded all three, Brian and Kathy Ashley's plans to build a three-coned hotel on the Ridgeway Cafe site, a proposal by Marlborough Homes for a 64-bed luxury hotel at West Kennet Farm, and Ken King's flouting of the planning laws to turn Avebury Manor into an Elizabethan theme park. None has yet been resolved with a decision awaited on the public inquiry into the Ridgeway development, the West Kennet plans called in by the Department of Environment and Mr King set to appeal against Kennet's refusal of seven buildings, some of which are already constructed. Miss Hunter says it could be many months before any of the matters are resolved. "The parish council was marginally in favour of the West Kennet plan, it will offer employment for the village and treatment of the site is sympathetic," she says. "But one of the things that we're concerned about is that we shouldn't suddenly find ourselves with two hotels, if the Ridgeway is passed we wouldn't want one down in the valley." And, although she made it clear that the council does not condone Mr King's flouting of planning laws, she says many people are pleased to see someone living in the manor and spending money on it. "It's a very difficult situation and one I think only time can resolve. AVEBURY has welcomed news that the first draft of its local plan is about to hit the streets. Last year Kennet District Council decided not to include the area in the Marlborough local plan because of its sensitive nature. "We felt that the Avebury monument and the other bits and pieces within the parish had their own particular problems and merited a separate plan," said chief planning officer John Lee. "It is merely at this stage a presentation document to the local plans sub-committee and until it has been considered by the committee on April 20 it has no validity." Back to 1989 index |
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