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Stonehenge tunnel loses planning permission

Fahad Redha

March 20, 2026
3 min read

Stonehenge tunnel loses planning permission

Planning permission has been revoked for a controversial road tunnel at Stonehenge after millions had been spent on the project. The Department for Transport (DfT) cited “exceptional circumstances” that resulted in the development consent order (DCO) including a tunnel, two junctions, and a northern bypass close to the famous attraction in Wiltshire.

The A303 scheme had originally gained planning permission in 2023, before the project was axed the following year for financial reasons, with £179.2 million having been spent on it by then.

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“This is a huge blow for Wiltshire, our communities and the wider South West region,” Wiltshire Council member Martin Smith said. “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.”

According to the DfT, the decision was made by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander due to “exceptional circumstances” of the project, including “a substantial change in the scheme’s deliverability” since the original DCO was approved, adding that it “no longer aligns with current strategic policy objectives.”

Revoking planning permission for the project would “remove the planning blight that continues to affect the land in question,” it added, and would allow “alternative infrastructure or development proposals to come forward that better reflect current needs.” The DfT said that it remains committed to “investing in projects” which support growth, having spent nearly £5 billion on key roads in 2026.

The scheme did meet with some opposition including the Stonehenge Alliance.

“The South West has been neglected in terms of transport infrastructure for many years, we need investment and some of the savings should be used to improve the region’s public transport network,” Kate Freeman from the Stonehenge Alliance said. “We all ought to get together and make sure there is investment here for local and regional transport with pilot schemes trialled to see what is effective.”

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About Author

Fahad Redha

Fahad is the Content Editor at EyeOnLondon, overseeing the publication’s editorial output across news, culture, and lifestyle. With a background in journalism from the University of the Creative Arts, he brings a broad range of experience from local London reporting in Kensington & Chelsea, where he held roles including motoring, events, and health editor. At EyeOnLondon, Fahad plays a central role in shaping content and maintaining editorial standards. His work spans everything from daily news to feature coverage, with a particular strength in motoring and events. He also incorporates photography into his reporting, adding a visual layer to many of his stories. Fahad joined EyeOnLondon in February 2021.