Heritage Action - The Heritage Journal

Mention the "Stonehenge saga" and most people think of decades of frustrating delay, indecision and inactivity. But we're inclined to take a more cheerful view. It looks possible that an announcement is imminent that will mark an important stage - not the end of the discussions but an end, at least, to the worst of the threats to the monument.

There have been two. For a long time the "official" push was for a "short tunnel" involving building two miles of new roadway over the World Heritage Area in defiance of the wishes of UNESCO and practically every archaeological and heritage body. So much for public consultation! Thankfully, finance came to the monument's aid and the plan was abandoned.

Relief was short lived. Another "official threat" speedily replaced it. Following a public consultation on where the new Visitors Centre should be built it became clear that the "official" view was that it should be built at Fargo Plantation - not only in the middle of the World Heritage Area but close to the stones and terribly intrusive - once again in defiance of the wishes of UNESCO and practically every archaeological and heritage body. So much for public consultation - again!

Very fortunately, it seems that the National Trust has stuck its toes in and thanks to them it may now be built further away, somewhere near Airman's Cross - by no means the best option, not what Stonehenge deserves and not yet clarified, but light years better than what the government and English Heritage would have inflicted without the intervention of financial constraints and the NT.

Let us hope we're right and that the scheme is located not at Fargo Plantation but in the least intrusive section of Airman's Cross. The public is entitled to still see it as wrong that after decades of talking and delay the new facility STILL isn't going to be well away from the World Heritage Area area and not impacting upon it at all but equally they're entitled to rejoice that the much, much worse ambitions of EH and the government have been shelved. Let that be an end to them.

The moors of the Land's End district of Cornwall are incredibly rich in archaeology. The ritual landscapes of Merry Maidens, Tregeseal and Nine Maidens are superb reminders of a rich and diverse distant past. Whilst the numerous and unique entrance graves, chambered tombs, and fogous add mystery and enchantment to this wild landscape.

This is the perception of the West Penwith Moors, and until recently a much cherished one! However, this past year has seen some bitter debate between government agencies, local people and the archaeological and earth mysteries communities. Division has now set in, and there seems to be much mistrust and suspicion.

In an earlier guest article published by Heritage Action, I argued the case against Cattle Grazing as a means to manage Nine Maidens common, and shortly after the publication of this article, this particular scheme was dropped due in part to the huge opposition galvanised by the pressure group Save Penwith Moors, and also due to most of the commoners dropping out. Since this time I have been watching the saga unfold. Natural England, on the one hand, seems to be wanting to get on with the job of fencing in readiness for grazing without any sort of consultation with anyone! Save Penwith Moors continue to protest, whilst infrequent and in some cases inacurate and misleading articles appear in publications and newspapers around the country.

So what has gone wrong? Well, for a start there has been no public consultation, no single plan to deal with the problems that grazing may cause, and with Natural England and Save Penwith Moors both bitterly opposing each other's ideas with, it seems, no room for compromise.

Save Penwith Moors; along with Natural England recently gave a presentation at a meeting in Penzance. The outcome of this meeting eventually decided to support two resolutions.

1. That the fencing should stop immediately

2. That all sides should get together and continue to discuss the situation.

The only trouble is, the meeting had no power to implement the first proposal, and while the second proposal is a suitable outcome, it is likely that nothing will change. The schemes to stock proof the areas in question (Carnyorth Common, Carn Galva and Lanyon Farm) are due to be in place by the end of 2008!

This presents the potential problems of grazing cattle around ancient sites of huge archaeological importance, and whilst cattle grazing away from these areas presents no major problems, at Carnyorth Common there are the two major megalithic monuments of Tregeseal stone circle and the nearby holed stone row, plus numerous other less-visited sites. These monuments are very fragile, and many of the stones are only just embedded below the surface. Any cattle grazing this area could potentially make the sites unstable by using the stones as rubbing posts, and by churning up the soil around the stones. One question I would like to pose is this: if grazing is needed, why not graze with sheep? Smaller animals will cause less damage.

The Cornish Ancient Sites Protection Network (CASPN) have up to now remained quiet, but they have recently released a statement saying:

CASPN are there to protect and look after the ancient sites. We don't want to be used as a political football for either side to bolster their stance. We do recognise that there are virtues in grazing the Moors, which could be of benefit to the sites, which have become completely overgrown and inaccessible, but equally we feel that any extension of existing fencing on the Moors is unacceptable and counter-productive. We strongly felt that it would have been far better if a Management Plan had been drawn up for the whole Moors, with public consultation and discussion, rather than the piecemeal schemes that are now going on, whereby each landowner (of the 3 schemes) are doing their own thing, without any regard as to what is happening on the rest of the Moors.

Chambered Barrow situated between Tregseal Stone Circle and Holed Stones, with Carn Kenijack on skyline. Photo credit: Alex Langstone

The Save Penwith Moors group continues to oppose the scheme, and Natural England is pressing ahead with the grazing plans. The most sensible route now is to keep a close eye on the archaeological sites, and report any damage to CASPN or Heritage Action immediately so complaints can be made and action taken. We need to look after the ancient ritual landscapes of the Penwith Moors in a responsible manner and with an attitude of respect. Dialogue should be flowing freely between all interested parties and groups. Lets work together to protect the fragile ancient sites of the Land's End Peninsular for all to enjoy.

Originally one of three stone circles on Carnyorth Moor Photo credit: Alex Langstone

Please see the following web sites for further information:
Cornish Ancient Sites Protection Network www.cornishancientsites.com
Save Penwith Moors Group www.savepenwithmoors.co.uk
Natural England's Heath Project www.theheathproject.org.uk

Nearly one year ago Heritage Action reported on the proposal to build five new houses on the former Bonds Garage site just outside the north-east quadrant of the Henge (see 15 January 2008 ).

Apart from demolishing the garage little has happened since then; recently however Heritage Action has learnt that construction of the houses is soon to commence and a large photograph of what the houses will look like has now appeared on the site's hoarding.

Heritage Action is vehemently opposed to the building of these new houses so close (less than a hundred metres) to this World Heritage Site and believes that planning permission for their construction should be revoked.

The north-east quadrant of the Avebury Henge from the Bonds housing development.
Photo credit: Heritage Action

Artefact erosion counter