The British government has given its approval for the construction of a contentious road tunnel near the iconic Stonehenge site in southwestern England. The decision, made on Friday, comes two years after campaigners successfully challenged the initial permission granted for the project, which involved digging a new two-mile (3.3-kilometre) tunnel passing by the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The £1.7 billion project aims to alleviate congestion on an existing main road to southwest England, particularly during peak holiday periods. Although the proposal was initially authorised in 2020 by former Transport Minister Grant Shapps, a panel of planning experts had warned about the potential for “permanent, irreversible harm” to the area.

However, the High Court later overturned the decision, clarifying that its ruling was based on the legality of the minister’s granting of approval rather than the merits of the scheme itself.

In a 64-page letter granting fresh approval, current Transport Minister Mark Harper stated that he was “satisfied” with the project’s impact, noting that the harm to spatial, visual relations, and settings would be “less than substantial” when weighed against the public benefits.

Opponents of the plan have expressed concerns about the significant engineering project in an area rich in archaeological treasures surrounding the standing stones. Furthermore, UNESCO has warned that if construction proceeds, the Stonehenge site may lose its World Heritage Site status.