The almost unanimous decision by Wiltshire Council was welcomed by English Heritage, which oversees the management and conservation of the World Heritage-listed site on behalf of the UK government.

The approved scheme will see the existing visitor centre and car parking removed, and the new centre with exhibition and education facilities built at Airman’s Corner - about 1.5 miles (2.5km) west of the Stones.

Having secured planning permission for the visitor centre, approval for the partial closure of the A344 road adjacent to the Stones will now be sought. A low-key and fully accessible transit system will run from the new visitor centre to a drop-off close to the monument.

Sensitive to the site’s significance and its surroundings, Denton Corker Marshall will use small valley slopes and landscaping to conceal a coach park and 8,000m2 car park from view at the monument.

About the centre itself, Director Stephen Quinlan described it as a modest addition that defers to the 5,000-year-old site and will serve the more than 800,000 visitors it welcomes every year.

“Our task is to provide elegant facilities which help visitors interpret the monument and the wider Stonehenge landscape. The proposals as a whole will give visitors a much broader and more enjoyable experience,” said Mr Quinlan.

Denton Corker Marshall was selected by English Heritage in 2009 to design the new visitor centre, following a previous competition win.

Further information can be found on the English Heritage website: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk