IT was champagne all around at the launch of the new joint World Heritage Site Management Plan for Stonehenge and Avebury on Monday night.

The National Trust at Avebury played host to people from all over the county who gathered to toast the launch.

Speeches were given by Ian Barnes, National Trust head of archaeology, Andrew Williamson, chairman of the Avebury World Heritage Site (WHS) steering committee, and Sarah Simmonds, Avebury World Heritage site coordinator.

They focussed on the success of many years collaboration between the various groups involved including the National Trust, English Heritage, Wiltshire Council, Historic England, Natural England and the RSPB, as well as landowners and members of the community.

The plan provides a long term strategy to protect the WHS for this and future generations.

It sets out strategies to protect and care for the World Heritage Site from 2015-2021 including criteria for archaeological research, nature conservation, farming, and tourism, ensuring that these aspects and more can be managed in a holistic manner that is sensitive and progressive.

Dr Nick Snashall, National Trust archaeologist for the Stonehenge & Avebury World Heritage Site (WHS), said: “Today’s launch of the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site Management Plan marks a watershed moment in the way we care for these unique landscapes.

“The Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site has been 6,000 years in the making.

“This plan represents the commitment of a host of organisations and individuals to ensuring these precious places can be appreciated and enjoyed by generations to come.”

The National Trust cares for more than 3,700 acres of this prehistoric landscape within both halves of the WHS, 1,600 acres at Avebury and 2,100 acres in the Stonehenge landscape.

This includes many of its most famous monuments including Avebury Henge and Stone Circles, the West Kennet Avenue, the Stonehenge Cursus, Durrington Walls henge and the Stonehenge Avenue.

There has always been a World Heritage Site (WHS) Management Plan for Avebury but this is the first time the area has been included in with Stonehenge.

This plan has a greater focus on engaging the local community with the WHS and helping it to gain a greater economic benefit across the whole county from the WHS and its visitors.