Designs by Denton Corker Marshall for the long-awaited visitor centre at Stonehenge could be scrapped because of lack of government funding.
Last week, Denton Corker Marshall emerged as the winner in the competition to design a £20 million temporary centre in time for the 2012 Olympics, ahead of rivals Edward Cullinan Architects and Bennetts Associates.
But a DCMS source admitted the plans could yet be scuppered due to the economic downturn and increasing pressure on government finances.
“We’re dealing with the Treasury, and they have bigger fish to fry,” he said.
“In these troubled times you can’t ever say that [the project will go ahead], but there is a strong will to proceed.”
The location for the new centre is as yet undecided — with the National Trust, English Heritage and DCMS at loggerheads over two proposals.
Sources close to the negotiations suggest the DCMS may be willing to bow to pressure from the National Trust and other groups to situate the building at Airman’s Corner, outside the world heritage site.
Local Conservative MP Robert Key said that even if the money required was secured, time was running out for the project, which is due to be completed in time for the influx of tourists during the London Olympics.
He said: “I’ve spoken to [architecture minister] Barbara Follett — she’s still negotiating with the Treasury. She’s very confident, but you can never tell. Every week that slips by makes it harder to complete the project for 2012.”
