A Planning permission application has been submitted to Wiltshire Council for essential repairs to the iconic Lansdowne Monument on Cherhill Downs.
The Grade II listed obelisk, which stands 38 metres tall, has been partially obscured by hoarding and netting for around 15 years while awaiting restoration.
Built in 1845 by Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne, the monument is now owned by the National Trust, which also manages the surrounding land. A spokesperson for the Trust said: “We intend to remove the netting and hoardings as soon as possible once repairs have been completed.”
The proposed work includes replacement of frost-damaged limestone “quoins” (the corners of the monument), re-pointing of all stonework, tile repairs to decayed sections, and rebuilding unstable stones on the plinth using a combination of existing and matching new stone.
The project has been closely followed by the local community, with campaigners including Deb Bassett and former Calne Mayor Glenis Ansell advocating for restoration since 2018. Bassett said: “I’ve lived in Wiltshire since 1992 and always walked up to the monument. It just started to grate on me that all you could see was this scaffolding… we want the job finished.”
Cherhill Parish Council will discuss the planning application at its meeting on 9th February at Yatesbury Village Hall. Residents are welcome to attend to hear more about the plans shaping the future of the much-loved landmark.
Cllr Tim Havenith said: “I am so pleased that the National Trust have submitted their planning application to restore the Lansdowne Monument. It’s a large job: they’ll be replacing frost-shattered limestone quoins, re-pointing the entire tower, and using expert tile repairs on the decayed sections. Most importantly, they’re rebuilding the unstable base stones to keep it standing for the next century.”
Andrew Sadler-Smith of Cherhill Parish Council added that he had experienced “very good” communication with the National Trust since 2023 and that the Trust had now taken a “considered and positive approach” to restoration, though he noted that “time will tell.”
Diagrams and full details of the planning application can be found on the Wiltshire Council planning portal: PL/2026/00279.
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