A PUBLIC inquiry has opened in Salisbury into plans to close the main road east of Stonehenge and return it to grass.

English Heritage wants to stop traffic from travelling close to the World Heritage Site by closing the A344 but will need special permission to do so.

In June 2010 Wiltshire Council granted planning permission for a new visitors centre at Airman's Corner, 1.5 miles (2km) west of Stonehenge.

Under the current scheme, the existing car park and visitor facilities at the stones will be removed and the area "returned to grass".

The A344 would be closed between Stonehenge Bottom and Byway 12 and part of the B3086 would also need to be closed