FAQ's

Listed below are frequently asked questions relating to the Circular 07/09: Protection of World Heritage Sites and the English Heritage Guidance 'The Protection and Management of World Heritage Sites in England'.

The Government promised in the 2007 White Paper 'Heritage Protection for the 21st century' to clarify and strengthen protection for World Heritage Sites (WHS) as part of their commitment to promote, protect, interpret and enhance these important sites for people today and in the future.

How has the Government done this?

Over the last two years Government:

• Has added World Heritage Sites to Article 1(5) land to control certain types of alterations such as cladding of buildings that could damage the 'outstanding universal value' of a World Heritage Site.
• Has issued new Call In directions to ensure that Local Authorities refer to the Secretary of State applications affecting World Heritage Sites where English Heritage objects and the Local Authority is minded to consent.
• Is publishing a new World Heritage circular and accompanying guidance to replace the guidance set out in PPG 15, which comes into effect immediately.

• It re-states that World Heritage Sites are important and the UK has obligations under the 1972 World Heritage convention to protect, promote, interpret and conserve World Heritage Sites for people today and for future generations.
• It re-states that World Heritage Sites are a key material consideration which regional and local authorities must consider when considering and deciding planning and related applications in or around World Heritage Sites. The main objective should be the protection and sustainability of each World Heritage Site through the conservation and preservation of its outstanding universal value.
• It says that regional and local authorities hold a key place in ensuring the protection, promotion and enhancement of World Heritage Sites. To achieve this, the circular states policies to protect and sustain World Heritage Sites, any buffer zone and setting should be included in regional and local plans as well as maps showing the extent of the World Heritage Site and any buffer zone.
• It recognises the role of World Heritage Site Steering Groups, representing key owners and managers of sites which are either part of, or have an interest in the World Heritage Site and the role of World Heritage Site Management Plans.
• It does NOT cover other world heritage activities such as the nomination process, tourism or education, as these fall outside the planning process.

• It explains what World Heritage Site are in the international and national contexts, the role of UNESCO, the World Heritage Committee, the World Heritage Centre, the international advisory bodies, the UK Government, English Heritage and others. 
• It sets out the importance of the planning system and sustainable community strategies in protecting, conserving and sustaining WHS.
• It explains the role of World Heritage Site Steering Groups and WHS Management Plans. All UK World Heritage Site have Management Plans.
• It does NOT cover other world heritage activities such as the nomination process, tourism or education as these fall outside the planning process.

This is a clarification of existing policy which, together with the other changes Government has made to the Call In regulation and the GDPO (General Development Procedure Order), strengthens protection.

By emphasising the key role of regional and local authorities, who should include policies to protect and sustain World Heritage Sites in their regional and local plans, Government is ensuring the protection of what makes World Heritage Sites special – their outstanding universal value. Each World Heritage Site now has a statement of significance which sets out what is special about the site that justifies its international recognition.

How does this link into the DCMS World Heritage policy review?

The parallel Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Policy review is underpinning consideration of whether there should be a new Tentative List of sites that the UK wishes to put forward for inscription as World Heritage Sites in the future and if so what form this should take. A consultation on this took place recently and Government is analysing the responses and an announcement on this is expected in the autumn.

How many UK World Heritage Sites are there?

There are currently 28 UK sites on the World Heritage List. 

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