English Heritage Welcomes Unesco Vote Of Confidence In Uk World Heritage
Sir Neil Cossons, Chairman of English Heritage, today welcomed the news that the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO has reaffirmed its confidence in the UK’s ability to manage and protect its World Heritage Sites.
The Committee made the decision not to place the Tower of London and Westminster World Heritage Sites on the In-Danger List because of the major progress stakeholders, supported by English Heritage, have made over the last year in completing Management Plans for both sites, in putting in place a protected view for the Tower and in undertaking a Dynamic Visual Impact Study for Westminster.
Sir Neil commented: “I am pleased with the UNESCO decision. This represents a major vote of confidence in the UK’s ability to manage and protect its most important historic sites. The Tower of London, Westminster Palace and Westminster Abbey are world-renowned architectural masterpieces – it is vital that we manage their future with care and thoughtfulness.
“The UK is committed to protecting its heritage and we are glad that UNESCO has recognised that we have a sufficiently robust planning system as well as the necessary knowledge and experience to do so. However, we cannot allow ourselves to be complacent and English Heritage, together with the stakeholder groups for both sites, will now be taking forward the agreed five-year programme of work in the Management Plans.”
For more press information, please contact Anya Matthews, English Heritage Corporate Communications, on 0207 973 3372
- The Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s official response to the decision can be found at www.culture.gov.uk
- The 31st session of the World Heritage Committee is being held in Christchurch, New Zealand until 1 July 2007.
- There are 27 UK World Heritage Sites of which all now have agreed Management Plans in place.
- The Westminster Management Plan was published on 19 June 2007. The full steering group is chaired by English Heritage and comprises representatives of Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Government Office for London, the Dean and Chapter of Westminster, the Parliamentary Estates Directorate, Transport for London, the Greater London Authority, Westminster City Council, the London Borough of Lambeth, the Royal Parks Agency, ICOMOS UK, the Church Commissioners and Visit London. It is available from www.english-heritage.org.uk
- The Tower of London Management Plan will be published later this summer. The full consultative committee chaired by Historic Royal Palaces comprises representatives of English Heritage, the Greater London Authority, the City of London Corporation, the London Borough of Southwark, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, ICOMOS UK, the Government Office for London, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Royal Fusiliers, the Royal Armouries and the Royal Collection.
Email this to a friend