Decision details

UNESCO encourages identification of  ‘attributes’ of WHS Outstanding Universal Values. These expand on the OUVs and have been developed in  co-operation with English Heritage and the World Heritage Site Steering Group.

The Cabinet Members agree that the attributes of the City of Bath World Heritage Site are confirmed as a material consideration in Development Management and plan-making.

Production of this guidance aids site management through the greater clarification of planning policy relating to the Bath World Heritage Site.  It will provide greater clarity both to decision makers and applicants.

Endorsement of this guidance fulfils expectations contained in UNESCO Operating Guidelines, and therefore demonstrates responsible management of the World Heritage Site by the Council and the Steering Group.

Given the national expectation to produce this guidance, and the consistent approach taken across all UK sites, the only other option would have been not to proceed with this work. This would however have shown the Council not to be following UNESCO operating guidelines, and could have been construed as poor site management.  For these reasons this option was discounted.