Agenda item

This is an update report on World Heritage Site (WHS) management in Bath. It concentrates on the current revision of the WHS Management Plan, progress of the ‘Great Spas of Europe’ project and the Archway project to deliver a World Heritage Interpretation Centre.

The World Heritage Manager introduced this item to the Panel. He said that alongside the report he wished to update them on three main areas.

• Emerging draft replacement WHS Management Plan
• Great Spas of Europe project
• Proposed World Heritage Site Interpretation Centre

He said that the key challenge to be addressed in the forthcoming plan (2016-22) was to deliver a further phase of considerable growth and change whilst sustaining the Outstanding Universal Value for which the site was inscribed. He explained that this plan is currently under production and that it is an optimistic and ambitious plan that seeks to ‘raise the bar’ and ensure that Bath is viewed as an exemplar of urban heritage management.

He stated that the five draft priorities of the emerging replacement plan are managing development, transport, the public realm, interpretation and education and environmental resilience.

He informed the Panel that a full draft plan will be issued for public consultation in April 2016 and presented to Council for adoption in June 2016. He added that the approved plan will subsequently be sent, via the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), to UNESCO in Paris.

He reminded the Panel that Bath is engaged in a project entitled the ‘Great Spas of Europe’ following the Czech Government approaching UNESCO in 2007 with a proposal to have three of their spa towns inscribed on the World Heritage list for the contribution that they had made to European culture. He explained that UNESCO welcomed the idea, but asked that the best examples of spas across Europe be identified to demonstrate this cultural contribution, subsequently a group of leading European spas was formed and Bath sits within this group.

He stated that early in 2016 the numbers in the group are expected to be reduced in an inter-governmental meeting with the decisions based on comprehensive analysis of the contribution each spa makes to the value of the nomination. He added that we are confident that Bath will progress (on merit) through this selection process.

He said that at the same time as the Great Spas are being assessed collectively the Bath nomination is also being assessed by the UK Government. DCMS are conducting a ‘technical evaluation’ of UK tentative World Heritage bids and Bath was tested on the 3rd November 2015. He added that a report from the evaluation panel will be sent to the relevant minister (Tracey Crouch MP) and that feedback should be shared with the Council before Christmas this year.

He said that assuming the above hurdles are successfully cleared, the group will progress with developing a common management plan and other necessary documentation in advance of a formal nomination to UNESCO in 2018. He stated that a successful nomination would lead to a second (over-laying) World Heritage inscription for the City and make it the only such site in the UK.

He informed the Panel that the Roman Baths is engaged in a project to deliver a new learning centre within the grade ll listed Victorian former laundry buildings immediately south of the Great Bath (off York Street and Swallow Street). He explained that as part of this ‘Archway’ project, the current retail unit on York Street will become a World Heritage Interpretation Centre. 

He said that the centre will seek to explain to local people and visitors alike why the City of Bath is of global heritage importance. It will be designed to act as a hub, greeting people, explaining to them our widespread heritage offer, and sending them out to explore.

He stated that the Heritage Services led Archway project has received stage 1 Heritage Lottery Funding and will submit the full stage 2 application in June 2016. He added that there is an element of match funding also required and this is currently underway, led by the recently formed Roman Baths Foundation.

Councillor Cherry Beath wished to thank the World Heritage Manager for all of his hard work on this matter. She asked how long former Councillor Peter Metcalfe would remain in his role on the World Heritage Site Steering Group.

The World Heritage Manager replied that he would be in post until Spring 2016, but that they were hopeful to encourage him to stay on until the Summer.

Councillor Barry Macrae asked how much being a member of UNESCO costs the Council.

The World Heritage Manager replied that it was his salary plus a small operating budget.

The Chair asked when the Interpretation Centre was due to open.

The World Heritage Manager replied that it was scheduled for completion in 2018. He added that it was one of the priorities of the Management Plan to provide a purpose built learning environment.

The Panel RESOLVED to note the report contents.