The Partnership's Plan - Lake District National Park

Annex A
Statement of Outstanding Universal Value
World Heritage Site – Background and Outstanding Universal Value
Since the last Lake District National Park Management Plan was published in 2004, when the
potential for a World Heritage Site in the Lake District was briefly mentioned, considerable
work has been undertaken in order to progress a bid for inscription by the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
The bid centres on the ‘Cultural Landscape’ category and its Outstanding Universal Value. It
stems from Lake District special qualities as a place of ‘celebrated social and cultural heritage’
The proposed World Heritage Site boundary matches the Lake District National Park boundary
so management arrangements can align. By integrating the Plan’s content and the process of
identifying actions amongst partners, we have ensured that tensions between World Heritage
Site status and National Park aims are effectively dealt with. And eventually the Plan can act
as a dedicated World Heritage Site Management Plan too.
The primary aim of the Partnership’s Plan is to conserve the Lake District’s Outstanding
Universal Value so that the special qualities are maintained and enhanced for future
generations. This makes the Lake District globally important for everyone and therefore the
main focus of the Plan. Many other aspects of the proposed World Heritage Site need
managing and improving. ‘Conservation’ means ensuring the survival of important landscapes
and buildings associated with its Universal Value and fewer tangible assets such as
biodiversity and our ability to help visitors understand the importance of the World Heritage
Site. World Heritage Site Management Plans are recommended in government planning
guidance as a material consideration in planning decisions.
Inscription will bring international recognition to the Lake District and recent work,
commissioned by the Lake District World Heritage Site Project and the North West
Development Agency, has helped us understand the potential social and economic benefits to
the Lake District. There are many economic and tourism related benefits, with wider benefits to
the local economy and communities that reinforce connections between the core themes of
the Lake District’s Vision.
“Tourism is a huge industry supporting 35,000 jobs in Cumbria. The Lake District is the key to
this success and to the 15 million visitors who come to this outstanding area every year. The
NWDA is pleased to support the bid for World Heritage status which would not only preserve
and enhance the Lake District but would secure significant economic benefits for the
Northwest region.”
Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the Northwest Regional Development Agency
(NWDA)
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