We have a plan

Our World Heritage status – subscribed and overseen by UNESCO – requires an up to date management plan to be in place for each site and for it to be renewed every six years.

B&NES has decided that our two inscriptions should be combined into one management plan – probably a good way of saving money – and the latest has just been endorsed by councillors.

I am happy to print the press release on this subject – though it doesn’t actually go into much detail about what exactly is included in the joint plan.

It is also a continuing gripe of mine that while there are plaques for the first 1987 inscription in place around the Roman Baths and Pump Room. There is no additional marking of the Great Spas of Europe inscription from 2021!!

Anyway, here’s the release for you to judge for yourselves.

“The combined City of Bath and Great Spa Towns of Europe World Heritage Sites Management Plan for 2024-2030 has been reviewed following a public consultation and sets out why the sites are so important, the challenges they face, and identifies the priorities and actions needed to address these.

Climate change and nature recovery are two of the headline priorities, and there are specific actions that commit to working with partners to identify the risks posed by the climate emergency to the World Heritage Sites.

There are also actions that support projects to enhance the green setting, including Bathscape and Bath River Line.

The plan celebrates the city’s internationally famous architecture, including the iconic Circus and Royal Crescent, as well as the more modest but equally beautiful buildings and terraces that Bath is famous for.

In 1987, the City of Bath was inscribed as a World Heritage Site and in 2021 received a second inscription as one of the Great Spa Towns of Europe.

Bath is one of only 22 sites out of 1,223 worldwide to achieve the double inscription, which brings the benefit of a global profile for the city, in turn leading to economic rewards.

The plan, which was endorsed by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Cabinet on May 20, is thought to be the first time a double-inscribed WHS has been combined into one management plan.

The community helped shape the plan via an eight-week public consultation in 2024/25 alongside input from local, national and international heritage experts and specialists.

Councillor Matt McCabe, cabinet member for the Built Environment, Housing and Sustainable Development, said: “The outstanding heritage of Bath consistently gains recognition on the world stage and makes a huge contribution locally. A city having a double World Heritage Site inscription from UNESCO is a prestigious and rare thing, needing careful management to make the most of all the benefits that it brings to our area.

“The Management Plan is the culmination of 18 months of work with our partners. Our world-class heritage gives the city an international profile, provides significant income through tourism and drives associated spend through activities such as filming. Conservation of this heritage is first and foremost a responsibility, but it also benefits business and is a source of great community pride. This plan will help ensure that the World Heritage Sites are protected for present and future generations.”

The council reviews and prepares the management plans in collaboration with the City of Bath World Heritage Sites Advisory Board, which is made up of representatives from 21 organisations. The Advisory Board is convened and supported by Bath & North East Somerset Council but chaired independently by Prof. Marion Harney of the University of Bath

The Management Plan also helps inform Bath and North East Somerset’s new Local Plan, a planning framework to guide how the district grows up to 2042.

World Heritage Sites are inscribed and overseen by UNESCO, which requires an up-to-date management plan to be in place for each site and renewed every six years.”