Guidance for World Heritage Management

World Heritage protection in England

World Heritage protection in England is provided by a combination of individual designations and the spatial planning system.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), specifically section 16, sets out the planning policies for the historic environment. The Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) offers more detailed guidance. Both are material considerations in the planning process.

Historic England resources

A Historic England Advisory Note (HEAN) on Managing Change to World Heritage Sites is expected to enter public consultation in late 2024. Historic England guidance on producing World Heritage Site management plans is also being developed.

Operational guidelines

The Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention present the criteria for the inscription of properties on the World Heritage List, requirements for their continued management and details of the provision of international assistance. These are periodically revised to reflect Committee decisions so please ensure you are using the latest version.

World Heritage Centre resources

The World Heritage Resource Manual Series offers focused support for specific obligations for States Parties and World Heritage site managers. The series is a joint endeavour between The World Heritage Centre and ICCROM, ICOMOS and IUCN, the three Advisory Bodies of the World Heritage Convention. Currently, the series includes six publications:

• Preparing World Heritage Nominations
• Managing Cultural World Heritage
• Managing Natural World Heritage
• Managing Disaster Risks for World Heritage
• Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context
• World Heritage Centre - Enhancing Our Heritage Toolkit 2.0

Read the Historic England briefing on the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments.

Historic England Briefing: UNESCO Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context

The World Heritage Centre also has a range of other resources on its website, including information on nomination dossiers, international assistance requests and the integration of sustainable development into the processes of the Convention.

For information on resources regarding World Heritage and Climate Change, including the ‘Policy Document on Climate Action for World Heritage’, please visit our World Heritage and Climate Change webpage.