Management Plan

The key tool for managing the Site is the Management Plan which was approved by the Steering Group, Liverpool City Council and the Secretary of State at the end of 2003 following a public consultation exercise. 

Liverpool - Maritime Mercantile City World Heritage Site Management Plan
The Management Plan addresses all of the management issues which affect the outstanding universal value of the Site. 

It also recognises the need to secure a consensual approach to the management of this complex site, and has provided a vehicle for all key stakeholders (agencies, owners, interest groups and public) to agree a strategy and sign up to it.

Foreword, Preface & Contents (PDF [283.1Kb]. Download time 1 minutes 5 seconds based on a 56k modem. Will open a new browser window.)

Part 1 - Introduction (PDF [1.2Mb]. Download time 4 minutes 34 seconds based on a 56k modem. Will open a new browser window.)

Part 2 - Description of the Site (PDF [1.7Mb]. Download time 6 minutes 43 seconds based on a 56k modem. Will open a new browser window.)  

Part 3 - Statement of Significance (PDF [120.6Kb]. Download time 28 seconds based on a 56k modem. Will open a new browser window.)     

Part 4 - Opportunities, Threats and Management Issues (PDF [1.5Mb]. Download time 6 minutes 8 seconds based on a 56k modem. Will open a new browser window.)       

Part 5 - 'Future for the WHS' and Management Objectives (PDF [319Kb]. Download time 1 minutes 14 seconds based on a 56k modem. Will open a new browser window.)     

Part 6 - Implementation and monitoring (PDF [193.9Kb]. Download time 45 seconds based on a 56k modem. Will open a new browser window.)

Appendix (PDF [129.5Kb]. Download time 30 seconds based on a 56k modem. Will open a new browser window.)      

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As the Management Plan was produced in 2003 with an aspiration that it should be reviewed every six years, it is due to be reviewed in 2009.

Planning Policies in the Liverpool Unitary Development Plan
No additional statutory controls are imposed at present by the inscription of the World Heritage Site, but protection for the Site is in place through the normal planning framework. 

Planning proposals and issues in the World Heritage Site are subject to the normal planning process, but the inscription has raised the importance of achieving standards of excellence in the conservation and enhancement of the historic environment and the design of new development. 

The Liverpool Unitary Development Plan  (UDP) 2002 contains the approved planning policies for the whole of the city, including policies which aim to protect and enhance the built heritage of the city as well as achieving high standards of urban design and promoting economic regeneration. The City Council is in the process of developing its Local Development Framework, which will replace the UDP in mid-2009. The relevant policies can be viewed on www.liverpool.gov.uk/environment/planning 

Heritage Protection Review
In March 2007, the government issued the white paper Heritage Protection in the 21st Century which proposes some changes in the national legislation relating to the historic environment, including World Heritage Sites.

RopeWalks Supplementary Planning Document
In 2005, Liverpool City Council and Liverpool Vision adopted the RopeWalks Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which is a land use development brief, an enhancement statement and an urban design guide. 

It provides guidance for development in the RopeWalks area, which includes the Duke Street area of the World Heritage Site. All development in the Duke Street area will be expected to follow the advice in it. The SPD can be downloaded from the Liverpool City Council website. 

Liverpool Urban Design Guide
In 2003, Liverpool City Council and Liverpool Vision produced the non-statutory Liverpool Urban Design Guide to set out principles for good urban design which are expected to be followed throughout the city.

Liverpool - Maritime Mercantile City World Heritage Site Supplementary Planning Document
When Liverpool was inscribed, an undertaking was given that any future development would respect the Site's integrity. 

The joint UNESCO/ICOMOS Monitoring Mission to Liverpool in 2006 stressed the importance of producing advice for future development. Liverpool City Council is therefore in the process of preparing a   Liverpool - Maritime Mercantile City World Heritage Site Supplementary Planning Document, although it will not be ready until 2008.