Outcome of Heritage Report
Not Until Autumn
The outcome of the consultation on the UK’s policy on World Heritage Sites
will not be published until the Autumn. Responding to a parliamentary
question as to when the outcome will be published Tourism Minister Barbara
Follet stated
“We will shortly be concluding our analysis of the results of the World
Heritage Policy Review. We will publish the results in the autumn.”
Angus MP Mike Weir has repeatedly raised the matter in the House of Commons
following approaches from the Abbey Heritage Campaign, including arranging a
debate on the issue.
Mr Weir had also lodged a response to the review, pointing out the potential
difficulties of a major change in policy. Commenting on the continuing delay
in responding he said,
“The consultation closed in February and it is disappointing that the
Department for Culture Media and Sport have not yet come to a decision.
Unfortunately in government speak the Autumn can drag on well into the
winter, so we may well have some time to wait. “
“Clearly it is important that a decision is made to that everyone knows what
the future holds. Perhaps they did not anticipate that the issue would
create such a stir and they are now prepared to consider more carefully the
implications of any change.”
“I am optimistic that the Minister received loud and clearly the very real
reservations over the proposed options for change to sites such as Arbroath
Abbey and that the policy change may not be as severe as originally feared.”