At the moment we don't believe World Heritage status will impose new planning restrictions, the application process will remain the same. With the help of the Royal Institute of Town Planners and the Royal Institute of British Architects we are investigating this in more detail. UNESCO will only be concerned that the outstanding universal value on which a site is given World Heritage Status is not damaged. The majority of World Heritage Sites in the UK and around the world are protected by planning regulations which are actually less stringent than those of a National Park. You can read The Lake District National Park Authority statement about planning and World Heritage Status in the documents section.

World Heritage Status will create stronger partnerships in Cumbria with the public and private sectors working together to maintain an internationally significant site.

The planning application process will not change because of World Heritage Status and there are no plans to create any new organisation as part of the World Heritage bid.