The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government have released a new draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in December 2025.
Within the draft NPPF, there is now specific proposed policy for World Heritage Sites:
HE8: World Heritage Sites
Not all elements of a World Heritage Site will necessarily contribute to its significance or Outstanding Universal Value. Where a development proposal would result in the loss of a building or other element which contributes to the significance or Outstanding Universal Value of a World Heritage Site, the assessment of impact should take into account the relative significance and Outstanding Universal Value of the element affected and its contribution to the significance of the World Heritage Site as a whole, and the effects of this considered in accordance with policies HE5 and HE6.
- To secure the long-term future of World Heritage Sites (Any development affecting World Heritage Sites should be assessed against this policy. It should be noted that some World Heritage Sites are inscribed by UNESCO to be of natural significance rather than cultural significance; and in some cases they are inscribed for both their natural and cultural significance) and support the preservation and enhancement of their significance and Outstanding Universal Value, development proposals that affect a World Heritage Site should:
a. Be designed in a way which pays particular regard to the significance and attributes of the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Site (including any contribution made by its setting and any buffer zone);
b. Take into consideration any relevant implications of the World Heritage Site management plan; and
c. Be supported by an assessment of the impact, including any potential cumulative impact, on the significance and Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Site. This should include appropriate information such as visual impact assessments and natural environment, archaeological or historical data.
- Not all elements of a World Heritage Site will necessarily contribute to its significance or
Outstanding Universal Value. Where a development proposal would result in the loss of a
building or other element which contributes to the significance or Outstanding Universal
Value of a World Heritage Site, the assessment of impact should take into account the
relative significance and Outstanding Universal Value of the element affected and its
contribution to the significance of the World Heritage Site as a whole, and the effects of
this considered in accordance with policies HE5 and HE6. - Proposals that preserve those elements of the setting of a World Heritage Site that make
a positive contribution to it (or which better reveal its significance) should be approved.
MHCLG are opening this draft NPPF for consultation, with a deadline of 10th March 2026 for comments.
To download a copy of the draft NPPF, please click here.