Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape

• Resumption of mining activities
• Inappropriate developments (note that the previously raised issue of the new supermarket built at Hayle Harbour has since been resolved)
• Potential impact of new development projects
• Management and institutional factors / Improvements to the planning tools and approval processes not yet completed and implemented 
• Social/cultural uses of heritage

The State Party submitted reports on 4 February 2020 and on 15 February 2021, available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1215/documents/, and subsequently provided information and updates on ongoing projects. Information regarding several conservation issues addressed by the Committee at its previous sessions are summarised as follows:

• The Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), an enforceable planning tool adopted by all three Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) in May 2017, provides enhanced measures to protect the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), which have been upheld in planning decisions and court appeals. Planning processes and timeframes have been adjusted to facilitate input from the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS. Planning Performance Agreements have been negotiated with developers at South and North Quays, and Hayle Harbour. The SPD has been complemented by training and online resources. Additional guidance has been provided for neighbourhood development planning within and adjacent to the property. A planning webinar in April 2020, including representatives from the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS, outlined the operation of the National Planning Policy Framework, local plans, and management plan policies;
• The Management Plan for the property has been reviewed and updated to align it with updates to the Operational Guidelines and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and to address climate change. The updated archaeological study for South Crofty Mine has been submitted, and the proposed treatment of the boundary will be advised to the World Heritage Centre, once it is determined;
• Proposals at Hayle Harbour have benefitted from improved decision-making processes and extended timescales, addressing input from Historic England, the Committee, the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS, and have been informed by Heritage Impact Assessments.
• Liaison with the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS continues regarding the North Quay Phase 2 projects as well as a proposed rum maturation facility, initially proposed within the property but now to be re-located to avoid harm to the property’s OUV;
• Proposals, which are considered by the State Party not to have an impact on the OUV, were and will be managed through the UK planning processes, and are not notified under Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines;
• The implementation of the recommendations of the 2015 joint ICOMOS/ICCROM Advisory mission and Decision 41 COM 7B.54 have improved the state of conservation of the property and strengthened measures for its long-term protection and management. The State Party is strongly of the view that the property is not at risk.

The improved planning processes and arrangements for the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS to assist the State Party in revising and mitigating potential harmful design elements and improving outcomes for project applications are acknowledged. This collaboration has included further technical reviews and teleconferences, with resolution reached for the South Quay and ongoing liaison regarding North Quay Phase 2. It remains important that the State Party and its agencies continue to allow time within the relevant statutory processes to receive and consider advice and to adjust proposed projects accordingly.

The Supplementary Planning Document, Planning Performance Agreements and neighbourhood development plans have been shown to work within the framework of the UK planning system to protect OUV, but the role of both Historic England and the World Heritage Site Planning Officer also remain vital in providing advice related to planning applications that may affect the property. The World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS welcomed the invitation to participate in the April 2020 seminar which canvassed a wide range of statutory documents and processes. The update to the Management Plan for the property is also welcome. Notwithstanding this progress, it remains important that significant changes to statutory documents and planning applications which may affect the OUV of the property are appropriately selected and referred to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies, rather than being addressed only through the UK planning process.

The Committee should confirm its ongoing interest in proposals for the South Crofty Mine, including forthcoming details of the boundary treatment and planning. Concerning the North Quay Phase 2 projects, the latest revised proposals present some changes in response to comments provided on earlier schemes but should not be approved in their present form as further refinement is required to avoid unacceptable impacts on the OUV of the Hayle Harbour component of the World Heritage property. Concerns which have been consistently conveyed through multiple ICOMOS technical reviews and direct meetings with the proponents about the Eastern Gateway, Hill Top and East Quay projects are yet to be adequately addressed.

Having regard to Decision 43 COM 7B.93, it would be appropriate for the Committee to acknowledge that the State Party has acted to address a number of significant concerns about approval processes and consultation timeframes and that, although some significant residual concerns remain about specific projects, there has been significant progress in the implementation of past mission recommendations and Committee Decisions. There is therefore no current ascertained nor potential danger to the property in terms of Paragraph 179 of the Operational Guidelines.