Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast
Factors affecting the property in 2008*
- Interpretative and visitation facilities
- Management systems/ management plan
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
a) Visitor centre developments;
b) Lack of a management plan and management system.
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2008
Total amount approved : 0 USD
Missions to the property until 2008**
16 to 19 February 2003: World Heritage Centre/ IUCN mission
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2008
At its 29th session (Durban, 2005) the World Heritage Committee requested the State Party to expedite efforts to finalize the redevelopment of the visitor centre, which was partially demolished after a fire in 2000, and report to the World Heritage Centre on progress made. On 30 January 2008, the State Party provided a detailed report on the property following an interim report dated 10 September 2007 by the Department of the Environment of Northern Ireland (DOE-NI).
The report deals with a number of issues raised by the 2003 joint World Heritage Centre / IUCN reactive monitoring mission and subsequent World Heritage Committee decisions (27 COM 7B.21, 29 COM 7B.27).
Visitor Centre:
The report informs that planning application by a private developer to build a new visitor centre for the property was considered and that the Northern Ireland Minister for the Environment announced on 29 January 2008 that this planning permission was not to be granted. As the site is Northern Ireland’s premier tourist attraction and the visitor numbers reach 450,000 per year, the visitor centre is an important factor in the tourism management of the property. It is expected that the National Trust and other stakeholders will submit a proposal for planning permission in 2008 in line with Decision 27 COM 7B.21.
Planning and Management:
The report provides details of the Planning Strategy, the different plans and instruments (North East Area Plan, 2002, draft Northern Area Plan 2016 and Nature conservation planning) and the Causeway Coast Area of outstanding natural beauty management plan. Following the completion of the World Heritage site management plan in 2005, DOE-NI established a coordinating Management Group chaired by Environment and Heritage Services and including key stakeholders. The appointment of a site manager is also imminent.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2008
32 COM 7B.28
Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast (United Kingdom) (N 369)
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-08/32.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 29 COM 7B.27, adopted at its 29th session (Durban, 2005),
3. Takes notes of the detailed report provided by the State Party on the developments concerning the visitor centre and improved planning processes and management of the property;
4. Welcomes the involvement with stakeholders in implementing the decisions adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 27th (UNESCO, 2003) and 29th (Durban 2005) sessions and the recommendations of the 2003 joint World Heritage Centre / IUCN Reactive Monitoring mission to build a new visitor centre and notes that planning permission was not granted for a private investor development proposal;
5. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2010, an update report on the situation of the planning and design for the visitor centre, for review.
Draft Decision: 32 COM 7B.28
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-08/32.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 29 COM 7B.27, adopted at its 29th session (Durban, 2005),
3. Takes notes of the detailed report provided by the State Party on the developments concerning the visitor centre and improved planning processes and management of the property;
4. Welcomes the involvement with stakeholders in implementing the decisions adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 27th (UNESCO, 2003) and 29th (Durban 2005) sessions and the recommendations of the 2003 joint World Heritage Centre / IUCN reactive monitoring mission to build a new visitor centre and notes that planning permission was not granted for a private investor development proposal;
5. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2009, an update report on the situation of the planning and design for the visitor centre, for review.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Exports
* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).
** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.
