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Heart of Neolithic Orkney

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Factors affecting the property in 2008*
  • Renewable energy facilities
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2008
Requests approved: 0
Total amount approved : 0 USD
Missions to the property until 2008**
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2008

The monuments of Orkney, dating back to 3000-2000 BC, were inscribed as an outstanding testimony to the cultural achievements of the Neolithic peoples of northern Europe. Their culture flourished for around 500-1000 years at a particularly dynamic time in European pre-history.

The monuments include Maes Howe, a chambered tomb, Stones of Stennes and Ring of Brogdar, stone circles and Skara Brae, domestic remains. The Monuments of Stones of Stennes and the Ring of Brogdar, are visually interconnected and in their relationship with the sea, an inland loch (lake) and surrounding hills, are seen to map human interconnection with earth, water and sky.

The World Heritage Centre received information concerning a proposal to erect three large 72 metres wind turbines to the north-west of the Stones of Stennes and the Ring of Brogdar. These turbines would be highly visible on the horizon of the bowls of the hills surrounding the two stone circles. The proposal was approved by the local council in spite of a good management plan, clear polices to protect the components of the World Heritage property in local plans and advice from Council Officers to refuse the application. The proposals were then subject to a Public Inquiry at which Historic Scotland, the government agency for heritage in Scotland objected. The outcome of this inquiry is still awaited.

In its report dated 30 January 2008, the State Party acknowledges that the proposed development would impact adversely on the integrity and outstanding universal value of the property and sets out the objections made by Historic Scotland. The report also informs the World Heritage Centre that the management plan is under review. This may be an opportunity for strengthening the protection of the visual integrity of the property. 

Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2008
32 COM 7B.118
Heart of Neolithic Orkney (United Kingdom) (C 514)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC-08/32.COM/7B,

2. Expresses its concern at the potential impact of the proposed wind turbines on the integrity and Outstanding Universal Value of the property, and requests the State Party to suspend the project,

3. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2009, further information on how the protection, including visual integrity, of the property might be strengthened to ensure that this project and other similar projects, which might impact on the Outstanding Universal Value of the property can be prevented;

4. Further requests the State Party to provide three printed and electronic copies of the draft revised management plan for review by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies.

Draft Decision: 32 COM 7B.118

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC-08/32.COM/7B,

2. Expresses its concern at the potential impact of the proposed wind turbines on the integrity and outstanding universal value of the property; and requests the State Party to suspend the project;.

3. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2009, further information on how the protection, including visual integrity, of the property might be strengthened to ensure that this project and other similar projects, which might impact on the outstanding universal value of the property can be prevented;

4. Further requests the State Party to provide three printed and electronic copies of the draft revised management plan for review by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies.

 

 

Report year: 2008
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Date of Inscription: 1999
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (i)(ii)(iii)(iv)
Documents examined by the Committee
arrow_circle_right 32COM (2008)
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.


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