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Views are being sought on a new management plan aimed at conserving the beauty of Durham Castle and Durham Cathedral for generations to come.

The Durham City landmark was the first UK cultural heritage site to be included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1986.

In preparation to celebrate the 40^th anniversary in 2026, Durham County Council and its partners have created a new World Heritage Site (WHS) Management Plan looking ahead to 2035.

It sets out a vision for the site to remain a landmark for Durham, with key aims to conserve, share and regenerate it for future generations.

Building on extensive community engagement, the WHS Management Plan describes what makes the site special, both globally and locally; explains how it is protected and managed; and analyses issues facing its conservation and management.

The new Management Plan, from 2025 to 2035, will achieve the following:

• Satisfy the requirements of UNESCO to protect its designated status
• Be a useful tool to generate investment
• Together with the Durham City Conservation Area Management Plan, become a material consideration in the planning process while informing future planning policy and development management
• Form part of the evidence base for the next County Durham Plan and Durham City Neighbourhood Plan
• Link into the county’s plans around the visitor economy to improve vibrancy and pride of place and to support inward investment and innovation

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Public consultation for the plan will take place online and in person over a period of six weeks through the council’s Let’s Talk portal at www.letstalkcountydurham.co.uk. Here, people can also find details of an online meeting on Wednesday 12 November at 11am. There will also be an in-person meeting that will take place in the Town Hall on Tuesday 4 November at 6pm.

Cllr Karen Allison, Durham County Council Cabinet member for leisure, tourism and high street, said: “Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle are steeped in beauty and history which should be protected for generations to come. This new WHS Management Plan ensures the cultural site’s valued UNESCO status is protected while making sure it continues to be a landmark for tourism and investment.

“We encourage all residents to give their views on the new Management Plan as it’s important we find out how residents and people feel we can best conserve, share and regenerate this historic place for the benefit of local communities.”

The World Heritage Site is managed by a Strategic Partnership Board, which includes the principal landowners Durham Cathedral, Durham University, and St John’s College working in partnership with the council, City of Durham Trust, Historic England and UNESCO. The Board is responsible for the implementation of the Management Plan and produces an annual report.

Cllr Gary Hutchinson, The Mayor of Durham, said: “Being a World Heritage Site is a bit like having a Michelin star. It recognises Durham Castle and Cathedral as one of the cultural heritage wonders of the world alongside the Egyptian pyramids.

“This management plan gives a glimpse behind the scenes into the hard work and substantial investment that enables it to flourish for the benefit of current and future generations.”

Professor Janet Stewart, executive dean of arts and humanities at Durham University, said: “It is our privilege to be joint custodians of the Durham Castle and Cathedral World Heritage Site. It is a source of great inspiration for our staff and students, and our research is critical to its conservation, understanding, and management.

“We welcome working closely with Durham County Council, Durham Cathedral, and others on its care, and invite anyone with an interest to share their views during the forthcoming consultation.”

The Reverend Charlie Allen, canon chancellor at Durham Cathedral, said: “As chair of the partnership that manages the UNESCO designation, I’m delighted to share our draft Management Plan 2025 to 2035 which seeks to sustain and develop the life of the World Heritage Site over the coming years. 

“We are grateful for people’s engagement with it and are keen to receive their feedback as we work together to ensure Durham continues to be a fulfilling city in which to live, learn, work, visit and explore.”

The public consultation and production of the accessible web document has been generously supported by the City of Durham Parish Council and the City of Durham Trust.