WHS Management Plan Update
World Heritage Site Management Plan
UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) is
the World Heritage Site designating body and recommends that all World Heritage
Sites have management plans. Our 2009-2014 management plan has now been printed,
please click here to read it.
The writing of our management plan has followed guidance set down by UNESCO,
and contains four key components; the six year action plan, a statement of significance,
which states what people value about the site and why, rolling objectives that
are designed to be effective for the next 30 years and the vision for the future
conservation and management of the site. The Vision for Fountains Abbey and Studley
Royal is for it to be a place where all the elements of the World Heritage Site
can be enjoyed by everyone whilst maintaining the spirit of place and conserving
its peaceful beauty.
Our review of the 2001 – 2007 action plan highlighted the many conservation and access projects that have been successfully delivered within this period, such as the restoration of Galand Bridge in the Water Garden and the introduction of an audio tour of the abbey which is available in several different languages. As a result of this review, and new knowledge and experience that has emerged throughout 2001 – 2007, we have identified a variety of themes for the updated management plan. These include water management, adapting to climate change, the management of the historic parkland and its associated ancient and veteran trees, and the maintenance and improvement of wildlife habitats.
We accept the challenge that the new plan for the site must take account of climate change, be environmentally aware and seek to improve links with the local community and our partners. It must also reflect that Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal is a special place, loved for generations. It is a place of calm reflection, of delight and exploration for those who come to discover it now and in the future.
Taking the Pleasure Gardens of 1781 as its core and inspiration, Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal possesses many layers of an extraordinary history that has shaped the abbey, the parkland, the Skell Valley, the rural setting, and extended further afield to other landscapes.
Our review of the 2001 – 2007 action plan highlighted the many conservation and access projects that have been successfully delivered within this period, such as the restoration of Galand Bridge in the Water Garden and the introduction of an audio tour of the abbey which is available in several different languages. As a result of this review, and new knowledge and experience that has emerged throughout 2001 – 2007, we have identified a variety of themes for the updated management plan. These include water management, adapting to climate change, the management of the historic parkland and its associated ancient and veteran trees, and the maintenance and improvement of wildlife habitats.
We accept the challenge that the new plan for the site must take account of climate change, be environmentally aware and seek to improve links with the local community and our partners. It must also reflect that Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal is a special place, loved for generations. It is a place of calm reflection, of delight and exploration for those who come to discover it now and in the future.
Taking the Pleasure Gardens of 1781 as its core and inspiration, Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal possesses many layers of an extraordinary history that has shaped the abbey, the parkland, the Skell Valley, the rural setting, and extended further afield to other landscapes.
