Council commits to World Heritage site protection

Bradford Council has reaffirming its commitment to maintaining Saltaire’s UNESCO World Heritage status, after Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City was stripped of the designation.

Liverpool was put on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2012. UNESCO considered new developments and future proposals at Liverpool are “detrimental to the site’s authenticity and integrity.”

Bradford Council says it has made a number of recent investments to Saltaire, including restoring stone pavements, creating new footpaths to the surrounding neighbourhoods, and proposing an active travel zone to make the village more accessible to live, work and visit.

The council has also invested in temporary pavement extensions on Gordon Terrace to provide more space for pedestrians, to improve the environment for customers and the general public and assist businesses by providing more space to trade safely, with the assistance of the Towns Fund Accelerator Programme.

Bradford Council notes there has been an increase in applications for Listed Building Consent and investment in properties in Saltaire during 2020-21 with owners improving window and door details and re-roofing.

It says this means the character and appearance of the World Heritage Site is gradually improving.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, portfolio holder for regeneration, planning and transport, said: “We are very proud of Saltaire and value our district’s important and fascinating heritage.

“The council and our partners are committed to protect the village’s UNESCO status and will continue to invest in its protection and enhancement.”

Saira Ali, team leader, Landscape, Design and Conservation, said: “We are continually researching and bidding for funds and opportunities to enhance the heritage.

“We have been successful in securing Government and other funding available to make improvements and invest in Saltaire where possible and appropriate in line with World Heritage Status.”

Saltaire was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001. It was recognised for its international influence on town planning and as one of the earliest, largest and best preserved 19th century model villages in the world, with Italianate architecture for mills, houses and public buildings.