Vision, Policies & Actions

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These are the policies that have been adopted as a central part of the Management Plan for 2024-2029 and relate to the fulfilment of the long term vision for the World Heritage Site. Many – but not all – of the Policies have one or more associated Actions that have already been identified. Inevitably, these will be subject to change. Further Actions are likely to be added in due course. Unless otherwise specified, reference here to the World Heritage Site is to the Hadrian’s Wall component of the Frontiers of the Roman Empire World Heritage Site (FRE). ‘The OUV’ means the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Site.

Hadrian’s Wall Management Plan

Objectives:

Management of the World Heritage Site

Objective 1: Informed management of the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site as part
of the Frontiers of the Roman Empire World Heritage Site, successfully
communicating UNESCO’s universal values.
(SDG 11 & 16)

Policy 1a: Opportunities should be taken to raise awareness of World Heritage, its
purposes, and of UNESCO’s values and aspirations.

● Action: Encourage use of UNESCO logo where appropriate, in line with brand
guidelines.

Policy 1b: Hadrian’s Wall should contribute to the development of common standards
of identification, recording, research, protection, conservation, management,
presentation, promotion, and understanding of each component part of the Frontiers
of the Roman Empire World Heritage Site.

● Action: Contribute to the adoption of a common Management Plan framework and
approach, to be instigated at partners’ scheduled revisions.
● Action: Maintain an up-to-date glossary, aiding communication, and complementary
management.
● Action: Seek to align glossary or common terminology with FRE partners in Scotland
and Germany.
● Action: The Coordinator and Partners will support, attend, and contribute to the World
Heritage Site Management Group and the Bratislava Group, as appropriate.

Policy 1c: OUV of the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site will be managed in a way
that takes appropriate account of the natural and landscape designations that apply
to the area through which it runs.

Policy 1d: Active research and data analysis, both with reference to archaeology and
wider management issues, should underpin the management of the World Heritage
Site.

● Action: Identify, collate, and analyse necessary sources of data from across all
appropriate sectors.
● Action: Create an integrated GDPR compliant, data management system for the
World Heritage Site in conjunction with national and international partners.
● Action: Delivery Groups will identify and collate appropriate data sources, these
sources to be agreed with the Partnership Board; seek consistency with Frontiers of
the Roman Empire – (Antonine Wall) and (Lower German Limes) WHS partners.

Policy 1e: The Management Plan should be a dynamic document, periodically
reviewed within UNESCO timetables, which provides a framework for action. Any
changes to the Plan during its lifetime must be agreed by the Partnership Board, and
the reasons for these should be carefully documented and communicated.

● Action: Review Management Plan annually, documenting and communicating any
amendments whenever notable change occurs.
● Action: Conduct a wholesale review in 2028, constructing a new document for the
next plan period.

Policy 1f: The Partnership Board will accept responsibility for the Plan and ownership
of it, supported by the actions of the Delivery Groups, partners, and other
stakeholders.

Policy 1g: The Delivery Groups will support the Partnership Board, and will undertake
the following actions:

● Action: Establish and maintain a GDPR compliant consultation database.
● Action: Explore and encourage community involvement with the World Heritage Site.
● Action: Maintain a reporting system to the Partnership Board to update them on
progress and issues, and provide appropriate updates in line with this

Policy 1h: Partnership Board reports on the development and implementation of the
Plan should be regular and accessible.

● Action: Update Hadrian’s Wall Management Plan website on a regular basis.
● Action: Marketing & Transport Delivery Group to identify how social media can be
used as a cohesive tool in publicising the World Heritage Site.
● Action: Produce regular communications to aid publicity and engage communities.
● Action: Produce regular updates to support and inform the Hadrian’s Wall APPG and
Hadrian’s Wall Politicians’ Forum.

The Boundaries of the World Heritage Site and its Buffer Zone

Objective 2: To maintain appropriate boundaries of the World Heritage Site,
encompassing those elements of the Roman frontier that reflect OUV of the WHS, and
to document clearly those additional features that still fall outside the World Heritage
Site.
(SDG 11 & 16)

Policy 2a: Any areas proposed as an extension of the boundaries of the World
Heritage Site will meet the test of authenticity and integrity set out within the
statement of the Site’s OUV and must have relevant legal protection and management
arrangements.

Policy 2b: Changes to the boundaries that would require full re-nomination will not be
considered. However, minor modifications should be undertaken, in line with changes
to understanding once every plan period
.

● Action: To undertake the first of these reviews within two years of publication of the
Management Plan.

Policy 2c: The boundaries of the Buffer Zone agreed for the 2002-07 Management Plan
will remain unchanged for the period of this Management Plan.

Policy 2d: All appropriate opportunities should be taken to signal and explain
significance and boundaries of the World Heritage Site.

Protection of the World Heritage Site

Objective 3: To protect OUV of the World Heritage Site, using appropriate legislation,
planning policy, guidance, and management measures. (SDG 16)

Policy 3a: When considering proposals for development, local planning authorities
should ensure that they protect or better reveal the significance of OUV of the World
Heritage Site, through the adoption and application of high standards of decisionmaking, that are consistent throughout the World Heritage Site.

● Action: The Management Plan should inform the development of Local Plans and
other strategic or spatial planning documents and policies in the Hadrian’s Wall area
seeking to ensure a consistent approach across the Wall.
● Action: Share best practice of planning and conservation issues, particularly amongst
those engaged in management through the Planning system, through development
of a dedicated web space of case studies,

Policy 3b: Local Authorities should assess development proposals for their impact on
the OUV of the WHS. Development proposals which would cause significant harm to
the OUV of the WHS should not normally be permitted, and all applications should be
determined in accordance with the national and local planning policy.

● Action: Local Planning Authorities should consult with appropriate expert advisors
and, where necessary, should require applicants to commission further information.
This information should be proportionate to the development proposed, and should
draw on UNESCO’s Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World
Heritage Context (HIA) and Historic England’s advice and guidance.
● Action: Instigate a training programme, focussed on Local Authorities, on OUV of
Hadrian’s Wall and the implications of managing this through the planning system.

Policy 3c: Legal protection of sites in the World Heritage Site should be reviewed in
line with new discoveries – and where possible, anomalies should be brought into line
– taking into account the level of threat.

Policy 3d: Those managing assets under other consent regimes should take OUV of
the World Heritage Site into account; and all those involved in the delivery of the
management of the World Heritage Site shall, on a case by case basis, look to protect
and actively enhance the features protected by all other formal designations that
apply.

Protection of Undesignated Archaeological Remains

Objective 4: To maintain effective protection and management of the undesignated
remains of the Roman frontier.
(SDG 13 & 15)

Policy 4a: Local Planning Authorities should protect or better reveal all those
elements of the Roman frontier that relate to OUV of the World Heritage Site, whether
or not these are formally designated for national or international protection, in line
with Footnote 72 of the NPPF (non-designated heritage assets of archaeological
interest, which are demonstrably of equivalent significance to scheduled monument).

Policy 4b: Areas that offer significant monument legibility, such as open space, street,
and settlement patterns, and which help people to interpret and appreciate the Wall
frontier where it is not visible, should be protected and enhanced.

● Action: Work in partnership with communities to develop and implement interpretive
heritage projects including those created at grass-roots level, as well as highlighting
the line of the frontier.

Policy 4c: Where archaeological intervention is justified and cannot be avoided, Local
Authorities should, as part of the Planning process, require from a developer full
funding for the archaeological fieldwork, including conservation and cataloguing of
finds and for publication, archiving, and public interpretation. Where appropriate, they
should also be required to fund fully the conservation of structures excavated as a
result of development.

● Action: Audit the achievements of developer- funded activity over the last twenty
years, building on the work done for the Research Framework.
● Action: Audit of storage and curation, and potential risks to, material from the World
Heritage Site.
● Action: Sites and Museums along Hadrian’s Wall should seek and maintain
accredited status as appropriate
● Action: The Archaeological Research Delivery Group to compile a simple audit of
remaining unpublished excavations to highlight those where a realistic possibility for
such publication exists.

Metal Detecting

Objective 5: To protect the World Heritage Site and Buffer Zone from damage as a
result of illegal metal detecting.
(SDG 16)

Policy 5a: Metal detecting within the World Heritage Site will not be permitted except
in line with Historic England guidelines (including the need for a Section 42 licence)
and as part of a recognised and properly resourced research project.

● Action: Clearly signpost information on the boundaries of the World Heritage site and
Buffer Zone through advertising and clear messaging on the Hadrian’s Wall website.
● Action: Create a specific webpage on the Management Plan on metal detecting,
providing clear guidance on the rules that apply to the WHS, the reasons for these,
and sources of further information and guidance for lawful detecting activity.
● Action: In partnership with the Portable Antiquities Scheme, Historic England, and the
Police, prepare and action a campaign of information directed at the public and the
detector community.

Policy 5b: Detecting in the Buffer Zone should be undertaken in line with the Code of Practice for Responsible Metal Detecting in England and Wales and all finds should be reported to the Portable Antiquities Scheme.

● Action: The detecting community will be signposted towards specific best-practice
guidance on metal detecting rallies

Risk Preparedness and Disaster Management

Objective 6: To pre-empt, where possible, direct, and indirect threats to OUV drawing
on UNESCO’s Resource Manual on Managing Disaster Risks for World Heritage.
(SDG 13 & 15)

Policy 6a: The Historic England specialist adviser for the Wall will be the key contact
for the local Resilience Fora.

Policy 6b: Emergency planners should be aware of the World Heritage Site, and
emergency services should take it into account in their response to an incident.

● Action: Annually check/update Local Resilience Fora with contact details.

Policy 6c: In disaster management, resort will be made to archaeological intervention,
informed, and prioritised using the Hadrian’s Wall Research Framework, only if the
preservation of archaeological remains in situ is not possible

Climate Change

Objective 7: To ensure the management of, and decisions related to, the World
Heritage Site are informed by the implications of climate change drawing on
UNESCO’s (2023 or updated) Policy Document on Climate Action for World Heritage.
(SDG 13 & 15)

Policy 7a: Management of the World Heritage Site will take account of the likely
effects of climate change that might threaten OUV.

● Action: Undertake research on how the World Heritage Site might be affected by
climate change, and how this might best be avoided or mitigated.
● Action: Encourage climate change action plans for the Wall, identifying areas at
highest risk and opportunities for proactive intervention.

Policy 7b: Operators and managers of sites and transport within the World Heritage
Site should aim to reduce their carbon emissions, by the implementation of carbonefficient measures and should adopt effective policies aimed at environmental
sustainability.

Policy 7c: In the Hadrian’s Wall area, decision-making on development proposals
designed to address climate change should be informed first by a clear and focussed
understanding of impact on significance of Hadrian’s Wall as a World Heritage Site
set out in its OUV, and balance any harm against the public benefits in line with the
National Planning Policy Framework.

Conservation of Archaeological Sites

Objective 8: To manage the archaeological remains in the World Heritage Site in a way
that ensures their continued enjoyment by this and future generations.
(SDG 3, 11,13 & 15)

Policy 8a: Partners should undertake annual monitoring of the condition of all
elements of the World Heritage Site, and maintenance should be prioritised
accordingly.

● Action: Maintain a process for the monitoring, identification, and implementation of
priority conservation work (see also Objective 14).
● Action: Encourage development of an effective volunteer monitoring programme for
the World Heritage Site.

Policy 8b: All necessary steps should be taken to remove from the Historic England
Heritage at Risk Register any element of the World Heritage Site that is deemed to be
at high risk.

● Action: By the end of the Plan period, take the steps required, where possible, to
remove from the Heritage at Risk Register every part of the World Heritage Site
currently at high risk.

Policy 8c: Conservation and repair work carried out in the World Heritage Site should
always adhere to best practice.

● Action: Encourage research to draw together and build on the best practice in
conservation for the World Heritage Site identified in sources such as the Raphael
Project report, especially for those elements under arable cultivation.

Policy 8d: As a precautionary principle, any element of the World Heritage Site that is
under cultivation should be considered at potential risk.

● Action: Encourage landowner and tenants to use farm support and other appropriate
funding sources to remove sites from arable cultivation if possible (see also Objective
9).

Rural Land Management

Objective 9: To achieve sustainable management of the World Heritage Site, whereby
OUV can be conserved within current and future land use.
(SDG 9, 13 & 15)

Policy 9a: Farming support schemes across the World Heritage Site should be
prioritised and supported wherever this protects or better reveals OUV.

● Action: Seek to understand the future regime for farm support better, and work
towards ensuring that Hadrian’s Wall sites, and the reduction of risk to them, are
prioritised.
● Action: Undertake volunteer task-days as a programme of interventions addressing
key issues of site maintenance.

Policy 9b: Continuing agricultural viability and the sustainability of woodland
management are intrinsic to the management of the World Heritage Site and will be
supported.

Policy 9c: The contribution of traditional land-based industries to the economy and
management of the World Heritage Site should be recognised, and opportunities
should be sought for land managers to maximise the benefits from their association
with the World Heritage Site so long as this is not detrimental to OUV.

● Action: Highlight opportunities for farmers and land managers to maximise their
benefit from the World Heritage Site.
● Action: Support and champion diversification and other land-based initiatives which
assist farmers in their important role in managing much of the WHS

Archaeological Research

Objective 10: To develop and maintain a programme of research, in line with the
recommendations of the Hadrian’s Wall Research Framework, the results of which
should be publicly accessible and inform understanding of the World Heritage Site.
(SDG 4, 13 & 15)

Policy 10a: The Archaeological Research Framework will be kept under review, and
the priorities identified within it should be promulgated and supported.

● Action: Review and update the Research Framework and make this widely available.
● Action: Audit the unpublished excavations or other research on the Wall, and
highlighting those with a realistic potential/need for publication and dissemination to
the research community

Policy 10b: Whenever possible, organisations and individuals engaged in research
along the Wall will work in partnership and will co-ordinate their activities, taking the
Research Framework fully into account.

Policy 10c: Where possible, non-invasive methods of archaeological investigation
should be used in preference to excavation.

Policy 10d: Excavation will only take place where there is full resource for the
provision for post-excavation work, for publication, archiving, and for the
conservation of finds.

Policy 10e: Archaeological research in the World Heritage Site should have regard to
the context of the natural, historical, and current landscapes of the Wall area.

Policy 10f: Wherever possible, opportunities should be sought to engage local people
and visitors in the research process.

● Action: Identify and initiate opportunities for further community archaeology
programmes, and to break down barriers to participation in archaeological research,
throughout the World Heritage Site.
● Action: promote and sustain the annual Hadrian’s Wall Archaeology day school

Policy 10g: To work together to develop a sustainable future for Roman Frontier
research.

● Action: develop an annual award in acknowledgment of excellent research on the
Roman frontier (broadly defined) for any new research by a commercial, early career,
academic or independent researcher.

Sustainable Transport and Physical Access

Objective 11: To develop and to maintain an integrated range of sustainable
options for transport and access to and along the World Heritage Site.
(SDG 3, 10, 13 & 15)

Policy 11a: The provision and use of low/zero-carbon transport to and within the
World Heritage Site should be actively supported and promoted (see also Policy 7b).

● Action: Monitor visitor usage of low/zero-carbon transport across the WHS to inform
future improvements to travel infrastructure and services.
● Action: Publish a report of C02 savings annually.
● Action: HW museums and visitor attractions to develop and promote sustainable
travel plans for their respective sites by 2028.
● Action: HW museums and visitor attractions to promote incentives for visitors to use
low/zero transport to explore the World Heritage Site.
● Action: Facilities and services for coach and group travel to be improved where this
can be done without detriment to OUV of the Site.
● Action: National and local public transport providers to ensure an effective rail and
bus provision throughout the WHS area to meet the needs of visitors and people
employed in HW economy.
● Action: Maintain as a minimum the current level of service and, when resources
allow, enhance the operation of the Hadrian’s Wall Bus (AD122) service across the
World Heritage Site.

Policy 11b: Access to the World Heritage Site should be as inclusive as possible.

● Action: Monitor and identify areas for further enhancement for accessibility and
inclusiveness across the World Heritage Site.
● Action: HW museums and visitor attractions to develop accessibility improvement
plans and publish accessibility statements for their respective sites drawing Historic
England’s (2015) guidance Easy Access to Historic Buildings.

Policy 11c: The provision for active travel should be supported and promoted to and
within the World Heritage Site.

Policy 11d: The National Trail Partnership should secure adequate resources and
prioritise works to maintain the Trail primarily as a grass sward to protect the
archaeology underfoot and the setting of the World Heritage Site.

● Action: Audit provision of alternative route options for Trail walkers and identify gaps
● Action: Complementary and alternative options will be developed and/or improved to
broaden the choice of subsidiary routes for walkers, and for organised events.

Policy 11e: Support the development of a braided alternative route for the Hadrian’s
Wall Path National Trail from Heddon to Segedunum and extension to the site of
Arbeia at South Shields, fulfilling economic, social, and educational opportunities.

● Action: Research and develop braided trail through Newcastle and North Tyneside,
and extension to Arbeia (South Shields).

Policy 11f: The Hadrian’s Cycleway will be a high-quality cycling experience.

● Action: Monitor use and feedback from users to inform further enhancement of the
cycling experience (if resources allow – to publish a report annually).
● Action: Complementary and alternative cycling routes will be developed to broaden
the choice for cyclists travelling to and across the World Heritage Site.

Developing the Visitor Experience and Understanding of the World Heritage Site

Objective 12: To establish and to maintain an international reputation for a range of
first-class visitor experiences at attractions that offer good facilities, and diversified,
integrated interpretation that is accessible, relevant, and challenging to a wide range
of audiences.
(SDG 3, 10 & 15)

● Action: All Hadrian’s Wall museums should achieve national accreditation standards
and aspire to exceed them.

Policy 12a: Investment in visitor facilities and interpretation should enhance
understanding and engagement with OUV and should aim to provide high-quality
products that maximise the enjoyment, understanding and appreciation of the World
Heritage Site.

Policy 12b: Those considering investment should consider whether cooperation with
others, to mutual benefit, would be more cost-effective and would secure wider
benefit for the World Heritage Site than direct competition.

● Action: Evaluate, coordinate, and trial joint ticketing promotions.

Policy 12c: Interpretation of the World Heritage Site must be based on authoritative
and up-to date information; it should explain the meaning and significance of each
place, be thought-provoking, and engender greater enjoyment of and understanding
by the visitor.

● Action: Identify and disseminate the strands of new research that should underpin
any revised interpretation scheme.

Policy 12d: Any proposal for physical reconstruction must follow Historic England
guidance and take into account the UNESCO decisions and policy on this issue:

https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/planning/the-reconstruction-of-heritageassets/reconstruction-background-and-issues/

Policy 12e: The use of virtual reconstruction should be promoted where appropriate.

● Action: Assess and collate existing resources of virtual reconstruction.
● Action: Explore further opportunities for virtual reconstruction and share best practice
across the FRE.

Sustainable Development and Prosperity

Objective 13: To ensure that World Heritage Site status contributes to the local and
regional economies.
(SDG 8, 10, 11 & 13)

Policy 13a: The World Heritage Site will be used to assist in the sustainable economic
development of the local area and should be an inspirational agent for change,
contributing to the sustainability of OUV.

Policy 13b: HW museums and attractions will aim to reduce their supply-chain
mileage and promote the local distinctiveness of the region by sourcing and
promoting local products and produce to visitors.

● Action: HW museums and attractions to pilot and demonstrate good practice in
regenerative tourism and the circular economy.
● Action: Explore the viability of ‘Made in Hadrian’s Wall Country’ branding for local
producers.

Policy 13c: HW museums and attractions will develop relevant and appropriate
initiatives to enhance and increase the length of stay by visitors and increase visitor spend in the region.

Policy 13d: HW museums and attractions will ensure the provision of visitor facilities
and services are developed sustainably.

Policy 13e: The WHS will be used to deliver training and engagement opportunities,
providing skills and experience for individuals to enhance employability and break
down barriers to participation in heritage.

● Action: Encourage the development of site based and WHS youth engagement
programmes e.g. Young Archaeology Club or Youth Panels.

Policy 13f: Monitor and review marketing trends and visitor needs to enable and
inform future sustainable development of visitor experiences across the World
Heritage Site.

● Action: HW partners to collate and share tourism trend and marketing intelligence to
maximise impact

Engaging with Communities

Objective 14: To enable local and special-interest communities to be engaged with the
World Heritage Site and develop the contribution that the Site can make to community
life and wellbeing.
(SDG  10, 13 & 16)

Policy 14a: Opportunities for greater participation in, and engagement with, the World
Heritage Site by local individuals, by supporters’ groups, and by communities, should
continue to be developed and implemented.

● Action: Proactively encourage community projects and programmes to utilise,
reference and support the protection of the World Heritage Site.
● Action: Support and promote the annual Hadrian’s Wall Networking Day and seek to
broaden the topics discussed and participation in it.
● Action: Undertake volunteer task-days as a programme of interventions addressing
key issues of site maintenance.

Policy 14b: Managers in the World Heritage Site should engage with communities to
gain a better understanding of their interests, skills, and aspirations, especially during
the planning of any new initiative.

Marketing the World Heritage Site

Objective 15: To enhance the appeal of the World Heritage Site as a destination
providing exceptional experiences for domestic and overseas visitors.
(SDG 3, 8 & 13)

Policy 15a: Seasonal and coordinated marketing and communication should be used
to facilitate visits and to increase the value of tourism in and around the World
Heritage Site. The marketing of the WHS should be coordinated and complementary,
providing added value to the whole of Hadrian’s Wall and assisting in its sustainable
management.

● Action: Explore with partners across-FRE marketing project exploring the messages
of World Heritage Site status and of UNESCO values.
● Action: HW attractions and museums to actively promote active-travel and low/zero
carbon visitor travel in the marketing of their respective sites and attractions
● Action: Develop and maintain a shared Events Calendar for the WHS.
● Action: HW attractions and museums to actively promote retailing of goods of local
provenance to support local jobs and skills.

Education & Learning

Objective 16: To ensure that high-quality learning opportunities, focused on different aspects of the World Heritage Site, are experienced by all audiences through appropriate and enjoyable provision. (SDG 3, 4 & 16)

Policy 16a: Identify and implement opportunities across the entire FRE to work in collaboration and develop learning provision 

  • Action: Explore opportunities for creating and maintaining a learning and engagement forum from partners across FRE.
  • Action: Identify areas within FRE curricula to explore opportunities for learning provision.

Policy 16b: The breadth and flexibility of the learning offer presented by the World Heritage Site should be kept under review. 

  • Action: Identify cross-curricula learning objectives and areas for improvement.
  • Action: Explore the viability of implementing the identified cross-curricula learning objectives 

Policy 16c: An understanding of the learning aspirations and requirements of all relevant audiences should be researched, regularly reviewed and understood.

Policy 16d: The opportunities offered by new technologies and by learners’ changing preferences for accessing learning should be explored and implemented.

  • Action: Consult appropriate audiences when implementing new technologies.
  • Action: Explore current and new learning practices

Policy 16e: An understanding of the role and ethos of UNESCO World Heritage status should be promoted and should provide the context for learning.

  • Action: Develop a long-term education project that explores the potential for the delivery of positive cross-curriculum education using the UNESCO values. Year 2.
  • Action: Promote affiliation to the UNESCO Associated School’s network.
  • Action: Encourage and contribute to the development of a country-wide education programme based on World Heritage.
  • Action: Promote the UNESCO Sustainable Development Goals available in Education resources.

UNESCO and the Sustainable Development Goals

The UNESCO 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a call for action by all developed and developing countries – in a global partnership. The aspiration is that they are regarded as a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.

The Objectives have been mapped onto UNESCO’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): UNESCO and Sustainable Development Goals | UNESCO

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