Management Plan Review
The Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site Management Plan must be reviewed every 10 years in line with UNESCO’s Operational Guidelines..
Historic England’s 2025 guidance states that every UK World Heritage Site must have an up‑to‑date management plan, usually lasting between 5 and 10 years. This plan should clearly set out the World Heritage site’s Outstanding Universal Value, how it will be protected, and what actions will be taken for its future protection.
The current plan (2017–2027) is nearing its end, so work is beginning on a new plan that meets both international and national expectations.
Over the past 10 years, stakeholders across the Ironbridge Gorge have delivered important conservation work. This has included protecting vulnerable heritage assets and stabilising high‑risk areas. Other improvements have included better public spaces, upgraded flood‑resilience infrastructure, and the introduction of the park and ride service.
Together, these actions have helped the Site respond to challenges such as lower visitor numbers after COVID‑19. The next management plan will build on this progress and will be shaped with input from the local community, ensuring future priorities reflect local needs and support a thriving, sustainable World Heritage Site.
Visit the UNESCO Word Heritage Convention website for more information about the operational guidelines. Visit the Historic England website for more information on the guidance on the Production of World Heritage Property Management Plans.
The New Plan
To create the new 2027–2037 Ironbridge Gorge Management Plan, a structured review process is now starting. This will involve partners, stakeholders, and the local community. The work will follow Historic England’s guidance for World Heritage management plans, which sets out the need for strong governance, stakeholder involvement, updated evidence, and a period of public consultation.
It will also follow UNESCO’s Operational Guidelines, which highlight the importance of effective protection, community involvement, and alignment with the Site’s Outstanding Universal Value.
In the coming months, progress made under the current plan will be assessed, along with new challenges and opportunities. Views will be gathered from people who live in, work in, and visit the Gorge. This will include meetings with partner organisations, targeted workshops, and opportunities for the public to share ideas both online and in person.
All feedback will help shape shared priorities for the next decade, ensuring the new plan supports local needs and protects the World Heritage Site for future generations.
How to Get Involved
Our online survey will be open from 23 February to 15 March 2026 for those who live, work, volunteer or visit the World Heritage Site.
Creating the next Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site Management Plan is a joint effort. The team wants to ensure that people who live, work, volunteer, and visit the Gorge can help shape its future.
Throughout 2026, there will be several ways to share views, take part in conversations, and help set the priorities for the next 10 years.
This approach follows best practice from Historic England’s guidance, which stresses the importance of strong stakeholder involvement, and from UNESCO’s Operational Guidelines, which highlight the role of communities in caring for World Heritage Sites.
Project milestones: Ways to take part in 2026
Stage 1: Early engagement and evidence gathering (February–March 2026)
Everyone connected to the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site will be invited to share their experiences through:
- An online survey for residents, workers, volunteers, and visitors
- Face‑to‑face consultations with community groups
- Input from town and parish councils and local cabinet members
- Discussions with local and national stakeholder organisations.
This stage helps build a strong evidence base by gathering a wide range of views, concerns, and ideas.
Stage 2: Developing the draft objectives (April–May 2026)
A focus group made up of stakeholders with strong local knowledge will help shape the draft objectives. Their role is to make sure the plan reflects the evidence collected and the priorities shared by the community.
Additional targeted information may be gathered if needed.
Stage 3: Public consultation on the Ironbridge Gorge Management draft plan (June–July 2026)
Once the draft plan is ready, it will be published for everyone to review and comment on. People can give feedback through public events, online consultation forms, and written responses.
Technical consultations will also take place with Historic England and ICOMOS UK, who advise UNESCO on the management of World Heritage Sites.
Stage 4: Final approval and adoption (By December 2026)
The final plan will be updated to reflect feedback from the public and technical consultees. It will then be formally adopted by the relevant local authorities and sent to UNESCO to show that the Site continues to meet the operational guidelines.
Once adopted, the focus will move to delivering the Ironbridge Gorge Management Plan. Partners and community groups will work together to prioritise actions, secure resources, and begin delivering the projects that will guide the World Heritage Site’s care and development over the next decade.
