Insurance News Archive

London landmarks not placed on endangered lists

The Tower of London and Westminster escaped being named 'endangered' by the World Heritage Committee after it accepted that new plans add protection from new development.

Last year the committee, which is part of UNESCO, criticised the UK for failing to protect its world heritage sites from building works that encroach upon the site.

Culture minister David Lammy said of the decision: "This is good news for all those involved in the conservation and management of these unique places and recognises the efforts of all those who have worked intensively to meet UNESCO's concerns."

And the chairman of English Heritage, Sir Neil Cossons, added: "This represents a major vote of confidence in the UK's ability to manage and protect its most important historic sites."

English Heritage and local councils had worked to put together plans that may eventually see a buffer zone created around these important sites which may affect projects including Elizabeth House in Waterloo and the two towers of Land Securities' Victoria Transport Interchange scheme.

27 Jun 2007