Planning protection for the World Heritage Site

The Saltaire World Heritage Site benefits from multiple layers of protection through the planning system.

World Heritage Sites

World Heritage sites are provided with the highest level of national protection by Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for the Historic Environment, which requires that development that would result in substantial harm to world heritage sites or their setting should be wholly exceptional and only be permitted where substantial public benefit outweighs the harm to the site. Further protection for Saltaire is provided by Policy S/BH14 within the Replacement Unitary Development Plan for the Bradford District.

World Heritage Site Buffer Zone

The buffer zone identifies the area surrounding the Saltaire World Heritage Site in which development that may harm its setting is most likely to occur. Tall buildings and structures outside of the buffer zone may still affect on the setting of the world heritage site. In these cases the world heritage site will still be a key material consideration in determining planning applications.

A map showing the World Heritage Site Buffer Zone may be found on this page.

Listed Buildings in Saltaire

Most buildings within the world heritage site boundary are listed buildings protected for their national architectural and historical significance. Listed building descriptions for the locality of Shipley including Saltaire can be found on this page.

Saltaire Conservation Area

Saltaire village was designated a conservation area in 1971 to protect its historic character and appearance, providing additional planning controls over demolition, new development and tree works. The Saltaire Conservation Area has a slightly more extensive boundary than that of the World Heritage Site.

Roberts Park

Roberts Park on the north bank of the River Aire is included on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England.