A UNESCO World Heritage Site

New Lanark as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

A World Heritage Site is classified as a natural or man-made site, area, or structure recognized as being of Outstanding Universal Value and therefore as deserving special protection. Sites are nominated to and designated by the World Heritage Convention, an organization of The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Buffer Zone

The New Lanark World Heritage Site Buffer Zone is designed to comply with UNESCO guidance that buffer zones should include the immediate setting of the inscribed Site, important views and other areas or attributes that are functionally important to the support of the site and its protection. It takes account of key views into and from the site and other buildings and land in the surrounding area. The purpose of the buffer zone and sensitive area is to indicate areas where development proposals require careful consideration by developers and decision-makers to determine whether they are likely to significantly impact the WHS, its OUV, or its authenticity and integrity.

INSCRIPTION

New Lanark was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.

New Lanark is an exceptional example of a purpose-built 18th century mill village. Thanks to an ongoing process of conservation and rehabilition spanning almost half a century, the appearance of the village today is close to that of the early nineteenth century, when the mill buildings formed one of the largest industrial groups in the world. At New Lanark, David Dale and Robert Owen created a model for industrial communities that was to spread across the world in the 19th and 20th centuries, establishing a milestone in social and industrial history, and having lasting influences on society, even two hundred years on.

New Lanark’s incription as a UNESCO World heritage site confirms it’s Outstanding Universal Value. You can read more about New Lanark and its Outstanding Universal Value on the UNESCO website.

MANAGEMENT

Conserve, Contribute, Evolve

The management of the World Heritage property New Lanark is the responsibility of its three main partners: South Lanarkshire Council, Historic Environment Scotland and the New Lanark Trust. The New Lanark Management Plan is endorsed and strategically overseen by the management partners, who also assume responsibility for its implementation. The sustainable management of tourism at New Lanark is addressed in the Management Plan. The Partnership Group, through the implementation of the Management Plan, ensures that present and future tourism within the property is developed in an environmentally and economically sustainable way for the benefit of the local community.

Draft Management Plan (2025 – 2030)

New Lanark World Heritage Trust, with support from us and Historic Environment Scotland and South Lanarkshire Council, have prepared a draft five-year Management Plan to guide the protection and management of the World Heritage Site. The Plan outlines key issues, incorporates feedback from local communities and stakeholders and includes a monitoring programme for conservation and delivery.

As part of this process, a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the Management Plan has been carried out to ensure environmental considerations are fully integrated into the Plan. This supports our sustainability priorities and climate commitments.

Have your say

Both the Draft Management Plan and SEA Environmental Report are available for public consultation from 17 July to 28 August 2025. You can submit your comments to either planning@southlanarkshire.gov.uk or Heritage@newlanark.org.