Date published: 2026-10-07 | Category: Leisure, Tourism and Heritage
Councillor Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “I want to be absolutely clear that there is no intent at all for Bath to relinquish its unique double inscribed World Heritage status, in fact we want to work with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, on creating a city that is an exemplar to the world on how heritage can be protected, whilst tackling the growing need for affordable homes.
“Everyone agrees there is a desperate need for more affordable houses in Bath and across the UK. These homes are best placed in areas that already have good transport links, and have the capacity to be designed to the best environmental levels, making them cheap to live in. To that end we are and will continue to apply pressure on central government to liaise with the International Council on Monuments and Sites, ICOMOS/UNESCO on the best way to protect the uniqueness of Bath, without limiting its capacity to grow and adapt to our changing environment.
“Any change to the wording of Bath’s World Heritage designation would involve a highly complex and uncertain international process. There is no council policy, and no proposal, to ask the government to relinquish Bath’s World Heritage status.
“What we are seeking is greater clarity on how we can work with national and international partners to protect the enormous heritage and economic benefits that World Heritage status brings, while ensuring Bath remains a living, thriving city with homes that local people can afford.”