State of Conservation of World Heritage Properties in Europe SECTION II writings are of crucial importance to knowledge of UNITED KINGDOM Dark Age Britain. In architectural terms the Castle is less important, Durham Castle and Cathedral but visually it dramatically illustrates the concept of the motte and bailey castle, it includes features of Brief description notable architectural interest such as the Norman chapel (the oldest building in Durham), the Norman Durham Cathedral was built in the late 11th and gallery and the richly decorated entrance to the early 12th centuries to house the relics of St original Great Hall and it demonstrates in structural Cuthbert (evangelizer of Northumbria) and the terms the change of function from castle to palace Venerable Bede. It attests to the importance of the to university. However it is in relationship to the early Benedictine monastic community and is the Cathedral that its justification lies, since, towering largest and finest example of Norman architecture over the town in truly awesome fashion, they in England. The innovative audacity of its vaulting symbolise together the spiritual and secular powers foreshadowed Gothic architecture. Behind the of the Bishops Palatine in an manner which, once cathedral stands the castle, an ancient Norman seen, will never be forgotten. fortress which was the residence of the prince- bishops of Durham. As provided in ICOMOS evaluation Criterion IV. Durham Cathedral is the largest and 1. Introduction most perfect monument of "Norman" style architecture in England. The small castral chapel Year(s) of Inscription 1986 for its part marks a turning point in the evolution of Agency responsible for site management 11th century Romanesque sculpture. • Mailing Address(es) Criterion II. Though some wrongly considered Durham City Council-Durham World Heritage Durham Cathedral to be the first "Gothic" Site Management Plan Steering Group monument (the relationship between it and the Hawthorne Terrace Byland Lod churches built in the Ile-de-France region in the DH1 4TD Durham 12th century is not obvious), this building, due to United Kingdom the innovative audacity of its vaulting, constitutes - e-mail: [email protected] as do Spire and Cluny- a type of experimental website: www.durhamcity.gov.uk model which was far ahead of its time. Criterion VI. Around the relics of Cuthbert and 2. Statement of Significance Bede, Durham crystallised the memory of the evangelizing of Northumbria and of primitive Inscription Criteria C (ii) (iv) (vi) Benedictine monastic life. Justification as provided by the State Party Committee Decision Durham Cathedral is the finest example of Early The Committee made no statement. Norman architecture in England. However, although Romanesque in origin, the introduction of rib vaults, • A new Statement of Significance is being the use of the structural pointed arch and of lateral developed for the management plan. The State abutments (in effect diminutive flying buttresses Party will discuss and agree a Statement of albeit concealed within the roofs of the galleries) all outstanding universal value which will be dating to the years 1137-39, represent the first submitted in due course for consideration by stage in developments which revolutionised the the World Heritage Committee architecture of Europe. • No change required to UNESCO's official St Cuthbert, who is buried in the Cathedral, was a description of the site key figure in the conversion of England to Boundaries and Buffer Zone Christianity and played much the same role in the • Status of boundaries of the site: inadequate north of the country that St Augustine played in the • Buffer zone: no buffer zone has been defined south. His relics include some of the oldest • Further work needed by the State Party to surviving embroidery in Europe. The Cathedral also define one contains the tomb of the Venerable Bede (673- 735), another influential figure, whose historical State of Conservation of World Heritage Properties in Europe SECTION II Status of Authenticity/Integrity • The WHS management plan is currently in draft • World Heritage site values have been form. It has been formally agreed by the site maintained owners and is about to undergo public consultation. Following that the plan will be formally passed to the State Party to be signed 3. Protection off and submitted to UNESCO. As a Legislative and Administrative Arrangements consequence of this the implementation of the • A cascade of policies from national to sub plan has been delayed, however dialogue regional to local set the parameters for between stakeholders has facilitated more joint protecting the site from inappropriate change working. The joint working, for example has led and seek to conserve the setting of the site to the creation of stone masonry • The protection arrangements are considered apprenticeships at the university and a new sufficiently effective master plan and development framework for the city. A steering group has also been set up Actions taken/proposed: as a result of joint working • Retain and enhance the value and authenticity • Effective of the site: A range of key management issues • Responsibility for over-seeing the are articulated in the management plan as implementation of the management plan and objectives monitoring its effectiveness: the site’s owners, • Timeframe: not known the site's steering group and One North East (Regional Development Agency) 4. Management 6. Financial Resources Use of site/property • Visitor attraction, religious use. Also: university Financial situation college and student residence, visitor • The site has no core funding at this time. accommodation, residence, office, theological Conservation and protection of the site is library funded substantially by the owners. The site currently receives no international financial Management/Administrative Body assistance • Steering group formally set up on 27 January • One North East; English Heritage; charitable 1998 to examine issues arising from the City of funds; private sector charitable funding - Durham local plan review which proposed Northern Rock; Heritage Lottery Fund; Learning extension of the site and preparation of a Skills Council; private fundraising - nationally, management plan for the site regionally, locally and through the University of • No site manager but one is needed Durham alumni network and through cathedral • Management by the two major site owners congregation; funding from the City of Durham • Levels of public authority who are primarily Council (where the project already forms part of involved with the management of the site: their existing discharge of duties) national; local • There is no funding to appoint a coordinator for • The current management system is sufficiently the site, although this is the first objective of the effective management plan once approved. Other funding issues covered within the management Actions proposed: plan include: funding building repairs and • Reach consensus on future management of the conservation work is a key issue for the long- site, including: appointment of a WHS term management of the site. In addition, the coordinator, re-evaluation of current boundary, recommendations contained within this establishment of closer working relationships management plan will also require funding, between site owners and other stakeholders over and above the currently identified works to • Timeframe: not known repair and conserve the built heritage at the site • insufficient 5. Management Plan 7. Staffing Levels • Management plan is being implemented • Implementation starts: December 2005 • Number of staff: 0 State of Conservation of World Heritage Properties in Europe SECTION II Rate of access to adequate professional staff Palace Green, cathedral seeking better across the following disciplines: education links and facilities • Good: conservation, education • There is no tourism/visitor management plan for • Average: management, visitor management the site • Bad: promotion, interpretation • Staff resources are inadequate 10. Scientific Studies • The Cathedral has a vast army of volunteer stewards, guides, and chaplains etc who • There is an agreed research number approximately 450. Many of them do a framework/strategy for the site 4 hour shift once a week, or once a • Risk assessment, condition surveys, fortnight/month or work the summer months archaeological surveys, transportation studies only. It is estimated that the Cathedral benefit • The studies are as yet unimplemented and are from the full time equivalent of 30 part of the emerging WHS management plan. volunteers/annum. The University employs In the meantime ad hoc studies such as students on a casual basis to carry out tours of architectural studies to specify works, the Castle. They have advised that they have archaeological monitoring of works have been the equivalent of one full-time volunteer undertaken • Studies used for management of site: works 8. Sources of Expertise and Training in have informed conservation programs, other Conservation and Management areas unknown. A conservation plan has just been completed for Durham Castle Techniques • Staff training: university museum at Fulling Mill; 11. Education, Information and Awareness Archeology at Durham University; Estates and buildings Joiners; cathedral library staff; Building cathedral archeologist; cathedral architect; • Not enough signs referring to World Heritage cathedral clerk of works, stone masons and site workforce • World Heritage