The nation's most important historical landmarks are to receive greater protection than ever before, Communities Minister Baroness Andrews announced yesterday.

The Government is taking action to protect all 17 English World Heritage Sites, which include the Tower of London, Hadrian's Wall, the Ironbridge Gorge, Maritime Greenwich and Durham Castle.

For the first time the government wants to put all English World Heritage Sites on the same national footing as its conservation areas, national parks and areas of outstanding beauty by including them in national planning protection rules.

World Heritage status is only granted by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for major world cultural and natural heritage locations considered to have outstanding universal value. The UNESCO World Heritage Committee will meet in July to review new and existing sites.

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Currently over half of our World Heritage sites are not in previously protected conservation areas. The changes which are being consulted on will prevent minor development occurring without specific planning permission. Seemingly minor changes such as roof alterations, new buildings nearby or artificial stoning could when added together have a devastating impact on a World Heritage Site.

This will mean that the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape, the most recently recognised site which is particularly vulnerable, will be covered for the first time. The development controls are also extended across Stonehenge, Blenheim Palace, the City of Bath, Christchurch College in Canterbury, the Dorset and Devon 'Jurassic' Coast, Derwent Valley Mills and Lime Street Station in Liverpool.

Communities Minister, Baroness Andrews said: "Britain has a unique heritage with many famous buildings and landmarks stretching from Stonehenge to the Royal Botanic Gardens. We want to ensure that our historic buildings and landmarks and our cultural treasures are preserved for current and future generations.

"We are changing the planning rules to give all English World Heritage Sites the best protection from potentially damaging developments that could threaten the authenticity, accessibility and charm or character of our most important places."

(CD/JM)