The World Heritage Committee decided today not to place the Tower of London and Westminster on its list of endangered World Heritage Sites.

The committee, which is part of UNESCO, is holding its annual meeting in Christchurch, New Zealand this week. Last year it strongly criticised the UK government for failing to protect world heritage sites from encroachment by new development.

Since then English Heritage and local councils have worked to produce management plans to protect the Westminster and Tower of London sites. A feasibility study for a new ‘buffer zone’ around Westminster will be conducted later this summer (Professional news 22.06.07).

Culture minister David Lammy said of today’s decision, ‘This is good news for all those involved in the conservation and management of these unique places and recognises the efforts of all those who have worked intensively to meet UNESCO’s concerns.’

Sir Neil Cossons, chairman of English Heritage, said: ‘This represents a major vote of confidence in the UK’s ability to manage and protect its most important historic sites.’

The world heritage committee has asked for a further report on the protection of the sites for next year’s meeting.