4.56.1 The line of Hadrian's Wall, part of which is contained within the southern boundary of the Borough, was scheduled as an Ancient Monument in 1979 and as a World Heritage Site in 1987, thus giving statutory protection to the Wall and its associated features from damage and inappropriate development. In 1984 the report "A Strategy for Hadrian's Wall" was published by the Hadrian's Wall Consultative Committee, setting out matters for future action. To date, a liaison officer has been appointed, work has commenced on the provision of the long distance footpath, new signposts have been erected and damaged sections of the Wall are being repaired.

4.56.2 A working group is considering the presentation of the World Heritage Zone in terms of policies appropriate for inclusion in local plans and the definition on proposals maps of the extent of the Zone designation in order that a consistent approach be obtained throughout the various local plan areas through which the Wall runs. A cartographical definition of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee designation is awaited. A Management Plan for Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site was prepared by English Heritage in 1996. Within this document the extent of the World Heritage Site and its setting is defined cartographically.

4.56.3 The Council recognises the importance of maintaining the integrity of the landscape setting of the Wall in addition to the protection of a narrower archaeological corridor and has accordingly defined a broad zone of protection which may be subject to modification in the light of further specialist advice and consultation with other local authorities through whose areas the Wall runs. Although the Council's responsibility as a Local Planning Authority is confined to that part of the wall lying within the Borough, it considers the Wall to be unique and to be protected and enhanced wherever possible.