HL Deb 03 March 2000 vol 610 cc119-20WA
Baroness Anelay of St. Johns

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are their plans to grant national heritage park status to the Goodwin Sands. [HL1118]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

There is presently no recognised concept of a "national heritage park" and no formal approach has been made to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for support of this project. Legislation, following extensive public consultation, would be required to create "national heritage parks" and to then apply the designation to the Goodwin Sands. It may be that the concept could be explored in the Government's review of policies relating to the historic environment currently being undertaken by English Heritage.

The Government are aware that proposals are being developed locally for the designation as a maritime heritage park of an area of the Goodwin Sands where four shipwrecks designated under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 are located.