The Purpose of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site Inscription is to:

Maintain the Outstanding Universal Value of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site by protecting, conserving, presenting, enhancing and transmitting its culture, economy, unique heritage and landscape in a sustainable manner.

The Vision for this 2020-2025 Management Plan is to:

Create and promote a local, national and international understanding and identity for the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site as a cohesive and coherent whole, based on its global significance for all of humankind.

The objectives and actions set out beneath each of the aims below in Part Two of this Plan have been identified to deliver the DVMWHS’s purpose and the Vision of this Plan.

The Aims of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site Partnership are set out below. Aim 1 is paramount and all other aims must not conflict with it.

  1. (Conservation and Planning) – Protect and conserve the Outstanding Universal Value of the DVMWHS to ensure its transmission to future generations.
  2. (Engagement) – Promote public awareness and engagement with the DVMWHS by presenting its Outstanding Universal Value through formal/informal learning, volunteering, events, interpretation and encouraging research.
  3. (Development and Tourism) – Promote the sustainable development (Environmental, Economic and Social) of the DVMWHS to provide a world-class destination where people are proud to live, work, visit and invest.
  4. (Communities) – Enhance the social wellbeing of the DVMWHS communities and maximise the benefits of the site’s cultural value at a local, regional, national and international level.
  5. (Transport and Accessibility) – Develop an integrated and sustainable approach to meeting and promoting the transportation and accessibility needs of the DVMWHS and its users.
  6. (Spatial Priorities) – Promote a cohesive and coherent understanding of the DVMWHS by identifying its differing spatial needs and priorities.
  7. (Monitoring) – Monitor the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site to the standard required by UNESCO, and encourage appropriate site-wide data gathering to support the delivery of the above aims.