City of York Council is seeking the views of local people on whether or not the city should make a bid for World Heritage status. 

The idea was first mooted by former Lord Mayor of York Janet Hopton MBE, who, during her year in office in 2006/07, formed a working group to investigate further.

The World Heritage Convention, which was adopted by UNESCO in 1972 and ratified by the United Kingdom in 1984, relates to the the identification, protection, conservation and presentation of cultural and natural sites of 'outstanding universal value'.

There are currently 27 World Heritage sites in the UK, including Edinburgh, Liverpool, Bath, Stonehenge and, in Yorkshire, Fountains Abbey and Saltaire.

It is felt that York has a very strong case for becoming a UNESCO World Heritage site,
although it is recognised that there are advantages and disadvantages to gaining World Heritage status. Potential disadvantages include the possibility of outside scrutiny of decisions taken by City of York Council (by UNESCO and its advisors); the significant costs associated with making a bid; and the fact that there is no guarantee that a bid from York would be successful.

However, in other cities World Heritage status has not held back major developments and has promoted better design, as well as boosting tourism and the economy.

To have your say complete the online survey on the council's website by visiting www.york.gov.uk and selecting the 'online surveys' link.