Those residents of Saltaire who recently expressed their dismay at the village's growing popularity among tourists will not be best pleased at the news that it is set to receive another shove in that direction. However, as far as Bradford as a whole is concerned, Saltaire's inclusion in a list of 25 nominees for World Heritage status surely has to be welcomed.

As part of the metropolitan district, the village built by Titus Salt and given a new lease of life largely thanks to the vision of the late Jonathan Silver is an important asset to Bradford. Its spreading fame gives a growing number of people a reason to come here and discover what other things the district has to offer.

The last-minute inclusion of Saltaire in a list of sites to be considered by Unesco is apparently largely thanks to the efforts of local MP Chris Leslie, who describes it as "a bit of a long shot". Even if that long shot misses the mark in the long run (Unesco will take years to decide which sites will ultimately be included), the very fact that Saltaire has made it on to the list is bound to bring benefits to the village.

As Chris Leslie points out, although no direct grant aid goes with the nomination, it will help to lever extra resources from other areas such as Lottery and European funds. And it could also push up property prices - a prospect which might help to sweeten the pill a little for those residents who resent the prospect of ever more tourists walking the streets of their home village.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.