It is a requirement of UNESCO that adequate management arrangements and legal protection must be in place before a site can be inscribed as a World Heritage Site. The latter is in place through the five conservation areas that cover the whole Site and over 250 listed buildings throughout the site.

The former is addressed through a Management Plan for the World Heritage Site which was approved by the Steering Group, Liverpool City Council and the Secretary of State at the end of 2003 following a public consultation exercise. The Management Plan recognises the necessity of securing a consensual approach to the management of this complex site, and has provided a vehicle for all key stakeholders (agencies, owners, interest groups and public) to agree a strategy and sign up to it. The need to ensure an appropriate and equitable balance between conservation, sustainability and development has been fundamental to the preparation of the Management Plan.