York's failure to win Government backing to become a World Heritage Site was underlined today when the list of recommendations was published.

Culture Secretary Chris Smith is pressing for the Lake District, the Cairngorm Mountains and even parts of Salford to be accorded the honour by Unesco. But North Yorkshire was completely overlooked.

York, and nearby attractions such as Castle Howard and Rievaulx Abbey, never stood a chance. Unesco wanted natural sites and industrial heritage to be nominated. The organisation believes that it already has enough palaces, castles and historic towns.

This distinction is difficult to understand. Either a site is of "outstanding universal value", to quote Unesco's main criterion, or it is not. If Bath and Edinburgh Old Town are worthy of World Heritage status, then York is too. But its historical importance as a Roman, Viking and medieval centre is clearly viewed as pass by the heritage inspectors.

Even accepting Unesco's random restrictions, North Yorkshire's omission makes no sense. Fewer regions of England boast as many areas of outstanding natural beauty. Yet, while the Lakes and the east Devon coast made it onto the list, Malham Cove and the North York Moors are absent.

Although it rankles to be overlooked in this way, we should not consider it a disaster. World Heritage status has always been viewed as a mixed blessing. York MP Hugh Bayley's enthusiasm for it is at best lukewarm. City of York Council has previously seen no reason to campaign to join this exclusive club.

Tourism bosses will be understandably disappointed. Visitor surveys show that more than 80 per cent of overseas tourists cite heritage and countryside as important factors in their decisions to come here. A Unesco award would undoubtedly boost tourist numbers. But the very same label might well put off potential investors. Firms may think twice about expanding into a World Heritage City, where the emphasis is on the past rather than the future - a place hamstrung by planning regulations. York has managed to preserve its history without Unesco's help so far. Aside from the notorious planning mistakes of the 1950s and 1960s, the city has managed to grow without sacrificing its historical heart. The outcry over Coppergate phase II, and its subsequent rejection, proved that York's citizens are its best guardians.

If Unesco adopts a more consistent policy towards World Heritage selection, York will ultimately be accorded that status. In the meantime, we should remain confident in everything our city and county has to offer.

see COMMENT 'North Yorkshire snubbed in heritage site listing'

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