A £10m blueprint for the future of one of Britain's few UN- designated World Heritage Sites was unveiled yesterday.

The 30-year management plan identifies conservation work to be carried out at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, near Ripon, North Yorkshire.

Fountains Abbey is ranked alongside the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China as among the world's most important historic monuments.

The management plan, which has taken two-and-a-half years to draw up, aims to bolster efforts to protect the extensive National Trust site, which includes the ruins of a 12th Century Cistercian abbey, an Elizabethan mansion, landscaped water gardens and a deer park.

An initial six-year programme of repairs includes a catchment survey to help prevent flooding problems, maintenance of the monastic precinct wall, and a conservation plan for St Mary's Church.

The purpose of the plan is to enhance and conserve the many historic and natural features of the site and provide for future generations a high-quality visitor experience and a variety of access opportunities.

It is a requirement of World Heritage Site status and the National Trust will be working in partnership throughout with English Heritage.

Acting chief executive of English Heritage, Carole Souter, said the site was the only one to be given the status for its 18th Century landscaped gardens and associated medieval monastic remains. "Landscape does not come any better than this," she said.

The director-general of the National Trust, Fiona Reynolds, said recognising the link between high-quality buildings, natural environments and the sustainability of rural economies was vital.

"The creation of World Heritage Site management plans is a cornerstone of this principle. They are about supporting the asset for a long-term gain. Taking the long-term view is crucial."