Conflicts in space encountered by participants in the development of spatial plans for special purpose areas of cultural or natural assets are numerous, and the most significant are between protection and development. The relativization of the conflict implies the harmonization, neutralization or minimization of mutually opposing interests and goals in that area. This paper investigates conflicts in the area of the Studenica monastery, a cultural property inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986, as well as in the area of the cultural landscape that surrounds it. In this particular case, conflicts were identified between the protection of cultural heritage on the one hand and the development of transport infrastructure, water management and the exploitation of mineral resources on the other. The task of spatial planning, as carried out for special purpose areas, is the relativization of conflicting interests in space. This paper shows that in relation to conflicting interests in the area of a world heritage site, not everything is contingent on the creation of spatial plans of special purpose areas, but rather on their realization, monitoring and evaluation, as well as on the corresponding capacities in general. The aim of the research presented in this paper is to point out the importance of spatial planning in the relativization of conflicting interests and goals using the example of the world heritage site planning of the Studenica monastery.