The Heritage Minister, Alun Ffred Jones, has welcomed the news that the North Wales slate industry is to be included on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites Tentative List.
The UK Tentative List for World Heritage Sites is a list of sites that are regarded as having the potential for outstanding universal value, giving them a realistic chance of a successful nomination for World Heritage Site status to the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO. Inclusion on the Tentative List is essential before a site may be nominated by a State Party.
The Heritage Minister, said:
“This news is a very positive step forward. There is a tremendous opportunity here for North West Wales to secure another World Heritage Site and capitalise on all the benefits that would bring to the area. The slate industry has long been of fundamental importance both in terms of its international significance and the impact that it has had on the landscape the culture and social structure of the north-west of Wales. I am pleased that the expert panel recognised its potential outstanding universal value. However, this is still the very first step and there is much work to be done before the nomination can be submitted.”
The expert panel also considered the application from Merthyr Tydfil. The Heritage Minister, said:
“I am appreciative also of the panel’s recognition of the international importance of Merthyr Tydfil and that, while they felt unable to recommend it for inclusion in the list, they nonetheless suggested that the industrial heritage of South Wales be the subject of a further study leading towards enhanced presentation and preservation.”
