SLATE EXPECTATIONS
How experts plan to use UNESCO status to create 6,000 jobs and attract millions in investment
PLANS are being developed to make the most of a unique landscape officially recognised as one of the world’s heritage sites.
The slate landscape of northwest Wales area was awarded the coveted World Heritage status by UNESCO in July after a lengthy preparatory campaign.
It cost about £250,000 for Gwynedd Council and its partners to prepare the 480-page submission to UNESCO, but the granting of the status is said to have already brought more than £1.1m to the region.
Last week the Ffestiniog Railway secured a £3.1 million Lottery grant to assist an interpretation and conservation project.
Dr David Gwyn, writing in the current issue of the Ffestiniog Railway magazine, said an economic impact assessment from Reebank Consulting expected UNESCO status would create 6,000 jobs locally during the next decade.
Gwynedd Council and its partners have started planning the next steps to ensure the best benefit for communities and businesses in Gwynedd for the future.
Lord Dafydd Wigley, chair of the steering group, said the primary objective of securing the designation was to recognise the importance of the area’s slate industry and communities and their role in the world in order to stimulate economic growth and social north west Wales.
He said: “Over the coming months partners will be agreeing on new implementation arrangements to ensure our objective is achieved.
“The development of the nomination has already attracted over £1m of external investment in important projects which regenerate our communities economically and socially through heritage and culture – and many projects are being developed for the future.
“Through the LleCHi project, there was an opportunity for Gwynedd Council to lead on a project to run various activities such as young slate ambassadors, art projects in primary and secondary schools, developing a site-wide interpretation plan and art projects such as colourful and striking murals in many slate towns and villages.
“The Council and its partners will now develop a project to succeed the LleCHi project which was funded through the Heritage Lottery Fund, Gwynedd Council, Snowdonia National Park and Arloesi Gwynedd Wledig.”
Projects already in the pipeline will look at regenerating areas through culture and heritage, creating new business and employment opportunities, improvements in sustainable regeneration in transport and projects to promote the Welsh language, understanding of the area and education.
Kath Davies, National Museum Wales’ Director of Research and Collections, said there is a unique opportunity following the designation to take a fresh look at the future of the National Slate Museum’s site in Llanberis as a key gateway to introduce the World Heritage Site.
She said: “Over the coming months and years National Museum Wales will be engaging with communities and partners across the area so that we can understand the kind of museum they want to see in Gilfach Ddu in the future and how we support our communities and support education and skills for the future.
“The Slate Museum has now been identified as an investment priority for National Museum Wales, and we look forward to the next step in our collaboration.”
Meleri Davies from Partneriaeth Ogwen added the group sees clear opportunities for the future.
“Partneriaeth Ogwen has been a partner through the development of the nomination and we see definite opportunities to develop community projects in the Dyffryn Ogwen area.
“Through our collaboration with Dyffryn Nantlle and the Blaenau Ffestiniog areas, there are great opportunities here for us to share ideas and jointly develop projects for the sustainable future of our slate communities.”
During the winter Gwynedd Council will lead several consultations asking the people and businesses of Gwynedd about their future priorities.
Cllr Gareth Thomas, Gwynedd Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Community, said: “We will be asking our communities what their regeneration priorities will be over the next few years as a way of developing Area Regeneration Plans for Gwynedd. Of course, many of these areas are associated with the World Heritage designation.
“We will also confirm arrangements to adopt a Sustainable Tourism Plan for Gwynedd based on the UNESCO World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism Principles.
“The draft vision focuses on putting the people of Gwynedd at the heart of our future visitor economy plan with particular emphasis on our language, culture and heritage, a sustainable environment and ensuring the maximum benefits to Gwynedd’s communities and businesses.
“Gwynedd Council would like to thank everyone for their messages of support following the designation and look forward to working together to ensure the best benefits for Gwynedd’s communities and businesses in the future as we celebrate our outstanding slate landscape, our language, culture and heritage.”