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The Blaenavon Industrial Landscape extends to 3,290 hectares and therefore the site extends within the boundaries of many local authorities and government agencies and there is a plethora of interest in Blaenavon World Heritage Site. In order that a co-ordinated approach to managing the World Heritage Site could be achieved the Blaenavon Partnership was established in August 1997.
The Partnership includes Torfaen County Borough Council, Monmouthshire County Council, the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council which lies just outside the site boundary. The Blaenavon Town Council is also a member. The Government agenises within the Partnership are Cadw, the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments in Wales, the National Museum & Galleries of Wales, the Countryside Council for Wales, the Wales Tourist Board, the Welsh Development Agency and British Waterways. The Partnership also includes the Nation Trust, which is the premier non-governmental agency concerned with heritage in the United Kingdom.
The main aim of the Blaenavon Partnership is to protect and conserve the landscape so that future generations may understand the contribution that South Wales made to the Industrial Revolution. By the presentation and promotion of the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape it is intended to increase cultural tourism and assist the economic regeneration of the area.
The following list describes the partners of the Blaenavon Partnership and their interest in the site:
Torfaen County Borough Council (TCBC) Torfaen County Borough Council is the lead authority in the Blaenavon Partnership. TCBC is the unitary authority for just over 50% of the nominated site (including the town of Blaenavon), and has full local government powers and duties including Town and Country Planning and other environmental matters.
Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) Just under 50% of the nominated site lies within Monmouthshire, which is a unitary authority with full local government powers. However, planning responsibility for nearly all of this area resides with Brecon Beacons National Park Authority.
Brecon Beacons National Park (BBNP) About 45% of the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape falls within the Brecon Beacons National Park. The purposes of the National Park designation, as amended under the Environment Act 1995, are to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area and to promote the understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities. Account must be taken of the economic and social interest of residents. The National Park is the local planning authority for the area within its boundary.
Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council (BGCBC) None of the nominated site falls within the Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council administrative area. However, as a near neighbour BGCBC has a close interest in the designation and management of the proposed World Heritage Site.
Blaenavon Town Council (BTC) This is the local council for the town of Blaenavon which is the main settlement within the nominated site.
Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments
Cadw is an Executive Agency within the Welsh Office. Its general duties are:
To secure the preservation of ancient monuments and historic buildings
To promote the preservation and enhancement of the character and appearance of Conservation Areas, and
To promote the public's enjoyment of, and advance knowledge about, ancient monuments and historic buildings and their preservation. Cadw also has direct responsibility as the guardian of Blaenavon Ironworks.
Royal Commission on the Ancient & Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW) The RCAHMW is the national body of survey and record. Its aim is to compile and make available an archive of Wales' historic buildings and ancient monuments for use by individuals and bodies concerned with understanding, conserving and managing the built environment.
National Museums & Galleries of Wales (NMGW) The NMGW exists to preserve and promote the heritage and culture of Wales, within a world context. NMGW has a requirement from its Royal Charter to 'promote understanding and knowledge of the special industries of Wales through the collection and conservation of artefacts and their research, interpretation and display'. NMGW will have specific responsibility for the management of the Big Pit Mining Museum. Its special expertise in conservation and management is available on a day-to-day basis to the Blaenavon Partnership.
Countryside Council for Wales (CCW)
CCW is accountable to the Secretary of State for Wales and is the Government's statutory adviser on wildlife, countryside, and maritime conservation matters in Wales. It is the executive authority for the conservation of habitats and wildlife. Through partnerships, as at Blaenavon, it promotes the protection of landscape, opportunities for employment and the support of those who live in, work in and manage the countryside. It has enabled the Blaenavon Partnership to pursue countryside management projects through grant aid and can assist with the management cost of the Sites of Special Scientific Interest. CCW were jointly responsible, with Cadw and ICOMOS UK, for the preparation of the Register of Landscapes of Outstanding Historic Interest in Wales, published in January 1998.Wales Tourist Board (WTB)
The Wales Tourist Board has responsibility for development of tourism in Wales.Welsh Development Agency (WDA)
The Welsh Development Agency has responsibility to the Secretary of State for Wales for promoting and enabling economic development in Wales and dealing with issues related to land reclamation.
British Waterways (BW) British Waterways has responsibility for management and maintenance of British Waterways Canals, including the Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal. One of the principal remits of the board is to respect industrial heritage.
National Trust (NT) The National Trust, as the principal United Kingdom non-governmental organisation with experience in heritage management, is able to offer valuable management advice and assistance.
The Project Board is serviced by the Co-ordinating Officer, who is also charged with ensuring co-ordination and continuity of action between the various partners. There is a small budget available to the Project Co-ordinator for day to day management. However, the main expenditure is made by the authorities, agencies and other partners within the Blaenavon Partnership through allocations in their individual budgets to specific projects.
Mission Statement
As representatives of the people and of leading heritage bodies in Wales, we are committed to work together to provide effective stewardship of the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape so that this unique experience will be conserved for future generations to appreciate in the new millennium. Increasing recognition of its extraordinary past is helping to change the perception of our community. This is greatly assisting in the sensitive regeneration of the area which suffered so badly, both economically and socially, following the decline of the iron and coal industries. Our proposals for the area have been developed by a wide partnership of interests in close consultation with local people.
Blaenavon Project Team
As a lead authority of the Blaenavon Partnership, Torfaen County Borough Council under the Department for the Environment has set up the Blaenavon Project Team comprising of Officers working on areas of the Blaenavon World Heritage Site and the setting up of Blaenavon World Heritage Centre which will open in the town in 2006. The team consists of John Rodger, Blaenavon Project Director, Cath Thomas, Blaenavon Project and Marketing Manager, Emyr Morgan, Education and Interpretation Officer and Alison Waghorne, Customer Service and Interpretation Officer. Also working on the Blaenavon World Heritage Site are officers in the Countryside and Environment, Urban Regeneration, Housing Grants and e-Graphics Departments.
Contacts
Primary Contacts for the Blaenavon Partnership are:
John Rodger
Blaenavon Project Director
Department for the Environment
Torfaen County Borough Council
County Hall
Cwmbran
NP44 2WN
Tel: +44(0)1633 648317
Fax: +44(0)1633 648088
e-mail: john.rodger@torfaen.gov.uk
Dr Peter Wakelin
Inspector of Ancient Monuments & Historic Buildings (Industrial)
Cadw
Crown Building,
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ
Tel: +44(0)29 2082 6157
Fax: +44(0)29 2082 6375
e-mail: peter.wakelin@wales.gsi.gov.uk
Peter Walker
Director/Manager
Big Pit Mining Museum
Blaenavon
NP4 9XP
Tel: +44(0)1495 790311
Fax: +44(0)1495 792618
e-mail: pwllmawr@aol.com
Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales
Plas Crug
Aberystwyth
SY23 1NJ
United Kingdom
Tel: +44(0)1970 621233
Fax: +44(0)1970 627701
E-mail: admin.rcahmw@rcahmw.org.uk
Web: www.rcahmw.org.uk
For enquiries relating to Marketing and Events please contact:
Cath Thomas
Project and Marketing Manager
Blaenavon Project
Department for the Environment
Torfaen County Borough Council
County Hall
Cwmbran
NP44 2WN
Tel: +44(0)1633 648002
Fax: +44(0)1633 648088
For enquiries relating to Blaenavon World Heritage Centre please contact
Emyr Morgan
Education and Interpretation Officer
Blaenavon Project
Department for the Environment
Torfaen County Borough Council
County Hall
Cwmbran
NP44 2WN
Tel: +44(0)1633 648343
Fax: +44(0)1633 648088
Alison Waghorne
Customer Service and Interpretation Officer
Blaenavon Project
Department for the Environment
Torfaen County Borough Council
County Hall
Cwmbran
NP44 2WN
Tel: +44(0)1633 648326
Fax: +44(0)1633 648088