World Heritage Status

Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site Description of the "bidding "process

World Heritage Sites are inscribed under the terms of the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO in 1972.

The convention is signed by "States Parties" in the case of the UK by the Westminster Government and site to be considered for inscription must be brought forward for "nomination" supported by appropriate documentation by the "States Party".

In the case of the UK a Tentative List is made and updated from time to time of sites which the government with the benefit of advice from experts, particularly ICOMOS UK and in the case of Wales Cadw, considers to be worthy of inclusion.

The first challenge for a site is to gain inclusion on the Tentative List The last UK Tentative List was drawn up in 1999 from over 300 aspiring sites. The Blaenavon Industrial Landscape succeeded in being on that list and being selected as the first UK site to be brought forward for "Nomination "in June 1999.

Sites are only inscribed on the list of World Heritage sites the UNESCO World Heritage Committee if they meet stringent criteria and are accepted as being of "Outstanding Universal Value" The World Heritage list is made in accordance with a strategy that it should be balanced and representative.

UNESCO has set down ten criteria, six cultural and four natural and any site to be inscribed must meet at least one of these criteria. A site may be inscribed as "cultural" "natural" or "mixed" (Blaenavon Industrial Landscape is inscribed as a "cultural” site.)

The case for nomination has to be made in accordance with guidelines prepared for the UNESCO World Heritage Committee by ICOMOS. The case must prove the authenticity of the site and show that it has been effectively protected. It is also required to demonstrate that the site is of international significance in comparison with other sites worldwide. The way in which the site meets one or more of the UNESCO criteria must be clearly argued.

An up to date Management Plan setting out responsibility for the preservation, protection, conservation, presentation and promotion of the site must be submitted, this must also be in accordance with ICOMOS published guidelines.

In the case of The Blaenavon Industrial Landscape the strength of the Blaenavon Partnership notably the input of the Welsh conservation agencies Cadw, RCAHMW, NMGW and CCW and the committed leadership of Torfaen County Borough Council were influential factors.

Following "Nomination there is a period of consideration by UNESCO including a site inspection before the "nomination" is placed before the World Heritage Committee. This takes about a year and a half. The Blaenavon Industrial Landscape was inscribed by the World Heritage Committee at its 24th Congress held at Cairns, Australia from 27th Nov to 2 Dec 2000.

World Heritage Sites are subject to Periodic Review to ascertain that there is appropriate protection and promotion of the site. The Management Plan must also be regularly reviewed if a site is to maintain its status.