A formal bid for Gwynedd’s historic slate communities to be given UNESCO world heritage status will be submitted by the end of the year.

Such status, which would see the towns and villages that “roofed the 19th century world” receive the same designation as the Grand Canyon and Great Barrier Reef, is a move Gwynedd Council hopes will result in regeneration and new jobs being created.

During the 19th century, the north Wales quarries were major providers of roofing materials and slate products throughout the world, with the associated technologies of quarrying and transport infrastructure also exported worldwide.

The industry, which employed 17,000 men during its heyday at the turn of the 20th century, fell into decline following bitter industrial disputes and the advent of war, but its legacy lives on in the landscape.

While a decision is not expected until 2021, the communities themselves have already been assessed by a panel of experts, with the local authority working with the UK Government on the logistics of the formal bid, which is planned for  the autumn.

Communities involved in the bid include the Penrhyn Quarry near Bethesda, Dinorwic Quarry near Llanberis, the Nantlle Valley quarries and Blaenau Ffestiniog, where slate was mined rather than quarried.

Cllr Gareth Thomas, Gwynedd Council’s Cabinet member for economic development, said: “Securing UNESCO World Heritage Site Status is a very ambitious scheme.

“It would mean that the area’s slate landscape receives the same designation as wonders such as the Taj Mahal, the Egyptian Pyramids and the Great Wall of China.

“Our aim is to celebrate our history, but also to use the opportunity to regenerate communities through heritage and create exciting new opportunities for businesses.

“We want to do this by working with communities and businesses, and hope that the bid is an opportunity to reinforce or reconnect people with their local heritage and create high quality job opportunities locally.

“We are currently working with partners to finalise a draft Management Plan for the slate landscape of north-west Wales which forms part of the nomination process.”

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