5. Statement by the Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, and Chief Whip: World Heritage in Northwest Wales

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:41 pm on 4 October 2022.

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Photo of Dawn Bowden Dawn Bowden Labour 4:41, 4 October 2022

I think that, again, is a very valid point, Alun. I was just about to say that you have a world heritage site in your constituency, but, of course, it's not yours, is it, it's Lynne Neagle's—it's in Torfaen, in Blaenavon. But nevertheless, we have a world heritage site in the northern Valleys.

But I think if I go back to the point that Mabon was raising in his—we refer to the LleCHI project that was closely involved with the development of the inscription of the heritage landscape in north-west Wales. Those children were so closely involved in how that story was going to be told and how that site is to be developed, and if we are to learn the lessons of successful world heritage inscriptions, then, yes, we absolutely should be rolling that out elsewhere. It doesn't have to just be in world heritage sites. We know the kind of heritage and history and fabulous landscapes that we've got right the way across the Valleys—the Valleys Regional Park is an example. So, we need to draw down the best examples that we can for developing historical visitor attractions and historical landscapes in Wales and what works and roll that out across other sites. And in that respect, I absolutely agree with what you're saying.