WORLD HERITAGE SITE BID SENT OFF TO PARIS FOR DECISION

Cornwall and West Devon's World Heritage Site Bid has today been officially endorsed and signed by Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell, before being sent off to UNESCO's (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) headquarters in Paris to be assessed.

The Bid, consisting of the Nomination Document stating why certain areas should get World Heritage Site Status, and the Management Plan detailing how such sites would be managed will be assessed by expert advisers to the World Heritage Committee over the next 12 months. The final decision will be made by the Committee at its annual meeting in the summer of 2006. Cornwall and West Devon supplied much of the western world's tin and copper for substantial periods over the last 4,000 years and for a time during the 18th and 19th century the area was the world's greatest producer of tin and copper. It contributed substantially to Britain's industrial revolution and influenced mining technology and industrialisation throughout the world. Tessa Jowell MP, said, "This is exciting news for Cornwall and Devon and I am delighted to submit this nomination for its famous mining industry landscape to be chosen for World Heritage Site status.

"This unique industrial and cultural landscape survives as a tribute to one of the most rapid periods of economic, industrial and social development the UK has known. Its contribution to British industrialisation was matched by its influence on the development of mining and engineering culture across the rest of the UK and overseas.

"World Heritage Sites are usually associated with cultural landmarks like the Great Wall of China or outstanding natural landscapes like the Grand Canyon National Park. But industrial landscapes, such as the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape also have a vital role to play in helping to unlock, for current and future generations, the heritage values, knowledge and history upon which civilisations are based.

"Should this nomination be approved next year by the World Heritage Committee, it will bring international recognition for Cornwall and West Devon's important industrial heritage and attract even more visitors to a region already renowned for its exceptional natural beauty. I congratulate the bid team on their work and wish them all success in their efforts."

Deborah Boden, World Heritage Site Co-ordinator said, "We are delighted that the Secretary of State is submitting the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape for inclusion on UNESCO's World Heritage list. Achievement of World Heritage Site status will bring international recognition of the heritage value of this landscape, and the wider social and cultural achievements of the people engaged in the industry. The hard rock miners and engineers of our region developed a distinctive and technologically advanced method of deep mining which they transported around the world. Much of this legacy endures, both in Cornwall and West Devon and in places as far away as Australia, South America and South Africa.

"World Heritage Site status will also enable us to enhance the role of heritage in the well-being of contemporary communities. It will be a positive contributor to sustainable tourism initiatives, helping to attract more, higher spending culture and heritage tourists at traditionally quieter times of the year, and it will be a stimulus to regeneration projects that conserve and celebrate the region's unique characteristics.

"Our submission as the UK's nomination for 2005 brings much appreciated recognition of all the years of hard work that have gone into developing the World Heritage Site Bid. This is the product of many minds, and was supported by a very wide range of groups, organisations, and individuals, to whom we are very grateful for the investment of their time and expertise. We look forward to the process of assessment as an opportunity to demonstrate to the UNESCO advisers the quality of the Bid and the breadth of support for it."

Mrs. Helen Richards, Cornwall County Council's Environment & Heritage Portfolio Holder said, "The Bid tells the story of Cornwall's pivotal role at the heart of the Industrial Revolution, with all its relevance for how we live today. It is unique, being multi sited throughout Cornwall,, from St. Just in West Cornwall to just over the border with Devon at Morwelham. The work of the Bid Team and partners has been outstanding to develop what is a complex submission. Success would put Cornwall even more firmly on the international map, increase visitor interest and revitalise redundant mining communities."

The Bid has been worked upon for nearly five years due to the sheer scale of research and writing involved and has undergone extensive public consultation including scrutiny by a wide range of subject specialists, consultants, the World Heritage Site Team, World Heritage Site Partnership and an Officer Working Group.

For further information please contact Monica Kelly, Cornwall County Council on 01872 322 257 or mkelly@cornwall.gov.uk.