main content Darwin at Downe website launched

As part of the Darwin at Downe World Heritage Site bid, a website detailing the proposed site has been launched.  The website, www.darwinatdowne.co.uk, provides information on the progress of the World Heritage Site bid, a description of the site and surrounding area and why the area is significant and needs to be recognised.

Councillor Bloomfield, Chair of World Heritage Group and local Ward Councillor, said, "This website provides an ideal opportunity for the community to get involved in the project.  By logging on in their own homes, people will be able to find out all they need to know about Darwin at Downe. They can have their questions answered and have their say on what we are doing."

The bid, co-ordinated by Bromley Council, involves the production and submission of a Nomination Document and Management Plan. Before these can be submitted to the World Heritage Committee in Paris, the local community needs to be consulted. This will take place during the summer and both documents will be available for viewing on the website.

The website will be regularly updated with news, photographs and World Heritage Site related projects and events that are taking place in the area.

Further information on the web site or the proposed World Heritage Site call the World Heritage Site team on 020 8461 7646.

ENDS

Editor’s Notes:

The World Heritage (WH) Convention (adopted by UNESCO in 1972) was ratified by the United Kingdom (UK) in 1984.  The Convention provides for the identification, protection, conservation and presentation of cultural and natural sites of outstanding universal value, and requires a WH List to be established under the management of an inter-governmental WH Committee. To qualify for WH status, a site must be of outstanding universal value, which is tested against criteria.

‘Darwin at Downe’ was put on a tentative list of World Heritage Sites in 1999. DCMS suggested that it be submitted to UNESCO in 2007 as the UK’s nomination for that year.  However, this has now been brought forward to 2006.  The submission process involves the preparation of a Nomination Document, which is being undertaken by Bromley Council, supported by a core group of organisations.  UNESCO also now requires that Management Plans be produced for each site, to bring together all responsible parties in order to ensure a co-ordinated approach to management.  Both the Nomination Document and Management Plan will be available for public consultation in summer 2005 before being sent to DCMS in December.  They will then submit the final bid to the World Heritage Committee in Paris by 1 February 2007.  The Committee will make a decision on inscription by July 2007.

Editors: For further information, please contact Alister Hayes, Countryside Management Officer on 020 8313 4665 or Andrew Rogers, Communications Advisor on 020 8461 7670 or e-mail:  Andrew.Rogers@bromley.gov.uk