Somerset Levels and Moors as candidate for World Heritage Site.
Glastonbury Tor from across the Levels.
1. Background to the bid for Somerset Levels and Moors as a candidate for World Heritage Site status
The possibility of some sort of Special recognition for the Somerset Levels and Moors has been discussed since 1999 when the Levels and Moors Partnership (LAMP) commissioned a consultant’s report on the topic. Not much further happened until 2003 when the Culture and Heritage Directorate of Somerset County Council began to explore the possibility of WHS status for the Somerset Levels and Moors. This was put on hold while LAMP investigated special recognition under the UNESCO Man and Biosphere designation (MAB) later in the same year.
This was looked on favourably by the UK MAB committee in 2005 but failed to gain the necessary support from government agencies. Somerset County Council Heritage Service therefore reactivated the possibility of WHS designation and the idea was looked upon favourably at a LAMP meeting. In the same year Glastonbury Conservation Society were independently considering the possibility of WHS status for Glastonbury. With the agreement of the Glastonbury Conservation Society Somerset County Council Heritage Service are now leading a partnership bid for WHS status for the Somerset Levels and Moors.
The Alfred Jewel.
2. What is a World Heritage Site?
World Heritage Sites form an international register of places that have natural or cultural assets of such significance that they are considered to have 'universal value'. Some sites are listed because of their spectacular or unique scenery, others because of their importance as part of humanity's cultural heritage. The World Heritage List was established at UNESCO's General Conference in 1972. The aim is to protect, conserve, and pass on the cultural and natural heritage to future generations. Sites are included if they are judged to have outstanding universal value from a natural, historic, artistic, or scientific viewpoint.
To become a World Heritage Site a place has to be nominated via its national government and if the bid is successful UNESCO will inscribe it on its list of World Heritage Sites. At present there are more than 830 such places in 138 countries. These include individual monuments, buildings, cities, and entire landscapes. Some places are included because of their cultural significance and others for their natural importance and some places are considered to have universal value for both their natural and cultural assets.
Meare Fish House
3. What is the World Heritage Site process?
Any applicant for WHS status first has to be accepted on its national ‘tentative list’ for WHS status. The UK tentative list will reopen for new applications early in 2007.
Once on the tentative list there will be several years in which the necessary documentation for a bid can be prepared. The UK puts forward one application from the tentative list for consideration to the UNESCO WHS committee every year. There is therefore a certain amount of competition between the sites on the tentative list to be the annual nominee.
There is no guarantee that the site put forward by the UK will automatically be accepted as a World Heritage Site. So far UK proposals have been very successful but it may become harder in the future as UNESCO is attempting to get a more even spread across the World. If the Somerset Levels and Moors is inscribed it will mean that it will be recognised by the international community as an area of universal significance. It will appear on a list with similarly important sites held at the headquarters of UNESCO in Geneva.
Very Deep Peat Sequence, Glastonbury.
4. Are the Somerset Levels and Moors important enough to be a World Heritage Site?
The Somerset Levels and Moors have unique cultural and natural assets that make it a potential World Heritage Site. There is a new WHS category called ‘Cultural landscapes’ that is ideally suited to the Somerset Levels and Moors.
The Somerset bid would come under the ‘organically evolved, continuing landscape’ category. UNESCO defines this as follows;
Organically evolved – results from an initial social, economic, administrative and/or religious imperative and has developed its present form by association with and in response to its natural environment. Such landscapes reflect the process of their evolution in their form and component features.
Continuing landscape – one which retains an active social role in contemporary society closely associated with a traditional way of life. It is continuing to evolve while, at the same time, it exhibits significant material evidence of its historic evolution.
The ‘outstanding universal value’ offered by the Levels and Moors bid would focus on the areas unique record of the interaction of humanity and nature in an evolving wetland. This includes;
· A 10,000 year record of climate, sea level and landscape change
· Amazingly preserved waterlogged prehistoric trackways and lake villages
· Well preserved Roman relic wetland landscapes
· Outstanding system of medieval reclamations and river canalisations
· Ecclesiastical owners of the wetland (Glastonbury, Athelney and Muchelney Abbeys and Wells Cathedral and Bishop’s Palace)
· Importance of the area for faith, pilgrimage, myth and legend
Gravestone from the alleged site of King Arthur's Burial, Glastonbury Abbey.
5. What are the benefits of World Heritage Status for the Somerset Levels and Moors?
The primary benefit would be the preservation of the areas heritage assets for future generations (through implementation of the Management Plan).
Another benefit would probably be (carefully managed) increased tourism and associated benefits to the local economy.
It should also help to draw down funds from agri-environment schemes to promote sustainable farming.
WHS status should also help to increase awareness of, and pride in, the local area and its heritage
How Glastonbury Iron Lake Village may have looked.
6. Will World Heritage Site status increase planning restrictions and bureaucracy?
No. WHS status is essentially honorific and does not involve any additional planning powers. However, a prerequisite of WHS status is the existence of legal protection or agreed management plans that ensure the sites conservation and preservation.
Burrow Mump, Burrowbridge.
7. What happens next?
Initial discussions have taken place with a range of organisations including English Heritage, UNESCO’s Cultural Landscape special advisor and local interest groups such as Glastonbury Conservation and Antiquarian Societies.
The next step is to gain the support of the local authorities and relevant agencies for the bid to enable work to begin on getting the Somerset Levels and Moors on the UK WHS tentative list in 2007. Alongside this will be the establishment of a wide ranging steering group and lots of discussion with interested parties and the local public to determine if there is wide spread support for the bid and the exact form the bid should take.
If the Somerset Levels and Moors is successful in entering the WHS tentative list for the UK there will be 3-4 years to work up all the necessary technical evidence to convince UNESCO that the area deserves WHS status. This primarily focuses on the Statement of Significance and the Management Plan.
Muchelney Abbey.
8. How can I have my say?
Please send email message to heritage@somerset.gov.uk with the message title ‘World Heritage Site’.
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