Wirral's independent local news website
Cultural and natural heritage sites including Birkenhead Park are a step closer to becoming UNESCO World Heritage Sites after gaining Government backing for their bids.
The Tentative List has expanded to include five new sites from the UK and Overseas Territories, bringing the total to seven. These sites will now be proposed by the Government for inscription on the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage list.
Published approximately every decade by the UK Government, the Tentative List identifies sites deemed to have strong potential for UNESCO World Heritage status. The government will collaborate with local authorities and devolved administrations to refine these sites’ bids.
Birkenhead Park, which opened in 1847, was a pioneering project to bring greenery to urban environments and provided a blueprint for municipal planning that has influenced town and city parks across the world, including New York’s Central Park.
David Armstrong, Assistant Chief Executive of Assistant Chief Executive of Wirral Council, representing Birkenhead Park, said, “Already Wirral residents hugely value Birkenhead Park and this is shown by the fact that it is visited by nearly two million people every year.
“For several years, it has been an ambition of Wirral Council and partners – including the Friends of Birkenhead Park – to seek UNESCO’s recognition of the Park and its immediate surroundings as a World Heritage Site. To be included on the UK Tentative List for potential nomination to UNESCO for World Heritage Status is fantastic news and shows we are one step closer to achieving that ambition.
“A successful application for WHS status would also bolster the wider regeneration of Birkenhead and if ultimately accepted as a World Heritage Site this flagship Park would have its place in history cemented even further, as well adding further to its international recognition.”
If successful, the seven sites would join the 33 other World Heritage Sites already based in the UK including Stonehenge and Hadrian’s Wall.
Image: www.birkenhead2020.com
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