Welsh Government
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Pontcysyllte volunteers hear how new Wales-only plans will support their work to protect Wales’ past
New Wales-only legislation will better protect our past for future generations, the Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Ken Skates, has said during a visit to the World Heritage Site at Pontcysyllte.
The Deputy Minister was at the site to talk to staff and volunteers of Glandŵr Cymru about how the new Heritage Bill will support their work to protect and conserve sites and buildings of historic interest along Wales’ waterways.
The Heritage Bill, which will be introduced to the National Assembly in late spring, is the first time legislative action is being taken specifically to better protect and manage Wales’ precious and unique historic environment.
This will support the positive work already being done at Pontcysyllte and put measures in place to encourage the sustainable management of the historic environment across Wales.
The Deputy Minister said:
“We are so blessed in Wales to have sites rich in historical importance, like Pontcysyllte, on our doorsteps. They not only help us to appreciate and value our past but also bring significant economic benefits through tourism.
“I am proud that we are pioneering this Wales-only legislation which I believe will make a real difference to how we protect our historic environment. It will make things simpler, improve safeguards where needed and encourage joint working, so that we can all be confident our past is being protected for the Wales of tomorrow.”
The Bill will make the management of our historic environment clearer and simpler. One of the ways in which it will do this is by introducing Heritage Partnership Agreements to encourage partnership working. Such agreements will allow owners, relevant authorities and other interested parties, such as volunteer organisations, to agree long-term management plans which will make it easier to carry out work programmes without the need for repeated applications for listed building or scheduled monument consent.
The Bill will also allow the Welsh Government and local authorities to halt harmful works to our historic environment and take effective action if any damage occurs.
