Darwin’s home listing deferred
UNESCO says further assessment for World Heritage nomination needed
The UK’s nomination for the workplace and home of Charles Darwin, to join UNESCO’s international list of World Heritage Sites was today deferred.
Darwin’s Landscape Laboratory, in the London Borough of Bromley, is where he developed his theory of evolution by natural selection through studying the surrounding landscape.
The World Heritage Committee announced that although the bid was very strong in terms of recognising scientific achievement, further in-depth study and analysis was needed. They have referred the nomination back to the UK authorities for these issues to be addressed.
“Whilst this is disappointing for all those involved in taking this nomination forward,” said Mr Hunt, ‘the World Heritage Committee’s decision has given the bid partnership the opportunity to re-visit this nomination and to look at ways in which the case might be strengthened for re-nomination in the future.”
“However, I’m pleased the Committee has recognised the value of the site not only in terms of historical interest, but the celebration of achievements in science, paving the way for including a greater representation of the heritage of science and technology on the World Heritage List.”