Llewyrch o'r Llechi Project

WHAT IS THE PROJECT?

Llewyrch o'r Llechi is led by Cyngor Gwynedd on behalf of a range of partners, and is a project that has received funding from UK Government and other partners. The total value of the project is £32m with £18.8m coming from UK Government.  The project is part of efforts to use our World Heritage status as a vehicle to attract investment in our slate communities to make them better places to live, work and visit.

The project operates in three areas:

DINORWIG HUB

• Redevelopment of the National Slate Museum at Gilfach Ddu to create an exhibition, education and main interpretation gateway for the World Heritage Site, as well as conservation work on the historic building.
• Improvements to Parc Padarn include upgrading and creating trails, repurposing historic buildings, improving visitor infrastructure and conservation work.

OGWEN HUB 

• Investment in Neuadd Ogwen to upgrade the building's sound and lighting systems and building fabric to enhance the hall's offer and support it as a world-class arts centre.
• Redevelopment of Yr Hen Bost on the high street to create business units, a purpose-built heritage centre and community asset in partnership with Partneriaeth Ogwen.
• Improvements to cycle and walking routes to link Bethesda to the wider slate landscape, including bridge, footpath and interpretation upgrades on parts of Lon Las Ogwen.

FFESTINIOG HUB

• Upgrading Aelwyd yr Urdd into a community and youth centre.
• Repurposing two vacant high street shops into business units, residential space and a creative space for the community in partnership with Cwmni Bro.
• Create a cycle and walking route to link Blaenau Ffestiniog and the slate landscape at Llechwedd Quarry.

Conservation Projects

Conservation projects are part of the work package, including significant works to conserve the structure of Penrhyn Quarry Hospital in Bethesda and recording works at Diffwys Mill and Cwmorthin in Blaenau Ffestiniog.  The scheme is also funding initial work to protect the Maenofferen Mill in Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Town Centre Improvements

Improvements have been planned for our main slate communities with the aim aim to maximise awareness of the World Heritage Site status amongst residents and visitors.  

• Upgrading benches, bins and information boards;
• Pedestrian signage scheme;
• Install slate inserts in the footways that convey local culture, e.g. include poetry, dialect or local sayings;
• Resurfacing footways and roads within the communities;
• Co-create pieces of public artwork with local communities in order to tell the story of their slate heritage;
• Projects to improve community assets