Llewyrch o'r Llechi

The Llewyrch o’r Llechi: Economic prosperity from our industrial past project is part of Cyngor Gwynedd’s efforts to realise The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales World Heritage Site vision, which is to:

Protect, conserve, enhance and communicate the important qualities of the area in order to reinforce cultural distinctiveness and strengthen the Welsh language, and become an important driver for economic regeneration and social inclusion.

The Llewyrch o'r Llechi scheme is being led by Cyngor Gwynedd on behalf of a range of partners, and is a scheme that has received funding from UK Government and other partners. The scheme totals £32m with £18.8m being awarded by UK Government. The scheme includes:

Dinorwig Hub:

The redevelopment of the National Slate Museum on the Gilfach Ddu site to create a gateway to the World Heritage Site, exhibition space, education and interpretation hub, as well as conservation work on the historic building.
Improvements to Parc Padarn include upgrading and creating footpaths, repurposing historic buildings, improving visitor infrastructure and conservation work.

Hwb Ogwen

Investment in Neuadd Ogwen to upgrade the sound and lighting system, upgrading the fabric of the building to enable events to be held there.
Redevelopment of Yr Hen Bost building on the high street to create business units, a purpose-built heritage centre and community resource.
Improvements to cycle and walking routes to improve connectivity between Bethesda and the slate landscape including upgrating bridges and footpaths and interpretation projects.

Hwb Ffestiniog

Upgrading Aelwyd yr Urdd into a community and youth centre.
Repurposing two vacant shops on the high street into business units, residential space and a creative space for the community.
Create a cycle and walking route linking Blaenau Ffestiniog and Llechwedd Quarry.

Town Centre Improvements

Improvements have been planned for our main slate communities in order to maximise awareness of the World Heritage Site status amongst residents and visitors. The improvements below can be seen in Porthmadog, Penygroes, Tywyn, Bethesda, Blaenau Ffestiniog and Llanberis,

Co-create pieces of public artwork with the local community in order to tell the story of their slate heritage;
Upgrading benches, bins and information boards;
Pedestrian signage scheme;
Install slate inserts in the footways that convey local culture, e.g. including poetry, dialect or local sayings;
Resurfacing footways and roads within the communities;
Community improvement schemes such as upgrading Porthmadog Crazy Golf, creating a multi-purpose sports area in Blaenau Ffestiniog and an outdoor gym in Llanberis

Conservation Plans

Conservation plans 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.

More information about Llewyrch o’r Llechi can be found in the project prospectus

Project Pospectus: Llewyrch o'r Llechi

View Llewyrch o'r Llechi application

More information

For more information, e-mail llechi@gwynedd.llyw.cymru or visit the llechi.cymru website.

You can also follow us on our social media accounts: