The Earth Project, a new platform to showcase the planet and promote sustainable stewardship of Earth, is planning a ‘world-class visitor attraction’ in North Wales.
Snowdonia has been selected for a global energy and climate hub, which will lead efforts to solve some of the planet’s biggest environmental challenges.
The proposed visitor centre site is in the Glyn Rhonwy former slate mines at the edge of Llanberis, at the foot of Snowdon and on the boundary of Snowdonia National Park.
The North Wales Hub will be the home of the project’s think tank of experts, artists and scientists. They will provide research, data and ideas to the hub so that it is constantly evolving as a visitor attraction.
North Wales Hub site in former slate mines
Although progress has been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, it’s hoped that construction work on the visitor hub can start in 2022.
The site will be spread across 6,000 square metres, with an entrance building connected to an outdoor activity site. This will lead to underground tunnels and rooms.
According to North Wales Live, regional politicians and tourism bosses have welcomed the initiative as it will potentially boost the visitor economy.
Jim Jones, CEO of North Wales Tourism, said: “Given the global importance of The Earth Project, it would be a real coup for the area if the future visitor hub could be based here in North Wales.”
Underground tunnels and rooms at North Wales Hub
Full site investigations are planned this summer to finalise designs before the planning stage. Launching this autumn is a fundraising campaign targeting ‘agenda-neutral’ investors.
The final site layout and function will come from public engagement and feedback. It’s hoped that more hubs will be established globally.
In addition, The Earth Project is working with leading virtual reality (VR) developers to build a virtual replica of the North Wales Hub.
Elsewhere, The Eden Project is starting work on a feasibility study for a proposed new project in Dundee, known as Eden Project Scotland.
