Glastonbury is poised to make a bid for inclusion in UNESCO's prestigious list of World Heritage Sites, a move that could see the historic town ranked alongside global wonders such as the Great Barrier Reef, Machu Picchu, and the Pyramids of Giza.

A recent council meeting has set the wheels for Glastonbury to pursue World Heritage Status after town councillors voted to accept the contract for work related to exploring the status of Glastonbury.

World Heritage Sites are celebrated for their outstanding universal value to humanity, enjoying the highest level of protection under the National Planning Policy Framework.

This framework mandates that any development causing substantial harm to these sites or their settings should be considered wholly exceptional, permitted only when substantial public benefits significantly outweigh the potential damage.

Achieving World Heritage Status is no small feat. It involves a meticulous and stringent evaluation process by UNESCO, requiring that a site not only demonstrate unique universal significance but also meet a detailed set of selection criteria. For Glastonbury, this entails embarking on a comprehensive nomination process that highlights its "Outstanding Universal Value," coupled with a robust plan for its preservation and sustainable management.

UNESCO, established in the aftermath of World War II in 1945, is renowned for its commitment to the designation and safeguarding of World Heritage Sites, ensuring the protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the globe deemed invaluable to humanity.

To be considered for this esteemed status, sites must first secure a place on their country's Tentative List. The Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage then evaluates which sites will advance as World Heritage nominations to UNESCO.