CHARLES Darwin's country home in Kent is set to become a global attraction.

Down House, Downe, has been put forward by the Government as the UK's 2006 nomination for World Heritage Site status.

If it is selected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), it will rank among other sites such as the Peruvian Inca ruins Machu Picchu and the Amazon rainforest.

Before the Government submits its application in February, residents are being consulted on the proposal, which also includes Downe and Cudham villages and the High Elms Country Park.

A management plan explaining how the site will be conserved has been drawn up by the organisations involved, including English Heritage and led by Bromley Council.

Residents and interest groups are invited to share their views during the consultation process, from July 11 to August 21.

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the area will have international recognition, increased visitor numbers and increased potential to draw funding.

Darwin's great-great-grandson Randal Keynes dismissed fears the site would be over-run with tourists.

He said: "The whole point of World Heritage status is the value of preservation.

"We have two villages Downe and Cudham, country lanes, woods and peace and quiet.

"It won't turn into a major development."

Downe Residents' Association chairman Derek Powell says any problems would be ironed out and winning the bid could only be a good thing.

He said: "Hopefully it will see Downe village revive.

"We don't have any shops at the moment so it would be nice to get back our post office and shop, which closed down last year."

He added: "There is a shortage of parking space but we are working with the council on that."

Darwin lived at Down House from 1842 to 1882, with his wife and first cousin Emma Wedgwood.

They had 10 children, three of whom died in infancy. He wrote his masterpiece The Origin of Species there.

The World Heritage Committee will discuss the application in Paris in February next year and will visit Downe next summer, with a decision being made in July 2007.

Questionnaires will be posted out but can also be obtained by calling Rebecca Streatfeild on 020 8461 7808 or visiting the website darwinatdowne.co.uk

WHAT UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE STATUS MEANS

Plans and management systems will be set up to conserve the area.

UNESCO will offer assistance and training to maintain the area.

UNESCO will support schemes which raise awareness and encourage the local population to preserve heritage.

International recognition of the site as being of cultural, educational and scientific importance, which will also attract increased funding.

Increased links with other countries which have World Heritage sites.

More tourists spending money in the local economy.

Maritime Greenwich attracted 25 per cent more visitors between 2001 and 2003 after it became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997.