Council prepares €500,000 spend on heritage plan

THE drafting of an invasive species strategy will form part of a €500,000 spend by Clare County Council in its new heritage plan.

Heritage Plan 2011-17 will also involve raising awareness of the threats to bio-diversity and the need to conserve bio-diversity.

Clare’s Mayor Councillor Pat Hayes said yesterday: “Our heritage is one of our greatest strengths in the county and I intend to lead the implementation of this ambitious plan.

“Our buildings, landscape, natural environment and traditions encompass who we are today and quoting RS Thomas, ‘We only know who we are by knowing where we are’.”

The €500,000 spend excludes staff costs in implementing the six-year plan.

The plan will take responsibility for the 666 protected structures in the Clare County Development Plan. There are also 188 protected structures in the Ennis and Kilrush Town Plan and 30 designated Architectural Conservation Areas in Clare.

Outlining Clare’s rich heritage, the plan states that there are about 7,500 architectural sites in Clare “and many more yet undiscovered”.

The plan states that “huge challenges to heritage are posed by lack of awareness, inappropriate or uncontrolled development, climate change and invasive species — to name but a few”.

The plan states: “While many people would automatically refer to the Burren when talking about Clare’s natural heritage, it is more a case that the Burren is a jewel in a golden crown.

“The sea cliffs along the west coast are geologically special, while the blanket bogs of Slieve Bearnagh and Slieve Aughty in the east display a rainbow of colour and a myriad of wildlife activity.

“Based on the unique heritage feature of the Burren, Clare County Council has sought UNESCO World Heritage Site Status for the Burren and the Burren is now included on Ireland’s tentative list for this designation.”

On the financing of the plan, the plan states that the “the Heritage Council has agreed in principle to consider the plan as a six-year strategic funding application”.

The plan states: “Funding levels for key actions within the plan will be consistent with normal funding criteria. The Heritage Council will consider funding aspects of the plan which are compatible with the objectives of the Heritage Council’s Strategic Plan 2007-2011 or its successor for the lifetime of this plan.”

The plan also states that “Clare County Council agrees co-funding support for the delivery of the objectives of the plan and for specific heritage projects on an annual basis”.