Heritage Council presents Minister with planning guide for local bodies

A blueprint for local authorities to guide them when dealing with heritage issues was presented yesterday to the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Ms de Valera.

It provides local authorities with a standard method for addressing heritage issues when drawing up development plans. The document - Heritage Appraisal of Development Plans - A Methodology for Planning Authorities - was presented to the Minister by the newly-appointed Heritage Council at its first meeting, in Kilkenny.

Local authorities will not be obliged to use the methodology which comprises a seven-step approach - ranging from defining heritage subjects relevant to a development plan, to setting agreed aims, to assessing the likely effects on heritage of the policies contained in the plan.

Councils utilising the methodology would address key questions in four areas:

Non-renewable resources - is the plan likely to significantly help or conserve non-renewables?

Biodiversity - is the plan likely to significantly damage or diminish flora, fauna or wildlife habitats?

Heritage quality - is the plan likely to significantly damage the quality, character and distinctiveness of monuments, parks, waterways, etc?

Heritage equity - is the plan likely to significantly help to improve or impede access to or enjoyment of monuments, parks, waterways, etc?

Some councils have already shown enthusiasm for the blueprint, which was tested by Donegal County Council when drafting its 1998 development plan. A training workshop on heritage appraisal in Kilkenny last month was attended by 10 planning authorities.

The new chairman of the council is Dr Tom O'Dwyer, the chairman of Teagasc and a former chef de cabinet and director general in the European Commission.

Outgoing chair Ms Delany continues to be a member of the council, which will serve until 2005. The other members are: Dr Simon Berrow, Ms Mary Bryan, Lieut Col Con Costello, Dr Pat Donlon, Ms Nessa Dunlea, Mr Maurice Hurley, Mr Michael MacMahon, Mr Tomas O Caoimh, Mr Nioclas O'Conchubhair, Ms Clare O'Grady Walshe, Ms Bride Rosney, Prof William J Smyth, Ms Virginia Teehan, Ms Primrose Wilson.