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[Press Release: February 9th, 2004] GREENS WELCOME DRAFT HERITAGE PLAN FOR WICKLOWThe Green Party has welcomed the new draft Heritage Plan for Wicklow that is currently on public display for a period of six weeks. According to Green Party councillor, Deirdre de Burca, this plan is long overdue and provides 'a framework within which the protection of the county's heritage can occur'.The proposed Heritage plan has a life of five years and will be funded by Wicklow County Council and the Heritage Council. It's implementation will be closely monitored by the Heritage Forum, a body made up of a range of interest groups from the county including councillors, council officials, statutory bodies, community groups etc. "The draft Heritage Plan is very imaginative in terms of what it is proposing" says councillor de Burca. "It envisages establishing a Heritage website for the county, organising heritage seminars and exhibitions, developing new education programmes in heritage awareness, setting up a Public Rights of Way working group, providing training for owners of historic properties, setting up new walking trails and 'greenways', developing heritage trails in towns and villages and establishing a County Heritage Museum" she says. Councillor de Burca has expressed her satisfaction with the emphasis that has been placed upon heritage as a "resource" for County Wicklow within the Plan. "Too often I hear heritage been spoken of as some kind of obstacle to development on Wicklow County Council" she says. "We must begin to take a more balanced approach to development in the county where we show more respect for the past, and for our amazing natural heritage. If we continue to destroy it in the name of progress and development, we will lose all sense of who we are as a people, and where we have come from". Councillor de Burca urges members of the public to view the draft Heritage Plan over the coming weeks and to make writtten submissions where appropriate.
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