Waterford’s celebrated Copper Coast may be set for inclusion in the exclusive list of World Heritage Sites, featuring in company with the likes the Pyramids, the Statue of Liberty and Uluru in Australia.
At this week’s County Council meeting in Dungarvan, the Council was given the go-ahead from the members to include such a provision in the Amended Draft Plan which is soon to go out for further public consultation. They did so on foot of an amendment proposed by Tramore-based member Joe Conway.
Stretching along the coastline from Tramore to Dungarvan, the Copper Coast takes in Fenor, Annestown, Dunhill, Boatstrand/Dunabrattin, Bunmahon, Kilmacthomas and Stradbally.
If the County Plan is accepted with the amendment at the beginning of 2011, the Council would then proceed to work with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to have the Copper Coast included on what is termed UNESCO’s Tentative List. The World Heritage Centre offers help and advice to prospective and actual applicants.
Upbeat
Upbeat about prospects for the development, Cllr Conway (Ind), who is set to contest the Dail by-election in the New Year, said that in supporting his proposal, his council colleagues had shown an appreciation of the great possibilities involved – both from a pride viewpoint and the huge touristic and economic opportunities it could create.
“The Copper Coast illustrates a rich tradition of unique land and sea usage by the people of the area and deserves to have the chance to put the case forward for inclusion”, he stated.
There are 911 of such World Heritage Sites located in 151 States. Of those, 704 are cultural, 180 are natural and 27 are mixed properties. There are eight such sites in the Republic of Ireland and one in Northern Ireland – Giant’s Causeway.
