Public urged to have their say on heritage plan
Four consultation sessions taking place over the next week
Four public consultation sessions on the new heritage plan for Westmeath take place over the next week.
The plan will set out a framework for Westmeath County Council's Heritage Office, in partnership with groups and agencies, to deliver heritage projects within the county.
Following an initial public consultation phase last summer, Westmeath Heritage Forum has prepared a draft plan. The plan aims to increase awareness and appreciation of our county’s heritage and to safeguard it for present and future generations.
Four strategic objectives have been identified, with a series of actions set out under each one to guide the implementation of the plan. Each of the actions has performance indicators, which will be used to monitor the implementation of the plan.
“The Westmeath Heritage Plan 2024-2030 will be the fourth heritage plan for Westmeath. It aims to build on the achievements of the previous county heritage plans. A full review of the actions of the Westmeath Heritage Plan 2018 -2023 is set out in Appendix 2 of the Draft Heritage Plan,” says Heritage Officer Melanie McQuade.
All submissions received during the consultation period will be considered by Westmeath Heritage Forum and the plan will be amended as appropriate. The plan will undergo screening for appropriate assessment and it will be brought to the council for their approval before year end.
Councillor Louise Heavin, chair of the Heritage Forum, said: “I encourage everyone with an interest or involvement in the heritage of our county to help shape the Heritage Plan by reviewing the Draft Westmeath Heritage Plan 2024-2030 and submitting their comments.”
The Draft Heritage Plan is available on the consultation portal: https://consult.westmeathcoco.ie/ on the Westmeath County Council Website and on https://westmeathculture.ie/. Hard copies of the plan may be viewed in local branches of Westmeath Library. The consultation period on the Draft Westmeath Heritage Plan 2024-2030 will close on September 15.
The first of a series of consultation sessions on the Draft Westmeath Heritage Plan took place in Mullingar on Monday. Further public consultation sessions are scheduled as follows:
Friday September 8 2.30 – 3.30pm - Kilbeggan Library
Monday September 11 7pm - Zoom Meeting – register at heritage@westmeathcoco.ie for the meeting link
Tuesday September 12 6.30-7.30pm - Athlone Library
Thursday September 14 6.30-7.30pm - Castlepollard Library
Submissions and queries may also be sent by email: heritage@westmeathcoco.ie and by post to the Heritage Office, Westmeath County Council, Áras an Chontae, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.