Karlovy Vary wants to renegotiate UNESCO protection

The municipal government of Karlovy Vary wants to keep the greater part of the West Bohemian town off the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. According to the town’s mayor Werner Hauptmann, UNESCO protection would cover such an extensive area as to jeopardise development projects. The town may now seek protection only for its specific historic structures. Karlovy Vary has already filed a joint application with the towns of Marianské Lázně and Františkové Lázně for the induction of a triangle of historic spa towns though, and renegotiating the proposal could greatly delay what would be the 13th World Heritage Site in the Czech Republic. The National Heritage Institute says it is concerned the new proposal is detrimental to relations with UNESCO and that it will ultimately be dealt with by foreign experts not involved in local interests.