Cavan County Development Plan 2022–2028 — Chapter 2

1. Page 71

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   Core Strategy 107 Settlement Strategy The Dromore River provides good opportunities for angling and for watersports and there are outdoor activity providers locally offering canoeing and kayaking experiences. The Haltons amenity area on the outskirts of the town has changing facilities and forms a trailhead point for several walks. The Kayakarun event has established itself in the adventure race annual calendar and brings visitors to the town. Bellamont Forest is located on the edge of the town and is home to one of the most architecturally significant houses in the country – Bellamont House. The house and estate is now in private ownership. Other attractions locally include Erica’s Fairy Forest and nearby Tanagh Outdoor Education Centre which is managed by the Cavan and Monaghan ETB. The Cootehill Arts Festival is a popular event, supported by Cavan Arts Office and brings well known artists and performers to Cootehill. The local walking club regularly host guided walking events as part of Cavan Walking Festival. Other established traditional music festivals in the town include the Gerry Whelan Memorial and the Ed Reavy Traditional Music Festival. CT 07 CT 08 CT 09 CT 10 CT 11 Cootehill Tourism Development Objectives It is a policy objective of Cavan County Council to: Explore options for increasing the local walking and cycle trails network. Harness the potential of the Dromore River for outdoor recreation. Support festivals and events that have the potential to create bed nights in the area. Engage with agencies and community groups in the area that support and contribute to tourism e.g. Fáilte Ireland, Coillte, Cootehill Chamber of Commerce, Happy Feet Walking Club, Tidy Towns, Inland Fisheries Ireland. Protect and support the development of the Ballybay to Cootehill to Cavan Railway Greenway for the provision of a future greenway. CT 01 CT 02 CT 03 CT 04 CT 06 CT 05 Cootehill Tourism Development Objectives It is a policy objective of Cavan County Council to: Support the provision of new and upgraded tourist accommodation. Encourage sustainable and suitable tourism related development. Support the angling industry to continue to supply the necessary infrastructure and services for anglers locally. Work with the tourism trade locally to ensure a coordinated and collaborative approach to tourism signage, promotion and infrastructure. Support the upgrading of the heritage town trail signage. Encourage and support the delivery of tourist services.

2. Page 72

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   CS 06 CS 05 CS 07 CS 08 Cootehill Sustainable Communities Development Objectives It is a development objective of Cavan County Council to: Support the provision of social and recreational amenities in Cootehill to address gaps in these important Community facilities. Provide for the expansion and development of educational, social, community and recreational facilities in the settlements. Promote cycling and walking within the community through the implementation of a walking/cycling strategy and improved walking/cycling infrastructure within the town and its hinterlands and at areas of interest and attractions. Support the provision of serviced sites on lands zoned for low density residential development. Cavan County Development Plan 2022-2028 108 Cavan County Development Plan 2022-2028 CS 01 CS 03 CS 02 CS 04 2.6.7 Sustainable Communities Cootehill provides an attractive place to live, rich in natural beauty and amenity. Opportunity exists to accommodate the future needs of the town in a consolidated fashion, which will assist in the delivery of sustainable communities comprising of a mix of housing types, densities and tenure. An emphasis is therefore placed on building communities with a high standard of design, around the principles of place-making, green infrastructure, permeability and connectivity alongside the integration of community and recreational facilities. The development strategy for Cootehill is to support new housing and population growth, consistent with the Core Strategy, facilitating compact growth, together with providing a viable alternative to rural one-off housing. Provision is made in the plan in accordance with RPO 3.7 of the RSES, for the identification and prioritising of a program for the provision of serviced sites within the existing footprint of Cootehill. The plan promotes the development of green infrastructure networks both within the settlement and to adjacent tourist amenities. New development proposals will have to demonstrate how they contribute towards the creation of Green Infrastructure networks, in particular the development of green routes through the town with connections to the town centre. 2.6.8 Commercial and Retail Development Convenience shopping is provided by several small independent retailers in the town with a supermarket on the Main Street, being the largest convenience store. The town centre comprises of a reasonable range of comparison shops operated by independent operators. Cootehill has a comparatively high number of retail services which are important to attracting custom into the town centre. The town has a significantly higher proportion of mainstream comparison shopping over convenience shopping. These are generally contained within a large number of small independent retailers. Cootehill contains a moderate to low level of retail vacancy. There is scope for additional convenience retail within the town particularly aimed at addressing the extent of retail leakage to other neighbouring centres. An additional convenience retail facility would be best sited in a location that could provide footfall along the main shopping streets, while being sensitive to the architectural heritage. Cootehill Sustainable Communities Development Objectives It is a development objective of Cavan County Council to: Provide for new residential development in accordance with the requirements of the Housing and Core Strategy. Require that an appropriate mix of housing type, tenure, density and size is provided in all new residential developments to meet the needs of the population of Cootehill. Encourage the appropriate redevelopment of brownfield and infill sites for residential uses within the footprint of the existing built-up areas. Require proposals for new development to integrate with existing Green Infrastructure networks and contribute to the development and protection of overall Green Infrastructure assets.

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   CR 01 CR 02 CR 03 CR 04 CR 05 CR 06 Cootehill Commercial and Retail Development Objectives It is a development objective of Cavan County Council to: Sustain and enhance the retail and services offer of Cootehill Town Centre in line with the County Retail Strategy Support commercial opportunities within Cootehill town centre which harnesses the potential of the town for economic growth and sustainability. Reinforce the centre of Cootehill as the property location for new commercial and retail development, with emphasis on quality of design, positive contribution to the existing streetscape and protection of existing heritage landscapes. Support the provision of mixed-use developments in the town centre, which create opportunities to live, work, shop etc. within the town and reduce the carbased travel. Encourage and facilitate the re-use and regeneration of derelict land and buildings for retail and other town centre uses with due cognisance to the Sequential Approach prescribed in the Retail Planning Guidelines 2012. Support the delivery of an anchor convenience retail outlet in or adjacent to the town core 2.6.9 Regeneration and Placemaking There are a number of key sites exist within the settlement which present the potential for physical and social regeneration with the support of private and public-sector expertise and investment. In particular, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund operated by the Department of Rural and Community Development is available to support coordinated and integrated projects between government departments, state agencies, local authorities, other public bodies and communities, which will have an impact on sustainable economic and social development in rural area. Accordingly, the potential for better use of under-utilised and vacant sites and buildings within the existing built-up footprint of Cootehill to drive the delivery of quality housing, services and employment opportunities, in tandem with supporting social infrastructure is promoted. The redevelopment of Cootehill town centre represents an opportunity to contribute to the towns rejuvenation and revitalisation and in contributing to the overall improvement of the public realm and visual amenity. In this regard, proposals for strategic brownfield and infill sites should be accompanied by a site brief and/or masterplan that sets out a phased programme for the regeneration of the site and demonstrates how the proposal achieves sustainable compact development and integrates the principles of good urban design and placemaking. Cootehill provides the focus for a wide variety of activities that contribute to a sense of place and identity. The town plays an important economic, social and cultural role. Cootehill Revitalisation Plan 2018 seeks to showcase how improvements can enhance Cootehill as an attractive place in which to live, play, work and visit. It seeks to enhance and improve town functions both on a day to day basis, while also seeking to improve the long term socio economic, cultural and environmental benefits for residents, businesses, communities and visitors. The Cootehill Revitalisation Plan 2018 includes proposals recommended at a county and town specific basis. There are a number of Cootehill Specific Proposals incorporating the following themes: M Accessibility M Streetscape Core Strategy 109 Settlement Strategy

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   CRP 01 CRP 02 CRP 03 CRP 04 CRP 05 CRP 06 M Amenities and Services M Built form M Initiatives and Events The Revitalisation Plan aims to enhance the Cootehill’s town centre, as an attractive place in which to live and work and to address economic and social decline. The holistic and inclusive approach undertaken identifies a wide range of projects throughout the entire county to be implemented over the short, medium and long term. It provides guidance on a suite of interventions that will have a transformative impact on the town of Cootehill. A number of proposals have been included in the Cootehill Revitalisation Plan 2018 that seeks to redesign Market Street and Cavan Road along with other traffic proposals like parking, traffic calming, improve car park access, improve permeability and shared and cycle paths. Other revitalisation proposals include new amenity/leisure spaces, pocket parks and square activations. Regeneration projects have been delivered to Cootehill namely access from Pig Market to Cootehill town, investment in Cootehill Enterprise and Technology Centre, new Cootehill Industrial Estate Access Road and Dromore Greenway. 2.6.10 Cootehill Masterplans 2.6.10.1 Masterplan 1 This Masterplan area (Appendix 24) to the north west of Market Street and Chapel Lane comprises of neglected backlands and has poor pedestrian and cycling network. The Masterplan seeks to generate new public realm spaces to the back of Market Street, thus reinforcing and strengthening the town centre. The redevelopment of Chapel Lane along the Western edge will create a stronger urban edge to the town. The principles of this Masterplan in terms of redevelopment and access to this area remain a priority for this development plan 2.6.10.2 Masterplan 2 This Masterplan area (Appendix 24) encompasses the south east of Market Street and includes the existing GAA pitch and grounds. At the time of preparation, it offered two scenarios with the GAA usage remaining and the GAA usage being removed. Proposal A with the retention of the GAA pitch and facility are considered the appropriate scenario. This Masterplan seeks to explore how a new vehicular link could be provided parallel to Market Street. Cootehill Regeneration and Placemaking Development Objectives It is a development objective of Cavan County Council to: Support the implementation of the Cootehill Revitalisation Plan 2018. Continue to identify sites in poor state of repair or neglect under the Derelicts Sites Act and support their regeneration. Ensure that the town centre is accessible to all members of the community, including people with mobility issues, the elderly and people with young children. Actively engage with the community, developers and other agencies to secure resources for the enhancement, renewal and regeneration of the Cootehill. Encourage the appropriate reuse and regeneration of derelict and underused premises and sites in Cootehill town centre. Promote the regeneration of the backlands of Cootehill in accordance with the completed Masterplans in the town in a sustainable manner. 2.6.11 Heritage Cootehill lies north of County Cavan bordering County Monaghan. The oldest part of the town lies to the Southwest of Market Street, centred on the ruin of the Church of Ireland which is located on an elevated site on Church Street. The old town had a cruciform plan, where Bridge Street and Church Street intersected the old Cavan Road and Market Street Lower. Lower Market Street developed later in the eighteenth century when Charles Coote’s son Thomas Coote inherited his Cavan estate. It was at this stage that Cootehill was named and developed. The name Cootehill reflects Thomas Coote’s marriage to Frances Hill of Hillsborough, Co. Down. Coote’s nephew, also named Thomas, built the magnificent Bellamont House to a design by Coote’s nephew Edward Lovett Pearce. It is considered the finest Palladian Villa ever built in Ireland. Bellamont Estate was the ancestral home of the Coote’s for many years and the sprawling country estate stretched from the town centre to the north towards Rockcorry. Cohaw Megalithic Tomb, a double court tomb and National Monument is located 4Km southeast of the town along the Shercock Road. Surrounding Cavan County Development Plan 2022-2028 110 Cavan County Development Plan 2022-2028

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   lakes and rivers provide a backdrop which attracts visitors and sports enthusiasts. The natural heritage of Cootehill includes the natural environment, biodiversity and green infrastructure. This heritage is an asset which can be promoted to present a positive image of the town. Dromore pNHA is a group of ten main interdrumlin lakes plus several smaller areas of water stretching along the River Dromore between Cootehill and Ballybay. Wet woodland, reed swamp, winterfowl birds such as whooper swan, great crested grebe and lapwing are some of the habitats and species associated with the site. Bellamont Forest is located on the outskirts of Cootehill with a 5km looped walk within the forest. The main recreational area lies along the Dromore River, where facilities include fishing stands, walkways and outdoor exercise machines. The area also has an award- winning picnic area at Halton’s Shore on the Monaghan Road. Dromore Lough is a 3KM stretch which borders counties Cavan and Monaghan. The dominant architectural style of Cootehill town centre, reflects eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, with a significant number of Georgian buildings. These striking buildings include the former provincial bank, the Church of Ireland, and Bellamont House built between 1725 and 1730. The built heritage of Cootehill may be explored using Cootehill Town Trail its maps and interpretation. The rapid development of Cootehill into a prosperous town in the eighteenth century was aided by the growth of the linen trade. Settlers from all parts of Ireland, Britain, and Europe came to Cootehill and it was not long before the town became a melting pot of religious and political beliefs. By the end of the nineteenth century, Thomas Figure 2.6.1Cootehill ACA Core Strategy 111 Settlement Strategy

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   Coote extended Market Street northwards to create a long wide and straight street. The Market House was built in 1806 and the Church of Ireland in 1819 at the Northern end of the street creating a dramatic termination of vista. The Courthouse was built in 1832 and all together these buildings provide a fine collection of civic buildings. The ACA designation at Lower Market Street, Cootehill focuses on this area, where much of the fine architecture and planned streetscape is evidenced today. CH 01 CH 02 CH 03 CH 04 CH 05 CH 06 CH 07 CH 08 CH 09 CH 10 CH 11 CH 12 CH 13 CH 14 CH 15 Cavan County Development Plan 2022-2028 112 Cavan County Development Plan 2022-2028 Cootehill Heritage Development Objectives It is a development objective of Cavan County Council to: Ensure that all plans and projects relating to the natural and built heritage within Cootehill Town are subject to development objectives contained within the Built and Natural Heritage Chapter of this Plan. Protect, enhance, create and connect natural heritage, green spaces and high quality amenity spaces throughout Cootehill for biodiversity and recreation, whilst ensuring the design and operation of routes respond to the ecological protection and needs of each site. Seek to preserve, protect and maintain trees of special amenity, conservation or landscape value in Cootehill. Carry out and require planting of native trees, hedgerows and vegetation on all new developments. All planting should be pollinator friendly and in accordance with the All Ireland Pollinator Plan and Pollinator Guidelines for Communities as contained in Appendix 23. Prohibit any development that would result in a significant deterioration of habitats or disturbance of species in the pNHA Dromore River. Protect the environmental quality in Cootehill through the implementation of European, National and Regional policy and legislation relating to air quality, green-house gas emissions, climate change, light pollution, noise pollution and waste management. Support the development of the waterways in and around Cootehill’s waterways. Encourage and support sustainable developments in Bellamont Forest. Conserve, protect and enhance the built heritage of Cootehill including all Protected Structures and attendant grounds, Lower Market Street ACA, Records of Monuments and Places in accordance with best conservation practice. Positively consider proposals to improve, alter, extend or change use of protected structures to accommodate for modern use, subject to suitably qualified conservation architects and other relevant experts, suitable design, materials and consultation methods. This should demonstrate that the structure, character, appearance and setting will not be adversely affected. Support the re-introduction of traditional features on protected structures of Lower Market Street ACA, particularly where there is evidence these features previously existed. Support schemes for the conservation and enhancement of the character and appearance of the traditional town core of Cootehill. Ensure heritage assets which are the focus for heritage development in Cootehill are appropriately managed and their special interest is conserved from potential adverse effects from visitors or development in general and that best practice in relation to the environmental management of tourism enterprises is adhered to. Facilitate public access to National Monuments in state or local authority care. Ensure archaeological assessment is carried out as required and promote ‘preservation in situ’ of archaeological sites or features.

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   2.6.12 Map Based Specific Obje tives Map based specific objectives have been created for several areas within the Development Boundary. Refer to zoning map. 1. Promote the delivery of green infrastructure in Cootehill linking areas of residential, amenity and the town centre in a safe and accessible manner. 2. Promote and protect Cootehill Heritage Walking Trail in recognition of its architectural, cultural and historical importance to the town and as an important urban amenity with strong tourism value. To support and promote new walks and linkage to amenity sites and the town centre. 3. Protect, conserve and maintain the Demesne of Bellamont Forest. 4. Support the delivery of plans and proposals in the Cootehill Revitalisation Plan 2018 Core Strategy 113 Settlement Strategy

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   2.7 Kingscourt 2.7.1 Context Kingscourt is located in the most easterly part of County Cavan on the border with County Meath. The Regional Routes the R165 and R164 meet in the town. Kingscourt is located in the east of the County and is identified in the Settlement Framework as a Self-Sustaining Town. Self-Sustaining Towns have high levels of population growth but require targeted ‘catch up’ investment to become more self-sustaining. 2.7.2 Town Character Located in the vicinity is Cabra Castle which was built in the 19th Century and is now used as a luxury hotel. Kingscourt dates back to the time of the Ulster Plantations. Located in the south east corner of the County, Kingscourt is only located 1km from the boundary with County Meath and is also close to the border with County Monaghan and County Louth. The town, founded by Mervyn Pratt and later by Rev. Joseph Pratt, has a distinctive planned street layout. The name Kingscourt comes from 1690 when King James held court for one night in Cormey Castle, (now Cabra Castle) on his way to the Battle of the Boyne. The development of natural resources such as gypsum and china clay were used to develop local industry in the town. The now closed railway line provided access to a larger market and strengthened the trading function of the town. The town has retained its historic pattern with the town core focused on a wide and long main street with further streets radiating in a uniform pattern out from it. This geometric form lends itself well to the further development of town core uses. There is significant capacity for development in the backlands of main street properties, but it is essential that this is conducted in a sensitive manner, which does not detract from the traditional form of this town. Kingscourt is identified as a Self-Sustaining Town in the County Settlement Hierarchy. It has experienced high levels of population growth and requires targeted levels of investment to become more self-sustaining. Table 2.7.1 Fact Table Position in Settlement Hierarchy Self Sustaining Town 2016 Population 2499 2011 Population 2326 Percentage Change 2011-2016 7.4% (173) Housing Supply Target 2022-2028 274 Population Projection 2028 3148 Resident Workers 2016 999 Total Jobs 2016 602 Jobs-Workforce Ratio 2016 0.603 Cavan County Development Plan 2022-2028 114 Cavan County Development Plan 2022-2028

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   Position in Settlement Hierarchy Self Sustaining Town Education (2020/2021 Enrolment) 1 St. Josephs NS (425 pupils) Cabra Central NS (53 pupils) Post Primary- Coláiste Dún an Rí (529 pupils) Childcare options 2.7.3 Strategy and Vision Self-Sustaining Towns have experienced high levels of population growth but require targeted ‘catch up’ investment to become more selfsustaining. KI 01 KG 01 KG 02 KG 03 KG 04 KG 05 KI 02 KI 03 Kingscourt General Development Objectives It is a development objective of Cavan County Council to: Promote the development of Kingscourt as a driver of economic growth in the South East of the county and fulfil its role as a designated Self-Sustaining Town. Support the expansion of a range of services and facilities available to residents and the wider rural hinterland. Engage with the community and relevant stakeholders to promote and support the regeneration of Kingscourt through identification of significant regeneration projects along with associated funding streams including Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. Provide for the creation of sustainable communities in Kingscourt by identifying sufficient land for new development, in particular housing, enterprise and employment, community, recreational and tourism uses. Encourage and foster the creation of attractive, mixed use, sustainable communities that include a suitable mix of housing types and tenures with supporting facilities, amenities and services, that meet the needs of the entire community and accord with the principles of universal design and Age Friendly standards. Kingscourt performs important retail, residential, service and amenity functions for local rural hinterlands as well as the towns urban population. The Core Strategy set out in Chapter 1 of this Plan projects that the population of Kingscourt will grow to 3148 over this plan period. This will be provided in the town core, mixed use and brownfield sites of Kingscourt, along with proposed residential and low density residential, which will provide for an alternative to one off housing. It is the vision of this plan that sustainable compact residential growth occurs in Kingscourt over the plan period. Proposed residential sites are located close to the town centre and within walking distance of the towns services and facilities. 2.7.4 Physical Infrastructure Kingscourt is served by an existing wastewater treatment plant which has a project underway to upgrade its plant. Water is from a borewell at Descart, Co. Monaghan (Groundwater Supply). Green infrastructure is essential to delivering the Town’s economic competitiveness, an improved quality of life and improved social inclusion. Increased development pressure will inevitably lead to an increase in traffic levels. It is essential, therefore, that traffic is managed so as to minimise future congestion. This plan aims to achieve a more balanced and sustainable pattern of movement in Kingscourt and undertake to facilitate the provision of a greater choice of transport modes like walking and cycling. Kingscourt Physical infrastructure Development Objectives It is a development objective of Cavan County Council to: Support the investment in water and waste water infrastructure facilities serving Kingscourt in order to ensure the continued sustainable development of the Town. Support improvements in the pedestrian and cycling infrastructure in the town that will improve connectivity and permeability and promote more sustainable modes of transport. Commence the preparation of a Local Transport Plan for Kingscourt in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and other relevant stakeholders within the lifetime of the adopted County Development Plan. Core Strategy 115 Settlement Strategy Position in Settlement Hierarchy Self Sustaining Town Education (2020/2021 Enrolment) 1 St. Josephs NS (425 pupils) Cabra Central NS (53 pupils) Post Primary- Coláiste Dún an Rí (529 pupils) Childcare options 2.7.3 Strategy and Vision Self-Sustaining Towns have experienced high levels of population growth but require targeted ‘catch up’ investment to become more selfsustaining. Kingscourt General Development Objectives It is a development objective of Cavan County Council to: KG 01 Promote the development of Kingscourt as a driver of economic growth in the South East of the county and fulfil its role as a designated Self-Sustaining Town. KG 02 Support the expansion of a range of services and facilities available to residents and the wider rural hinterland. KG 03 Engage with the community and relevant stakeholders to promote and support the regeneration of Kingscourt through identification of significant regeneration projects along with associated funding streams including Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. KG 04 Provide for the creation of sustainable communities in Kingscourt by identifying sufficient land for new development, in particular housing, enterprise and employment, community, recreational and tourism uses. KG 05 Encourage and foster the creation of attractive, mixed use, sustainable communities that include a suitable mix of housing types and tenures with supporting facilities, amenities and services, that meet the needs of the entire community and accord with the principles of universal design and Age Friendly standards. Kingscourt performs important retail, residential, service and amenity functions for local rural hinterlands as well as the towns urban population. The Core Strategy set out in Chapter 1 of this Plan projects that the population of Kingscourt will grow to 3148 over this plan period. This will be provided in the town core, mixed use and brownfield sites of Kingscourt, along with proposed residential and low density residential, which will provide for an alternative to one off housing. It is the vision of this plan that sustainable compact residential growth occurs in Kingscourt over the plan period. Proposed residential sites are located close to the town centre and within walking distance of the towns services and facilities. 2.7.4 Physical Infrastructure Kingscourt is served by an existing wastewater treatment plant which has a project underway to upgrade its plant. Water is from a borewell at Descart, Co. Monaghan (Groundwater Supply). Green infrastructure is essential to delivering the Town’s economic competitiveness, an improved quality of life and improved social inclusion. Increased development pressure will inevitably lead to an increase in traffic levels. It is essential, therefore, that traffic is managed so as to minimise future congestion. This plan aims to achieve a more balanced and sustainable pattern of movement in Kingscourt and undertake to facilitate the provision of a greater choice of transport modes like walking and cycling. Kingscourt Physical infrastructure Development Objectives It is a development objective of Cavan County Council to: KI 01 Support the investment in water and waste water infrastructure facilities serving Kingscourt in order to ensure the continued sustainable development of the Town. KI 02 Support improvements in the pedestrian and cycling infrastructure in the town that will improve connectivity and permeability and promote more sustainable modes of transport. KI 03 Commence the preparation of a Local Transport Plan for Kingscourt in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and other relevant stakeholders within the lifetime of the adopted County Development Plan. Core Strategy 115 Settlement Strategy

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    KE 01 KE 02 KE 03 2.7.5 Economic Development There is significant capacity for development in the backlands of main street properties, but it is essential that this is conducted in a sensitive manner which does not detract from the traditional form of this town. The service employment sector within Kingscourt is essential to the vitality of the Town. Kingscourt has a number of large and smaller employment providers including Kingspan, O’Reilly Concrete, Gypsum Industries, Kingscourt Bricks and Paramount Doors, in addition to other services provided within the town core area. According to the Census, the total population of Kingscourt in 2016 was 2499. The largest industries are commerce and trade, followed by manufacturing then professional services. There are 1281 people residing in Kingscourt who are classed as being “At Work”. Of these workers a total of 33% (419) are employed in Kingscourt, 10% (126) are employed elsewhere in Cavan, 36% (485) commute out of the county for employment and the remaining 20% (251) are either mobile workers or have a blank or un-codeable destination. In total, there are 1026 jobs located within Kingscourt. Of these 41% (419) are undertaken by local residents living in Kingscourt, 20% (204) are undertaken by workers living elsewhere in Cavan county and the remaining 39% (403) are undertaken by workers who commute to Kingscourt from outside the county. According to POWCAR 2016, there are 1026 jobs in Kingscourt, which accounts for 5% of all jobs based in the county. Although 48% of the residents living in Kingscourt are employed elsewhere in the County, Kingscourt is the employment destination for 607 workers from outside the settlement. The town is a net exporter of jobs (-255). The Jobs to Workforce ratio in Kingscourt is below 1 meaning that there is a high level of commuting out of the town. There is therefore opportunities in Kingscourt to zone additional lands for General Enterprise and Employment purposes to support an expansion of economic development in the town. Kingscourt Economic Development Objectives It is a development objective of Cavan County Council to: Support the consolidation and growth of existing enterprises and the development of employment opportunities within the town. Facilitate the establishment of new enterprise and employment uses on lands identified for employment purposes. New enterprises shall demonstrate high quality architectural built form, that contributes to a positive sense of space and distinctiveness. 2.7.6 Tourism Kingscourt is located near the Cavan – Meath border and just one hour from Dublin. It is in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, Fáilte Ireland’s marketing proposition for the county. Set on 100 acres of parkland, historic Cabra Castle Hotel is located on the outskirts of the town and provides 105 bedrooms and several restaurant options. There are a small number of B&Bs and self-catering properties also available. The town is well served with cafes, gastro pubs and restaurants and has potential as a tourism town. Dun a Ri Forest Park is located on the outskirts of the town. Direct pedestrian access from the town centre from the park has recently been created. The park is 565 acres in size and forms part of what was once the Cabra Estate and is rich in history and folklore. There are four marked trails in the park, a river, waterfall, many historical features and the flora and fauna is varied and spectacular. Carparking and toilet facilities are available. The forest park is a strategic site on the proposed Navan – Kingscourt Greenway currently being spearheaded by Meath County Council. Other walking options locally include Lough an Leagh, between Bailieborough and Kingscourt where panoramic views of the surrounding countryside can be enjoyed. The historic Fair of Muff takes place every September and has the potential to attract visitors. Cavan County Development Plan 2022-2028 116 Cavan County Development Plan 2022-2028

Source Cavan County Council: Cavan County Development Plan 2022–2028 — Chapter 2 (2022–2028) · Licence the publisher's termsText read from the publisher’s PDF; tables, maps and drawings do not survive as text, and page numbers are the PDF’s (its first page is 1). Check the original before relying on a passage.