Development plan · Laois County Council
Laois County Development Plan 2021–2027
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards.
Laois County Council · 2021–2027 · 317 pages
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- Chapter 7 Retail and Town / Village Centre Management 159 | P a g e a small area that leads to visual clutter and which may constitute a traffic hazard; 6) For reasons of road safety, signs for commercial enterprises must not distract from road signs, changes to road layout or traffic lights/crossings; 7) Signs for tourism attractions and facilities will only be considered white on brown signs. DM TC 11 BILLBOARDS ADVERTISEMENTS The exhibition of billboard advertisements will be permitted only where approved advertisement structures are in place.
- 160 | P a g e CHAPTER 8 TOURISM Aim: To support the development of the tourism sector as an economic driver for the County, identify and develop key destination towns and visitor attractions and activities for the prioritisation of investment and to encourage the increase of tourism product development. 8.1 INTRODUCTION Tourism plays an important role in the economic development of the Country as it generates significant employment opportunities and business development opportunities in more rural areas. Fáilte Ireland has identified that our landscape and heritage are the key driver for the promotion of Ireland’s tourism, followed by its people, its safe environment and its range of attractions. There is an inextricable link between the Region’s landscape, agriculture and tourism offer. Central to the development of an integrated ecotourism experience is the provision of quality cycling, walking and hiking routes connecting strategic tourism infrastructure, towns and villages. Research has identified niche areas such as food, heritage and cycling tourism which can be built into unique tourism product offerings for each of their regional tourism brands. CountyLaois has much to offer the tourism product and marketing of Ireland as a tourist destination in both the domestic and international market, including; the Rock of Dunamase, the Round Tower Timahoe, Emo Court and Parklands, Aghaboe Abbey, Donaghmore Workhouse, the Slieve Bloom Mountains, the Rivers Nore and Barrow. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and Failte Ireland are responsible for the delivery of policy and investment in tourism in Ireland. Failte Ireland promotes Ireland based ona Regional Experience Brand of which Laois falls within ‘Ireland’s Ancient East’. The aim of the branding is to inspire visitors to travel to the Ireland’s Ancient East by appealing to their interest in local culture authentic Ireland, its living culture, lush landscapes and heritage. 8.2 POLICY CONTEXT This section is prepared in the context of the following documents: • Project Ireland 2040: National Planning Framework (2018) • National Development Plan 2018-2027 • Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) for the Eastern and Midland Region (2019) • Food Wise 2025: A 10 Year Vision for the Irish Agri-Food Industry (2015) • Laois Local Economic and Community Plan 2016-2021 • People, Place and Policy – Growing Tourism to 2025 (DTTS, 2015) • Tourism Development and Innovation – A Strategy for Investment 2016 – 2022 (Failte Ireland, 2016) 8.2.1 LAOIS TOURISM STRATEGY 2018 - 2023 This collaborative strategy between key tourism stakeholders within County Laois including Laois County Council, Laois Local Community Development Committee, Laois partnership and the Department of Rural and Community Development, aims to grow tourism visitor numbers and the value of tourism through the enhancement of the Laois tourism product and servicebase supported by the structures that contribute to the strategic development of the tourism sector across the county. Map 8.1: Tourist Attractions in County Laois
- Chapter 8 Tourism 161 | P a g e 8.3 TOURISM IN LAOIS There is significant potential to grow the tourism sector in County Laois. In 2018, Laois welcomed <0.5% of the 9.6 million overseas tourists who came to Ireland, spending <0.5% of the €5.2bn overseas tourism expenditure in Ireland. This figure is down from the 2015 figures, where approximately 57,000 overseas visitors came to Laois. Irish residents took 237,000 trips to Laois and Offaly (2% of the 10.9million domestic trips in 2018) spending €30mn (1% of domestic tourist spend)1. Analysis of the overseas visitor data for the East and Midlands Region reveals that a high proportion were Irish-born, repeat visitors or were visiting friends/family. The per capita spend of the overseas tourist who is visiting friends/family is similar or higher than the per capita spend of the traditional holiday-maker. A low percentage of visitors had travelled to the region for the first time. This suggests that while the East and Midlands Region may not be well-known as a tourism destination, once people visit they are inclined to return. It also indicates that many overseas visitors to the area have a strong connection to the region. The high number of solo visitors and visitors to friends/family would suggest that these tourists may spend a lot of time with local people. Despite the downturn in visitor numbers and revenue in recent years, tourism still makes an important contribution to the economy of Laois and has a strong emphasis in national planning policy. The Strategic Plan for Tourism in Laois 2018 – 2023 focuses on building projects in key destinations and the implementation of a targeted marketing brand in order to develop a high quality visitor destination and experience in Laois. The Strategy also places a strong emphasis on the diversification of the rural economy and the regeneration of towns and villages. Economic sustainability must be considered to ensure that the tourism sector is managed. The Strategy has identified 5 Strategic Ambitions to be achieved by 2023:
- Chapter 8 Tourism 162 | P a g e Fig 8.1 Strategic Ambitions of Laois Tourism Strategy Source: Failte Ireland The key strengths of the County not only include its central location with robust transport network but also the pristine landscape, unique heritage and lifestyle and amenity pursuits. The growing trend towards activity and adventure based tourism provides a significant opportunityfor County Laois. However, it is essential that resources upon which these activities are based are protected from inappropriate development and that Laois County Council works in partnership with a range of organisations to capitalise on and maximise the potential of such opportunities. The areas of tourism that shall be promoted during the lifetime of the Plan include, however is not limited, to the following indicated in Table 8.1:
- Chapter 8 Tourism 163 | P a g e Table 8.1: Key Tourism Initiatives Policy Objectives for Tourism in Laois TM 1 Identify all opportunities for funding, including LEADER, Urban and Rural Regeneration Development Fund, national and European funding schemes and seek to maximise the benefit of such funding opportunities to the county. TM 2 Continue to support the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Tourism in Laois 2018 – 2023, in line with national and regional policy, tourism trends and identified challenges, in collaboration with Fáilte Ireland, Waterways Ireland, Coillte, Bord na Mona, tourism businesses and communities and other supporting agencies. TM 3 Continue to support the development and expansion of tourism-related enterprise including visitor attractions, services and accommodation and food and craft businesses, particularly those offering a visitor experience, such as tastings, tours and demonstrations. 1 The Slieve Bloom Mountains for walking, cycling and mountain biking. 2 Events (including sports events) and Festivals has proven to be a successful and a key driver of the Laois local economy and a means of revitalising and maintaining local culture as well as showcasing the people and places of Laois. 3 Local arts, crafts and food which provide a local connection and help to celebrate the diversity of the county as a destination. 4 Rural tourism and the development of walking and cycling trails and a possibleGreenway for the County. 5 Towns and villages in the county provide a range of visitor attractions, facilities and services and rely on revenue from tourism. 6 Forest tourism for recreation such as walking, running, bird-watching and mountainbiking. 7 Explore the potential of the Upper Nore Blueway and development of the Barrow Blueway and Erkina Blueway. 8 Heritage attractions such as the Rock of Dunamaise, Aghaboe Abbey, Stradbally Hall, Timahoe Round Tower, Abbeyleix Heritage House Portlaoise’s Cultural Quarter, Maryborough Fort and others such as Emo Court and Parklands and Donaghmore Famine Workhouse Museum, which have the potential for attracting a greater numbers of visitors. 9 Development of peatlands for sustainable eco-tourism potential such as Abbeyleix Bog and Derryounce Lakes and Trails (see Chapter 9 Rural Laois and Chapter 11 Biodiversityand Natural Heritage. 10 Development of Durrow as a Community/Family Cycle Hub”.
- Chapter 8 Tourism 164 | P a g e Policy Objectives for Tourism in Laois TM 4 Facilitate the implementation of the Laois Local Economic Community Plan Economic and Community Actions related to tourism development such as the development of a Laois Walking and Cycling App with navigation functions, the translation of existing heritage audio guides and the development of an artisan food proposition associated with Ireland’s Ancient East Programme. TM 5 Direct the provision of tourist related facilities, such as information offices and cultural centres, into town and village locations to support and strengthen the existing economic infrastructure of such centres. TM 6 Support in principle the development or expansion of a tourism around the Slieve Bloom Mountains, Laois’ Inland Waterways, Laois’ historic towns and villages, heritage-based tourism, activity-based tourism, geo tourism, eco-tourism, food- based tourism, diaspora-based tourism and spiritual tourism. Proposals for sustainable tourism development will be required to demonstrate a need to locate in a particular area and demonstrate compliance with the Development Management Standards. TM 7 Promote and facilitate the development of rural tourism such as including but not limited to open farms, on-farm craft villages and visitor centres and the reuse and refurbishment of vernacular buildings (houses or farm/industrial buildings) for tourist related facilities, including holiday home accommodation; subject to compliance with Development Management Standards of this Plan. TM 8 Work in collaboration with Coillte, neighbouring local authorities, Fáilte Ireland, community organisations and other interested parties to [bring forward development proposals for] develop new forest accommodation, with required ancillary facilities, access, signage and trails for walking, cycling, mountain-biking and horse-riding at suitable locations such as that of Emo Park, whereby it can be demonstrated that any such proposal complies with the Tourism Infrastructure Development Management Standards of this plan. TM 9 Encourage the clustering of tourism enterprise in town and village centres in the interest of sustainable tourism development and the enhancement of the public realms of town and village centres to maximise their tourism potential; in all cases, the applicant must submit a robust assessment setting out the sustainability of any proposal with respect to economic, environmental and social sustainability, asdefined herein. TM 10 Support the preparation and implementation of Regional Tourism Plans in conjunction with key stakeholders. TM 11 Engage with the relevant stakeholders and landowners at Emo Park and Emo Court in the assessment of tourism and recreation opportunities to ensure development proposals will include consideration of the historic landscape and views into and out of Emo Court, including the identification of opportunities as well as potential landscape protection areas.
- Chapter 8 Tourism 165 | P a g e 8.4 CLIMATE CHANGE AND TOURISM Environmental sustainability will be central to the development and protection of a viable tourism sector and this is a key consideration in a County where tourism attractions are located in environmentally sensitive areas and close to historic areas where the quality of the built heritage and environment must be protected from inappropriate development – whether tourism related or not. The ‘mainstreaming’ of policy guidance tools such as the Strategic EnvironmentalAssessment (SEA) will undoubtedly address any deficits in relation to many of these key policy areas. As temperatures continue to rise, heat waves will worsen, extreme precipitation events will become more intense and frequent and the rate of sea-level rise will increase. The direct and indirect impacts of climate change on our cultural, heritage and natural assets may present a threat to their value and integrity. The tourism sector itself is vulnerable to climate change. Threats include more extreme weather events, increasing insurance costs and safety concerns, water shortages and loss and damage to natural assets and attractions at destinations. Continued climate-driven degradation and disruption to cultural and natural heritage will negatively affect the tourism sector, reduce the attractiveness of destinations and lessen economic opportunities for local communities. In proposing measures to deal with the effects of climate change, it is important to consider any unintended consequences for heritage and tourism that might arise. Truly sustainable tourism development must manage issues of physical and cultural impacts, as well as addressing the urgent necessity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in this growing sector, especially from transport. At the same time, tourism should pay much greater attention to understanding and addressing the many and varied impacts of rapid climate change that will increasingly affect its operations and destinations. Climate Change and Tourism Policy Objectives TM 12 Promote Laois as a hub for sustainable tourism and development of low impact activities including orienteering, angling, equestrian activities, bird watching, canoeing and kayaking, caving, paragliding, botany, photography, painting and yoga and meditation, in appropriate locations in order to diversify the range oftourist experiences available in the county and extend the tourism season. TM 13 Develop the tourism potential of peatlands and in particular facilitate the further development of Abbeyleix Bog and Derryounce Bog. TM 14 Increase connectivity and accessibility to public transport, walking and cycling infrastructure and the provision of Electric Vehicle Charging Points to key tourist destination hubs to encourage more sustainablemodes of transport. TM 15 Encourage that all new tourism related development proposals maximise energy efficiency through siting, layout, design and incorporate best practice in energy technologies, conservation and smart technology. TM 16 Strengthen resilience to climate change by ensuring all new major tourist developments provide a climate vulnerability assessment within sensitive and vulnerable sites. TM 17 Where relevant, the Council and those receiving permission for development under the Plan shall seek to manage any increase in visitor numbers and/or any change in visitor behaviour in order to avoid significant effects, including loss of habitat and disturbance. Management measures may include ensuring that new projects and
- Chapter 8 Tourism 166 | P a g e Climate Change and Tourism Policy Objectives activities are a suitable distance from ecological sensitivities. Visitor/Habitat Management Plans will be required for proposed projects as relevant andAppropriate. TM 18 Ensure the potential environmental effects of a likely increase in tourists/tourismrelated traffic volumes in particular locations/along particular routes shall be considered and mitigated as appropriate. Such a consideration should include potential impacts on existing infrastructure (including drinking water, wastewater, waste and transport) resulting from tourism proposals. 8.5 TOURIST INFRASTRUCTURE Research has shown that overseas tourists want to visit a destination with a variety of experiences to offer and ensuring that support services and high-quality infrastructure to meet the needs of visitors is fundamental to Laois. The Plan will focus on identifying key strategic projects and areas for investment to deliver tourism products of scale with the capacity to be transformational and a catalyst for tourism development in Laois. 8.5.1 VISITOR SERVICES Laois County Council will ensure that visitor attractions will be supported for expansion projects such as car parking areas, interpretative centres/signage, visitor kiosks etc. The Council recognises the potential for pressure being placed on the County’s natural and heritage amenities through increased tourism. In this regard it is important that the provision for increased tourism activity is in line with the provision of the required infrastructure to support such development. Tourism-related development proposals will be required to demonstrate a high standard of design, with strong consideration given to a proposal’s potential impact on its surroundings in terms of scale and intensity and the potential for the proposal to add significantly to the quality of the visitor experience. 8.5.2 ACCOMMODATION The Council recognises that the provision of accommodation such as hotels, guesthouses, hostels, caravan and camping sites are essential to enable growth in the tourism sector. The Council shall support the development of tourism in the county by encouraging the provision ofa wide range of tourist accommodation types and restricting development that would be likely to reduce the capacity of the resource, or have a detrimental impact on the local environment. In general such developments shall be encouraged to locate within or in close proximity to existing towns and villages where they can avail of existing public services, commercial and community facilities. The Council will support the development and upgrade of accommodation to meet Fáilte Ireland Quality Standards, subject to development management criteria and will require that such relevant standards are met in development proposals where appropriate. There is also potential within the County to create niche destination tourist accommodation, drawing on the policy objective to develop County Laois as a National Event Centre. Such niche accommodation will be supported in unique settings e.g. Emo House, Stradbally Hall, Roundwood House. 8.5.3 BRANDING During the life-time of this Plan there will be a phased roll-out of the branding strategy, with investment in tourism signage and the enhancement of the visitor experience across the programme area. The strategy will develop Ireland’s Ancient East as a destination that is easy for the
- Chapter 8 Tourism 167 | P a g e independent visitor to explore, interpret, understand and appreciate. The implementation strategy will deal with on the ground information as well as promotional aspects of the brand and the accessibility of sites, possibly including mechanisms for pre-booking, ticketing and improved management. Policy Objectives for Tourism Infrastructure TI 1 Encourage and promote tourism related facilities and accessible accommodation within existing settlements and in rural areas where there is a clear and demonstrated need and benefits to the local community and where the development is compatible with the policies set out for the protection of the environment. TI 2 Encourage and facilitate the provision of access to visitor accommodation, venues and activities and the availability of information on accessibility to those with varying levels of mobility and access issues. TI 3 Support best-practice environmental management including energy efficiency, waste management, procurement and recycling in accommodation providers and tourism enterprises in the County. TI 4 Support tourism branding in Laois and in particular support the development of Ireland’s Ancient East to promote accessibility to local sites. TI 5 Encourage and support the provision of a wider range of accommodation types throughout the county in order to ensure that the county is an attractive location to spend increased amounts of time for a wide range of visitors. Tourist Infrastructure Development Management Standard DM TM 1 TOURIST FACILITIES Tourist and recreation facilities, in particular accommodation, shall be generally located within towns and villages unless; • A comprehensive justification of the need for the development by its nature and space requirements to be located outside towns and villages, for example, golf courses, swimming, angling, sailing/boating, pier/marina development, water sports, equestrian and pony trekking routes, adventure/interpretative centres and associated ancillary uses, tourist related leisure facilities including walking and cycling; • Evidence that the proposed development will not have an adverse impact upon the scenic value, heritage value and the environmental, ecological or conservation quality of primary tourism asset(s) and its their general environment; • Evidence that potential environmental effects of a likely increase in tourists/tourism-related traffic volumes in particular locations/along particular routes have been considered and mitigation measuresproposed. Such a consideration should include potential impacts on existing infrastructure (including drinking water, wastewater, waste and transport) resulting from tourism proposals; • Evidence that, where feasible, existing ruinous or disused buildings or existing heritage buildings have been re-used to maximum potential. This list is not exhaustive and the Council may consider other requirements contained in the chapter on a case by case basis with planning applications
- Chapter 8 Tourism 168 | P a g e should the need arise. DM TM 2 CARAVAN, GLAMPING AND CAMPING DEVELOPMENTS Caravan, glamping and camping developments shall address the following; • A high standard integrated design and layout linking pitches to well located communal areas and on site facilities and amenities; • Compliance with the Regulations for Caravan and Camping Parks (Bord Fáilte Ireland 2009); • A detailed hard and soft landscaping plan for the overall site; • Mitigation plans for noise and litter; and • Details of wastewater disposal for the site. DM TM 3 SELF CATERING DEVELOPMENTS Self-Catering developments shall address the following; • The layout of the development shall be of a high standard, incorporating well laid out communal open spaces, significant and appropriate landscaping maintaining existing site features such as hedgerow and trees, car parking provision, segregated waste storage and public lighting. The design of units should be high quality and respect the character of the area in which they are located. Suburban type developments will not be favoured. Courtyard type developments will be particularly encouraged. 8.6 TOURISM 8.6.1 ACTIVITY BASED TOURISM (INCLUDING GREENWAYS, BLUEWAYS AND CYCLEWAYS) Laois County Council is well placed to capitalise on the growing demand for experientialholidays in a perceived ‘wild’ setting with outdoor activity opportunities on offer throughout the county with an emphasis on walking, cycling and angling. Participation in adventure activities is also becoming increasingly popular amongst visitors from overseas and from within the island of Ireland which includes mountain biking, kayaking and canoeing. The development of greenways and blueways is also an important sector or tourism product to the County and is an important element of creating a sustainable tourism package. This focus, in partnership with stakeholders such as Coillte, Bord Na Mona and Waterways Ireland, and local community groups, has led to the development of projects such the Slieve Bloom Mountain Bike Trail, Abbeyleix Bog Project, Barrow and Erkina Blueways. Off-road looped walking trails are located at various locations in the county, including Durrow Leafy Loop, Cullahill Loop, Dunmore Wood Loop, Ballagh Loop and Bishop’s Wood, Emo Park and Gardens. These projects can be developed in a sustainable way, in harmony with a high qualityenvironment. The Council recognises that these routes cannot come into existence or remain in existence without the full co-operation of the owners of private property on the routes. Combined off-road cycle and walking routes and recreational trails developed along abandoned rail lines, utility corridors or other natural linear open spaces, such as river banks and canals,are often referred to as Greenways. Although Laois does not have a designated Greenway, the feasibility of a 24km route from Mountmellick – Portlaoise – Abbeyleix has been undertaken. The Council will continue to identify, support and facilitate opportunities for harnessing the potential
Source Laois County Council: Laois County Development Plan 2021–2027 (2021–2027) · 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.