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 8 Tourism 169 | P a g e of the scenic areas, lakes and waterways in a manner that is compatible with the natural heritage and environment of the area. (Refer to Map 8.1 for Laois’ activity based tourist attractions). Policy Objectives for Activity Based Tourism ABT 1 Support the development of the amenities and recreational potential of the River Barrow, particularly in Portarlington Town Park and the River Nore in co-operation with the National Parks and Wildlife Services, Irish Water, Laois Sports Partnership, adjoining Councils and other relevant authorities and interested local stakeholders. ABT 2 Support in principle and investigate the feasibility of, subject to compliance with the Habitats and Birds Directive, developing and marketing off-road Slieve Bloom Mountain Biking Trail by Coillte, Mountmellick –Portlaoise – Abbeyleix Greenway (and potential extensions onto Portarlington to connect with the Offaly Greenway network) and Durrow Green Network Cycle Trail in co-operation with relevant stakeholders including Durrow Development Forum. ABT 3 Develop on-road cycle trails in the Slieve Blooms along existing lightly-trafficked roads in partnership with cycling clubs, Offaly County Council, Laois Sports Partnership, Laois Partnership Company and the National Trails Office, subject to compliance with the Habitats and Birds Directive. ABT 4 Facilitate the sustainable provision at appropriate locations of a network of quality pathways amenities and associated car parks for walkers and cyclists and horseriders that are attractive and free of vehicular traffic. ABT 5 Co-operate with National Trails Office (management standards), Fáilte Ireland, National Way Marked Way Advisory Committee, Coillte, the Heritage Council and other relevant bodies, in order to support the sustainable development, maintenance and enhancement of walking routes at appropriate locationsthroughout the county. ABT 6 Promote and investigate the feasibility of, subject to compliance with the habitats and Birds Directives, sustainable developing and improving of facilities and infrastructure supporting water based tourism activities, (including shore side interpretive centres and jetties). Development proposals outside settlement centres will be required to demonstrate a need to locate in the area and will be required to ensure that the ecological integrity and water quality of the river or lake, including lakeshore and riparian habitats, is not adversely affected by the development. 8.6.2 FESTIVALS AND ARTS Laois is increasingly being marketed as an events and conferencing destination by reason of its accessibility and centrality. High-profile events include Electric Picnic - Music and Arts Festival with a capacity for 70,000 festival goers and the National Ploughing Championships which was most recently held in Ratheniska with a total of 281,000 attendees in 2015. Events and Festivals have proven to be a successful and key driver of the Laois local economy and a means of revitalising and maintaining local culture as well as showcasing local arts, crafts and food. In particular, the growing importance of food tourism is also an expanding sector and Laois is well positioned to capture some of this market. The agri-food sector has been credited with playing an integral role in the national economic recovery in recent years. Laois Taste was started in 2019 as a collaborative effort between 21 Laois
- Chapter 8 Tourism 170 | P a g e food and drinks producers, Laois County Council, Local Enterprise Office and Laois Partnership to support and promote local provenance, strengthen the Laois food industry and transform Laois into one of Ireland’s top food destinations. Through this medium food producers organise many free events throughout the County and has the potential to offer an alternative experience for visitors. Figure 8.1: Laois Taste Policy Objectives for Festivals and Arts FA 1 Support the development of the arts, crafts and food sectors and liaise with the Crafts Council of Ireland, Laois Partnership, Laois LEO, Fáilte Ireland, and other interested bodies to facilitate growth within this sector. FA 2 Support and facilitate Laois as a destination for business tourism by maximising the county’s strong and competitive brand value and working with key stakeholders. FA 3 Support and promote the existing festivals and cultural events which take place in the county and facilitate the establishment of new events where viable to increase the profile of the county as a key tourism destination. FA 4 Support the expansion and growth of food enterprises and associated tourist development and in particular Laois Tastes. 8.6.3 IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST Ireland’s Ancient East, established in 2016, is a brand concept that seeks to attract visitors tothe east, midlands and south of the country and build on the wealth of historical and cultural assets in
- Chapter 8 Tourism 171 | P a g e this strategic location. This brand provides Laois with an international platform to market the uniqueness of Laois and county’s heritage. A number of key sites have been identified in Laois such as the Rock of Dunamaise, Timahoe Round Tower, Emo Court and Parklands, Gash Gardens, Ballintubbert Gardens and Heywood Gardens. Failte Ireland has a target growth in visitor numbers of 600,000 (21%) to the region and an additional visitor revenue of €204 million (28%) of which Laois can capitalize on. This destination brand has been designed to appeal to the key customer segments indentifiedby Failte Ireland, namely the Culturally Curious and the Great Escapers, and to present this large geographic area in a cohesive and unified manner. Ireland’s Ancient East offers a personal experience of 5,000 years of Europe’s history. The Plan will support and facilitate the development of this key tourism stimulus project in the County and support the objectives of the Laois Tourism Strategic Plan 2018. Policy Objectives for Ireland’s Ancient East IAE 1 Continue to work in collaboration with other key stakeholders to implement the programmes and plans of the Ireland’s Ancient East initiative over the lifetime of the plan to maximise the tourism potential of the county. IAE 2 (A) Collaborate with Fáilte Ireland, the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and other key stakeholders in the development and implementation of a signage programme associated with Ireland’s Ancient East to include branded orientation signage and roadside signage (B) Have regard to TII’s Policy on the Provision of Tourist & Leisure Signage on National Roads (March 2011) in addition to Section 3.8 of the DoECLG’s Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines IAE 3 Facilitate the enhancement of appropriate visitor infrastructure and facilities in Laois associated with Laois Ireland Ancient East sites and other places with tourism potential such as Maryborough Fort, Donaghmore Workhouse, Ballinakill village and Durrow Town and the Rock of Dunamaise. IAE 4 Continue to work in collaboration with Fáilte Ireland and other key stakeholders on the development of the Ireland’s Ancient East branding strategy, to implement the programmes and plans of the Ireland’s Ancient East initiative over the lifetime of the plan to maximise the tourism potential of the county. IAE 5 Facilitate Fáilte Ireland initiatives for the development of tourism experiences in the County that are fit for purpose and deliver on the Ireland’s Ancient East brand promise, within the context of the land use management and infrastructural provision in the County. IAE 6 Support the implementation of Ireland’s Ancient East by facilitating the provision of visitor information– in line with the policies and objectives with respect to heritage sites; and integrating the objectives of Ireland’s Ancient East with transport programmes in the County. 8.6.4 CULTURAL HERITAGE Cultural heritage is recognised as one of the most important and fastest growing aspects of the tourist industry which is demonstrated in the success of Ireland’s Ancient East. County Laois with its array of heritage sites including historical garden demesnes, architectural heritage, interpretive centres, archaeology and historic town centres is well positioned to benefit from this form of tourism. The development of tourist facilities at these locations and within the wider county should respect the outstanding quality and variety of the natural and built environment in the County and should
- Chapter 8 Tourism 172 | P a g e not damage the resource attractions such as the Rock of Dunamaise, Aghaboe Abbey, Stradbally Hall, Timahoe Round Tower, Abbeyleix Heritage House and others such as Emo Court and Donaghmore Famine Workhouse Museum have the potential forattracting a greater numbers of visitors. Policy Objective for Cultural Heritage CH 1 Ensure heritage assets (built and natural) that are the focus for tourism development are appropriately managed and their special interest conserved from potential adverse effects from visitors or development in general and that best practice standards in relation for the environmental management of tourism enterprises are adhered to. CH 2 Take responsibility for the development of a more sustainable tourism industry which minimises adverse impacts on local communities, the built heritage, landscapes, habitats and species; leaving them undiminished as a resource for future generations, while supporting social and economic prosperity. CH 3 Support and promote, with the co-operation of landowners, public access to heritage sites and features at appropriate locations whilst ensuring heritage related development does not result in negative impacts on the fabric or setting of Laois’s heritage assets. CH 4 Support and promote, with the co-operation of key stakeholders, the development of the Fort of Maryborough in Portlaoise and ensure that any development will not result in negative impacts on the fabric or setting of the site. CH 5 Support the objectives of Failte Ireland’s Visitor Experience Development Plans, Tales of Two Worlds and Castle and Conquests. 8.6.5 NATURAL ASSETS The Slieve Blooms is perhaps the County’s greatest tourism natural asset, particularly for walking and cycling and offers a mix of wide forest paths, rolling hills, single tracks, quiet twisty country roads. The Slieve Bloom Mountain Bike Trail which is a project in collaboration with Coillte, Laois County Council and Offaly County Council offers 35km of trail with trailheads in Baunreagh in Laois and Kinnity in Offaly. The Slieve Blooms also offers 17 different looped walking and hiking trails and eco walks ranging from 4km to 75km with trailheads located in Clonaslee, Glenbarrow and Monicknew. The waterways of County Laois include the Barrow, Nore and Erkina which flow in a northwestsoutheast trajectory and there are minor man-made lakes at Ballyfin, Grantstown and Heywood. The Grand Canal also passes through the north east of the county where it links to the wider River Barrow navigation system. All of these watercourses offer much potential by way of natural and cultural heritage, tourism, leisure and recreational pursuits. In addition to their scenic beauty they offer opportunities for a wide range of activities such as angling, boating, bird-watching, canoeing, and other waterbased interests. Increasing areas of Bord na Móna peatlands such as Abbeyleix Bog are becoming cutaway and have significant potential for development and beneficial uses including renewable energy, biodiversity, amenity uses, water storage and Green infrastructure The County’s Natural Heritage assets are also discussed in Chapter 11 of the Plan, where specific policy objectives have been included.
- Chapter 8 Tourism 173 | P a g e Table 8. 2: Key Heritage Assets Archaeological Assets Architectural Assets Natural Assets Monastic heritage including Abbey at Aghaboe, intact Round Tower at Timahoe and fine Romanesque doorway at Killeshin Viking Longphort known as Dunrally Fort close to Vicarstown Emo Court and Gardens Slieve Blooms Nature Reserve with walks at: Monicknew Glenbarrow The Cut Heywood Gardens Timahoe Esker Nature Reserve with walk Rock of Dunamaise with NormanInfluences Castledurrow, Ballyfin, Abbeyleix, Stradbally Hall, Roundwood House demesnes Grantstown Nature Reservewith walk Maryborough Fort and St Peter's Church and graveyard associated with Plantation of Laois-Offaly Fine Georgian Square: O'Connor Square Mountmellick Waterways: Nore, Erkina and Barrow including its source and smaller streams. Grand Canal Small lakes at Ballinakill, Brittas House, Ballyfin Tower houses at Lea, Cullahill and Ballaghmore Fortified houses at Brittas House, Industrial Archaeology Donaghmore Workhouse and Agricultural Museum Mill Buildings at Mountmellick, Castletown, Donaghmore Exhibits at Stradbally Steam Museum, Work Museum Mountmellick and Heritage Centre Abbeyleix Heritage Trails, Sli Dala, ancient travelling route extant in places Proposed Architectural Conservation Areas at Portlaoise, Abbeyleix and Durrow Historic town and villages such as Portarlington, Mountrath Market Square, Clonaslee, Ballinakill, Emo, Timahoe and Stradbally Wetlands walks at Slieve Blooms, Killamuck, Portarlington and the Derries Woodlands open to the public: • Oughaval Wood, • Carrick Wood • Dunmore Wood • Garryhinch Wood • Brittas Wood • Togher Wood • Capponellan Forest and Lake Walk Coolbanagher Church, Emo Subtle landscape of rolling hills, river basins and their floodplains, expansive flat areas, upland areas Midland Regional Hospital On road and off-road walking and cycling routes
- Chapter 8 Tourism 174 | P a g e Archaeological Assets Architectural Assets Natural Assets open upthe countryside to rural tourism Walks mapped on Laois Tourism www.laoistourism.ie Sli na Slainte Coillte Policy Objectives for Natural Heritage NH 1 Support the development and marketing of the Barrow Blueway and facilitate related commercial opportunities in Vicarstown, Portarlington, Graiguecullen and Portlaoise, subject to compliance with the Habitats Directive. NH 2 Support the development and marketing of the Erkina River Blueway in association with all relevant stakeholders and facilitate related commercial opportunities in the area, subject to compliance with the Habitats and Birds Directive. NH 3 Promote and facilitate the continued development of the Slieve Bloom Mountains bike trail as a key tourism asset for the county and as part of the tourism offer on the Slieve Bloom Mountains, in conjunction with Offaly County Council. In addition, it is the Council policy to: (i) promote the further development of walking trails on the mountains; (ii) connect to and develop Clonaslee, Camross, Coolrain and Rosenalis as a service hubs for the area; (iii) promote and facilitate links to / from other existing and proposed greenways, blueways and peatways; and (iv) Support the development of visitor centre facilities in Baunreagh, subject to compliancewith the Habitats and Birds Directive. NH4 In relation to the Slieve Blooms, it is proposed to collaborate with Offaly County Council and relevant stakeholders to develop a masterplan for their protection and sensitive development subject to the Habitats Directive and environmental standards being met. 8.7 DESTINATION TOWNS Failte Ireland research confirms that attractive towns are a key motivator for holidaymakers in choosing Ireland as a holiday destination, as is interesting heritage, culture and friendly people. However, the challenge is to unlock the economic potential of the visitor for local businesses and communities, and deliver high quality destination town experiences for visitors, that still capture local distinctiveness and support thriving local communities. Portlaoise has been identified by Failte Ireland’s Destination Towns Initiative and has recently received €500,000 funding to enhance public spaces in the town centre in a way that will engage tourists and enhance their visitor experience not just in terms of activities but also retail and food offering and accommodation to suit all types of tourists. Portloaise, formerly known as
- Chapter 8 Tourism 175 | P a g e Maryborough, grew around the old fort constructed in 1548 built primarily for military and political purposes. The town is known for a strong arts and culture scene, along with must-visit attractions such as Fort Protector, Dunamase Theatre, and further afield to the Rock of Dunamase, its architectural conservation and protected building. The Laois Tourism Strategy also recognises the importance on harnessing Laois’ rich heritage and stories through the Laois Towns Experience Project which is an approach to devise a central story/historic theme that designated areas employ as the basis for visitor experience development. The creation of this themed approach for key tourism gateway towns across Laois will expand the experience development potential throughout the county. It is envisaged that two towns will be selected as pilot projects; among the proposed themes for initial consideration include Mountmellick (Quakers), Portarlington (French Huguenots), Mountrath (Slieve Bloom) and Stradbally (Arts). Policy Objectives for Destination Towns DT 1 Continue to support the promotion of Portlaoise as a Destination Town and as the principle visitor services centre and hub for Fáilte Ireland’s Ancient East in the County, providing memorable and high-quality visitor experiences and providing services including accommodation for visitors to the range of attractions and activities in the surrounding region. DT 2 Encourage the development of Laois Towns Experience Project to promote the unique attributes of towns and villages in the County in the design and delivery of all visitor interpretation, signage and public realm schemes in order to provide tourists with a strong ‘Sense of Place’ and a more memorable visit. DT 3 Facilitate the enhancement and development of Portlaoise’s Cultural Quarter, as a location where cultural heritage and artistic visitor attractions are clustered, offering a unique and marketable tourism proposition. DT 4 Improve the visual appearance of towns and villages, protect their character and maximise their tourism potential by the continuance of environmental and public realm programmes, design control, development initiatives and the removal / improving of dereliction where necessary. DT 5 Support the provision of accessible tourism within the county.
- 176 | P a g e CHAPTER 9 RURAL LAOIS Aim: Support the role of rural areas in maintaining a stable population base through a strong network of villages and small towns and strengthening rural communities by supporting a resilient rural economy and the sustainable management of land and resources. 9.1 INTRODUCTION The rural landscapes of Laois are shaped by economic activities such as forestry, peat, quarrying and farming. Unlike in urban areas where industrial uses that generate noise and odour can be clearly separated from emission-sensitive residential uses through zoning, this robust system of separating uses does not happen in the same way in rural areas and conflicting uses can occur in close proximity. Just over half of Laois residents live in rural areas and providing sustainable employment opportunities is essential. Both the NPF and RSES recognise the crucial role rural areas play in driving our economy and diversifying rural economies. 9.2 AGRICULTURE Rural economic sectors remain very important in Laois. According to Census 2016 data, 7.2% of Laois’ workforce is engaged in Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing. In the Agricultural Census 2010, 72% of land in Laois was used for farming purposes, while 14.7% is associated with forestry. The future development of agriculture is underpinned by the State agency Teasgasc programmes in relation to Foodwise Agri-Food Strategy 2025 and the Forestry Programme 2014–20 in its Advisory and Education Strategic Plan for the Region 2015–2020. The Council recognises the importance of agriculture for sustaining, enhancing and maintaining a viable rural economy. The Council will support and facilitate agricultural restructuring and diversification within the framework of the 2020 Strategy (Department of Agriculture 2010), in order to integrate the sector more closely with rural development, in pursuit of environmental and social objectives. This approach accords with national policy as set out in the National Sustainable Development Strategy. The Council supports the emphasis in the National Development Plan on investment, on measures for improving farm structures, including farm waste management, animal welfare, food quality and environmental protection, complementing the substantial investment in REPS. The optimum and environmentally sensitive use of land no longer required for agriculture will be a key issue over the Plan period. Where appropriate Laois County Council will support the production of energy crops on set aside land throughout the County. Commonage and other rough grazing land should be regarded primarily as an important recreational, environmental and amenity resource. 9.2.1 SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRODUCTION Ireland is a world leader in areas such as sustainable auditing and carbon foot-printing under the Origin Green programme. Origin Green is the national sustainability programme for the food and drink industry uniting government, the private sector and food producers. Origin Green is a strategic priority in Food Wise 2025.
- Chapter 9 Rural Laois 177 | P a g e Food Wise 2025, sets out a cohesive, strategic plan for the sustainable development of agri-food sector over the next decade. The strategy was informed by a detailed environmental impact analysis, and driven by a strong focus on sustainability. Laois County Council has supported sustainable food production under previous REDZ programmes and this has further developed into Laois TASTE which is a diverse group of 21 Laois based Food & Drink Producers dedicated to promoting the Laois Food & Drink Sector through the Laois TASTE brand, locally, nationally and internationally. The aim is to promote local provenance, strengthen the Laois food industry and transform Laois into one of Ireland’s top food destinations. Policy Objectives for Agriculture and Food Production RL 1 Maintain a vibrant and healthy agricultural sector based on the principles of sustainable development whilst at the same time finding alternative employment in or close to rural areas to sustain rural communities. RL 2 Facilitate the development of agriculture while ensuring that natural waters, wildlife habitats and conservation areas are protected from pollution. RL 3 Work with the Eastern and Midlands Regional Assembly and other relevant stakeholders in identifying areas of high value agricultural land in the County to address the need for sustainable food supplies. RL 4 Continue to support and work with Laois Food producers to promote local provenance, strengthen the Laois food industry and transform Laois into one of Ireland’s top food destinations. Agriculture Development Management Standard DM RL 1 GENERAL CONSIDERATION FOR AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS Agricultural developments have the potential to impact on the environment and the landscape. The traditional form of agricultural buildings is disappearing with the onset of advanced construction methods and wider range of materials. Some new farm buildings have the appearance of industrial buildings and due to their scale and mass can have serious major visual impacts. In dealing with applications for agricultural developments the Planning Authority will have regard to the following: 1) Require that buildings be sited as unobtrusively as possible and that the finishes and colour used will blend the development into its surroundings. 2) The proposed developments shall meet with the requirements of the Department of Agriculture with regard to storage and disposal of waste. 3) The Council accepts the need for agricultural buildings and associated works (walls, fences, gates, entrances, yards) to be functional but they will be required to be sympathetic to their surroundings in scale, material and finishes. 4) Buildings should relate to the landscape. Traditionally this was achieved through having the roof a darker colour than the walls. 5) Appropriate roof colours are dark grey, dark reddish brown or a very dark green. Where cladding is used on the exterior of the farm buildings dark colours should be used.
- Chapter 9 Rural Laois 178 | P a g e 6) Location and impacts on the road network and other associated uses 7) Ensure it does not have an undue negative impact on the visual/scenic amenity of the countryside and identify mitigating measures where required All agricultural buildings should be located an adequate distance from any watercourse to reduce the risk of contamination. 9.3 AFFORESTATION Forests and woodlands are a natural resource which can provide commercial, recreational, environmental, amenity and aesthetic benefits. There is considerable potential to develop this sector in County Laois from its current relatively low base. The Council recognises the importance of forestry, its value added potential, and the opportunities it offers for on-farm diversification. Emphasis on forestry has increased because of its role in economic development and employment and the potential of forestry to sequester carbon, thereby offsetting the production of green house gases such as methane, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide. Nonetheless, the benefits arising from carbon sequestration must be balanced against the need to carefully manage forestry [especially coniferous plantations] so that it does not result in damage to visual amenity, residential amenity, soil and water quality or biodiversity. State ownership accounts for 63% of afforestation in County Laois. 9.4 PEATLANDS The development of the county’s peat resources will be promoted and facilitated by the Council also which recognizes the potential of peatland areas for tourism, amenity, educational and research purposes. They could also potentially accommodate large scale alternative energy production in the form of solar and wind. 9.4.1 FUTURE USE OF BORD NA MONA LANDS In the context of Peatland distribution throughout the County, much of this natural asset is owned by Bord Na Mona. The company’s estate is characterised by large tracts of land in dispersed landholdings. This, coupled with proximity to the national electricity infrastructure and relative isolation from residential areas, is particularly suited to the development of renewable energy such as windfarms and solar farms and other large-scale energy dependant industrial development. As the transition away from peat extraction activities progresses, this cutaway will be stabilised through the implementation of a rehabilitation programme with significant portions of these lands rewilding and supporting biodiversity and other ecosystem services. 9.4.1.1 Renewable Energy There are approximately. 3,000ha of Bord na Móna lands within County Laois. These lands have the potential to make a significant contribution to meeting national and regional policy objectives across a range of sectors. The company’s existing network of workshops and production facilities also hold opportunities for the re-purposing of these facilities for new sustainable industries. In County Laois, the extensive industrial site, locally known as the Cúil Na Móna works site, has been in use for many years as a horticultural peat processing plant. The scale of this site, extending to c.20 acres, and its current buildings, totalling over 80,000 square feet, represent a significant opportunity for redevelopment and future industrial uses. This site, which is located at Junction 17 off the M7 motorway, is particularly close to the new Togher Business Park located at junction 17 and would enhance the overall viability of the region.
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.