Tipperary County Development Plan 2022–2028

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   TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 1 2 4.7 Planning Policy ............................................................................................................... 77 4.8 Planning Objectives ........................................................................................................ 78 5.0 Housing ...................................................................................................................... 80 5.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 80 5.2 Housing in Tipperary ....................................................................................................... 81 5.3 Residential Development in Towns and Villages ............................................................. 84 5.4 Specialised Housing Requirements and Housing Mix ..................................................... 86 5.5 Residential Development in the Open Countryside ......................................................... 88 5.6 Planning Policy ............................................................................................................... 92 5.7 Planning Objectives ........................................................................................................ 97 6.0 Supporting Sustainable Communities .......................................................................... 99 6.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 99 6.2 Inclusive Communities and Places................................................................................ 100 6.3 Healthy Communities .................................................................................................... 101 6.4 Community Amenity and Sports .................................................................................... 103 6.5 Education and Lifelong Learning ................................................................................... 104 6.6 Childcare ...................................................................................................................... 106 6.7 Supporting Culture and the Arts .................................................................................... 106 6.8 Digital Connectivity and Innovation ............................................................................... 107 6.9 Burial Grounds .............................................................................................................. 108 6.10 Planning Policy ............................................................................................................. 108 6.11 Planning Objectives ...................................................................................................... 109 7.0 Town Centres & Place-making ................................................................................... 111 7.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 111 7.2 Framework for Regeneration ........................................................................................ 112 7.3 Retail Development ...................................................................................................... 118 7.4 Planning Policy ............................................................................................................. 121 7.5 Planning Objectives ...................................................................................................... 122 8.0 Enterprise and Rural Development ............................................................................ 125 8.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 125

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   TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 1 3 8.2 National and Regional Policy ........................................................................................ 126 8.3 Our Economic Strategy ................................................................................................. 128 8.4 Rural Employment Strategy .......................................................................................... 132 8.5 Non-conforming uses .................................................................................................... 137 8.6 Planning Policy ............................................................................................................. 137 8.7 Planning Objectives ...................................................................................................... 139 9.0 Tourism..................................................................................................................... 141 9.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 141 9.2 National and Regional Tourism Frameworks ................................................................ 142 9.3 Tipperary Tourism Strategy........................................................................................... 142 9.4 Tourism Development ................................................................................................... 146 9.5 Planning Policy ............................................................................................................. 148 9.6 Planning Objectives ...................................................................................................... 148 10.0 Renewable Energy and Bioeconomy .......................................................................... 151 10.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 151 10.2 National Policy .............................................................................................................. 151 10.3 Energy Consumption Patterns ...................................................................................... 152 10.4 Renewable Energy Policy ............................................................................................. 153 10.5 Renewable Energy, Economy and Communities ......................................................... 155 10.6 Supporting the Bioeconomy .......................................................................................... 155 10.7 Disruptive Technologies and Energy Storage ............................................................... 157 10.8 The Circular Economy and Sustainable Waste Management........................................ 158 10.9 Planning Policy ............................................................................................................. 158 10.10 Planning Objectives ...................................................................................................... 159 11.0 Environment and Natural Assets ................................................................................ 161 11.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 161 11.2 Biodiversity ................................................................................................................... 161 11.3 Conservation and Protection of Sites ............................................................................ 162 11.4 Water Quality and Protection ........................................................................................ 164 11.5 Flood Risk Management ............................................................................................... 166

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   TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 1 4 11.6 Mineral Deposits and Geology ...................................................................................... 168 11.7 Landscape .................................................................................................................... 169 11.8 Noise and Light Emissions ............................................................................................ 172 11.9 Planning Policy ............................................................................................................. 173 11.10 Planning Objectives ...................................................................................................... 177 12.0 Sustainable Transport ................................................................................................ 179 12.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 179 12.2 National and Regional Policy ........................................................................................ 180 12.3 Transport in Tipperary................................................................................................... 180 12.4 Modal Shift and Active Travel ....................................................................................... 182 12.5 Roads Priorities for Tipperary ....................................................................................... 185 12.6 Planning Policy ............................................................................................................. 188 12.7 Planning Objectives ...................................................................................................... 190 13.0 Built Heritage ............................................................................................................ 193 13.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 193 13.2 National and Regional policy......................................................................................... 193 13.3 Supporting Heritage and Communities ......................................................................... 194 13.4 Record of Protected Structures ..................................................................................... 194 13.5 Architectural Conservation Areas .................................................................................. 194 13.6 Respecting Vernacular Rural Settlements and Buildings .............................................. 195 13.7 Archaeology .................................................................................................................. 195 13.8 UNESCO and the Royal Sites of Ireland ....................................................................... 197 13.9 Planning Policy ............................................................................................................. 198 13.10 Planning Objectives ...................................................................................................... 199 14.0 Green and Blue Infrastructure .................................................................................... 200 14.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 200 14.2 National and Regional Policy ........................................................................................ 201 14.3 Green and Blue Infrastructure in Tipperary ................................................................... 201 14.4 Strategy for Development ............................................................................................. 203 14.5 Tracks and Trails .......................................................................................................... 204

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   TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 1 5 14.6 Planning Policy ............................................................................................................. 205 14.7 Planning Objectives ...................................................................................................... 205 15.0 Water and Energy Utilities.......................................................................................... 207 15.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 207 15.2 Water Services ............................................................................................................. 207 15.3 Water Supply Project Eastern and Midlands Region ..................................................... 209 15.4 Sustainable Surface Water Management ...................................................................... 210 15.5 Electricity and Gas Supply Networks ............................................................................ 211 15.6 Planning Policy ............................................................................................................. 212 15.7 Planning Objectives ...................................................................................................... 214 16.0 Monitoring and Evaluation.......................................................................................... 215 16.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 215 16.2 Legislative requirements and Reporting ........................................................................ 215 16.3 Monitoring and Evaluation ............................................................................................ 216 16.4 Planning Objective ........................................................................................................ 216

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   TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 1 6 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Introduction Figure 1.1: The three stages in the plan-making process This Plan will guide sustainable physical, economic, and social development across Tipperary, whilst protecting the environment and guiding and supporting our move to a low-carbon society. It identifies the social, economic and environmental character of Tipperary, provides guidance on the growth of towns, villages and rural areas, informs the nature of future investment, and protects our environment. It will inform decisions on public services, infrastructure and amenities, and will influence many facets of daily economic and social life, in terms of where we live, availability of services and our job opportunities. 1.1.1 New National, Regional and Local Planning Frameworks This Plan is influenced by, and must comply with, a set of overarching planning frameworks, each shaping and coordinating planning, economic and spatial development at national, regional and local levels. These include the National Planning Framework 2018 (NPF), and the Southern Regional The preparation of a new County Development Plan (the Plan) is one of the most important functions of Tipperary County Council, developed through a shared process of public participation, engagement and collaboration. This is the first Plan ever prepared for the entire county of Tipperary, and it replaces the South Tipperary Plan 2009, and the North Tipperary County Development 2010. This Plan was adopted at the plenary meeting of Tipperary County Council (the Council) on 11th July 2022.

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   TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 1 7 Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020 (RSES). These influence the Plan, which itself in turn will inform the preparation of new Local Area Plans (LAPs) to be prepared for designated towns1. The Plan will also set out a framework under which other plans and strategies may be developed, including those seeking investment and funding for the county. Figure 1.2: Hierarchy of National, Regional and Local Planning 1.2 County Tipperary 1.2.1 Tipperary in Context Tipperary is located at the heart of Ireland’s ‘Golden Vale’, and at the centre of Ireland’s Southern Region. The county is one of the most central and accessible counties in Ireland, with existing and planned strategic transport links to Limerick, Waterford, Cork and Dublin, and to international airports and major ports. Tipperary has access to a network of national universities and colleges, with nine leading third-level colleges and universities within a 2-hour commute, all producing highly skilled graduates. A strong culture and tradition of collaboration from research, development and internship perspectives, is a key factor in the success of Tipperary based companies. The natural amenities of the county include breath-taking Lough Derg in the north-west, the majestic River Suir to the south, the iconic Rock of Cashel, mountain ranges and secret valleys, interspersed with a varied network of towns and villages full of individual character. Tipperary has a vibrant and diverse domestic economy based on its strong network of towns, it’s diverse and productive rural areas, its vibrant community and workforce, and its iconic and rich culture and landscape. In particular, Tipperary has three Key Regional Towns; these are drivers of growth and balanced regional development. The county has a wealth of natural assets, and key economic strengths include; renewable energy and the bio-economy, agri-food, the equine economy, 1 The preparation of LAPS will commence in 2022 in accordance with an agreed programme, refer to Table 4.2.

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   TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 1 8 tourism and pharmaceuticals. Finally, Tipperary offers an excellent quality of life for us all within a natural environment of diversity and character. 1.2.2 The Tipperary Corporate Plan The Tipperary Corporate Plan 2020-2024 sets out the strategic vision and direction for the Council for the next five years. The Corporate Plan serves as the framework for action during the lifetime of the current Council, delivered through the supporting strategies of all Council directorates, with the goal to make Tipperary a better place to live and conduct business. The Tipperary County Council Corporate Plan 2020 - 2024 describes a future for Tipperary, and how the Council, together with all stakeholders, intends to deliver the vision: – “Tipperary - A vibrant place where people can live, visit and work in a competitive and resilient economy, a sustainable environment and an inclusive and active community”. Figure 1.3: Logo for the Corporate Plan 2020 – 2024 The Corporate Plan has had due regard to the Public Sector Duty as set out in Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act, 2014, and in particular the need to eliminate discrimination, promote equality of opportunity and treatment, and to protect the human rights of its members, staff and the persons to whom it provides services. 1.3 Policy Framework Under Section 9 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended) (the Planning Act), the Council is obliged to make a plan every six years setting out a written statement, and accompanying maps to give a graphic representation of planning objectives. There are mandatory and discretionary objectives to be addressed, and at the end of the two-year plan-making process the Plan became effective on 22nd August 20222. 2 Six weeks from the date of its adoption on 11th July 2022

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   TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 1 9 This Plan is particularly significant for Tipperary as it represents the first all-county planning strategy, and is an opportunity for innovation and ambition for the county, and its citizens, in a time of great change and challenge. A 6-year lifetime will mean that the new Plan will remain effective until 2028, and therefore will need to be far-sighted and effective in the county’s approach to meeting climate change targets and in recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic. The Plan must have regard to, or be consistent with current national development guidelines, local strategies and programmes, and must comply with both planning, and environmental legislation, as illustrated below: Figure 1.4: Planning Policy Frameworks 1.3.1 UN Sustainable Development Goals The Plan has incorporated the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and economic, social and environmental considerations of sustainable development; these are highlighted in Table 2.5 of the Core Strategy.

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   TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 1 10 Figure 1.5: UN Sustainable Development Goals 1.3.2 Project Ireland 2040 Project Ireland 2040 is the government’s long-term overarching strategy to support businesses and communities across Ireland in realising their potential. The National Development Plan (NDP) and the NPF combine to form Project Ireland 2040, with the NPF setting the vision and strategy for the development of the country to 2040, and the NDP providing and enabling investment and infrastructure to implement the strategy. Project Ireland 2040 sets out ten National Strategic Outcomes (NSOs), built around the themes of well-being, equality and opportunity. The NPF has set out a strong population growth projection of 15% above 2016 levels for Tipperary – these growth levels are a foundation stone for the Core Strategy as set out in Chapter 2. Figure 1.6: NPF National Strategic Outcome and Strategic Investment Priorities

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    TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 1 11 The NDP activates the spatial plan of the NPF through a funding and investment programme, under which the Council can seek funding for strategic projects as listed in the Plan, and its associated frameworks. Funding schemes are competitive and bid-based, supporting innovative, collaborative projects which would not otherwise happen. Key existing funding schemes include the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), Climate Action Fund and Disruptive Technologies Fund, each overseen by the relevant Government Department. Tipperary has already benefitted significantly from funding available, and through the collaborative work of the Council and its partners, funding has been received for Clonmel, Nenagh, Thurles, Carrick-on-Suir, Templemore, Cahir, Fethard and Kilsheelan. The Plan as the primary framework for planning and investment has a very important role in continuing this success and attracting new investment. 1.3.3 The Southern Region Spatial and Economic Strategy The RSES is a 12-year strategic development framework for the southern region prepared by the Southern Regional Assembly (SRA) and implements NPF policy for achieving balanced regional development. It ensures regional coordination between county development plans, and Local Enterprise and Community Plans (LECP). The RSES vision is to: • Nurture all our places to realise their full potential; • Protect and enhance our environment; • Successfully combat climate change; • Achieve economic prosperity and improved quality of life for all our citizens; • Accommodate expanded growth and development in suitable locations; and • Make the southern region one of Europe’s most creative, innovative, greenest and liveable regions. These components are in line with the NPF and the UN SDGs, and are integral to this Plan and its core strategy. The RSES has specifically acknowledged Tipperary’s national and regional strengths including the strategic importance of Tipperary’s towns, and national and inter-regional transport linkages between national and regional cities. In particular, the RSES supports the potential for improved intra-regional connectivity, jobs and opportunities though the strengthening of the Limerick- Waterford Transport and Economic Network, illustrated as part of the core strategy, and addressed in Chapter 8 Enterprise and Rural Development. The RSES also recognises Tipperary’s strengths, and track record in climate action, renewable energy and the emerging bioeconomy. It is a requirement of the Planning Act, for the Council to prepare a report to the SRA every 2 years, setting out progress made in supporting the objectives of the RSES – in accordance with Section 25A (1). This is a key aspect of monitoring as addressed in Chapter 16.

Source Tipperary County Council: Tipperary County Development Plan 2022–2028 (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.