Development plan · Tipperary County Council
Tipperary County Development Plan 2022–2028
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards. Variations adopted since are not in this text.
Tipperary County Council · 2022–2028 · 226 pages
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- TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 1 202 infrastructure within the Suir and Shannon catchments is described. It also provides a coordinated approach to support, protect and promote habitats and biodiversity in light of increasing demand in land uses, including recreation, tourism and socio-economic growth. Measures in which green and blue infrastructure can support and enhance economic, social, cultural and environmental activities and their interactions are set out. Proposals relating to new infrastructure development shall have regard to the Tipperary Green and Blue infrastructure Master Plan 2018 (and any review thereof). 14.3.2 Tourism and Recreation Walking, cycling and water-based activities are becoming increasingly popular amongst holidaymakers and are an important tourism product, increasing dwell time, extending the tourism season and increasing regional and rural spending. Green and blue infrastructure is a critical component of Tipperary’s tourism as further detailed in the Green and Blue Infrastructure Master plan. During consultation processes for this Plan, the emerging need for high quality equine facilities including tracks and trails and equine orientated accommodation and experiences have been highlighted. This is particularly important for Tipperary, having consideration to its importance as a centre of excellence for the equine economy. The most recent tourism strategy for Tipperary is ‘Tipperary Transforming’ (Chapter 8). This sets out the key tourism actions of the county to 2030, and is very supportive of activity-based tourism. The actions set out will inform the development of blue and green infrastructure, including for horse-riding and equine tourism, with the objective that Tipperary will become a centre of excellence for sustainable and activity-based tourism and recreation. 14.3.3 Sustainable Mobility Green and blue infrastructure has an important role in mobility in general and should not be considered as a recreational asset only. In many cases, existing walking and cycling routes in towns can interconnect with recreational based routes, and have a dual purpose. This role is highlighted in the RSES where new development should support sustainable pedestrian and cyclist greenway initiatives, and the potential for inter connections between greenways. This is illustrated, for example, through the proposed Carrick-on-Suir Regeneration Plan (RRDF, Category 1 2022), whereby it is proposed that the Suir Blueway Tipperary better interconnects with the town and its streets and routes.
- TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 1 203 Figure 14.1: Carrick on Suir Regeneration Plan 2021 – consultation flyer 14.4 Strategy for Development The further identification and development, with interconnection and enhancement of our green and blue assets both at a local scale, and at a regional scale, in collaboration with adjoining authorities, is a key priority of the Council. Therefore, it is an objective of the Council to further build on the existing Green and Blue Master Plan, though the preparation of a ‘Greenway and Trail Strategy’ to support funding of green and blue assets throughout the county (including those assets not associated with Lough Derg and the River Suir). The Council will seek to consult with adjoining local authorities to ensure co-ordination with their own long-distance tracks and trails, and with other stakeholders such as Coillte, Bord na Mona, Waterways Ireland, other Local Authorities and Fáilte Ireland to explore opportunities for synergies with existing programmes. Such actions will be undertaken while ensuring the protection of the integrity of European sites and ecological sensitivities. It is acknowledged that green and blue infrastructure has a significant tourism and recreational potential for the county. A key objective of the plan is the expansion and enhancement of these significant tourism and recreational assets supported by development of key Greenway projects already in development. The forthcoming ‘Greenway and Trail Strategy’ to be prepared for Tipperary will identify strategic and intercounty recreational routes, including those already in development: • Beara Breifne Way • Lough Derg Blueway • The proposed Lough Derg Greenway to link Ballina with Dromineer, and the greenway link to Nenagh Town as a key Gateway to the Lough Derg region via the Nenagh river walk. • Suir Blueway Tipperary (walking and cycling shared surface for the entire length of the Suir Blueway from Carrick-on-Suir to Cahir to complement its Blueway offering)
- TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 1 204 • Proposed link between the Suir Blueway Tipperary (Carrick on Suir) and the Waterford Greenway (Kilmeaden) • St Declan’s Way • The proposed greenway to link the towns of Cahir and Cashel and their main tourism attractions, including the Rock of Cashel and Cahir Castle. 14.5 Tracks and Trails The Council acknowledges the importance of existing way-marked ways and rights of way in the county and in this respect will seek to preserve and maintain existing public rights-of-way and way-marked ways. Where appropriate, and in the interest of gaining formal public access to important tourism or heritage attractions, the Council may also undertake a formal process of preserving and implementing public rights of way. The Council will seek to ensure that public rights-of-way are well marked and signposted, and will seek to integrate signage with existing themes and brands where appropriate. The Council will work with the following stakeholders; National Trails Office of the Irish Sports Council, Waterways Ireland, Bord Na Mona, LEADER, the Heritage Council, Office of Public Works and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. 14.5.1 Public Rights of Way/Tracks and Trails The network of walking, cycling and other routes regularly used by the public in Tipperary are comprised of public rights-of-ways, national way-marked ways and other routes managed by agencies, landowners and community and environmental groups. An integrated approach, combining agreed ways and trails, has the potential to extend the amenity and recreational offer, and as such providing better access and improved connectivity throughout the wider county area and within adjoining counties. The overall combined approach, offers an opportunity to enhance access at a time of high demand for local recreational access, and the Council will seek to protect and enhance existing public rights-of-ways and tracks and trails. The major recreational trails of Tipperary are outlined below as a non-exhaustive list63: • Lough Derg Way, • Suir Blueway etc. • Slieve Felim way • Tipperary Heritage Way • The Multeen way 63 The omission of a right of way shall not be taken as an indication that such a right of way is not a public right of way.
- TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 1 205 • Ballyhoura way • East Munster Way • Avondhu Way 14.6 Planning Policy It is the policy of the Council to: 14 - 1 (a) Require new development proposals to incorporate a ‘Green Infrastructure’ approach to the planning, design and management of built form/public realm and green and blue spaces, (where feasible), and to consider all opportunities for synergies and linkages with existing blue and green infrastructure in both urban and rural areas, in line with the Development Management Standards set out in Volume 3. (b) Ensure that proposals for greenway/blueway development contribute towards the protection or enhancement of existing green infrastructure and have regard to the “Connecting with nature for health and wellbeing” EPA Research Report 2020 and the Development Management Standards 1.1 Habitats Directive Assessment and 1.2 Environmental Assessment. (c) Where new development is required to prepare a ‘Sustainability Statement’, they must demonstrate compliance with this policy to the satisfaction of the Council. 14 - 2 Preserve and protect existing public rights-of-ways, and way-marked ways which give access to lakeshores, mountains, riverbanks or other places of natural beauty or recreational, tourism or heritage amenity, and to create new formal public rights-of-way as appropriate, and as required as part of emerging and developing tourism, regeneration and amenity initiatives. 14 - 3 To restrict new development where an existing or proposed public rights-of-way will be affected unless the level of amenity loss is minimised by: a) Diversion of the route by the minimal practical distance, b) The character of the route is not materially affected, c) Appropriate legal procedures have been undertaken to extinguish any existing right-of-way and to establish a new right-of-way to replace it. 14.7 Planning Objectives It is the objective of the Council to: 14 - A To build on the Tipperary Green and Blue Infrastructure Masterplan 2018 and to support further investment in sustainable green and blue infrastructure, through the preparation
- TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 1 206 of a ‘Greenway and Trail Strategy’ over the lifetime of the Plan, in collaboration with stakeholders and the general public, including adjoining local authorities and the SRA. 14 - B Consider all opportunities as they arise to seek maximum connectivity between existing and new walking and cycling routes. The potentials for better inter-connectivity will be detailed in the proposed LTPs and Active Travel Plans to be prepared for the towns as part of the review of existing town plans and LAPs. 14 - C Support investment and collaboration, and feasibility study, design and planning processes, in the development of greenway and blueways, peatways and trail corridors between county and regional settlements, and the potential for sustainable linkages with other existing / proposed greenways, blueways, peatways and trails both within and without the county to create interregional routes. The following shall be supported as key intercounty routes: • Beara Breifne Way • Lough Derg Blueway • The proposed Lough Derg Greenway to link Ballina with Dromineer, and the greenway link to Nenagh Town as a key Gateway to the Lough Derg region via the Nenagh River walk. • Suir Blueway Tipperary (walking and cycling shared surface for the entire length of the Suir Blueway Tipperary from Carrick-on-Suir to Cahir to complement its blueway offering) • Proposed link between the Suir Blueway Tipperary (Carrick on Suir) and the Waterford Greenway (Kilmeaden) • St Declan’s Way • The proposed greenway to link the towns of Cahir and Cashel and their main tourism attractions, including the Rock of Cashel and Cahir Castle. 14 - D Strategically consider the development of new green and blue assets as part of tourism, regeneration and ecological initiatives and actions of the Government, and key stakeholders such as Coillte, Fáilte Ireland, Bord na Mona etc 14 - E Support investment in the on-going development, maintenance and enhancement of trails and recreational infrastructure in Tipperary. 14 - F Ensure that proposals for greenway / blueway development contribute towards the protection and enhancement of existing blue and green infrastructure.
- TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 1 207 15.0 Water and Energy Utilities 15.1 Introduction The public water and wastewater supply network of Tipperary constantly needs investment to ensure the provision of safe, secure and reliable supplies. There is an extensive public water supply across the county with many homes and business already connected to this utility. In addition, an extensive and high capacity, gas and electrical network, provides energy and heat and opportunity to expand and develop our renewable energy output. This is a key challenge for the county in delivering its settlement strategy in the face of economic recovery, and in adapting to climate change. Tipperary has already benefited by its association with renewable energy, and will continue to be a supplier of energy from renewable sources including wind, biomass and solar energy. To enable this vision, Tipperary needs access to a national energy transmission network functioning at a high level, and supporting and transmitting renewable energy production. The Council seeks, in collaboration with utilities providers, to support the development of water and energy utilities to enable the delivery of the Core Strategy, and having consideration to challenges, including the effects of climate change. 15.2 Water Services Water services provision systems and methods in Tipperary are complex, and include public water and waste water networks, private and community services such as group water supplies and group sewerage schemes and individual private water supplies and waste water treatment systems. Irish Water is responsible for public water services and provides water and wastewater services nationally, with a central role in economic growth, health and safety and environmental protection. Under the Water Services Act (no. 2) 2013, Irish Water has prepared a Water Services Strategic Plan (WSSP). The WSP sets out strategic objectives in relation to the provision of water services for a 25-year period up to 2040. The WSSP was completed in 2015 and reviewed in 2020. The review concluded that in relation to the relevant national and regional policies and plans published since As a rural county, further investment in modern water and energy utilities will be important for rural towns, villages and communities, and is supported by the provisions of the NPF and the RSES, and national utility companies such as Irish Water and Eirgrid. The proper and targeted investment in water and energy infrastructure is highlighted in this Plan as important to underpin growth in our towns as national and regional drivers of economic development, and to support and enable growth in our villages.
- TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 1 208 2015, there is broad agreement between the strategic objectives and strategies identified in the WSSP and the policies in subsequent documents such as the NPF and RSES. The development and implementation of the strategies of Irish Water is continually being adapted to address emerging government policy. Irish Water’s Investment Plan Revenue Control Period 3 has received final determination from the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities. It sets out a capital investment programme for a 5-year period from 2020-2025 and identifies where Irish Water prioritises investment to deliver the most urgently needed investment in accordance with the strategic objectives as set out in the WSSP. All future asset upgrades will be designed and constructed in line with Irish Water’s sustainability policy requirements, which include adaptation for the impact of climate change. Climate change adaptation and mitigation will also be addressed through the National Water Resources Plan. The Council will work in partnership with Irish Water in the performance of its functions and in the implementation of the WSSP, Investment Plan and National Water Resources Plan (and any amendments), to ensure that water infrastructure complies with all appropriate regulations and to ensure the sustainable development of the county. The DHLGH are currently reviewing the Water Services Guidelines for Planning Authorities under Section 28 of the Act, to provide best practice guidance between the planning and development functions provided by planning authorities, and the delivery of public services by Irish Water. The draft Guidelines also offer guidance on how Irish Water will interact with the planning process in the provision of this critical infrastructure. 15.2.1 Water Services in the Open Countryside In terms of new development outside of settlements, accompanied by septic tanks, proprietary effluent treatment systems and percolation areas, the Council will implement the provisions of the Water Services Guidelines for Planning Authorities (and any review thereof) and the Code of Practice for Domestic waste water treatment systems (EPA, 2021) (and any amendment) and the development management standards as set out in Volume 3. New residential developments will be required to connect to the public water network or group water scheme where available or likely to become available. 15.2.2 Water Services in Settlements Water services infrastructure in towns and villages is maintained by Irish Water. The towns and larger settlements including the Local Towns, Service Centres and Local Services Centres are
- TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 1 209 served by municipal64 waste water treatment plants. The Council will require new developments to be served by existing waste water treatment facilities and public water supplies, where possible. However, it is recognised that there are many villages not served by municipal treatment plants, and notably the Irish Water Draft Investment Plan sets out a range of interventions to address both the needs of larger towns and smaller towns and villages (including those with populations less than 500 persons) in accordance with the objectives of the NPF. The Council will support the development of rural villages (to include for serviced sites in line with the Cluster Guidelines). The Council will require that septic tanks, proprietary effluent treatment systems and percolation areas to be located and constructed in accordance with Water Services Guidelines for Planning Authorities (and any review thereof) and the Code of Practice for Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems (EPA, 2021) (and any amendment) and the development management criteria set out in Volume 3. New residential developments will be required to connect to the public water network or group water scheme where available or likely to become available. 15.3 Water Supply Project Eastern and Midlands Region The NPF National Strategic Outcome 9, National Policy Objective 63 plans for the development of new national water supply infrastructure for the Eastern and Midlands region, a significant element of which will be relevant to Tipperary. The proposed ‘Water Supply Project Eastern and Midlands Region’ will involve the following elements: • Abstraction and pumping of raw water from the Lower River Shannon at Parteen Basin; • Treatment of the water nearby at Birdhill, • Pumping of the treated water via buried pipeline to a break pressure tank located at a high point near Cloughjordan, • Treated water will thereafter flow via buried pipeline through the midlands to a termination point reservoir at Peamount, Dublin (administrative area of South Dublin County Council), where it will connect into the existing Greater Dublin Area Water Resource Zone network. The project will be subject to enactment of abstraction legislation, planning permission from An Bord Pleanála (Strategic Infrastructure Project) and licence application from the EPA. Irish Water have set out a number of benefits from the scheme including an opportunity to resolve needs across a number of water supplies in north Tipperary, which would be facilitated by a future new connection point from the proposed pipeline. Furthermore, it is proposed that a bespoke purpose-built interpretative / visitors’ facility be provided at the proposed water treatment plant at 64 Defined for the purposes of the Plan as treatment plant which are the responsibility of Irish Water
- TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 1 210 Birdhill, which will represent a key community gain for Tipperary. Irish Water has also committed to providing a ‘Community Gain Fund’ with a view to supporting community-based initiatives in areas affected by the project; a proposal in this regard will be included in the planning application to An Bord Pleanála. 15.4 Sustainable Surface Water Management The management of surface and storm water is important in avoiding flood or pollution risk in the storm water network, rivers and streams and in the county’s towns, villages and rural areas. SUDS are a series of management practices and control structures that aim to manage surface water by mimicking natural drainage. The use of nature-based SUDS to surface water management, reduces flood risk, improves water quality and provides amenity through the use of permeable paving, swales, green roofs, rain water harvesting, detention basins, ponds and wetlands. SUDS can achieve multiple objectives such as removing pollutants from urban run-off at source, controlling surface water run-off from developments and ensuring flood risk does not increase further downstream. Furthermore, a nature-based approach to SUDS can offer the opportunity to combine water management with amenity/green spaces, which can increase amenity and biodiversity, therefore the use of nature-based SUDS compliments a green and blue infrastructure planning approach. The Council is responsible for the on-going maintenance and monitoring of sustainable drainage systems within our towns and villages, and will seek to maintain drainage having consideration to Water Sensitive Urban Design and application of a nature-based SUDS approach. The Council will require all new development to provide a separate foul and surface water drainage system and to incorporate water sensitive urban design and a nature-based SUDS approach, where appropriate, in new development and the public realm. The provisions of nature-based solutions to the Management of Rainwater and Surface Water Runoff in Urban Areas (water sensitive urban design) Best Practice Interim Guidance Document (DHLGH, 2001) and any review there off, will apply. The Council will require the implementation of water sensitive urban design as an integral part of the design of new developments to reduce the generation of storm water run-off, and to ensure that all storm water generated is disposed of on-site or is attenuated and treated prior to discharge to an approved storm water system, with consideration to the following: (a) The infiltration into the ground through the development of porous pavement such as permeable paving, swales and detention basis, (b) The holding of water in storage areas through the construction of green roofs, rainwater harvesting, detention basis, ponds and wetlands etc. (c) The slow-down in the movement of water.
- TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 1 211 15.5 Electricity and Gas Supply Networks Electricity supply and transmission is available throughout the county on the low (38kV, 20kV, and 10kV) and high transmission networks. High voltage transmission within the county is available at 110kV, 220kV and 400kV. The following towns are supplied by the natural gas network Clonmel, Nenagh, Carrick on Suir, Tipperary, Cashel, Cahir, Ballina, Newport, Kilsheelan and Ballyclerihan. Improvement measures to the national grid electrical and gas networks are set out in the national infrastructure plans of ‘EirGrid’, ‘ESB Networks’ and ‘Gas Networks Ireland’. The appropriate expansion of the national supply grids is important to ensure adequacy of regional connectivity for sustainable economic growth as well as facilitate the development and connectivity of sustainable renewable energy resources. The Government supports the development of new conventional generation (including gas-fired and gasoil/distillate-fired generation) as a national priority in their ‘Policy Statement ensure Security of Electricity Supply to 2.4 million Homes and Businesses’, (DECC, 2021) and facilitate the target of up to 80% renewable electricity generation by 2030. The Policy Statement builds on policies set out in the National Development Plan and the Climate Action Plan 2021, which target the development of circa 2,000 MW of flexible gas-fired generation capacity. It also sets out that connections of large energy users to the grid must take account of the potential impact on security of electricity supply and the need to decarbonise the grid. The Policy Statement notes that additional electricity transmission and distribution grid infrastructure, as well as additional electricity interconnection and electricity storage, should be permitted and developed. It also notes that additional natural gas transmission and distribution grid infrastructure should be developed. Where appropriate, the Council will support the statutory providers of national grid infrastructure by safeguarding strategic corridors, where identified, from other developments which might inhibit the provision of energy supply networks. The Council will support the major service providers including EirGrid, ESB Networks and Gas Networks Ireland, where it is proposed to enhance or upgrade existing facilities or networks, or provide new infrastructure in order to extend or strengthen energy supply to meet demand and meet climate reduction targets.
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.