Waterford City and County Development Plan 2022–2028 — Chapter 4

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028115 Rural and Marine Policy Objectives ECON 17 Marine Development We will facilitate the sustainable growth and development of the aquaculture, fisheries and marine leisure sector, including in relation to improved water quality. The development of marinas, water sport based activities, improvement of harbours, quays and slipways, and enhanced interpretation and safety, should be considered as part of a broader strategy for these facilities to be carried out during the lifetime of the Development Plan and should be designed so as to avoid landscape/ seascape or environmental/water quality degradation and adverse effects on designated sites in the area. ECON 18 Strategic Integrated Framework Plan for Waterford Estuary In collaboration with relevant local authorities, the Southern Regional Assembly, government departments and state agencies, and the SETU, and in order to support the implementation of Waterford MASP Policy Objective 21, during the life of the Development Plan we will prepare an Integrated Framework Plan for the sustainable development of Waterford Harbour, in order to harness the economic, tourism, cultural and recreational potential and protect the environmental and heritage qualities of the area for all users 4.8 Climate Action and Jobs The challenges to our society, biodiversity and economy resulting from climate change are significant and will require investment in innovative solutions to be developed and employed in order to decouple continued growth needed to deliver NPF and RSES targets from carbon emissions and build resilience across our communities and economic sectors. The RSES sets out a number of key policy objectives to develop sustainable economic pathways to achieve a reduction in our CO2 emissions with particular reference to electricity generation, the built environment, agriculture/forestry, transport and the circular bioeconomy. The Development Plan supports these policy objectives. The economic consequences of climate change imply a strong call for action and mitigation across sectors. Fig 4.2 illustrates those areas which have been subject to economic losses from climate-related extremes during the period 1980-2017. Ireland is one of the more affected countries in Europe.

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028116 Figure 4. 3 Economic Losses due to Climate Change Source: https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/figures/economic-losses-insured-percentage-1 Climate change mitigation and adaptation can bring multiple benefits to the environment, society and the economy. Tackled together they open up new opportunities to promote sustainable local development including building inclusive, climate resilient and energy efficient communities, enhancing the quality of life, stimulating investment and innovation, boosting the local economy and creating jobs and reinforcing stakeholder engagement and cooperation. Climate Action Policy Objectives ECON 19 Energy Efficiency We will support investments in energy efficiency of existing commercial and public building stock with a target of all public buildings and at least one-third of total commercial premises upgraded to BER Rating ‘B’. We will report annually on energy usage in all public buildings and will achieve a target of 33% improvement in energy efficiency in all buildings in accordance with the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP). ECON 20 Green Technology & the Just Transition to a Low Carbon Economy We will support the development of sustainable economic pathways to achieve a reduction in our CO2 emissions across all sectors and the development of low carbon and green tech businesses and industries throughout Waterford City and County.

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028117 4.9 SEVESO Directive/ Major Accidents The Seveso III Directive 2012/18/EU is an EU Directive to prevent major accidents involving dangerous substances and to limit the consequences of such accidents on people, property and the environment. It applies to establishments where dangerous substances are or may be present in specified threshold quantities. In Irish law, the current regulations through which the Directive is transposed is the Chemicals Act (Control of Major Accident Hazards involving Dangerous Substances) Regulations 2015; S.I. 209 of 2015. Stafford’s Wholesale Ltd. T/A Stafford’s Bonded, Lockheed Avenue, Airport Business Park is a Designated Lower Tier Seveso III Establishment and Trans-stock Warehousing and Cold Storage Ltd., Christendom, Ferrybank, Co Waterford is a Designated Upper Tier Seveso III Establishment under the Directive, with regard to such sites, consultation distances are established within which there is an obligation to consult with the Health and Safety Authority and Waterford City and County Fire service, in respect of any development proposals. Industrial developments coming within the ambit of the Seveso Directives shall be given special consideration and shall be controlled under the EU Control of Major Accident Hazards involving Dangerous Substances Regulations 2000. (Refer to Development Standards, Volume 2). Overall, the Development Plan supports the development of sustainable employment generating business and economic growth at appropriate locations and subject to relevant development management standards7. 4.10 Sustainable Tourism Sustainable Tourism is defined as ‘tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities’. Waterford is a destination that is rich in assets, with a historic city, picturesque towns and villages, beautiful mountains, tranquil countryside, stunning coastline, world class visitor attractions, a wide range of festivals, activities and accommodation options , as well as a vibrant food tourism and entertainment industry. Waterford has a reputation as an urban/ coastal/rural/cultural/ heritage destination with a mix of attractions and activities that appeal to a wide variety of visitors. Waterford’s being ‘Ireland’s oldest city’ sits well within Fáilte Ireland’s branding Ireland’s Ancient East and is underpinned by the strong heritage and culture theme of the Waterford Viking Triangle, Waterford’s historic area. The unique combination of accessible city breaks with authentic heritage, coastal and rural outdoor activities and value for money has placed Waterford in a strong position to become one of the top visitor destinations in Ireland. 7 Economic development satisfies the needs of everyone but in a manner that sustains natural resources and the environment for future generations Major Accidents Policy Objective ECON 21 SEVESO III Sites We will take into account the provisions of the Major Accidents Directive, relating to the control of major accident hazards involving dangerous substances, and the recommendations of the Health and Safety Authority in the assessment of all planning applications located within the consultation distance of such sites.

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028118 Tourism in Waterford has undergone a considerable transformation over the past ten years with significant investment in flagship tourism attractions, activity tourism and the establishment and support of high-quality festivals and events. The transformation came about as the result of several policy decisions and from the enormous effort by key organizations including Waterford City & County Council, Fáilte Ireland and key industry stakeholders who together initiated and/or supported tourism related developments that include, but are not limited to the following: • The development of the Viking Triangle. • The relocation of the global brand and visitor centre House of Waterford Crystal. • The opening of five Waterford Treasures Museums: Medieval Museum, Bishop’s Palace, Reginald’s Tower; Irish Silver Museum and Irish Museum of Time • The Waterford Greenway 46km off road cycling /walking trail. • The development of Lismore Heritage Centre • UNESCO Global Geopark status for the Copper Coast • The development of 39 accredited recreational walking and cycling trails • Investment in infrastructure and public realm; and, • Investment in flagship festivals, including Winterval, Spraoi, Tall Ships, West Waterford Festival of Food, Waterford Harvest Festival, Blackwater Valley Opera Festival and Comeragh’s Wild. Waterford is the main regional centre for the Southeast and has an environment that encourages entrepreneurship and investment. This factor, together with the upturn in the Irish economy, have in turn helped to stimulate private sector investment, with the potential of further tourism related developments to come, all of which combine to ensure that Waterford is now considered to be one of the fastest growing tourism destinations of choice in Ireland. Valued at over 100 million Euros, Waterford’s tourism economy needs to keep growing in real terms to ensure Waterford, its businesses, communities and its resident’s benefit. While the tourism sector took a significant hit as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the rise in staycations will continue to add value to the Tourism Industry in County Waterford into the future. A successful, sustainable and accessible tourism industry will provide the backbone for Waterford as a desirable place in which to live, work, invest and to visit.

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028119 Tourism development must be balanced with the protection of the natural environment, a key attractor itself, and the people who live in these areas. Ongoing environmental management of amenities and managing visitor expectation is crucial to the promotion of sustainable tourism in the County. Sustainable tourism facilities, when properly located and managed and particularly if they are easy to get to by a range of transport modes, will encourage longer visitor stays, help to extend the tourism season and add to the vitality of settlements throughout the year. In this regard, tourist accommodation facilities (hotels, B&Bs, Guest Houses, self-catering, caravan & camping, glamping etc), visitor centres and commercial/retail facilities serving the tourism sector will be supported (where deemed appropriate) and should generally be located within towns and villages and developed with the principles of universal design to ensure they are accessible for all. This will help to foster strong links to a range of other economic and commercial sectors and sustain the host settlement and its community. Proposals for tourist accommodation in towns and villages must be proportionate in size, appropriate in scale, siting and design to its host settlement. There are some exceptions where tourist related developments will be considered outside of towns and villages, this will be location/site specific and subject to the scale of the proposal and the receiving capacity of the area. Waterford has a broad range of tourist amenities and attractions which include, inter alia: • Ardmore Round Tower & Cathedral • Blackwater Valley • Blue Flag Beaches - Clonea, Counsellors' Strand in Dunmore East, Dunmore Strand, Tramore Beach and Ardmore Beach • Coastal Destination Towns - Dungarvan, Tramore, Dunmore East etc • Comeragh Mountains • Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geopark • Countywide accredited recreational walking and cycling trails, woodlands and parks • Countywide Food and Restaurant Tourism • Curraghmore House, Portlaw • Heritage towns of Ardmore, Lismore and Portlaw • House of Waterford Crystal • King of the Vikings – Virtual Reality Experience in the Waterford Viking Triangle • Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Garden, Tramore • Lismore Castle and Heritage Centre • Little Island and Waterford Castle • Mahon Falls • Mount Congreve House and Gardens • Mount Melleray Abbey • Saint Declan’s Way • Tomb of Edmund Rice • Tramore Racecourse

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028120 • Waterford Greenway • Waterford Viking Triangle • Waterford Treasures Museums: Medieval Museum, Bishop’s Palace, Reginald’s Tower; Irish Silver Museum and Irish Museum of Time • Waterford and Suir Valley Railway • Waterford County Museum Waterford, and the city in particular, has a strategic location in the southeast and key access and regional connectivity (high quality road/rail) to the surrounding counties such as Kilkenny, Wexford and Cork, as well as its own airport and port positioning it as a focal point of the South East Region. While in recent years tourism development has focused on Waterford City, and the coastal destination towns such as Dunmore East, Tramore and Dungarvan and in particular with the recent success of the Waterford Greenway, there are many other areas in County Waterford that have significant sustainable tourism potential such as the West and North of the County including the Comeragh Mountains and its numerous historic towns and villages and the Blackwater Valley with its unspoiled scenery along a historic river.

7. Page 27

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028121 The Council will seek to develop its key flagship tourism projects within the lifespan of the Plan including the North Quays Regeneration Project which has the potential to act as a significant catalyst for both the City and the wider County in terms of economic investment and attractiveness to tourists and will include a new transport hub for Waterford City, the ‘Guardian of the Déise’ which will be a landmark of international standard overlooking Waterford, the further development of the Waterford Experience centred on the Waterford Viking Triangle and Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre, the extension of the Waterford Greenway through the city centre to connect with the New Ross Greenway as well as extending the Greenway to the west of Dungarvan and developing a Waterford to Tramore and a Waterford to Portlaw/Carrick-on-Suir Greenway, the development of the Waterford Cultural Quarter, the development of Blueways along the River Blackwater, River Suir and Waterford Estuary, improved access to the River Suir and Waterford Harbour, to maximise the potential of Waterford as a cruise ship destination , the development of a looped route(s) around County Waterford, the development of a regional scale park within the Waterford Metropolitan Area, the development of Mount Congreve House and Gardens as a major tourist attractor, improved access to the Metal Man in Tramore, Interpretation of Waterford Medieval City Walls, and the development of world class activity facility centres for water-sports in Ardmore and Tramore in association with Failte Ireland. The tourism objectives of the County Development Plan have been prepared in line with national, regional and local strategies. The Government’s Tourism Policy Statement ‘People, Place and Policy Growing Tourism to 2025’ sets the Government’s primary objectives for tourism i.e., to increase overseas visitors and revenue and the associated employment whilst protecting our natural, built and cultural assets. The ‘Action Plan for Rural Development Realising our Rural Potential (Department of Rural and Community Development 2018) highlights the potential of activity tourism to contribute to economic growth in rural areas. Waterford has also developed a Tourism Statement of Strategy and Work Plan (2017-2022) which will build on the existing co-operation between the public and private sectors to arrive at a ‘whole- of-sector’ approach to tourism. A unity of purpose between Waterford City & County Council, state agencies, the tourism industry and other stakeholders will result in an overall improvement in tourism performance that will contribute even more significantly to communities throughout Waterford. The Council will continue to support the goals and objectives of this Strategy as well as any updates to the Tourism Strategy that are adopted.

8. Page 28

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028122 Tourism Policy Objectives ECON 22 Sustainable Tourism We will cooperate with various stakeholders and tourism agencies to build on the strengths of Waterford City as the regional capital, Dungarvan as a Key Town and County Waterford in their promotion as a tourism destination of choice. To this end, we will facilitate and encourage: Sustainable tourism ‘products’ and activities/ attractors in appropriate locations which are based on and reflect the city and county’s distinctive history, natural and/ or cultural heritage, agri-food, marine and horticultural sector, and outdoor pursuits and recreation. Sustainable modes of transport – public transport, active transport (cycling and walking) etc; and Encourage and support investment in digital technology in the tourism sector, with a particular focus on sectors such as visitor attractions and activities with low digital presence and/or integration. ECON 23 Key Flagship Tourism Projects The Council will seek to develop its key flagship tourism projects within the lifespan of the Plan including: • The North Quays Regeneration Project, • The ‘Guardian of the Déise' Project’ • The further development of the Waterford Experience centred on the Waterford Viking Triangle and Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre, • The extension of the Waterford Greenway through the city centre to connect with the New Ross Greenway’ • Extending the Greenway to the west of Dungarvan, • Developing a Waterford to Tramore and a Waterford to Portlaw/ Carrick-on-Suir Greenway, • Development of sites of interest along the existing Waterford Greenway e.g. Woodstown Viking Site, Train Station in Kilmacthomas • The development of the Waterford Cultural Quarter, • Improved access to the River Suir and Waterford Harbour • The development of Blueways along the River Blackwater, River Suir and Waterford Estuary, • To maximise the potential of Waterford as a cruise ship destination. • The development of a looped route(s) around County Waterford taking in the many tourist attractors, amenities, trails and heritage assets. • The development of a regional scale park within the Waterford Metropolitan Area. • The development of Mount Congreve House and Gardens as a major tourist attractor • The development of world class activity facility centres for watersports in Ardmore and Tramore in association with Fáilte Ireland. • Improved public access to the Metalman in Tramore • Interpretation of Waterford Medieval City Walls. ECON 24 Tourism Accommodation We will continue to support the development of a variety of accommodation types at appropriate locations throughout Waterford City and County (hotels, B&Bs, Guest Houses, self-catering, caravan & camping, glamping etc), which can improve the economic potential of increased visitor revenue, increase dwell time and meet visitor needs. Tourist accommodation should generally be located within towns and villages (unless otherwise justified to the satisfaction of the Planning Authority) and developed with the principles of universal design to ensure they are accessible for all.

9. Page 29

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028123 Tourism Policy Objectives ECON 25 Camping/Campervan Sites We will ensure that all camping sites are of a standard which do not adversely impact on environmental and landscape quality and amenity, avoid adverse effects on Natura 2000 sites and build and uphold the reputation of Waterford as a high quality destination for guests from home and abroad. Proposals for camping sites should be consistent with the development management standards of Volume 2 and comply with one of the following: • Settlements: Camping sites should be located at appropriate locations within or adjacent to existing settlements where such proposals demonstrate the provision of safe pedestrian links to the settlement. • High Potential Tourism Attractors: Camping sites to service a high potential tourism attractor such as the Waterford Greenway, coastline, rivers, Comeragh Mountains, walking and tourism trails, outdoor recreational amenities or Blueways, should be located at existing settlements or at established centres which provide existing services to tourists, subject to the capacity of the site and the location to facilitate the proposal. • All Other Locations: We may facilitate proposals for camping sites which support rural tourism initiatives developed upon rural enterprise, natural heritage assets and outdoor recreational activities and which are located at a rural location removed from any settlement or high potential tourism attractor, subject to the capacity of the site and the location to facilitate the proposal. The scale of any tourism accommodation will be determined by the nature and scale of the existing tourist attractions and/or the extent of existing underutilised agricultural/commercial/ancillary building stock available for reuse for the purposes of tourist accommodation and ancillary services. • Campervans: Proposals for the provision of standalone campervan facilities i.e. designated parking bays/electrical supply, within car parks will be considered in terms of the availability of surplus car parking and the capacity of the site and the location to facilitate the proposal. ECON 26 Tourism Product and Infrastructure In collaboration with landowners, local communities, relevant stakeholders and social enterprise, we will promote, facilitate, encourage investment, and deliver improvements to our tourism product, infrastructure and facilities, including improved car, bus and bicycle parking, walking and cycling trails, directional signage/information boards, and service/rest facilities. Proposals for development shall ensure no adverse impacts on ecological integrity including the Natura 2000 Network. Tourism product developments and infrastructure/ facilities will be subject to normal planning and environmental criteria. The potential environmental effects of a likely increase in tourists/ tourism-related 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. Any such works shall incorporate and integrate elements of green infrastructure, where appropriate, and be designed in accordance with the principles of universal design. In particular we will continue to advance initiatives such as the INTERREG 'Local Flavours' programme aimed at encouraging, strengthening and delivering investment and improvement to rural economic development and tourism and heritage assets in the following principle (rural cluster) areas and tourism-related initiatives: • Blackwater Valley • Waterford Blueways • Coastal Walks • Comeragh Uplands • Waterford Greenway • Copper Coast Geopark • Waterford Estuary • Gaeltacht na nDéise

10. Page 30

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    WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028124 Tourism Policy Objectives ECON 27 DEDPs/ Ireland’s Ancient East a) To support the delivery and implementation of Destination Experience Development Plans (DEDPs) through continued collaboration with Fáilte Ireland and other tourism stakeholders. b) To continue to actively engage, invest, encourage and promote the development of the Ireland’s Ancient East regional experience brand through sustainable tourism, which will enable visitors to have enjoyable experiences while having regard for the social, cultural heritage and environmental impacts, including the protection of designated sites. ECON 28 Tourism Strategy To support the development of any update to Waterford’s Tourism Statement of Strategy and Work Plan (2017-2022), and to support the creation of a Strategy for the further development of Greenways, Blueways and Trails in County Waterford incorporating walking, cycling and other activities to support tourism development, and to assist in seeking funding opportunities for their development. ECON 29 Tourism Marketing To support the marketing and promotion of Waterford City and County, as a significant tourism destination, by continuing to work with and develop the Visit Waterford Destination Marketing Group. ECON 30 Tourism Cluster To support the development of a Tourism Cluster in the South-East focused around key tourist sites and attractions in conjunction with adjoining local authorities, Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and other key stakeholders.

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