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Economy

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• Employment Land at Strategic Locations
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• Tourism and Recreation
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6.9 Tourism and Recreation

Tourism is projected to grow by 9% nationally and 6% internationally, especially as leisure time and disposable incomes continue to increase. Holiday patterns have changed from the traditional two-week holiday to more short-break type activity holidays, and people are now travelling further. The core values that people visit Ireland for are landscape & people, confirmed by ITIC/BF study. Bord Failte in the "Tourism Strategy 2000-2006" has developed a more spatially driven approach to tourism. The strategy has developed the concept of Tourism Zones. Tourism in North Tipperary generated only 42,000 visitors in 2000.

There are a limited number of Bord Failte registered hotels in North Tipperary. There is also an under provision of budget accommodation, hostel accommodation and camping pitches in the County. The Council will therefore look favourably on appropriate proposals for new and improved tourist accommodation in the County.

6.9.1 Lough Derg

North Tipperary has the longest shoreline of Lough Derg and provides some of the most striking views of the area from the Arra Mountains east of the lake. Ballina is the biggest settlement on the North Tipperary side of the lake with a harbour, marina, lakeshore hotels and expanding residential population. Portroe is elevated above the lake but is highly visible on the surrounding landscape. Garrykennedy with its stone harbour and marina is a very scenic lakeside village. Dromineer has an excellent marina and slipway, and also provides good tourist accommodation facilities. Terryglass is set back from the lakeshore but is in close proximity to the marina and harbour.

Policy ECON 9: Tourism around Lough Derg.

It is the policy of the Council to support the development and improvement of activities and infrastructure supporting water and marine based activities as well as shore side activities including jetties and marinas provided that such development accords with policies ECON 10, 12 and 13.

The Council recognises the importance of the lake, the adjacent landscape and villages for tourism. The Council will generally support the development of tourist related marinas and jetty facilities which are developed in association with policies 10, 12 and 13.  Development that detracts from the quality or attraction of these facilities will not be favourable considered.  

Policy ECON 10: Tourist Accommodation

It is the policy of the Council to facilitate the development of tourist accommodation, provided that such development:

• is sited in or adjacent to a marketable tourist product;
• protects and enhances the amenities of the area;
• preserves and enhances the safety and free flow of highways; and
• is compatible with the relevant land uses for the area in nature and extent.

Refer to policy ENV.38

The rural environment of North Tipperary provides an increasingly important location for recreation by an increasing number of urban dwellers. The recent rise in disposable incomes and leisure time has resulted in an increase in demand for water based, forestry based and heritage based recreation.

Policy ECON 11: On-farm Tourism

It is the policy of the Council to support rural tourism at existing locations such as farmyards, pubs, and hotels. Such development may provide an extension to the exiting building or new accommodation. Such accommodation must be part of an integrated tourism plan and be available for short-term letting only.

The Council will support rural diversification into tourism, but will seek to ensure that such development is maintained as tourist accommodation in perpetuity. Proposals for new accommodation will be assessed against policy objectives set out in the environment section.

Tourism is dependent on a natural unspoilt landscape, yet the countryside continues to be adversely affected by inappropriate tourism development, located outside existing villages and urban centres, especially in high amenity areas of the County. The Council will support the development of eco-tourism and other tourist activities that promote the natural and cultural assets of the county.

Policy ECON 12: Location of Tourist Facilities

It is the policy of the Council to ensure that new tourist facilities, including sport and recreation facilities, are located in existing settlement centres where they can be supported by, and provide support for, existing services.

Policy ECON 13: Large-scale Integrated Tourism-Leisure-Recreational Complex

It is the policy of the Council to encourage the development of major integrated Tourism-Leisure-Recreational complexes on large land holdings provided that a full planning application is submitted, and includes an 'Integrated Tourism Plan that provides for:

1. the preservation of the rural character of the landscape,
2. the integration of the development into the open countryside,
3. significant and intensive landscaping of the site and
4. traffic impact assessment.

Such development will not generally be considered in areas considered unsuitable in the County Landscape Character Assessment. 

Suitable sites for such development shall include:

• Existing Golf Courses;
• Site to be identified at Terryglass
• Expansion of the Marinas and tourist facilities at Ballina, Dromineer and Garrykennedy

6.9.2 Tourist Signage

The Council recognises that access and signage is important to the tourist destinations. However, inappropriate signage can have a negative impact on the quality of the environment and cause confusion to visitors. The Council will require a uniform approach to signposting, and where new gateway signage is required, will insist on composite signs being distinctive in character to North Tipperary. Unauthorised signage will be subject to enforcement action as set out in Section 6.10.2 and Chapter 8.

6.9.3 Specific Tourism Objectives:

1. To prepare a Tourism Development Strategy for the County;
2. To seek the implementation of the Lough Derg Tourism Strategy and Lough Derg Tourism Cluster programme.
3. The Council will co-operate with appropriate agencies in promoting tourism and securing the development of tourism-based enterprises in suitable locations;
4. To develop a central visitor orientation/information centre facility adjacent to the swimming pool at Ballina;
5. To support the development of an integrated tourist/recreational scheme at Terryglass;
6. To facilitate expansion of berthage, toilet and shower facilities and environmental improvements at Garrykennedy;
7. The restoration of two piers and upgrading of breakwater and beach area at Dromineer;
8. Support the development of a lookout facility overlooking the lake with parking on the R493 between Coolbawn and Kilgarvan;
9. It is an objective of the Council to seek an overall provision of bed spaces in the County in the life of the Plan and to work closely with all interest groups to seek this end.
10. To review the requirement for additional commercial and employment land in and around the towns of Nenagh and Thurles and provide additional land for such uses where required.

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