Population and Settlement
- North Tipperary in Context
- Current & Projected Population
- Settlement Pattern
- Settlement Strategy
- Preferred Settlement Strategy
- Existing Plans
- Social Inclusion & Universal Access
3.5 Preferred Settlement Strategy
3.5.1 Summary
The preferred growth strategy is based on 'Creating a hierarchy of growth nodes' as set out in Section 3.4.4 and can be summarised as follows:
- Nenagh with a catchment population of over 35,000 will be promoted as the primary growth centre for medium-scale and high-growth industries, and as a primary retail centre. Thurles will be promoted as a strong retail centre, a strong centre for employment, a third-level education provider and a strong and an attractive residential centre for a growing population;
- Roscrea will be promoted as a market town for north of the County and parts of Offaly. Roscrea is a heritage town and will be promoted and developed as a tourist destination. Its residential function will be strengthened, its retail function as a market town enhanced, and its strong leisure resources protected and improved;
- Templemore's residential function will be strengthened, its retail function as a market town enhanced, and its strong leisure resources protected and improved;
- Borrisokane and Borrisoleigh will remain rural settlements with capacity to further develop as rural residential centres;
- Ballina and Newport will require immediate intervention to control development and plan for the sustainable growth of these villages;
- The lake catchment area will require detailed consideration to maximise tourist access, while providing local residential need and the overall protection of the amenity and environment of the area;
- The many villages identified in the Plan will require major improvements in infrastructure to ensure that they will become attractive settlement centres and assist in the long-term vitality and viability of rural North Tipperary;
- A thriving countryside is a crucial aspect of the County's competitiveness and long-term sustainability. Based on the capacity approach, the Council will facilitate housing, commercial and community development where there is a proven local need.
3.5.2 Conclusion
It is important that the above settlement strategy is mutually supportive as the 'sum is stronger that the individual parts', and will provide the basis for achievement of the stated vision as set out in Chapter 2 in respect of achieving:
- Sustainability;
- Competitiveness;
- Quality of Life;
- Quality of Environment; and
- Social Inclusion.
3.5.3 Implications
The housing projections for the period 2003 - 2009 amount to 5,106. The preferred settlement strategy, which is in line with the figures set out in the County Housing Strategy, provides for a total of 3,829 units in the main settlement centres. The remaining 1,277 are planned for rural areas including villages. This approach will support the aim of achieving critic mass in Thurles and Nenagh and will reverse the decline of many small settlements.
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