6 Rural Development
6.1 Introduction
As can be seen from the results of the 2006 Census, County Kilkenny is still predominantly a rural county. Almost sixty five percent of the county’s population live in rural areas . In addition, in 2002 a relatively high proportion of the workforce was dependant on agriculture (10%), as opposed to a national proportion of 5.4%.
The Government’s Rural White Paper: ‘Ensuring the Future – a Strategy for Rural development in Ireland’ (1999) sets out a vision and a framework for the development of rural communities. In this, the Government committed to ‘ensuring the economic and social well-being of rural communities, by providing the conditions for a meaningful and fulfilling life for all people living in rural areas’. It identifies a need for diversification (both on- and off-farm) and alternative enterprises to broaden the rural economy, support farming families and complement an efficient agriculture sector.
Rural areas have a vital contribution to make to the achievement of balanced regional development. This involves utilising and developing the economic resources of rural areas, particularly in agriculture and food, marine, tourism, forestry, renewable energy, enterprise and local services, while at the same time capitalising on and drawing strength from vibrant neighbouring urban areas. In this way rural and urban areas are seen as working in partnership, rather than competing with each other
Growth prospects for rural areas will be assisted by the degree to which settlements, including villages, smaller and larger towns can be strengthened to accommodate, sustain and drive various types and levels of development including residential, employment and commercial activities.
6.1.1 National Spatial Strategy
The National Spatial Strategy sets out in broad terms how rural areas will support and drive the attainment of more balanced regional development.
Three policy measures are advocated:
• Strengthening the rural economy,
• Strengthening communities, and
• Strengthening environmental qualities.
In order to strengthen the rural economy, in general it will be necessary to:
• Secure agriculture, where it has the capacity to remain strong and viable, by maintaining the maximum possible number of family farms, while at the same time ensuring that smaller farmers have the opportunity to supplement their farm income through off-farm work.
• Diversify rural employment options and stabilise population through
– resource based development in sectors such as forestry, marine and natural resources, enterprise and local services
– tourism development through quality market-responsive products, enhanced access and co-ordinated promotion of a tourism product, which offers a range of complementary visitor experiences
– protecting landscape, water resources and habitats.
Information and Communications Technology is opening up enormous possibilities for business, social and cultural interactions between enterprises, communities and people. The rapid development of Information and Communications Technology and increasing convergence with the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors hold short term prospects of very positive benefits and can act as a catalyst for the development of rural areas.
To strengthen communities:
• Settlement policies are needed that take into account varying rural development contexts. Policies are needed for areas with declining populations as well as policies to deal with areas in which there are overspill issues associated with proximity to urban centres. (The rural settlement strategy is outlined in Chapter 3)
• Enhanced accessibility must be linked with integrated settlement policy to revitalise rural communities. This enhanced accessibility will be attained by the continued investment in transport and communications as detailed in Chapter 9 of this plan.
Strengthening environmental qualities:
In addition the environmental quality of all natural resources must be protected through sensitive development and conservation. Policies in relation to the protection and strengthening of environmental qualities such as water quality are detailed in Chapter 9 of this plan.
6.1.2 National Development Plan 2007 – 2013
The National Development Plan notes that despite the decline in employment in agriculture, forestry and the marine sector they nonetheless continue to play a major role in the economy and the social fabric of rural areas, both in terms of the significant numbers of people who will continue to earn their livelihood in these areas and in terms of their contribution to maintaining indigenously-based exports and economic activity. According to the NDP, the rural economy will need to diversify and develop in coming years to take account of the ongoing demographic and economic changes that impinge directly on rural areas and rural communities.
6.2 Council’s Response
The Council is committed to the overall strategy for rural development as outlined in the National Spatial Strategy, National Development Plan and the White Paper on Rural Development.
The Council recognises the need to manage rural change and to guide development in order to:
a) Maintain and enhance the existing rural community to ensure vibrant sustainable rural areas,
b) Support the maintenance of a sufficient income and employment opportunities to allow individuals and families to live with dignity,
c) Allow rural communities to participate effectively in the structures and decision making processes affecting them in an inclusive way,
d) Maintain the cultural identity of rural communities,
e) Ensure that the rural environment will be respected and that development in rural areas will take place in a sustainable manner,
f) Support initiatives to tackle poverty and social exclusion in rural areas,
g) Achieve a vibrant and sustainable rural community where individuals and families have a choice as to whether to stay in, leave, or move to rural areas,
h) Promote a broad concept of rural development and not one based solely on agriculture or other dominant natural resource.
The framework within which the Council will seek to achieve these goals is through the Government’s National and Regional development strategy as outlined in the NSS, the South East Regional Planning Guidelines and the NDP 2007-2013. The strategy will be to focus on the indigenous strengths of the rural economy and, at the same time, to facilitate wider economic development.
POLICY
• RD1 To implement the Council’s investment programme for waste water treatment and water supply schemes in the towns and villages and rural areas of the County.
• RD2 To improve the attractiveness of the built environment in rural towns and villages as places in which to work and live and as locations for industry, services and tourism investment.
• RD3 To access and utilise government schemes, such as the Village Renewal Programme to improve the quality of the built environment of towns and villages.
• RD4 To ensure that the necessary physical and telecommunications infrastructure is provided to enable existing and new high growth business to thrive.
• RD5 To combat isolation and disadvantage by encouraging the use of information technology in education and commerce and in the home.
• RD6 To encourage the sustainable development of resources in rural areas to foster economic development in such sectors as agriculture, tourism including agri-tourism, forestry, farm diversification, and renewable energy resources.
• RD7 To continue to prepare town, village, and area plans for various parts of the County as the need arises in a manner that involves participation through consultation with the local population.
• RD8 To co-operate and facilitate the development of rural tourism in the County and to seek to develop that market from the established and growing tourism base of Kilkenny City.
• RD9 To encourage the utilisation of natural resources to foster economic development by expanding rural tourism, developing renewable sources of energy, promoting agri-environment measures and the planting of new woodlands.
• RD10 To preserve and retain high quality agricultural land from unsympathetic development.
6.3 Natural Resources
6.3.1 Agriculture
Agriculture is an important part of the economic life of the County. Agriculture has undergone considerable change under the Common Agricultural Policy, and despite its continuing decline in economic and employment significance it is still a major driver for sustaining, enhancing and maintaining the rural economy and culture.
Alternative income generating opportunities for off-farm activities are vital if rural populations are to benefit from economic growth. The Council will support and facilitate agricultural restructuring and diversification in order to integrate the sector more closely with rural development, in pursuit of environmental, social and economic objectives.
Kilkenny County Council recognises the role and importance of the equine industry as part of the agricultural community within the county and in particular the breeding, rearing and training of thoroughbred horses.
6.3.2 Diversification
The Council recognises the need for farm diversification to enable farming to remain a viable part of the county’s economy. It will facilitate and support farmers in the change from full to part-time farming. Part-time employment opportunities, which enable farmers to continue to maintain a viable farm, will be encouraged.
Farming has been diversifying into areas such as horticulture, forestry and agri-tourism. The Council will support the development of agriculturally related industries, which are environmentally sustainable and considered a suitable use, subject to the protection of heritage and amenities.
The County Council will support national policy for agriculture by;
a) Supporting improvements in the competitiveness of farm structures,
b) Supporting improvements in the quality of product,
c) Supporting and facilitating the development of organic farming, horticulture, forestry, horses and deer farming as alternative enterprises.
d) Supporting improvements in farm waste management,
e) Supporting and facilitating better animal welfare,
f) Supporting the implementation of the Rural Environment Protection Schemes.
POLICY
• RD11 Support and facilitate the work of Teagasc and other farming bodies within the County in the promotion of the rural economy, including agriculture development and rural diversification.
• RD12 Liaise with Teagasc and other farming bodies in order to prevent pollution from farm activities.
• RD13 To co-operate with rural development agencies such as Teagasc and BNS Leader in the development of initiatives which:
• facilitate and support farm families and other small holders in the change from full to part-time farming;
• create vibrant, inclusive rural communities by promoting the social inclusion of new residents, older people and rural women; and
• improve access and services in rural areas, in particular, rural transport and other similar initiatives operational in the county.
• RD14 Facilitate farm development to meet market and environmental requirements.
• RD15 To encourage the development of environmentally sustainable agricultural practices, to ensure that development does not impinge on the visual amenity of the countryside and that watercourses, wildlife habitats and areas of ecological importance are protected from the threat of pollution.
• RD16 Support the development of alternative income-generating opportunities from off-farm activities.
• RD17 Co-operate and be proactive with regard to proposals from the National Rural Development Programme and BNS Rural Development in generating opportunities for off-farm employment.
• RD18 Facilitate farm diversification and encourage the sustainable development of alternative rural enterprises and the conversion of redundant farm buildings of vernacular importance for appropriate owner-run enterprises, as a way of supporting a viable rural community subject to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
• RD19 Require a high standard of design and maintenance in all developments in rural areas
• RD20 To require buildings and structures in visually sensitive areas:
o to be sited as unobtrusively as possible;
o to be clustered to form a distinct and unified feature in the landscape;
o to utilise suitable materials and colours; and
o to utilise native species in screen planting
• RD21 To support the improvement and expansion of the equine industry within the county.
6.3.3 Fishing
The Barrow, Nore and Suir are historically renowned as premier salmon and coarse fishing rivers in Ireland. The Kings River is also an important fishing river. Fishing remains an important natural resource for the county which has potential for development in its own right and as a resource for tourism development. Fishing as a resource can assist in the development of tourism within the county and in rural diversification.
POLICY
• RD22 Liaise with the Southern Fisheries Board and with Angling Clubs and to facilitate the Board within the limits of its powers as Planning Authority in its development programme.
• RD23 To encourage and support initiatives to embrace traditional fishing practices and investigate and improve the fisheries in co-operation with the Department of the Marine, the Southern Fisheries Board, community organisations and other relevant bodies.
• RD24 Require that adequate provisions are made to accommodate free upstream and downstream migration of all fish in development proposals.
• RD25 Continue to take measures to protect streams and rivers from pollution and will encourage appropriate angling-related tourism, fish farming and mariculture in the County’s waters. Protection of water quality will be a primary consideration in relation to assessing development proposals.
6.3.4 Extractive Industries
The County has a large lead–zinc deposit at Galmoy. In addition there are numerous sand and gravel and stone resources within the County currently in operation. The Council recognises the importance of extractive industries to the local and national economy as valuable sources of raw material for industry in general and the construction industry in particular and as an important source of employment. The products are the essential building materials for the provision of housing and infrastructural projects. The industry is therefore essential to the continued development of the county and the achievement of the objectives in the National Development Plan.
However the industry can have serious detrimental impacts on the landscape and amenities generally. It can create conflicts with other land uses such as agriculture and can cause damage to the public road network.
Because the extraction industry is a very significant industry serving the construction, industrial and energy sectors, it is important to facilitate development, particularly by safeguarding mineral reserves so that inappropriate development does not occur in the vicinity and cause difficulties in exploiting the resource. The Council will therefore seek to safeguard these valuable resources for future extraction.
During the life of the plan the Council will endeavor to map the aggregate resources of the County subject to the availability of financial resources.
The Councils will have regard to the Quarry Planning Guidelines, the ICF Environmental Code and the EPA Guidelines for Environmental Management in the Extractive Industry. The Councils will require adherence to the EPA Guidelines- Environmental Management in the Extractive Industry as a standard for the extractive industry in Kilkenny.
POLICY
• RD26 Where important mineral resources have been identified and are suitable for extraction, the Council will seek to protect the extractive potential of such resources
• RD27 In general encourage the development of extractive industries where it is not detrimental to the protection of the landscape, the continued operation of agriculture and the preservation of the amenities of local residents generally
• RD28 To minimise environmental and other impacts of mineral extraction through rigorous application of licensing, development control and enforcement requirements for quarry and other associated developments including, but not limited to, consideration of visual impacts, methods of extraction, noise levels, dust prevention, protection of ground and surface waters, impacts on residential and other amenities, impacts on the road network (particularly with regard to making good any damage to roads), road safety, phasing, re-instatement and landscaping of worked sites.
• RD29 Ensure that all existing workings shall be rehabilitated to suitable land uses and that all future extraction activities will allow for the rehabilitation of pits and proper land use management.
6.4 Forestry
Forestry has direct benefits for local communities through the establishment of plantations, in spin-off effects in support services, through industries ranging from woodcraft to industrial processing, to rural tourism, and contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gases by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
The Strategic Plan for forestry in Ireland, set out in the document 'Growing for the Future - A Strategic Plan for the Development of the Forestry Sector in Ireland', published in 1996, foresaw the output of timber from Irish forests increasing four-fold between 1996 and 2030. The National Development Plan 2007 – 2013 and the National Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 both include measures to support the development of forestry. The Government’s strategy for the development of forestry is to substantially increase the land area under forestry.
Sustainable Forest Management (SFM)
Sustainable forest management is the sustainable development and management of forests and forest lands in a way that maintains their biodiversity, productivity, regeneration capacity, vitality and their potential to fulfil now and in the future, relevant ecological, economic and social functions, at local national and global levels and that does not cause damage to other ecosystems. The Forest Service is implementing SFM with a view to ensuring that all timber produced in Ireland is derived from sustainably managed forests. This is supported by the Irish National Forest Standard, the Code of Best Forest Practice and a suite of environmental guidelines (relating to water quality, landscape, archaeology, biodiversity and harvesting) as well as the work of the Forestry Inspectorate and the ongoing review of Irish forest legislation.
An Indicative Forest Strategy (IFS) is a planning tool used to assess opportunities for new forest planting in a given area. The objective of an IFS is to identify the potential that future afforestation can make towards the establishment of high quality forests serving a variety of purposes including timber production, forest industry development, off-farm incomes, tourism, amenity and the enhancement of the environment.
Under EU Rural Development regulations, a national forestry strategy is a prerequisite for funding and consequently, a National Indicative Forestry Strategy is being developed by the Forest Service, and is due for completion by late 2007. This strategy will identify areas of opportunity for the creation of new forests and areas environmentally sensitive to afforestation. It will provide the context within which forestry applications will be assessed.
Following completion of the national Indicative Forestry Strategy the Council will assess the necessity of completing a strategy for the county.
In the interim, the Council will have regard to “Forestry Development – Draft Guidelines for Planning Authorities” published by the Department of the Environment and Local Government in 1997.
POLICY
• RD30 To support the production of the National Indicative Forestry strategy and Indicative Forestry Strategy for the County and to have regard to this strategy in exercising its development control functions. On the completion of the national Indicative Forestry Strategy the Council will assess the need for the preparation of an Indicative Forestry Strategy for the County.
• RD31 To encourage a diversity of species in afforestation proposals and in particular to require a proportion of all new forestry development to consist of native hardwood species in order to extend the range of potential end uses and to reduce the potential for adverse impact on the landscape resulting from monoculture.
• RD32 To encourage the development of farm forestry as a means of promoting rural diversity and strengthening the rural economy.
• RD33 To encourage public access to forests for amenity and recreation purposes and the development of amenity forestry projects of local social, economic and tourism benefit.
6.5 Rural Transport
The Council will seek to co-operate with the various public and private agencies who are transport providers within the County in the provision of and co-ordination of new services and supporting infrastructure. In particular the Council will support initiatives in rural areas which will help to improve communications and reduce isolation. The Council will continue to work to implement the South-East Regional Passenger Transport Strategy 2002-2012.
Ring a Link is Kilkenny’s rural transport initiative which serves rural communities in County Kilkenny. This community-based rural transport service provides flexible, door to door services to meet the needs of people who cannot access public or private transport locally.
POLICY
• RD34 Continue with the Council’s planned transport infrastructure investment in National, Regional and local roads on a phased and planned basis to support people living and working in rural areas.
• RD35 Support and facilitate local and community based initiatives, Rural Transport Initiative, to provide rural transport services within the County. This will improve accessibility and promote social inclusion.
• RD36 To integrate rural transport with any urban public transport provision.
• RD37 To investigate the establishment of a Transport Forum to oversee transport policy for the county, in conjunction with the County Development Board and/or the Transport SPC.
on Tue, 12/06/2012 - 12:16pm creilly
