County Development Plan Chapter 7

7 Recreation, Tourism and the Arts

7.1 Introduction

The island of Ireland has long had an image of a less crowded and green environment, beautiful scenery, welcoming people and a distinctive and accessible heritage and culture. Tourism based upon these natural and cultural resources has in turn provided an economic and social benefit. However, there are challenges in ensuring that these natural resources; upon which tourism depends, are maintained and enhanced in the future.

Sustainable tourism provides a high quality product based on, and in harmony with, a high quality natural environment. Adverse impacts upon local communities, built heritage, landscapes, habitats and species are minimised while the economic benefits accruing to local communities are maximised. Tourism is continually evolving and the product offered must reflect this evolving market.

Nationally there has been a general increase in leisure time and expenditure in leisure, recreational and tourist-related activities. This has been accompanied by increased participation in a wider range of sport and leisure activities. Co. Kilkenny possesses extensive natural resources and an environment of nationally significant scenic value. This, combined with its attractive towns and vibrant cultural heritage, provides a major opportunity for the development of tourism and recreation.

Co. Kilkenny can offer visitors to the county a wide range of tourism and recreational activities including: walking, angling, cycling, equestrian activities, bird watching, canoeing, golf and heritage. In addition, there are annual festivals of national and international standard.

The numbers of visitors to Ireland continues to rise with over 7.4m overseas tourists visiting Ireland in 2006; of which 1,090,000 visited the South-east providing €302m of revenue. Between 2001 and 2006, the number of overseas visitors to Co. Kilkenny has increased from 254,000 to 288,000; and Co. Kilkenny’s proportion of overseas visitors to the South-east region has remained relatively steady at around 26%. However, given the importance of tourism to the local economy it is of concern that the County’s revenue share from visitors to the South-East has declined from a high of 25.1% in 2004 to 19.5% in 2006 (See Table 7.1) .

Table 7.1: Tourism Statistics for Kilkenny and South East Region (Overseas Visitors)

	Area/Year	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006
Kilkenny	Visitors (000’s)	254	238	256	290	296	288
	% Regional Visitors	26.7	26.2	28.3	26.3	27.5	26.4
	Revenue (€m)	54	56	61	67	53	59
	% Regional Revenue	20.3	22.1	23.3	25.1	21.1	19.5
	€ per visitor	213	235	238	231	179	205
South East Region	Visitors (000’s)	953	910	905	974	943	962
South East Region	Revenue (€m)	266.4	253.3	261.4	267	252	302

While the total number of visitors to the South-east region in 2006 was 2.02m, over half of these, or 1.04m1, were domestic visitors i.e. visitors from Ireland. Kilkenny has traditionally benefited from the domestic tourism market, particularly for short visits and this market is likely to become increasingly important. Although Fáilte Ireland collates regional domestic visitor number/revenue data, this data is not currently collected at county level.

The Council will support the development of sustainable tourism as an essential element in Kilkenny. This will be achieved through co-operation between Fáilte Ireland, Kilkenny County Council and Kilkenny County Development Board. Tourism and agri-tourism can play an important role diversifying rural economies and sustaining their communities. The Council will encourage the creation of high quality employment in tourism, in related support industries and also appropriate part-time job opportunities. The challenge for the future is to attract greater numbers to the county, provide better facilities and attractions and to foster a longer stay and greater regional and seasonal spread holiday product.

7.1.1 Sustainable Tourism

Strategies for tourism cannot be developed in isolation from an overall framework for management of the environment. Unmanaged tourism has the potential to become the greatest threat to the character of the landscape and local environment.

Sustainable tourism depends upon:

• ensuring the economic stability of host communities

• preventing tourism from excluding other forms of economic development

and is defined as:

• socially and environmentally considerate

• drawing on the natural beauty and character of the area

• small in scale and developing slowly

• supporting the local economy and employing local people

• caring about quality

• bringing conservation and recreation benefits

• developing at a pace and scale which ensure that the assets of the area, both natural and cultural, are not diminished in the long term.

POLICY

• RTA1 To sustainably increase the volume of visitors, revenue per visitor, their average length of stay and seasonal spread; whilst protecting and conserving those natural, built and cultural features that form the resources on which the County’s tourist industry is based.

• RTA2 To encourage and support increased coordination, cohesion and linkages between agencies such as Fáilte Ireland South East, Kilkenny County Council and Kilkenny County Development Board and between these agencies and their equivalents in neighbouring counties.

• RTA3To support and work to secure the implementation of the Kilkenny Tourism and Development Strategy 2006-2011; and the Fáilte Ireland Strategic Tourism Plan for the South East.

7.1.2 The Tourism Product

The tourism industry is based upon products which are marketed and sold to visitors. As well as accommodation and transport (and arguably landscape and culture) these may include paying attractions such as museums; and recreational facilities such as walks and cycle tracks, which are also used by the local community. New and repeat visits are encouraged by ensuring that the quality of the tourism product remains high and diverse.

Tourist attractions in the county outside the City include Mount Juliet Estate, Castlecomer Demesne and Interpretative Centre, Brandon Hill, the Dunmore caves, Jerpoint Abbey, Rice House in Callan, Duiske Abbey in Graignamanagh, Kells Priory, Woodstock Estate and the river valleys. Kilkenny’s international reputation as a centre of design and high quality craft production is a proven asset. Festivals such as Kilkenny Arts Week and the Cats Laughs comedy festival have raised the profile of Kilkenny City as a tourism destination.

POLICY

• RTA4 To investigate funding opportunities for the development of flagship tourism products; suggested products for development would include Rothe House and walking cycling trails development.

• RTA5 Encourage the provision of indoor and activities based tourism facilities and events which extend the tourism season.

Retail is one of the key factors in the development of tourism throughout the County and the continued vitality of established tourist destinations. Retail can enhance a cultural experience as well as bring economic benefits to an attraction. To encourage international visitor expenditure appropriate shops and services will be facilitated, to enable the County to better exploit its tourism potential. These may include hotels, arts and crafts galleries, craft outlets/villages, tourist shops at important tourist destinations, and local markets and shops specialising in outdoor pursuits, such as angling and water sports.

POLICY

• RTA6 Promote collective public and private sector marketing of County Kilkenny as a leisure and retail tourist destination, within Ireland and abroad.

Events such as festivals, fairs and concerts present enormous opportunities for retailers and consideration should be given to this in encouraging the development of new events and developing a countywide programme of activities for visitors.

POLICY

• RTA7 Support the development of existing festivals and support the establishment of new festivals in appropriate locations where there is a demonstrable demand and market for them, to promote increased retail tourism throughout the County.

7.1.3 Integrated Rural Tourism

While seeking to ensure that most tourism development locates in or close to towns and villages, the Council recognises that by its nature, some tourism development may require alternative locations. Such development may be acceptable if it accords with Landscape Character policies and provides a range of facilities which would also be made available to the local community.

Integrated Rural Tourism is directly and positively linked to the economic, social, cultural and natural resource in rural areas. It is an approach to tourism development, which is sensitive to the nature of local resources, traditions and opportunities and endeavours to optimise the use of resources and shares the benefits throughout the area.

In order to promote balanced regional development, while also preserving the rural character and amenity of the open countryside and boosting rural tourism, an area needs to be self sufficient with a full range of services. This may include for example accommodation, farmer’s markets, organic produce, activity holidays, walking/cycling facilities, golf, fishing, boating and swimming facilities.

There is an existing range of special interest and other attractions that can be further developed for tourists while also preserving the rural character and amenity of the open countryside, these include on-farm tourist accommodation, fishing, equestrian pursuits and other secondary activities such as health spas, cooking schools, adventure centres etc. Although rural tourism remains a relatively small niche in the overall tourism industry it can play a vital role for local communities including a supplementary role for the farming community. These activities all serve to encourage visitors to stay longer in the County.

POLICY

• RTA8 To support the development of niche activities, such as those relating to food (particularly value-added products), forestry (e.g. wood products), crafts, eco-tourism and agri-tourism, for example farmhouse accommodation, open farms, farm holidays, health farms, equestrian activities, bird-watching holidays; painting/photography tuition, angling tourism, field studies and hill-walking (with the co-operation of the landowners).

• RTA9 To facilitate the development of agri-tourism, consideration will be given to tourist facilities and tourism accommodation on agricultural holdings where the proposed units involve the reuse and refurbishment of under-utilised agricultural buildings which will remain an integral part of the landholding.

7.1.4 Tourist Facilities and Infrastructure

High quality safe and well located facilities and infrastructure are essential in creating a good experience for visitors. This includes infrastructure such as walking and cycling trails, transport and signage.

POLICY

• RTA10 To encourage and assist development and tourist bodies in the provision of adequate recreational and tourism infrastructure and to further develop tourist orientated facilities in the County.

7.1.4.1 Walking and Cycling Trails

Walking and cycling trails can make a great contribution to sustainable tourism development. Policies for the development of such trails are also outlined with the Recreation section of this chapter.

POLICY

• RTA11 The Council shall investigate the potential of and opportunities for the funding of walking and cycling trails in the county; and for the development of linkages between existing trails and others in adjoining counties; and support national trail development policy including the Irish Trails Strategy.

• RTA12 Encourage and promote cycling-based tourism in the city and county and to support Fáilte Ireland’s Strategy for the Development of Irish Cycle Tourism, South East Regional Report

7.1.4.2 Transport

Many overseas and domestic tourists rely on private motor vehicles to access tourist attractions and recreational facilities. Innovative transport methods can reduce reliance on such forms of transport and increase the use of other, more sustainable, means of transport such as bus and cycle.

7.1.5 Tourism Accommodation

Key towns and villages act as tourist centres and the facilities and services they provide are crucial to the development of the tourist potential of the County. Appropriate tourist accommodation and facilities must be provided throughout the county for this purpose.

POLICY

• RTA13 In general, direct tourism based development, into existing settlements where there is adequate infrastructure to service development and where they can contribute to maintenance of essential rural services.

While touring caravan sites tend to be less obtrusive than static sites, the provision of new facilities will be assessed against strict planning, design and environmental criteria: development will be resisted in areas already well provided for and in areas of landscape vulnerability and sensitivity. Reference should be made to Fáilte Ireland’s ‘Registration Regulations and Classification Criteria for Caravan and Camping Parks’ (1990).

7.2 Recreation and Amenities

The Kilkenny Open Space, Sports and Recreation Study was commissioned by Kilkenny County Council and Kilkenny Borough Council to provide guidance on the future development of open space, sports and amenity policies in County Kilkenny. In response to this Study, a Variation was adopted in 2003, which amended the policies and objectives of the 2002 Development Plans. These policies have now been augmented and refined in order to further define and support the Study.

The overall aim of the Study was to identify and meet the recreational needs of Kilkenny City and its Environs, provide for the needs of the County as a whole and to meet these needs with an integrated strategy capable of delivering, maintaining and managing the facilities to meet these needs.

Open space performs a wide range of roles in enhancing the livability of cities, towns and rural villages. Protecting open space for its amenity, ecological, educational, social and community benefits are now well established as planning principles among planning authorities and wider interests. The protection of open space is consistent with the principles of sustainable development. Playing fields, parks, gardens and informal open spaces are not only important as a recreational resource but also provide valuable green areas for wildlife corridors and habitats, act as buffers between conflicting land uses, enhance visual amenity especially in developed areas and contribute to the health and quality of life of citizens.

Since the publication of the Study, local sports policy has developed in a number of ways in County Kilkenny. The Borough Council, County Council and the County Development Board have progressed with the formulation of sports and recreation policy, programmes and objectives in a consistent and progressive manner.

The Council is committed to the protection and sustainable development of the amenities of the county for recreational purposes to benefit the residents of the County and to aid in the promotion of tourism.

POLICY

• RTA14 Use its powers under the Planning & Development Acts to ensure that adequate recreational open space and facilities are provided for all groups of the population at a convenient distance from their homes and places of work.

7.2.1 Protection of Open Space

The Planning Authority will not normally permit development which would result in the loss of public or private playing fields, parks, children’s play space, amenity open space or land zoned for recreational or open space purposes. An exception may be considered where one or more of the following requirements are demonstrably met:

• There is a clear excess of playing fields or open space provision within the area. This should take into account the long-term needs of the community, the type, recreational, amenity value and accessibility of such provision.

• Alternative compensatory provision is made which is both accessible to and of equal or greater quality and benefit to the community served by the existing open space.

• The continued use, proper maintenance and enhancement of the amenity/facility can best be achieved by the redevelopment of a small part of the site that will not adversely affect its overall sporting, recreational and/or amenity value of the facility.

• The site is indicated for an alternative use in the development plan.

Playing fields, parks, gardens and informal open spaces are not only important as a recreational resource but also provide valuable green areas for wildlife corridors and habitats, act as buffers between conflicting land uses, enhance visual amenity especially in developed areas and contribute to the health and quality of life of citizens. Only where it is clearly established that open space and playing fields are no longer required for their original purposes, and the County Council has considered the need for other forms of recreational and amenity open space in the locality will it permit alternative development proposals. Many existing areas of open space are of considerable value and are therefore worthy of protection in their own right.

7.2.2 Provision of Public Open Space

The Council will endeavour to make provision for a hierarchy of parks, open spaces and outdoor recreation areas within the County so that the population can participate in a wide range of active and passive recreational pursuits within easy reach of their homes and places of work.

The prerogative to maintain and enhance existing open space, sport and recreational facilities as well as providing new facilities permeates all levels of national planning advice.

POLICY

• RTA15 Kilkenny County Council will seek to develop a strategic approach to the development of open space amenity and recreation provision throughout Kilkenny City and County as outlined in the Kilkenny Open Space, Sports and Recreation Study.

The implementation of the study’s policies and recommendations will be subject to the availability of finances and resources.

The County Council will seek to ensure that the current and future needs are:

• guided by appropriate policies and recommendations;

• reflect the need to develop a hierarchy of sports and recreational opportunities;

• targeted geographically;

• implemented and promoted by all statutory undertakers in the area; and

• appropriately funded.

The Council, with the assistance of the County Development Board and the Local Sports Partnership, will seek to:

a. Enhance planning of sport and recreation at local level through the Local Area Sports Partnership.

b. Promote Kilkenny City, its environs and the county as a whole as a healthy area.

c. Increase levels of local participation and promote the development of opportunities for all groups to become involved in sports and amenity. This is particularly relevant in the case of disadvantaged groups and specific target groups such as older people, girls and women, people with disabilities, unemployed people and those who live in disadvantaged communities or areas lacking amenity infrastructure.

d. Improve access to all sectors of the population, especially the socially disadvantaged to a range of sport, recreation and leisure facilities.

e. Encourage where appropriate better use of existing facilities and assist in the provision of new facilities.

f. Encourage and provide facilities to enable progression through the sporting pathway of “foundation, participation, performance and excellence.”

It will be Council’s policy to maximise the use of resources. The appropriate standards are detailed in the Chapter 10 of the Plan.

7.2.2.1 Recreational Facilities

It will be the policy of the Council to co-operate with local development organisations, community groups, the County Kilkenny Vocational Educational Committee, and others in the development of recreational facilities throughout the county and to enter into joint venture arrangements where appropriate for the provision of such facilities.

A wide range of proposals (based on the hierarchy of facilities identified as an ideal recommendation) have been set out. The purpose of the hierarchy is to ensure that investment decisions are focused so as to enable efficient planning and investment decisions.

Regional Facility

There is potential for the development of a Regional facility in the City & Environs given:

• The designation of the City as a ‘Hub’ in the National Spatial Strategy.

• The ability of such a centre to serve a wider area and the surrounding towns of Clonmel, Carlow and Portlaoise (and their hinterlands).

City/County Scale Facilities

While ideally, the development of a City/County level facility should be located on one individual campus, Kilkenny City and its environs contain the potential to develop a number of established and proposed sporting facilities cumulatively, as a City/County or possible as a Sub-Regional facility.

Sub-County Scale Facilities

Sub-County scale facilities should be developed in Thomastown, Castlecomer and the Environs of Waterford City in County Kilkenny.

District-Scale Facilities

District-scale facilities should be provided in Callan, Graiguenamanagh, Johnstown, Piltown and Mullinavat.

Neighbourhood Facilities

Neighbourhood facilities should be developed on the basis of the criteria set out in Table 7.2 and the Facility Development Protocol set out in Section 7.3.2.2. No specific locations have been identified for the development of neighbourhood facilities but areas within the City and towns or villages within the county subject to Local Area Plans would be prioritised.

Table 7.2: Guide to Hierarchies

LEVEL	REGIONAL	CITY/SUB COUNTY	DISTRICT	NEIGHBOUR- HOOD
OPTIMUM LOCATION	On national road. Located in environs of Kilkenny City if possible.	Convenient to national roads. Located on convergence of bus routes.	On bus routes.	Accessible to pedestrians and non-car users.
CATCHMENT IN KMS	50-75km	10-20km	3-10 km	1-2km
ACCESS	University students, and national teams, national and regional elite teams and athletes.	Public, clubs and local elite	Public and clubs	Public and community based
SPORTING FACILITIES
Pool	50m x 20m	25m x 6m	None / Leisure	None
Hall	12 min. state of the art facility designated for specific purposes.	6 plus suite of smaller halls.	4 or more	2
Pitches	High quality training	Suite of pitches for training/local leagues or training/local leagues	½ pitches training/local leagues	1 no. pitch training
Multipurpose/ Synthetic	2 full size ATPs	1 full size multifunctional Astroturf and 1 full size ATP	1 full size multifunctional Astroturf	1 training all weather pitch
Lights	Television/ competition quality	Astroturf and ATP at competitive level	Astroturf at competitive level/training level	Lights to training standard. Where appropriate no lighting should be considered in areas where passive observation cannot be encouraged at after dark times.
Level of sporting performance	Excellence/ Performance competition specialist (specialist equipment)	Performance	Competition/Recreation	Recreation
ACTIVITIES
Daytime	Exclusively Sport	Sport mainly but health and community	Sport, recreation, health and community	Recreation, health and community
Night time	Exclusively Sport	Sport	Sport, recreation and community	Recreation and community
Play Areas	None	None	District play areas as per open space study recommendations	Neighbourhood play area as per open space study recommendations
Child Care Facilities	Yes	Yes	Optional	Optional/Not necessary

7.2.2.2 Protocol for the Development of Facilities

The provision of new facilities within the hierarchy may not always be preferred as it may be more appropriate to upgrade, refurbish and improve existing facilities, particularly in established settlements. A protocol for the development of facilities will be utilised to ensure that development occurs in an orderly, sustainable manner.

The following protocol should be considered as a sequential approach to developing or improving (where existing) facilities.

a. Bring into use a redundant or infrequently used facility. This could be a redundant sports hall or a community hall that is not used for recreational or sports facilities.

b. Make better / more frequent use of existing sports facilities. For example, bring an existing school into dual use so that it can be used outside school hours and at weekends.

c. Improve management procedures within existing facilities. This would be considered as a final opportunity to improve facilities before embarking on physical works.

d. Refurbish facilities within the existing footprint. This will usually not require planning permission and is an option before physically extending existing facilities. This may involve moving existing walls / pitches catering for other uses.

e. Extend existing facilities. This may entail physically extending facilities and the physical footprint of the existing sports facility. It may entail providing for other sports (i.e.) providing new rather than shared pitches as indicated in (d) above.

f. Provide a new stand-alone facility. This should be considered as a last option once

options (a) to (e) have been explored.

ACTION

• It is an objective of the Council in conjunction with Kilkenny Borough Council to complete the development of the new swimming pool which incorporates other sports and leisure facilities at Scanlon Park.

7.2.2.3 Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnership

The Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnership was set up in 2004, with the support of the Irish Sports Council, with the aim of increasing participation in sport and ensuring that local resources were used to best effect. Kilkenny Local Authorities is one of twelve organisations represented on the Board of Directors. A Strategic Plan 2006-2009 has been produced with to promote participation in recreational and sporting activity in the county. This Strategic Plan contains a number of objectives under five strategic areas to increase participation in sport in the county.

POLICY

• RTA16 To support the goals and objectives of the Kilkenny Sports Partnership.

7.2.2.4 Hierarchy of Open Space

Recreation, leisure and sport are important components of a good quality of life and have major land use implications. Adequate and accessible provision of open space, sport and recreational facilities is an important consideration in assessing the quality of life in a town or area. It is likely to become more important as the focus within new developments will be on building sustainable communities

POLICY

• RTA17 Ensure that all residents have reasonable access to a range of different types of open space.

• RTA18 Implement as a priority the hierarchy of open space identified in the Kilkenny Open Space, Sport and Recreation Study for the City and County.

7.2.2.5 Regional and/or City Parks and Corridors

The setting of Kilkenny in the Nore river valley with associated tributaries provides an opportunity for establishing open spaces and networks of open spaces of strategic value and importance to the cities self image as well as recreational needs.

Following the completion of the Recreational Needs Strategy, a park building strategy was commenced throughout the county. To date a number of parks have been completed or are at various stages of planning or construction, including facilities at Garringreen, Loughboy Park and the Nore Linear Park in the city, Church Avenue in Castlecomer, and in Mullinavat.

River Nore Linear Park

The River Nore corridor holds huge potential for open space in the core of Kilkenny. Essentially the river bank and floodplains are largely undeveloped, with the exception of a stretch within the city centre, between Green’s Bridge and John’s Bridge. The central location of these riverside areas means the area is accessible to the greatest number of people. There is potential to create countywide links along the river corridors.

Construction work on the initial stages of the River Nore Linear Park began in 2006 and Phase 1A was completed in early 2007. The Nore Linear Park is an ambitious project to provide a network of footpaths and cycleways along the River Nore in Kilkenny City and Environs combined with a sequence of high quality public spaces.

Within the City, a walk between Talbotsinch and Ossory Bridge is proposed. Much of this walk is already in existence, but it needs to be upgraded. It is intended that it will be accessible to all users, including cyclists, people with disabilities, people using buggies, etc.. The remedial works will involve surfacing, public lighting, and seating. It is also proposed to develop the walk as a loop which will require the reinstatement of a pedestrian bridge at Talbotsinch, and possibly also at Ossory Bridge. Other features will be examined such as the reinstatement of the Bandstand at Dukesmeadows and the second Tea House near Smithwick’s Brewery. Due to the size of the project, it will be completed in phases.

Due to the level of expense involved in development of the routes, the project will take a number of years. However, it is envisaged that it will be complete within the lifetime of this Plan.

ACTION

• Complete the River Nore Linear Park within the lifetime of the Plan.

Pococke & Breagagh River Corridors

Sections of the Pococke River to the east of the city centre are designated open space. The course of the river follows alongside sections of the ring road extension currently under construction.

This open space designation has been extended further in the City and Environs Development Plan having regard to the encroachment of development pressures on the river. There is potential to link the Pococke open space areas back to the existing residential developments and the River Nore walking route/River Nore Park. A playground facility has been developed at Garringreen.

POLICY

• RTA19 To seek the establishment of public parks along the Pococke and Breagagh Rivers.

Links to Surrounding Countryside

The countryside of Kilkenny holds vast potential to develop outdoor recreation activities to benefit both tourism and local residents. There are many river courses throughout the county and there is scope to form an interconnecting network of routes along these courses and as part of a greater trail for walking. Routes along the River Nore could be extended out of the City, both North and south linking into other towns including Thomastown and Woodstock Estate at Inistioge to the south.

District/Neighbourhood Parks

The Regional and City wide parks in a city the size of Kilkenny will provide the major concentrations of amenity within the city, however, the day to day recreational provision to local communities will be provided by a series of district or neighbourhood parks.

In the larger county towns a park of this nature may be appropriate and lands have been zoned for:

• Thomastown (floodplain)

• Castlecomer

• Callan (Old Friary )

• Graignamanagh (Abbey street, riverside)

These ‘town parks’ are generally in a very central location and easily accessible. They should provide facilities for both formal and informal recreation in a parkland environment.

Local parks

There is a series of open spaces throughout the built-up areas of Kilkenny city, which can provide a range of informal, passive and active recreational spaces. In the smaller villages throughout the county a similar approach should be taken to the creation of a village green or similar amenity in a central location. This may also coincide with a larger open space within which facilities can be provided.

7.2.2.6 Soccer Pitches

There are four playing pitches currently under the control of Kilkenny County Council in the City at Bishop Birch Place, Garringreen, Millennium Court and Newpark Marsh. The County Council will continue to maintain these facilities to the highest possible standards and will work will local community and voluntary groups to provide similar facilities at Urlingford and Ballyragget. These facilities are available for licensing on an annual basis to interested clubs.

ACTION

• Develop a playing pitch and other recreational/community facility at the Johnswell Road Amenity Area.

• Support other local communities in the provision of similar facilities.

7.2.2.7 Children’s Play Facilities

It is the policy of the Council to provide, maintain and manage a children’s play area in areas where it is appropriate as finance and resources permit. Kilkenny County Council recently developed and will continue to maintain and extend playgrounds at the following locations: Garringreen (City), Mooncoin, Callan, Castlecomer, Mullinavat and Thomastown. Following the completion of these facilities it is intended to develop playgrounds at a number of additional locations, including the Environs of Waterford City.

The Council will also require provision for children’s play or developer contributions towards providing children’s play facilities in association with new residential developments. This will be required in areas where statutory plans exist or are prepared in the future. Within new residential developments where there is a significant family residential component the whole environment should be designed so as to permit children to play in safety.

7.2.2.8 Play Policy

The Kilkenny Interagency Play Forum Play Plan 2006 to 2012 was developed through Strategic Policy Committee 5 (SPC 5) and the Kilkenny County Development Board. The development of the play policy was based on the National Play Policy "Ready, Steady, Play". The policy advocates a child-centered approach to the development of play facilities.

POLICY

• RTA20 Create a child-friendly and safe environment where the importance of play is recognised for a child’s development.

• RTA21 Improve the quality and safety of playgrounds and play areas.

ACTIONS

• Develop three playgrounds at Newpark Close, Graiguenamanagh and Ballyhale.

• Advance the planning for the provision of playground facilities at Freshford, Goresbridge, Inistioge, Gowran, Piltown, Stoneyford, Ballyragget, the Scouts Den and Loughboy Park.

• To undertake a mapping exercise that identifies existing play services, facilities and amenities as well as highlights gaps in these areas across the county.

7.2.2.9 Outdoor Recreation in the Countryside

The Council will normally permit development proposals for outdoor recreational use in the countryside where all the following criteria are met:

- It will not result in damage to sites of nature conservation importance or features of the archaeological and built heritage;

- It will not result in the loss of the best and most versatile agricultural land;

- It will not cause harm to the appearance and character of the local landscape and can be readily absorbed into its surroundings by taking advantage of existing vegetation and /or topography;

- The amenity of the people living nearby or the enjoyment of other countryside users is not adversely affected by the nature, scale, extent, frequency or timing of the recreational activities proposed including any noise likely to be generated;

- Any ancillary built development is small in scale, designed to a high standard and sympathetic to the surrounding environment in its siting, layout and landscape treatment.

- Consideration is given to access to the proposed facility by means of transport other than the private car and;

- The local road network can safely handle the extra traffic the proposal would generate and satisfactory arrangements are provided for access, parking, drainage, litter and sewage.

The Council is aware of the considerable recreational potential which is available in the mountain, hill areas and river valleys both in the county and just outside its borders. The council will co-operate with the adjoining authorities and with other interested parties such as Fáilte Ireland, An Taisce, mountaineering, game clubs, and other appropriate organisations to protect the potential of these areas and to carry out appropriate developments as and when resources permit. Such developments would comprise the laying out of walks, bridle paths, access points to streams and lakes, new access roads and car parks, lay-byes and picnic sites, climbing huts and hostels.

7.2.2.10 Intensive Sports Facilities

The Council will normally permit development proposals for intensive sports facilities where all of the following criteria are met.

- The proposal is compatible with development plan zonings.

- There will be no detrimental impact on residential amenity.

- It is located so as to be accessible to its catchment population and gives priority to walking, cycling and public transport and does not generate unacceptable levels of traffic.

- It is designed so as to minimise the impact of noise and light pollution.

- There is no significant detrimental impact on the natural environment or features of the archaeological or built heritage.

- The proposal is of high quality design and respects and contributes to the character of its location and townscape.

- Public access is provided.

- Ancillary facilities are provided such as childcare facilities.

Intensive sports facilities include stadia, leisure centres, sports halls, swimming pools and other indoor and outdoor sports facilities that provide a wide range of activities as well as facilities attracting significant numbers of spectators and use outside normal sporting periods. The location of intensive sports facilities can often be contentious. They can attract large numbers of people, particularly in the evenings and at weekends. They often also generate high levels of noise, operate long and late hours, attract a large number of vehicle movements and can require large parking areas. Specific concerns may also arise where floodlighting is proposed. On occasion the Council may need to be satisfied that a management plan is in place to ensure that there is no detrimental impact on surrounding residential amenity. Planning conditions may be imposed to this effect.

7.2.2.11 Major Sports Facilities and Stadia

Proposals for, and extensions to, major sports stadia will be supported by the County Council where they will be accessible by a range of forms of transport other than the car, and will not cause unacceptable impact to the amenity of nearby residents by way of noise and disturbance.

The Council requires major stadia to be in appropriate locations and to follow the principles of sustainability. For major schemes an Environmental Impact Assessment may be required. Where the Council is concerned at possible effects on traffic a Transport Impact Assessment may be required. Where it is demonstrated that proposals would generate significant impact on the transport network a Travel Plan may be required.

7.2.2.12 Noise Generating Sports

The Council will not normally permit development proposals for sport or recreational uses generating high levels of noise unless the following criteria are met.

- There will be no unacceptable disturbance to local residents.

- There will be no unacceptable disturbance to farm livestock and wildlife.

- There will be no conflict with the enjoyment of areas used for informal recreation.

- The ambient noise level in the area is already high and the noise likely to be produced by the new activity will not be dominant.

The impact of noise is an important issue in assessing proposals for activities such as motor sports. Appropriate sites for the regular use of these sports are not easy to identify and will depend on the type of activity, the tone, level and duration of any noise generated, local topography and the amount of existing proposed screening. Proposals for noisy sports will only be acceptable where the likely impact can be contained and minimised by landform or woodland. Other suitable sites may include degraded land, former mineral workings or land adjacent to an existing source of noise. In certain cases the Borough and County Councils may only consider it appropriate to grant a temporary permission to allow the impact of noise levels and any potential disturbance or nuisance to be more fully assessed.

7.2.2.13 Floodlighting of Recreational Facilities

The Council will normally only permit proposals for the floodlighting of recreational facilities where the amenities of adjacent residents will not be significantly impaired and the visual amenity and character of the locality will not be adversely affected.

7.2.3 Open Space in new residential development

• RTA22 It is the policy of the Councils, in considering applications for new development, to require the provision of appropriately located and designed open space, recreational and amenity areas.

Developers will be required to make provision for sports and recreational infrastructure commensurate with the needs generated by that development and the capacity of existing facilities in the area to cater for existing and future needs. Residential planning applications in excess of 200 units will require a recreational needs assessment. This assessment should have regard to the Kilkenny Open Space, Sport and Recreation Study for the City and County and any future developer contribution scheme. Recreation provision should form an integral element of development proposals. Where provision is not provided on-site it may be directly provided off-site.

The Council will apply the following as guidelines:

Table 7.3: Amenity Development Thresholds

Site Capacity No. of Dwellings	Minimum quantity and type of leisure facilities required
<25	Development Contribution in lieu of Open Space or 2.4 hectares per 1,000 people (a minimum of 0.25 hectares must be provided)
25 or over	Open space 2.4 hectares per 1,000 people (a minimum of 0.25 hectares must be provided)
100 – 199	Public open space to include a Neighbourhood Play Area
200 – 499	Equipped public open space to include: One full size grass sports pitch; One local Play area; and One court multi-use games area with Community association/club movement.
500 – 599	Public space to include: One full size grass sports pitch; One district play area or one local play area and additional neighbourhood play areas; One court multi-use games are; and Two tennis courts / basketball courts etc.
600 +	Equipped public open space to include: Two full size grass sports pitches; One district play area or one local play area and additional neighbourhood play areas; One court multi-use games area, and two tennis courts / basketball courts etc.
1,000+	One community / leisure Building including full size badminton / basketball court with community association / club movement within. Equipped public open space to include: Two full size grass sports pitches; One district play area or one local play area and additional neighbourhood play areas; One court multi-use games area; and two tennis courts/ basketball courts etc.

The above standards will be applied as a minimum requirement for on-site provision as part of residential development or for off-site provision. In the interests of meeting strategic needs the Council may pool together the requirements of individual and relatively smaller developments to provide facilities and amenities of a strategic nature at the higher end of the hierarchy. Developer contributions may also be sought and may be applied to improve existing facilities nearby.

In areas where new development is proposed and the cumulative impact of the development of new houses will, or is expected to exceed the volume of housing development identified above as thresholds, developers will be required to provide financial contributions or lands towards the development of sports and recreation facilities that will be developed to meet the needs of their development in conjunction with the expected needs of other nearby developments. In instances where this includes, or is expected to include the acquisition of lands this requirement will be specified. This is particularly important in the case of the Western Environs of Kilkenny City and the Waterford Environs area.

7.2.3.1 Development Contributions

Where on-site provision is not appropriate the County Council will levy a sum of money from each housing unit in lieu of the provision of public open space/recreation facilities.

The County Council will impose a levy for provision of open space/recreational facilities in accordance with Section 48 of the Planning and Development Act. Development contributions will be used to assist in the provision of open space and recreational facilities while security will be required for the satisfactory completion of open spaces in private developments until taken in charge as per the provisions of section 34(4)(g) and (j) of the Planning and Development Act 2000.

7.2.4 The Rivers Nore, Suir and Barrow

It is the policy of the County Council to promote the natural amenity potential of the River Nore in order to facilitate the development of amenity, recreational, ecological and tourism benefits for the city and region generally. The River Nore has considerable potential both waterside and landside to be used as recreational asset for the city, the county and the region as a whole.

POLICY

• RTA23 Protect and improve the natural amenity potential and accessibility of the Rivers Nore, Suir and Barrow.

• RTA24 Liaise with neighbouring counties where appropriate, regarding development along the rivers.

7.2.4.1 Riverside Development

The Council will seek to ensure that proposals along the Rivers Nore, Suir and Barrow will achieve an appropriate balance of uses commensurate with the sensitivity of the natural environment. Factors that will be taken into account when considering proposals affecting the rivers include:

1) Any landscape or nature designation for the area,

2) Any proposals to increase the extent of public access,

3) The extent of any environmental improvements to the water environment and its surroundings,

4) The nature of any recreation use proposed; and

5) Any conflict or compliance with proposals for walking or cycling routes.

7.2.4.2 Development associated with Water Sports

The County Council will normally only permit proposals for development associated with water sports adjacent to waterways and inland lakes where all the following criteria are met.

- The proposed facilities are compatible with any existing use of the water, including non-recreational uses;

- It will not result in damage to sites of nature conservation importance or features of the archaeological and built heritage;

- The development can be satisfactorily integrated into its landscape or townscape surroundings;

- The development will not have an unacceptable impact on visual amenity especially in areas of high amenity or other locally important scenic areas; and

- The development will not result in over intensification of use leading to pollution, excessive noise and nuisance.

Water sports cover a wide range of activities from tranquil uses such as angling, sailing, canoeing, rowing and sail boarding to powered activities such as water-skiing and powerboat uses. The Council may require management plans for particular water areas to address the compatibility of such varying demands.

Most development associated with water sports such as slipways, boathouses, toilet and changing facilities, parking areas and access will require planning permission. In considering such development proposals the Council will assess the impact of the visual amenity and character of the area. Where permission is granted the Council will require high levels of design both in terms of layout, buildings and other structures and in the treatment of boundaries either adjacent to the road or the actual waterway. The Council will normally require details of landscaping and surface treatments to accompany all planning applications.

7.2.5 Walking and Cycling Routes and Trails

The Irish Sports Council has published an Irish Trails Strategy, which outlines the numerous benefits of recreational trails, including significant economic benefits. There are a number of major walking and Slí na Sláinte routes available to Kilkenny, such as at Woodstock Estate, Castlecomer and the South Leinster Way.

The countryside of Kilkenny holds vast potential to develop outdoor recreation activities to benefit both tourism and local residents. There are many river courses throughout the county and there is scope to form an interconnecting network of routes along these courses and as part of a greater trail for walking or other. Routes along the River Nore could be extended out of the City, both north and south linking into other towns including Thomastown and Woodstock Estate at Inistioge to the south.

It is the intention of the Council in conjunction with the Borough Council to identify, promote and maintain a series of walking routes within the city and to link these to a strategic network of trails into the county.

The Council will encourage the development of facilities that are accessible to those who walk and cycle. The Council will also work with other local authorities, agencies and organisations to provide a network of walking routes.

7.2.5.1 Proposed River Nore Walking Route - Kilkenny to Inistioge

A rural walk is in the course of development between Kilkenny and Inistioge, to be designed for walkers only (i.e. no cycles, buggies, animals etc.) and will have minimum impact on the environment. Kissing gates, stiles, fencing, signage, marker posts, small footbridges and minimal surfacing are being provided where necessary.

The walk is divided into three sections: Kilkenny to Bennettsbridge, Bennettsbridge to Thomastown, and Thomastown to Inistioge. It is intended that the walk will be part of the National Waymarked Way Network, and insured under that scheme. Kilkenny County Council and BNS LEADER are heavily involved in forging this gateway between county and city.

POLICY

• RTA25 To investigate the potential of and opportunities for the funding of walking and cycling trails in the county; and for the development of linkages between existing trails and others in adjoining counties; and support national trail development policy including the Irish Trails Strategy.

• RTA26 Encourage and promote cycling-based tourism in the city and county and to support Fáilte Ireland’s Strategy for the Development of Irish Cycle Tourism, South East Regional Report

• RTA27 Continue to assist and co-operate with BNS Leader in the development of the River Nore Walking Route between the City and Inistioge/Thomastown.

• RTA28 Working with development agencies, landowners, other legal occupiers and potential users, to develop a sustainable policy on the use of walking routes throughout Kilkenny.

• RTA29 Require that development along rivers set aside land for pedestrian routes that could be linked to the broader area and any established settlements in their vicinity.

• RTA30 Impose a development levy to provide walking amenities and facilities

ACTION

• Research and map the existing network of traditional paths used for leisure purposes with the intention of determining the legal basis and status of their use.

7.2.5.2 Public Rights of Way

The Council will use its powers under the Planning Acts to preserve and maintain existing rights of way, to create new ones where appropriate, and to promote their greater use in amenity areas. In addition the Council may seek to incorporate the provision of pedestrian ways as a condition of planning permission to link amenities, facilities and points of interest.

Kilkenny County Council is aware that providing such routes can cause concern as these may give rise to anti-social behaviour particularly along unsupervised and secluded laneways. Every effort shall be made to avoid such a situation, through public lighting, appropriate layout and landscaping.

The Council will examine existing rights of way, paths, access points to the Rivers Nore, Suir and Barrow and other amenity areas to determine where public rights exist and where public rights of way should be created, for the provision of walking routes along the rivers and amenity areas of the County.

POLICY

• RTA31 Preserve and protect existing rights of way and create new rights of way in the interest of amenity as the opportunity or need arises.

• RTA32 Encourage the provision of access routes to amenity areas in co-operation with landowners and protect amenity areas from infringement by inappropriate development.

• RTA33 Seek to improve the provision of local parks and play spaces and extend those spaces and pathways that can usefully form green links, footways and cycle ways to connect residential areas with parks and open spaces and with each other.

• RTA34 Make existing areas of open space as user-friendly as possible. As well as seeking to ensure that new open space is well integrated to proposed development it is essential that open space has good pedestrian, cyclist and disabled access.

ACTION

• Undertake a survey of existing public rights of way in the county and establish a register within two years of the adoption of the Plan

7.3 The Arts/Cultural Development

Cultural development should be seen as an integral part of the overall development of the county. The culture of a county, city or town is one of the crucial aspects which distinguishes it from other counties or cities. It includes speech, language, theatre, music painting, dance, literature, photography, architecture and more. Knowledge and awareness of the distinct cultural experience of a place or an area is necessary if cultural development is to take place; such knowledge links the past with the present and the future and helps provide a community with a sense of place of its cultural identity.

The Council Arts Office provides financial assistance within the limits of its resources towards the development of the Arts and considers that a multi-faceted cultural activity has an important contribution to make in the lives of residents in the county as well as in tourism development.

The Kilkenny Arts Strategy 2005 - 2009 aims to provide an appropriate policy framework to support, stimulate and further develop the arts so that provision and access, participation in the arts and employment and economic return is maximised.

Kilkenny Arts Festival, the National Craft Gallery and the Cats Laughs Comedy Festival have fulfilled an important role in the cultural development of the county and have raised its international profile.

7.3.1 Arts Infrastructure

Kilkenny is served by a variety of general venue, performance and exhibition spaces including council-managed exhibition spaces for the visual arts, namely the Watergate ‘Gallery Upstairs’, County Hall and 72 John Street. Independent venues include the internationally-recognised Butler Gallery, Rothe House, the National Craft Gallery (Crafts Council of Ireland), city and county libraries, the city based Kilkenny Art Gallery and the Berkeley Gallery in Thomastown. The Arts Strategy has identified a need for a small, flexible venue in the county to fulfil a multiplicity of roles ranging from space for community groups, dance, band rehearsal, theatre rehearsal and storage facilities, etc.

7.3.1.1 Kilkenny Integrated Cultural Facility

Kilkenny local authorities and Butler Gallery are exploring the feasibility of establishing an Integrated Cultural Facility for Kilkenny, combining Butler Gallery contemporary art gallery and a proposed museum. Kilkenny County Council and Kilkenny Borough Council, the Board of the Butler Gallery, the Heritage Council, The Arts Council, the National Museum and the Crafts Council have been involved in preliminary discussions. It is anticipated that the proposed facility will strengthen the cultural identity of art, heritage and design and will support the heritage and visual arts sectors in Kilkenny.

POLICY

• RTA35 Promote the development of the Arts in the City and County through the implementation of the Kilkenny Arts Strategy.

• RTA36 Provide studio/rehearsal/performance space.

• RTA37 Establish an Integrated Cultural Facility for Kilkenny, in co-operation with the Board of the Butler Gallery, the Heritage Council, The Arts Council, the National Museum and the Crafts Council.

on Tue, 12/06/2012 - 12:23pm creilly

County Development Plan Chapter 7

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