COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Thursday, June 18, 2015

MOTION NO. 168

MOTION: Councillor C. King

ET Policy Leisure Facilities - Additional Objective:

ET7 Objective 3:

To promote the Development of Tourist Friendly attractions such as Angling Villages where possible with appropriate Lodge Style accommodation for overnight Holidays and "club house" in close proximity to appropriate water Courses at an appropriate scale of Development having respect for the pertaining environmental Conditions and sensitivities, scenic amenity and availability of Services.

REPORT:

The CE Draft Plan outlines a range of objectives in relation to Tourism Infrastructure in Section 4.5.0 Tourism and Leisure including;

ET 5 Objective 1:

To support the development of tourism infrastructure, attractions, activities and facilities at appropriate locations subject to sensitive design and environmental safeguards

The quoted objective above supports the development of tourism infrastructure, attractions, activities and facilities at appropriate locations. It is considered that infrastructure for angling is an example of such a tourism relation development. Furthermore, the ET 5 Objective 1 outlines that such tourism related development is ‘subject to sensitive design and environmental safeguards’.

It is considered that an objective for an example of tourist related development is not required as the content of the motion is included in ET5 Objective 1. However, it is noted that ET 5 Objective 3 and ET 5 Objective 4 provide for objectives that relate to support the development of tourist infrastructure but provide a general location.

Additionally, the term ‘close proximity’ is recommended to be removed from the motion. A biodiversity protection zone from the top of the bank of all watercourses in the County is a requirement of the Plan as a result of Environmental legislation (minimum 10m) with the full extent of the protection zone to be determined on a case by case basis by the Planning Authority, based on site specific characteristics and sensitivities. Furthermore, a number of the waterbodies and watercourses in the County are within designated Natura 2000 sites and/or pNHAs sites, which may require greater separation.

Recommendation

It is recommended that this motion is adopted with amendment

To support the development of angling infrastructure and facilities for tourism in proximity to appropriate water courses or water bodies, subject to an appropriate scale of development having regard to the pertaining environmental conditions and sensitivities, scenic amenity and availability of services.