CHAPTER 5. ECONOMY
5.0 Economic Profile and Occupations
Section 2.3 of the Draft County Development Plan provides details regarding the recent trends in employment within the county and Table 5.1 below gives a snap shot of the distribution of occupations across the employment sectors. The table illustrates that Service Industry with 28.2% gainfully employed is the largest employer in the County, followed by Manufacturing (15.7%) and Construction (13.4%). The Agricultural Sector, though in decline, accounts for a substantial number of jobs with 10.9% of workforce. It is acknowledged that the Equine Industry is a vital growth industry and an important employer in the Agricultural Sector.
The County has a strong background in the pharmaceuticals and healthcare industrial areas and the Council will continue to support the development and expansion of these employment sectors and seek to encourage and facilitate the expansion of the research and development end of the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.
The Council also recognises the need to diversify and expand its employment base so as not to be over dependent upon any one sector. In particular, there is a need to reduce dependence on the more vulnerable sectors such as construction and the Council will support continued diversification of the agricultural industry to prevent further decline.
Table 5.1 Distribution of Employment 2006
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing,
Year 2006= 3,926, Percentage 10.9%
Mining Quarrying and Turf Production,
Year 2006= 244, Percentage 0.6%
Manufacturing Industry,
Year 2006= 5,628, Percentage 15.7%
Electricity Gas and Water Supply,
Year 2006= 148, Percentage 0.4%
Construction,
Year 2006= 4,789, Percentage 13.4%
General Services,
Year 2006= 10,111, Percentage 28.2%
Public Administration and Defence,
Year 2006= 1,50, Percentage 64.2%
Education,
Year 2006= 2,27, Percentage 36.3%
Health and Social Work,
Year 2006= 3,796, Percentage 10.6%
Other Community, Social and Personal Services Activities,
Year 2006= 1,621, Percentage 4.5%
Industry Not Stated,
Year 2006= 1,750, Percentage 4.8%
Total at Work,
Year 2006= 35,792, Percentage 100%
Total Population,
Year 2006= 83,221
Percentage at Work= 43.0%
For future employment it is essential that the Council continues to focus support on growing and developing indigenous small and medium enterprises and to attract alternative key economic drivers into the county which have a more robust growth base. An important element in this will be the upskilling and reskilling of the workforce, as appropriate, to ensure the proper skills will be available when required. The Council will work with industrialist and training agencies to provide the proper and relevant skills base.
One of the key objectives of the Draft County Development Plan is to provide gainful employment for its workforce. The Council recognises there are many factors at play in attracting viable industry to the County, among these are good industrial landbanks at strategic locations and within our strong urban settlements; excellent communications networks and power source; good infrastructural provision, roads networks, water services, workforce availability with appropriate skills, Research and Development linked to higher education, agglomeration economies of scale and locational synergies. There are other ‘non-economic’ factors at play also, such as good environmental conditions, strong settlements with good services and social facilities, etc. The list is by no means exhaustive but sets out the challenges for the Council in meeting its responsibilities for employment provision. Some of the issues outlined above have been dealt with in preceding chapters and other issues will be dealt with in more detail in the succeeding chapters of this CDP Draft.
5.1 Labour Force
Retaining an active labour force is a key issue for this county. Chapter 2, Table 2 illustrated the fall off of those of a working age over a 10-year period in the county. There are a variety of reasons for this which range from 3rd level educational requirements to a lack of opportunities for appropriate work. However, as was highlighted during the pre-draft consultations on this issue, one of the key issues facing larger employers is the ability to retain employees to live in the County. Reasons provided included the need to build up settlements to a standard that supported critical community/recreational and social facilities; providing a quality choice in residential area and enabling employees to up skill as required. It is therefore a key challenge that employment growth is prioritised during the plan period and that the Council follow through with the following policy objective
ECON 1: Employment Growth Opportunities It is the policy of the Council to enhance opportunities for employment in the county through the following:
- Facilitating and supporting the further development and expansion of Tipperary Institute;
- Supporting the development of a South East university;
- Building up strong, well serviced and attractive settlements so that choice and opportunities can be afforded to potential employees and their families;
- Working with key agencies to promote and support upskilling of current and future labour force to meet the market needs and providing appropriate opportunities for its citizens;
- Working with key agencies to enhance research and development market opportunities; and,
- Addressing infrastructural deficits and ensuring that future infrastructural needs are met in advance of development.
5.2 Employment Creation.
The County Strategy for Economic, Social and Cultural Development 2002-2011 has been drawn up by the County Development Board for the purpose of coordinating and collaborating on the implementation of strategies that combine local programmes for the social, economic and cultural development of the County over the period 2002-2011. There are a number of agencies that work within the County and have responsibility for progressing employment opportunities and creating a positive environment for employment creation and enhanced economic activity. The County Development Board is the key agency that brings these various stakeholders together. Under the Economic element of the County Strategy for Economic, Social and Cultural Development, a co-ordinated and in some instances collaborative approach is being taken to actively address this issue. The Council has taken a lead role in the area and will continue to work with these agencies and stakeholders through the support of the County Development Board, but also through the policies set out in the Draft County Development Plan that are designed to facilitate the achievement of sustainable development.
ECON 2: Employment Creation
It is the policy of the Council to continue to co-operate with private enterprise and employment creation agencies in order to promote South Tipperary as an attractive location for investment and associated employment creation.
5.3 Location of Employment
Whilst there are numerous agencies whose responsibility it is to deliver and/or facilitate the delivery of employment to an area, the Planning Authority has a critical role to play in enabling economic activity to thrive and facilitating employment growth. In particular, it is a function of the Planning Authority to designate appropriate lands for such uses. The Council is aware that different employment uses have different landuse requirements and the Draft County Development Plan seeks, in so far as it is possible, to allocate land use accordingly.
In particular, the Planning Authority has addressed employment landuses within the following context
- Strategic employment land use requirements
- Primary and Secondary Service Centre employment land use requirements
- District Service Centre land use requirements
- Local Service Centre Land use Requirements
There is a need to set aside lands for strategic employment uses that may include national or regional distribution centres, high quality integrated specific employment uses or gateway employment initiatives1. The Council will protect these locations from inappropriate development that would undermine or limit the future potential for economic development.
In the preparation of the Draft Plan the Council has zoned 95 hectares (234 acres) and 28 hectares (70 acres) for light industrial and general industrial uses respectively within settlements. This employment landbank is in addition to the industrial lands zoned and located within the boundaries of the larger county towns that are covered with their own Development Plans or Local Area Plans.
5.3.1 Lands for Strategic Employment Use
These lands have characteristics which make them strategically important for employment uses e.g. lands at Ballingarrane (significant for reasons of direct access to the N24, the mix of educational and employment uses and associated synergies, proximity to the gateway of Waterford and its airport and the role played by the IDA and the local authority) and lands at Limerick Junction (significant for reasons identified in the Limerick Junction Local Area Plan 2005, the strategic connections to the national rail and road networks, the proximity to Foynes, Ringaskiddy, Rosslare and Bellview ports and gateway cities). Other strategic locations are outlined below and identified on Figure 5.1 below.
These locations include:
- Lands located at Ballingarrane, Clonmel;
- Lands located on the Cashel Road, Clonmel;
- Lands located at Moangarriff, Clonmel;
- Lands located at new interchanges on the proposed N24 at Tipperary Town, Carrick on Suir and Limerick Junction2;
- Lands located at the southern interchange of the N8 at Cashel; and,
- Lands located at the northern interchange of the N8 and N24 at Cahir.
Proposals for strategic employment use under this policy will be required to demonstrate that the proposed use requires a significant land take, requires significant access to the national road network and that the proposed development could not be accommodated within existing settlement centres for logistical reasons.
The Council intends to put in place a Strategic Industrial Landbank Policy to copper fasten its commitment to the provision of proper and adequate industrial landbank throughout the county. The sub-committee of the Economic and Planning Strategic Planning Committees will steer this initiative.
ECON 3: Strategic Employment
It is the policy of the Council to facilitate the sustainable development of strategic employment uses at the identified locations set out in the Draft County Development Plan subject to the provision of a satisfactory master plan to be prepared by the relevant landowner(s)/developer(s) for the agreement of the Council. Any master plan shall comply with the relevant policies and development management standards set out in Chapter 9 of the Draft County Development Plan.
Figure 5.1. Strategic Economic Locations
5.3.2 Primary and Secondary Service Centres Employment Land Use Requirements
These land banks are associated with the large urban settlements of the county and consist of large dedicated land banks that can facilitate employment/industrial uses. Such lands are predominantly located in close proximity to the regional and national road network and can facilitate activities with heavy vehicular dependence and are detailed in the relevant Development or Local Area Plans.
5.3.3 District Service Centres Employment Land Use Requirements
These land banks are identified in order to stimulate and accommodate economic activities at the District level. The key objectives are to foster local employment opportunities, to anchor and support community development; prevent excessive travel for employment; and provide synergy and “value added” spin-off employment opportunities, at the local level. It will be important that sufficient land is available for starter/incubator enterprise units at these centres and it is intended that 20% of the landbank be made available for this purpose and will of necessity be included at the ‘first phase’ of land development. As already outlined the Council will use its powers to facilitate development of these landbanks and will look at options of acquiring landbanks for immediate delivery, where demand exists.
Where private development of enterprise lands is proposed, the Council will require that the first proposal for development be accompanied by a master plan for the entire zoned land bank which shall clearly identify the proposed phasing, details and specifications of infrastructure including vehicular access arrangements, landscaping and general compliance with the development management standards set out in Chapter 9.
ECON 4: Facilitating Local Employment in District Service Centres
It is the policy of the Council to facilitate enterprise land banks within all District Service Centres with provision for incubator/starter units of a minimum land area of 20% of each landbank.
The Council recognises that there are genuine difficulties experienced by individuals who are interested in starting up their own business or who are seeking to move to the next level but find it difficult to source appropriate land or purchase zoned lands at a reasonable cost. In order to facilitate this sector, the Council will seek to purchase a rolling land back in selected key villages to address this need.
ECON 5: Employment Land Bank
It is the policy of the Council to purchase a rolling stock of land in key settlements for the purpose of assisting start up or set up enterprises in a sustainable manner.
5.3.4 Local Service Centres Employment Land Use Requirements
The Settlement Strategy envisages that these centres will provide a lower range of employment opportunities which may facilitate the population of their immediate hinterlands where infrastructure will be enhanced in tandem with development as needs arise.
ECON 6: Local Service Centres
It is the policy of the Council to facilitate the appropriate expansion of existing employment/industrial uses in Local Service Centres provided such development is designed and landscaped so as to contribute positively to the visual appearance of the settlement and associated entrance points. The Council may also facilitate new small scale employment uses where there is capacity to accommodate same, and where such development would not have an adverse impact on existing amenities, the environment or public and traffic safety.
5.3.5 Open Countryside Enterprise Requirements
The Councils first priority will always be to facilitate and encourage all employment uses to locate on appropriately zoned lands that are being made available in serviced centres and which have access to an active labour force. However, the Council also acknowledges that economic activity does occur in rural areas, such as cottage industry and agri-tourism, that will be location specific. There are also other economic activities that occur in the countryside, mainly from persons living in the countryside with a desire to establish some business/enterprise venture. There is a need to foster this “entrepreneurship” and put in place a framework to assist its establishment.
The challenge for this Plan, in promoting ‘countryside’ economic activity, is to ensure that such activities do not:
- undermine the function, role and purpose of towns/villages;
- provide a cheap, unsustainable and unserviceable alternative location; and
- result in a significant dis-amenity to residents and other uses.
Economic activity in the open countryside will be considered on the basis of;
a) type of use,
b) scale,
c) appropriateness,
d) residential amenity,
e) traffic and
f) public safety issues.
The Council will have to balance individual’s expectations with the over-arching policy of the protection of settlement based economic/enterprise activity. The ‘countryside option’ would have to be dealt with on a case-by-case basis and have as its sole purpose to facilitate the young business start up entrepreneur in meeting an initial difficulty in relation to accessing appropriate sites. The premises should ideally be an existing part of the site but where new build is required it will need to be of domestic proportions and capable of return to domestic use once the premises is vacated by the original occupier.
When the business has developed on the home site to the maximum allowable level, such an operation will then be expected to move into the nearest service centre where either private land or council owned appropriately zoned land would be available and where appropriate expansion capacity is available. For clarification, it should be noted that uses such as retail shops, nursing homes, crèches and other similar “services” will not be considered appropriate uses under this policy context.
The Criteria for assessment of countryside location for enterprise is contained at Subsection 9.17 of Chapter 9 of this Draft County Development Plan.
ECON 7: Enterprise in the Open Countryside
It is the policy of the Council to facilitate the development of appropriate start up enterprise in the open countryside subject to compliance with the relevant development management standards set out in Chapter 9 of the Draft County Development Plan.
5.3.6 Disused Farm Buildings and Industrial Buildings in the Countryside:
Farm diversification is a common trend in agriculture today and it has resulted in a number of farm buildings lying idle or being under-utilised. Similarly, there are industrial buildings such as former creameries, mill buildings etc in the countryside that are disused and have potential for alternative use. The reuse of these agricultural and industrial buildings may provide for uses associated with rural based activities that would, by reason of noise propagation, time of operation, etc be inappropriately located in settlements, such as agricultural machinery repair/maintenance, welding and steel working. Each case will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis having regard to impacts on adjoining uses, road issues, traffic and public safety, environmental quality and landscape issues. For clarification, it should be noted that uses such as retail shops, car/bus/truck repairs/maintenance activities, machinery and car sales outlets and other similar “services” will not be considered appropriate uses under this policy context.
ECON 8: On Farm Diversification
It is the policy of the Council to facilitate the development of appropriate farm diversification through the reuse of existing farm buildings in the open countryside subject to compliance with the relevant development management standards set out in Chapter 9 of the Draft County Development Plan.
5.4 Non-Conforming Uses
Existing minority uses within any Landuse Zone and in unzoned areas, will be supported except where such use is incompatible with the predominant use of the area. In such event the minority use will be encouraged to relocate. In the same light, the expansion of existing minority Tourism/Commercial/Industrial uses will be allowed where such use conforms to sustainability principles and good planning practices and contributes to the economic and social well-being of the area as a whole. Whilst the policy will be to secure conformity of use through discouragement of a continuation of non-conforming uses, it is recognised that it may be necessary to allow minor building extension and alterations to enable the continuation of the use, provided that the continued use does not prejudice the proper planning and sustainable development of the area and the preservation and improvement of amenities thereof.
It is important that all development proposals are designed and planned so as to protect the visual character of the area. The Development standards set out in Chapter 9 outline enhancement criteria to achieve good design, layout and operation to maintain zoning objectives, amenities, safety and environmental quality of the area.
ECON 9: Non-Conforming Uses
Where commercial/employment/industrial enterprises exist as non-conforming but long-established uses, it is the policy of the Council to facilitate their continued operation where appropriate. Where such uses have ceased the Council will generally only consider redevelopment for new use that conforms with the land use zoning for the area or on unzoned lands shall conform to the predominate use in the area.
5.5 Retail Development
The County Retail Strategy was prepared in 2003 to sustainably manage the retail sector in terms of floorspace requirements and location of retail functions in the County. The Strategy is under review at present in order to update information as to retail requirements taking account of the unprecedented population increases in the period since 2003. The County has a total estimated retail floorspace of 89,624 sqm, which is located in the Primary and Secondary Service Centres as per Table 5.2.
Table 5.2 Retail Floorspace.
Settlement: Clonmel, Area (sqm): 55,887
Settlement: Tipperary Town, Area (sqm): 13,573
Settlement: Carrick on Suir, Area (sqm): 7,040
Settlement: Cashel, Area (sqm): 6,844
Settlement: Cahir, Area (sqm): 4,949
It is anticipated that there is significant capacity for comparison floorspace in both the short term (to 2009) and long term (to 2015 (the County Development Plan date), to 2020 and beyond). There is also capacity for convenience floorspace over the same periods. The Strategy review is consistent with the Retail Planning Guidelines for Planning Authorities 2005 (DEHLG).
The provision of retail and other commercial activity in District and Local Service Centres and Settlement Nodes is promoted by the settlement strategy and facilitated by the respective settlement zoning maps set out in Appendix 10. The Council recognises the importance of providing quality convenience floorspace to meet the needs of the local population in conjunction with other commercial activities to enhance employment opportunities and the range of facilities available to the local community while also enhancing the vitality of settlements.
When considering proposals for retail development, the Council will have regard to the following:
- The proposal, either by itself, or cumulatively with other such proposals, should enhance the vitality and viability of the settlement centre;
- The application should not have a negative impact on the existing uses of the surrounding lands by reason of noise, smell or visual impact;
- The proposed development complies with the Retail Planning Guidelines 2005 (DEHLG) and the County Retail Strategy documents in place at the time; and,
- The development should be easily accessed with adequate parking and servicing facilities without having a negative impact on the traffic safety.
ECON 10: South Tipperary County Retail Strategy
The Council will have regard to the County Retail Strategy 2003 (as amended) when guiding and regulating retail development countywide.
5.6 Rural Resources
5.6.1 Sustainable Tourism and Recreation
South Tipperary County Council in collaboration with other key stakeholders has prepared a development strategy for the period 2007-2014 which proposes an action plan outlining a number of priorities to be undertaken to ensure the sustained growth of the County tourism products. It is estimated that a revenue of €132 million could be created by 2010 depending on the successful implementation of identified priorities. These include:
- Enhanced up to date product knowledge and general access to tourism;
- Coordinate product development and bundling, promotion and enhanced e-marketing;
- Availability of good quality, large scale accommodation;
- Improved facilities and signage for existing natural heritage products;
- Augment co-ordination between state agencies, neighbouring local authorities and marketing groups; and,
- Maximise potential for themed festivals.
The Fáilte Ireland Regional Tourism Plan 2008-2010 aims to bring an extra 20% tourism revenue into the region by establishing the South East as the leading heritage destination in the country, positioning the region as a 'happening place' with events all year round as well as establishing family orientated tourism activities and resorts. South Tipperary will actively support the tourism plan while continuing to improve the quality of our tourist assets and access thereto.
The County Tourist Assets include mountains and uplands, rivers and associated walkways and other heritage assets both natural and man-made. The popularity of some key man made assets is identified in Table 5.3. The development of tourist initiatives focusing on such natural assets could promote activities such as equine, fishing, hill and forestry walking, mountain biking, water sports, boating (inland waterways Clonmel to Carrick-on–Suir) nature trails/conservation, adventure centres, along with “themed” festivals and competitions. There are further opportunities for employment directly and indirectly, related to the hospitality and associated service sectors that facilitate the expansion of these tourism related enterprises.
Table 5.3 Main Visitor Attractions (Source Fáilte Ireland)
Rock of Cashel:
Year 2002: 245,600, Year 2004: 251,600, Year 2006: 244,500
Cahir Castle:
Year 2002: 68,400, Year 2004: 71,300, Year 2006: 71,400
Swiss Cottage:
Year 2002: 21,800, Year 2004: 22,200, Year 2006: 20,600
Ormond Castle:
Year 2002: 5,200, Year 2004: 4,400, Year 2006: 3,700
Bru Boru:
Year 2002: 22,000, Year 2004: N/A, Year 2006: 74,000
Cashel Folk Park:
Year 2002: 76,000, Year 2004: 30,000, Year 2006: 55,000
South Tipperary County Museum:
Year 2002: 17,000, Year 2004: 11,000, Year 2006: 12,400
Holycross Abbey:
Year 2002: 200,000, Year 2004: 240,000, Year 2006: 260,000
The Council will support and promote the development of South Tipperary as a tourist destination and in particular the development of;
- The Glen of Aherlow as a rural activity destination,
- Cahir as an Area of Brown Trout Excellence,
- A Regional Park in the County, and
- The expansion of looped/linked walkways and cycle ways throughout the County.
Integrated tourism ventures, based on major, high quality base facility such as golf courses, equestrian centres, high quality hotels, will be supported and assisted in developing their core products. The Council will consider ancillary uses, appropriate to the core use as further add-on facilities.
The following key sustainable tourism principles will be employed when considering proposals for tourism development:
- Tourism, when it is well managed and properly located, should be recognised as a positive activity which has potential to benefit the host community, the place itself and the visitor alike;
- The County landscapes, cultural heritage, environment and linguistic heritage all have an intrinsic value which outweighs their value simply as a tourism asset. However, sustainable tourism planning makes sure that they can continue to be enjoyed and cherished by future generations;
- Built development and other activities associated with tourism should in all respects be appropriate to the character of the place in which they are situated;
- Strategic tourism assets should be safeguarded from encroachment by inappropriate development; and,
- Visitor accommodation, interpretation centres, and commercial/ retail facilities serving the tourism sector should generally be located within established settlements thereby fostering strong links to a whole range of other economic and commercial sectors and sustaining the host communities.
ECON 11: Tourist Activities
It is the policy of the Council to facilitate expansion and encourage new tourist activities in existing settlement centres, adjacent to existing tourism activities or as part of an integrated tourism development to include for sporting and recreational facilities where they can be supported by, and provide support for, existing services and communities. In all cases development will be required to comply with the development management standards set out in Chapter 9 and the key sustainable tourism principles.
5.6.2 Extractive Industry
South Tipperary contains extensive reserves of sand and gravel and the Council recognises the importance of quarrying and other extractive industries to the economic life of the County. The Council will facilitate new quarries, extensions to existing quarries or other ancillary activities where appropriate, and where it is demonstrated that the development will not have significant negative impacts on any neighbouring landuse, designated site or protected view etc. When considering proposals associated with the extractive industry, the Council will require the developer to outline all impacts on, and propose mitigation measures where appropriate for:
- the quality of the landscape, particularly sensitive/designated landscapes and protected views;
- adjoining existing land uses;
- the archaeological, architectural and natural heritage, and on any existing walking paths and rights of way;
- the local road infrastructure and impact of the increased traffic on road safety;
- the amenities of the surrounding community;
- the current land/quarry resource and the purpose of the current proposal. The Council will require that current quarries are worked out and restored before the commencement of works on new related sites;
- A phasing plan demonstrating that each phase is rehabilitated before the next phase is developed/commenced, detailing the manner and timing of restoration;
- that with open cast workings the direction of operation to be screened from public view (and boundaries of working areas adjusted to preserve trees and hedgerows for screening) and noise propagation is minimised, dust emissions are contained, etc.
ECON 12: Extractive Industry
The Council will support sustainable extractive industries where such operations ensure that existing environmental quality and amenity is protected and which comply with the development management standards of the Draft County Development Plan.
5.6.3 Agriculture/Equine
The County’s countryside is reliant to a large degree on good farming practices for the management and maintenance of its rural character. Agriculture is still the predominant land-use in South Tipperary with 170,500 hectares of land under mixed agricultural use including tillage, dairy, horticulture, grassland and forestry. The Council recognises the importance of agricultural employment and farm diversification related to enterprises such as open farms, associated shops, farmers markets and specialist food. Outside of settlement centres, the Council acknowledges that there is a hierarchy of needs in respect of the use of finite land resources where the production of food and the need to protect quality land for food production is paramount.
Bloodstock production is also synonymous with South Tipperary, and it is estimated that approximately 25% of the National Bloodstock industry turnover occurs in South Tipperary. The success of the breeding industry can be attributed to the top quality soil, limestone bedrock and highly mineralised water supply. Quality land, coupled with an experienced labour force, whose renowned affinity and tradition of working with horses, has resulted in some of the world’s best nurseries, training establishments and stallions being located in the area. The Council recognises the increasing importance of the equine industry in South Tipperary, particularly the positive contribution that the industry makes towards agricultural diversification. The leisure activities, equine tourism, farriers, tack shops and other ancillary services associated with this indigenous industry provide important employment in the County and are a key element in the provision of rural based employment.
ECON 13: Protecting Agricultural Practices
Where new developments are proposed, the Council will seek to balance the need for rural based economic activity with the need to protect and enhance the viability of existing farms, equine operations and high quality agricultural land.
5.7 Prevention of Major Accidents
Guidance in relation to the prevention of major accidents is set out in Directive 96/82/EC, superceded by the European Communities (Control of Major Accident Hazards Involving Dangerous Substances) Regulations, 2000 (SI 476 of 2000) and by the Planning and Development Regulations, 2001 (SI No 600 of 2001). The Directive defines major-accident hazard sites (COMAH sites) as those that store or could generate quantities of dangerous substances in excess of specified thresholds. The Directive seeks to prevent major industrial accidents, limiting the consequences of accidents on people and the environment, imposing obligations on operators and requiring Member States to place restrictions on development in the vicinity of COMAH sites.
Land use provision must take account of the need to maintain appropriate distances between major accident hazard establishments and residential areas, buildings and areas of public use, major transport routes as far as possible, recreational areas and areas of particular natural sensitivity or interest, and in the case of existing establishments, of the need for additional technical measures so as not to increase the risks to people. In 2007 within South Tipperary this Directive only applies to Merck Sharpe & Dohme at Ballydine, Kilsheelan.
ECON 14: Prevention of Major Accidents
The Council, in assessing applications for new development, expansion of existing development involving hazardous substances, or other proposed developments located within designated consultation areas, will have regard to:
- The Major Accidents Directive (Seveso II);
- Potential adverse impacts on public health and safety;
- The requirements of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA)
- The need to maintain appropriate safe distances between residential areas, areas of public use and areas of particular natural sensitivity.
5.8 Specific Economic Objectives
SEO 1: As opportunities arise, the Council will facilitate the enhancement of tourist trails and designated walking and cycling routes throughout the county in order to enhance the network of such routes and interconnectivity between same.
SEO 2: The Council recognises the need to provide a major entertainment venue/performance space in the county and will facilitate the development of same subject to compliance with the policies of the Draft County Development Plan.
SEO 3: It is an objective of the Council to enhance, develop and promote tourist facilities/products throughout the county in conjunction with statutory and other local groups.
SEO 4: It is an objective of the Council to carry out a review of the Tipperary Land Use and Economic Strategy during the life of the Draft County Development Plan.
SEO 5: The Council will continue to invest in the development of Ballingarrane and seek to ensure the development of strategic economic, employment, educational and amenity uses therein.
SHO 6: Where development is proposed on zoned lands within settlements, the Council will require all proposed development to comply with the specific objectives as identified in the Settlement plans in Appendix 10.
