Just Transition, Environemnt, Petlands, Eco-Tourism, Biodiverity

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West Kildare SMART Rural Alliance (SRA)

Comhairliúchán:

Draft Kildare County Development Plan 2023 - 2029

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West Kildare SMART Rural Alliance (SRA)

Litir Chumhdaigh

The West Kildare SMART Rural Alliance (SRA) grows out of a training programme funded by Kildare Leader which promoted the concept of the “Smart Village” and highlighted its relevance within national and EU policy. As participants discussed the challenges facing them, they agreed (1) that the peatland communities of West Kildare are part of a region with a particular socio-economic history which in many respects has more in common with parts of neighbouring Offaly and Laois than with the rest of Kildare, and (2) they recognised both the value and the need for collaboration. Rather than using the training programme to develop individual SMART Village Strategies they agreed to develop a SMART Strategy for the Peatland Communities of West Kildare with the intention of (1) networking peatland communities across West Kildare on issues of common concern – such as Just Transition, and (2) collaborating with peatland communities in Offaly and Laois.

The West Kildare SRA has developed a draft Smart Strategy and defines itself as ‘an ambitious agent of change promoting active collaboration on issues of common concern. In this way we share our expertise and skills in advocating for inclusive development and an equitable Just Transition.’

Its long-term vision is of ‘A network of engaged and dynamic peatland communities whose social, economic & environmental assets are sustainably managed and developed for the benefit and wellbeing of all.’

West Kildare SRA's initial strategy has five pillar objectives summarised below -

(1) Stakeholder engagement within and beyond West Kildare, and with key social, economic and environmental partners and networks,

(2) Identity - ensuring that unique aspects of local identity and culture are documented, interpreted and showcased; and underpin the concept of a 'Living Landscape'.

(3) Wellbeing - enhancing the resilience and wellbeing of communities and individuals

(4) Climate Action and Biodiversity - promoting and testing best practice climate action, decarbonisation and sustainability for communities, businesses and individuals. This includes seeking National Park Status for BnM's industrial peatlands in Kildare, Offaly and Laois.

(5) Green economy - taking advantage of the transition to a low carbon economy.

The full Draft Strategy is attached as is a map of the West Kildare/Peatlands Park area.

Social dialogue and equipping people/communities with the skills to participate in, and benefit from, the future net zero economy are two of the key principles in policy framework set out in the Climate Action Plan. They and are also central to Just Transition To that end, West Kildare SRA has sought the support of Kildare Leader to help develop and grow the SRA in West Kildare and, to broker/facilitate partnerships with communities across county boundaries by working with its counterparts in Laois and Offaly. This work builds on the long and established relationship between Kildare LEADER and communities in West Kildare, and compliments the EU's prioritisation of the SMART Village concept/approach.

Tuairimí

Inclusion of Kildare Co Co's Just Transition

Caibidil:

Volume 1 - chapters » 1. Introduction and Context

Ábhair:

1. Introduction

Please include a reference to Kildare Co Co's Just Transition Plan 2022, noting Kildare Co Co's representation on the EMRA which is managing the next round of EU Just Transition Funds for the Great Midlands Region.

Main opinion:

West Kildare SRA welcomes the increased focus on harnessing our natural assets in a manner that responds to the climate and biodiversity crises. It welcomes Kildare Co Co's initiative in developing a Just Transition Plan for West Kildare, and notes the Council's role within the EMRA which will manage the delivery of the next round of EU Just Transition Funds. We welcome the support for the National Peatlands Park, and look forward to support for inter-county work which recognises and builds on the shared landscape, history and socio-economic experiences of communities across the wider Just Transition Region. The National Peatlands Park, Blueway, Peatways and Greenways are central to a Just Transition in West Kildare; and to building the areas reputation as an eco-tourism destination. However, the County's Biodiversity Plan is out of date as is the County's Matrix for the Impact of Development on Landscape - both need to be updated as a matter of urgency.

Main requests:

That the principles of Social Dialogue and equipping people/communities with the skills to participate in, and benefit from, the future net zero economy are embedded in the CDB Plan.

Main reasons:

Unless there is a commitment to social dialogue and ensuring that communities are core to the transition process, communities will be left behind and the potential of Just Transition will not be realised.

Attachments:

W Kildare SMART RA Strategy.pdf

89.11 KB

Draft Smart Villages Map - Bogs and Blueways May 2022 (2).jpg

1.9 MB

Tourism.

Caibidil:

Volume 1 - chapters » 4. Resilient Economy & Job Creation

Ábhair:

economy

job creation

4.21 Tourism

Change the ending of paragraph 2 to read

"The key focus for the Midlands/Failte Ireland region will be the further development and promotion of the local culture, heritage product and eco-tourism."

Reason for amendment: Failte Ireland recognises sustainable eco-tourism as a growth market for Ireland - Kildare has a unique opportunity to maximise this potential via the rehabilitation of former industrial peatlands in West Kildare and integrating their rehabilitation with developments along the Royal, Grand and Barrow Blueways.

4.21.1 Tourism Attractions in Kildare

Change the introductory sentence in paragraph 2 to read

Kildare currently has a varied tourism portfolio with a position of excellence in heritage, golf, equine including horse racing, adventure activities, shopping, walking and cycling (including the Greenways and Blueways) and peatlands based eco-tourism

Reason for amendment: Established attractions such as Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park, which has won a national award for environmental innovation, is a key attraction in Ireland's Ancient East. It attracts thousands of fee paying visitors every year demonstrating the viability and employment potential of eco-tourism

on paeatlands.

Policy Objectives

Change RE 095 so that

Peatlands are included the range of tourism offers to be supported in the expansion and development of the tourism in Kildare,

Reason for amendment: Lullymore Heritage and Discovery Park has demonstrated the employment and financial potential of eco-tourism for Kildare. A National Peatland Parks would maximise the economic benefits of peatland based tourism, demonstrate the importance of carbon capture, and showcase biodiversity and local culture.

4.24 Peatland Tourism

Change the text in paragraph 2

At the end of the second paragraph change National Peatlands Heritage Park to National Peatlands Park. For consistency plese use National Peatlands Park throughout the plan omitting Heritage

Add the following section after National Peatlands Park.

Given its proximity to Dublin, Kildare is well positioned to serve as a gateway county for visitors accessing the peatlands. Establishing an inter county National Peatlands Park and integrating this development with the Blueway and Greenways has the potential to establish a world class peatland’s / activity based experience. This would grow eco-tourism in a way which complements Kildare's current offering, and help deliver a Just Transition to the peatland communities of West Kildare.

Reason for amendment: Reflects potential of proposal and Failte Ireland core goals - "People, Place and Policy – Growing Tourism to 2025" and Peatland Eco-Tourism Research - Final report due May 2022.

Add a new Objective after RE 0127

Support the West Kildare SMART Rural Alliance and access for peatland communities to the European Network for Rural Development's Smart Village initiative in conjunction with Offaly County Council, Laois County Council, Leader companies in each county, and all other relevant stakeholders.

Reason for Amendment: A collaborative approach is required at all levels to ensure the delivery of a Just Transition. Silo based thinking and standalone proejcts are unlikely to deliver on the potential for peatlands tourism. A collaborative approach will recognise and start from the common socio-economic challenges facing the the region and avoid unnecesary competition for resources.

4.25 The Barrow Blueway

Add new Objective after RE0131

Support and facilitate the development of Rathangan as a Blueway destination town based on its natural and built heritage, proximity to the peatlands and Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park and collaborate with the National Transport Authority and Local Link to provide connectivity.

Reason for Amendment: Rathangan has the potential to benefit greatly from the Blueway given its location on the river Slate and Grand Canal, its ancient ring fort -once the heart of ancient Offaly, its Georgian architecture, its Quaker connections which date to 1690, the more recent history of Bord na Mona with Killinthomas Turf Camp/Hostel at the heart of Killinthoms Woods, and the Ballydermot Works which through a newtork of industrial railways links Rathangan to communiities across the Midlands. The National Transport Authority is currently considering a submission for a new bus service starting in Allenwood and connecting Lullymore, Rathangan, Monasterevin and Kildare town. This provides Rathangan and Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park with bus links to the Blueway towns of Allenwood and Monasterevin, as well as to Kildare.

proven employment potential

peatlands eco-tourism

Chapter 7 Protection and development of existing tourism assets

Caibidil:

Volume 1 - chapters » 7 - Energy & Communications

Ábhair:

energy

communication

7.12.7 Peatlands

Change Policy No EC P17 to read

Support the preparation of a comprehensive “after use” framework plan for the industrial peatlands (including associated workshops, office buildings etc) in Kildare, acknowledging the significant contribution that these expansive lands make towards the special landscape of the Bog of Allen and its potential to further the growth of tourism to the County.

Change Objective No EC O50 to read

Prioritise the sourcing of E.U. and National funding to support projects which assist the transition of the industrial peatlands and the communities traditionally dependant on them in a manner consistent with the principles of Just Transition. (To include Arts & Heritage Funding)

Change Objective No EC O51 to read

Support Bord na Mona. local communities and other key stakeholders in the preparation of a long-term strategic plan for the former industrial peatlands.

Change Objective No EC 053 to read

Support the implementation of the recommendations contained in the National Peatlands Strategy 2015 and any subsequent revisions.

Change Objective No EC 054 to read

Require an Ecological Impact and Landscape Assessment to be carried out and submitted with any planning application for energy infrastructure projects (e.g., wind and solar developments) on peatlands.

New Objective to be inserted after EC057

Support the preservation of the visual and environmental assets surrounding existing tourism venues or planned tourism development on the Bog of Allen and estimate the tourism related impacts of proposed large scale renewable energy projects on the delivery and growth of their services.

Reason for Amendment: While recognising the need for green energy - this should not be at the expense of established and growing tourism amenities or future sustainable tourism plans which bring multiple environmental, economic and social benefits to Kildare. Skyscapes - with uninterrupted views are a defining feature of our peatlands

Chapter 9 Building on the potential of West Kildare as an eco-tourism / activity-based destination

Caibidil:

Volume 1 - chapters » 9 - Our Rural Economy

Background

Change the last line on paragraph five to read

Kildare is well positioned to contribute more to the tourism sector with the development of greenways, blueways, peatways and a National Peatlands Park on former industrial cutaways providing an alternative eco-tourism and activity based experience.

Change Objective RD O11 to read

Support the implementation of the objectives identified in the updated and current County Biodiversity Plan and the West Kildare Local Just Transition Plan 2022

Reason The County Biodiversity Plan is out of date and given that we are in the midst of a BIodiversity Crisi an up to date plan containing biodiversity aims, objectives and initiatives is essential. This plan will dset the roles, responsibilies and accountability of the Council and partner organisations for biodiversity, healthy rivers, water quality and the protection of nature.

Bogs and Peatlands 9.8

Peatlands form a distinctive aspect of Kildare’s landscape……

Change Objective RD 031 to read

Support the development of a National Peatlands Park in co-operation with Bord Na Mona, NPWS, Inland Fisheries Ireland, local community groups and other relevant stakeholders as per recommendation 9 of the BOGLAND Report from the EPA in 2011 and action A28 of the National Peatland Strategy 2014 and subsequent reports such as the Local Just Transition Plan for West Kildare 2022.

Reason Collaboration between stakeholders, social dialogue, and the use of the most uptodate reports will lead to the best results in relaation to the monitoring of the Slate, Upper Barrow, Figile and Cushaling rivers with Inland Fisheries Ireland following peatland rehabilitation to show expected benefits for river biodiversity, water quality and ood mitigation.

Vacant and derelict buildings - reviving villages and age friendly accommodation

Caibidil:

Volume 1 - chapters » 3. Housing

Ábhair:

housing

West Kildare SRA discussed the ongoing death of village/town centres as buisnesses closed and shops were left vacant - leading over time to dereliction. They would welcome an integrated appraoch to this problem via Town and Vilage Renewal Schemes, but point to the need to provide age friendly accommodation for older citizens which enables them to continue living in their community and to access services. Town and Village Renewal Schemes should also include a broadband strategy to ensure that redevelopment facilitates and encourages remote working.

5. Sustainable Mobility & Transport

Caibidil:

Volume 1 - chapters » 5. Sustainable Mobility & Transport

Ábhair:

mobility

transport

With reference to Objective (TM021) The development of a walking route between Lullymore, Killinthomas Woods and Rathangan in consultation with all relevant landowners. The delivery of the Barrow Blueway with Waterways Ireland and associated works to enhance the amenity use of the river and canal area.

West Kildare SMART Rural Alliance welcomes the development of this particular walking route as it will provide safe pedestrian access from Rathangan to Killinthomas Woods and onto Lullymore. However, while the Barrow Blueway is the safest cycling and pedestrian route from Lowtown to Athy - a key challenge for local communities is how to draw people/tourists off the Blueways and into their communities/attractions. Routes off the Blueways have to be as safe and cycle/pedestrian friendly as the Blueway itself. It is worth noting that Killinthomas Woods are beside the BnM works in Ballydermot and at the heart of an industrial rail network which has the potential to link many of the older BnM/ESB communities in Kildare to the Barrow, Grand and Royal Canal Blueways and on to communities in Laois and Offaly. A walking route linking the Royal Canal at Enfield with Kilshanroe and onto BnM lands at Timahoe North would complete the route across the county.

Just Transition, Environemnt, Petlands, Eco-Tourism, Biodiverity

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