Section 4 Page 35 - 4.24 Peatland Tourism
With respect to the following CDP objectives:
- RE O126 : Facilitate the development of a tourism resource using cutaway peatlands in conjunction with Bord na Móna and Fáilte Ireland, subject to environmental considerations and nature designations, for example, recreational forestry, outdoor pursuits, peatways on the network of bogs and industrial railways and a designation of a National Peatlands Heritage Park
- RE O127 : Support in conjunction with Offaly County Council, Laois County Council and all other relevant stakeholders such as Bord na Mona, Coillte and the NPWS, any proposal for a new National Peatlands Heritage Park centred in Kildare on Bord Na Mona cutaway bogs in Kildare, Laois and Offaly
With respect to the objectives RE O126
Improving biodiversity and the development of amenities are key aspects of the company’s vision for the future. Much of the work on peatland rehabilitation will help the company meet important objectives concerning the improvement of habitats for native plants and animals on its peatlands. Work on this scheme will also develop amenity potential, while the development of renewable energy assets will also create a considerable network of new tracks and amenity trails through the Bord na Móna estate. All of these developments will help us create, green, biodiverse corridors through our lands that have hitherto been off limits to our neighbours and communities.
It is important to recognise given Bord na Móna's mandated climate action solutions, future climate action projects and renewable energy developments are considered a precursor to the development of amenity and to land use plans.
With respect to the objective RE O127
Bord na Móna note the inclusion of Objective RE O127 [in addition to Action EC A7 in Chapter 7] with respect to proposals for a New National Peatlands Park on Bord na Móna cutaway bogs in Kildare, Laois and Offaly. Bord na Móna are happy to support the development of peatlands park and to engage with the relevant stakeholders as required where proposals are compatible with our integrated land-use strategy (such as renewables, industrial, forestry, biodiversity and ecosystem services, amenity and tourism), which supports other national and regional polices and maximises the overall potential of the land-bank.
The Bord na Móna land bank provides a unique opportunity to develop a range of beneficial commercial, environmental and social uses across the midlands. It is important however to note that in every instance, future climate action projects and renewable energy developments are considered a precursor to the development of amenity and to land use plans.