13.6.4 Greenways, Blueways, Peatways and Trails
The Draft CDP plan includes the following objectives:
- LR O39 Support Coillte, Bord na Mona, Waterways Ireland and other state agencies to explore the provision of more recreational infrastructure at appropriate locations to include access ways and nature trails with a view to opening up state lands for recreational use.
- LR O40 Investigate the feasibility of developing a Midlands Peatlands National Park in consultation with Offaly County Council, Bord na Móna, Coillte, NPWS, local landowners and all other relevant stakeholders to include areas of (inter alia) high nature value, amenity, education/science and eco-tourism potential.
Bord na Móna recognises the potential of our cutaway peatlands for recreation and tourism uses from the success of both the Lough Boora Discovery Park and the Mountlucas Wind Farm amenity in County Offaly. We consider that ‘greenways’ across Bord na Móna bogs can be co-located successfully alongside other commercial developments or biodiversity and nature conservation measures etc. with minimal impacts.
Now as we have ceased peat extraction further significant opportunities to enhance, expand and develop an integrated network of greenways across our peatlands will emerge. Our experience to date at Mountlucas Wind Farm demonstrates how both renewable opportunities and Greenway Infrastructure (amenity) can co-exist successfully. At this site an 84MW Wind Farm project co-exists alongside rehabilitated cutaway and 10km of walking/running/cycling tracks for people living in the local communities. With the wind assets occupying a mere 5% of the 1,100-hectare site, this rehabilitated cutaway has helped significantly mitigate carbon emissions and also developed into a rich ecosystem with a range of different habitats for native plants and animal species. It is intended that similar amenities will be provided at all consented and proposed Bord na Móna Wind Farm projects, including the proposed ...