1.0 Introduction

1.0.1 This Development Plan sets out the Council’s proposals for the development and use of land within the town of Fethard up to 2004 and beyond. The development Plan will be used to: guide the day to day activities of the Council in terms of service provision; provide a policy framework for development over the life of the Plan and beyond; and provide guidelines in relation to the policy objectives and development control standards of the Planning Authority.

1.1 Composition of the Plan

1.1.1 This Plan has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Acts 1963-1998 and the Local Government (Planning and Development Regulations) 1994-1998 inclusive and replaces the Fethard Town Development Plan, 1994.

1.1.2 The Plan consists of a written statement and maps. The written statement contains the following sections;

• Introduction
• Review, Policies and Objectives
• Development Control
• Appendices and Maps
  


1.1.3 The zoning maps give a graphic representation of the proposals of the Plan, indicating land-use, conservation designations and other control standards together with various objectives of the Council. They do not purport to be accurate survey maps, and should any conflict arise between the maps and the statement, the statement shall prevail.

1.2 Relationship with other Plans (back to top)

1.2.1 The first Plan for Fethard was adopted in 1967. This was reviewed and new Development Plans made in 1972, 1977, 1983, 1988 and 1994.

1.2.2 In preparing the Plan, the Planning Authority has regard to; the policies and objectives set out in the Tipperary (S.R) County Development Plan, 1996 and submissions made by Fethard Historical Society, and other interests in Fethard. Other Development Plans were also considered in light of the heritage theme link between, Cashel and Clonmel.

1.2.3 This Plan is different from previous plans in that it aims to reinforce the town’s heritage status through the designation of the central area as a Conservation Area.

1.2.4 The Plan also provides a framework for sustainability, by preserving the quality of Fethard’s medieval heritage from damage caused by insensitive development proposals.

 1.3 Town Boundary (back to top)

1.3.1 For the purposes of this Development Plan, the town of Fethard shall be taken as the area shown by the blue line of Map 1.

1.4 Locational Context (back to top)

1.4.1 Fethard is situated largely on the north bank of the Clashawley River and at the intersection of the Regional Roads R689 and R692. It is overlooked by Slievenamon (15km SW) and Market Hill (2km south).

1.4.2 Fethard is a shopping and market centre catering for its own population of 1,397, for a Development District of 3,346 persons and an increasing number of visitors. Not all of the population within this Development District however, is fully dependent on the town, part of it being attracted to the neighbouring towns of Clonmel, Killenaule and Cashel. To some extent the town acts as a satellite town of Clonmel.

1.5 Historical Context (back to top)

1.5.1 Fethard, which takes its name from Fiodh Ard (high wood) is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Ireland, frequently compared to Derry and Athenry. The history of Fethard began in earnest with the coming of the Anglo-Normans to Ireland. The town was laid out systematically, with a clearly demarcated market area, a conveniently located church and graveyard, and a regular pattern of streets.

1.5.2 The street plan is linear along the main street running parallel to the river. It broadens towards the east end and through three side streets diverges to Killenaule and Ballingarry to the north-east and Mullinahone and Kilkenny to the south-east. The circuits of the medieval town walls define a flat oval area 450m length E/W and 200m N/S, enclosing an area of 5.5 ha.

1.5.3 Many of the early inhabitants of Fethard would have come from William de Braose’s vast estates in Wales (1185-1208). In 1215 the Crown granted Fethard to the archbishops of Cashel and the town remained part of the archiepiscopal estates until the 16th century. The town was granted the status of a Corporation by royal charter in 1552. Following the abolition of the Corporation in 1840, the administration of the town came under the elected Town Commissioners who continued in existence until 1936 when administration transferred to Tipperary South Riding County Council.

1.5.4 Despite attacks from the armies of both Lord Inchiquin and Oliver Cromwell in the 17th century, and the continued destruction of the medieval fabric to the town in the 19th century, much of the medieval fabric remains. Refer to Appendix 2 for a more detailed examination of the town’s architectural legacy.

1.6 The Plan as a Sustainable Strategy (back to top)

1.6.1 At the U.N. Conference on Environment and Development (the Earth Summit) in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, Ireland endorsed Agenda 21, a major blueprint for how the nations of the world can work towards a sustainable future. Sustainable Development is defined as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs" (Bruntland Report 1987).

1.6.2 Protection of the built and natural environment is a fundamental element of sustainability. However, the concept is much broader than this, recognising that the quality of life for present and future generations is dependent on the long-term health and integrity of the environment. The need to strike a balance between development and conservation is at the heart of sustainability.

1.6.3 Agenda 21 calls upon local authorities worldwide to draw-up "Local Agenda 21s" to promote sustainability at local level. They are intended to translate sustainable development principles and objectives into practical local action.

1.7 National Sustainable Development Strategy (back to top)

1.7.1 In 1997 the Government published the National Strategy for Sustainable Development. The strategy provides the framework for the achievement of sustainability at the local level. It calls on planning departments to incorporate the principles of sustainable development into their development plans and to ensure that planning policies support its achievement.

1.7.2 The strategy highlights the need for planning authorities to take a strategic view of settlement patterns, avoiding development, which results in the inefficient use of land.

1.7.3 The problems associated with urban sprawl are highlighted in the strategy, as is the need to protect the quality and the character of the countryside. It contends that the growing demand for one-off houses in the countryside for people working in towns is generally unsustainable, and recommends a presumption against urban-generated one-off rural houses and higher residential densities in towns, particularly on derelict or rundown sites in town centres.

1.8 Local Strategy (back to top)

1.8.1 Land-use policies and controls are central to the achievement of sustainability. The Development Plan, as the Council’s principal policy statement on land-use, will provide the land-use basis for the Council’s ‘Local Agenda 21’.

1.8.2 The following objectives have been identified and the policies, guidelines and proposals in the Plan have been designed to facilitate their achievement:

• minimise the consumption of natural non-renewable resources, including land;
• preserve the quality of the landscape, open space, architectural and cultural heritage and material assets;
• protect the integrity of the built environment from damage caused by insensitive development proposals; and
• promote the involvement of the local community in decision making on environmental sustainability issues.


1.8.3 While the achievement of these objectives will involve all areas of the Council’s activities, in land-use terms they are reflected in the Development Plan by the adoption of policies and proposals which:

• promote the active involvement of the community through the provision of information, public consultation and joint partnerships;
• permit a mix of land uses under each zoning objective (compatible with protecting amenities), to help to reduce the need to travel;
• promote a more compact urban form, particularly higher residential densities close to the town centre;
• promote the re-use of urban derelict land and buildings;
• promote the use of walking and cycling and reduce the reliance on the public car;
• strictly reduce the further expansion of suburbs into rural and high amenity areas;
• strictly control one-off houses in the countryside;
• ensure the protection of flora, fauna, quality landscapes and the promotion of bio-diversity;
• promote community health;
• ensure the provision of high quality public water supply and drainage systems; and
• promote waste prevention, reduction, recycling and re-use.


1.8.4 Sustainable development is a long term strategy, and this Plan represents a step towards the achievement of this aim, which will be supported by the preparation and implementation of a Local Agenda 21.

1.9 Development Plan Strategy (back to top)

1.9.1 The Town Development Plan should give expression to the needs and the requirements of the residents and visitors to the town. The town of Fethard, however, will be influenced by the social, economic and environmental trends of the wider county and therefore should recognise the county dimension and the importance of integrating the Town Development Plan with the County Plan (1996).

1.9.2 The strategy of the Plan has three fundamental elements:

a. To provide for the future well being of the residents of the Town by;

• facilitating employment opportunities in all sectors including, tourism,
• protecting the quality of the built and natural environments,
• providing the necessary infrastructural and community services.


b. To ensure the adequate supply of zoned lands to meet anticipated needs.

c. To promote the achievement of sustainable development.

1.9.3 There are a number of agencies whose decisions and activities have an influence on the town, such as those concerned with:

• Enterprise and employment
• Tourism
• Transport, communication and energy
• Education
• Historic Conservation


1.9.4 In addition to the above, operational decisions by financial institutions can have a significant impact on the functioning of the property market. This Development Plan seeks to set the direction of the future of the town of Fethard within the current statutory planning process. It also attempts to influence the decision of other agencies whose actions have an influence on the future of the town.