Fethard Settlement Plan 2017

Fethard Local Area Plan 2011 - Tipp Sr. Co. Co.
Fethard in the context of the NSS South East Region.
1.4.2 National Development Plan 2007-2013
The National Development Plan (NDP) identifies investment funding for significant projects in sectors such as health services, social housing, education, roads, public transport, rural development, industry, and water and waste services. The NDP is designed to strengthen and improve the international competitiveness of the Country so as to support continued, but more balanced, economic and social development in line with the NSS.
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Fethard is located north of Clonmel (14km) and southeast of Cashel (14km) and the M8 Motorway at the intersection of the Regional Roads R689 and R692. It is overlooked by Sliabh na mBan (6km South East) and Market Hill (1km South).
Fethard sits in a fertile agricultural plain at a crossing place on the River Clashawley, is a local shopping and business centre and is central to the thoroughbred horse industry.
The town is distinguished by the almost complete medieval town defences that enclose the historic town core containing medieval castles, churches and buildings.

: Land Use Zoning Map No. 1: Land Use Zoning

Residential
69.4 New Residential- Low Densiy/Serviced Sites
80.7
Town Centre
Amenity
Green - Agriculture
Social and Public Industrial / Employment

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The population of Fethard in 2010 is approx. 1570
The Council have selected a population growth range of between 220-280 persons over the lifetime of this LAP as a likely growth scenario for Fethard. This would see the potential population in Fethard grow to between 1790 and 1850 in 2016.

The results of Census 2006 illustrates that the main occupations among the workforce of Fethard are Manufacturing, Building and Construction and Services with Manufacturing accounting for the highest employment threshold. The occupation sectors of Professional, Technical & Health, Sales & Commerce and Clerical, Management & Government also account for high occupation thresholds. Comparative analysis with 2002 Census figures show a similar employment distribution although numbers employed in Building and Construction declined between 2002-2006.

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Fethard Employment stats

The GSI Soils map (2006) is set out below for Fethard.
 The red area represents that area where alluvial soils have been historically deposited. Alluvial soil mapping alone is not a definitive gauge of areas at flood risk, however, it a useful indicator of areas where flood events have occurred historically.
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Policy TC 3: Opportunity Sites
It is the policy of the Council to facilitate the restoration, re-use and/or redevelopment of the Opportunity Sites in accordance with the development briefs outlined in this plan.
3.2.2 Public Realm Improvements
 These initiatives form the basis for the LAP’s policy for public realm enhancement and include
  • Reducing dominance of parking on Main St. and develop a pedestrian friendly realm.
  • Reinstate the old market square at the east end of Main St.
  • Improved paving, planting, lighting and provision of street furniture.
  • Develop the Tholsel as a focal building, widen footpaths outside same and connect with the old market square through public realm improvements.
  • Enhancement of medieval laneways, in particular Chapel Lane.
  • Develop a frontage programme to improve buildings on Main St and Burke St.

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  • Opportunity Sites Development Brief
  • The schedule of sites put forward represent significant obsolete, vacant and visually poor sites that are in need of targeted investment.
  • • Where development proposals involve works to the Fethard Town Wall regard should be had to the Conservation & Management Plan for the Town Wall prepared by Oxford Archaeology in 2008.
  • Site O.P 1 – Cattle Mart: Site Size:
    Zoning:
    Heritage Designations:
  • Access:
  • Development Interest: Proposed Uses:
  • Defined by existing confines of the Mart Site. 0.47 ha.
  • Town Centre Use.
  • -Within ACA.
    -Within zone of archaeological potential.
  • -Fethard Town Wall (National Monument and Protected Structure S 645) forms northern and eastern boundary.
  • Existing onto public rd near junction of Barrack St and Main St.
  • None current.
  • Commercial development comprising Tourism Gateway, Mixed Use Development, Retail, Residential and Car Park.
  • The site is identified under the Public Realm Plan for the Historic Walled Town of Fethard 2008 as suitable for use as a tourism gateway and visitor arrival point. This, together with the development of a town car park, is put forward as the preferred use of the site as part of a mixed use commercial development. Appropriate land uses are mixed commercial i.e. office and tourist services, tourist accommodation, restaurant, café, retail (clothing, small convenience shop) & residential use. Manufacturing, industry, bulky good sales including builder’s providers & stores associated with hardware shops would not be considered appropriate.
  • Given the sites size and good access it can accommodate coach and car parking, set down and turning movements. Car parking can be used as a shared town car park to remove pressure of on-street parking and facilitate development of a pedestrian friendly main street. Any development proposal should include for the development of a car park and bus set down that can accommodate the above uses.
  • A prevailing 2 storey building height is recommended with buildings oriented to face onto the parking, set down area and Town Wall. Buildings should be set back a minimum of 7 metres from the Town Wall and any development proposal should include for the provision of a landscaped wall walk and lighting programme to enhance the Town Wall. The sensitive restoration and opening to the public of the Historic Guard Tower located at the sites north- eastern corner should be considered as part of any re-development proposals for the site. The development of pedestrian linkage with the Main Street and Fethard GAA grounds should also be explored.
  • The site can be developed in a phased manner provided that the eastern section is included in the first phase. Remaining phases should be landscaped and existing buildings removed as part of the initial development phase. Any proposal will be required to assess the impacts on architectural heritage and archaeology. Pre-application consultation with the Planning Authority and Architectural Heritage and Archaeology representatives of the Department of the Environment Heritage & Local Government is recommended.
  • The re-development of the site should provide for improved traffic and pedestrian safety at the entrance.
  • Site O.P 2 Council Depot:
  • Site Size:
    Zoning:
    Heritage Designations:
  • Access:
  • Development Interest: Proposed Uses:
  • Confines of existing Council Depot at The Valley.
  • 0.14 ha. Amenity Use.
  • -Within ACA.
    -Within zone of archaeological potential.
  • Existing public access from junction of Watergate Street/The Valley.
  • None current.
    Amenity and community uses.
  • The site is located immediately west of the junction between Watergate Street and The Valley and south of the Clashawley River. The site is currently in use as a Council depot and contains a rough rendered, two storey three-bay former mill with associated yard and outbuildings.
  • The site is in close proximity to the Clashawley river and is identified as within a flood risk area. Re-development of the site should therefore be for amenity use to link in with the adjoining riverside amenity area and for provision of a public park and playground.
  • Any re-development of the site should explore the restoration and/or sensitive re-development of the former Mill as a tourist attraction. Improvement of the definition of the Watergate St/Valley junction should be carried out as part of the redevelopment of the site to highlight the sites gateway location. Provision should be made for off street parking as part of the site’s re-development.
  • Any proposal will be required to assess the impacts on archaeology. Pre- application consultation with the Planning Authority and Architectural Heritage and Archaeology representatives of the Department of the Environment Heritage & Local Government is recommended.
  • O.P 3 Lands North of Burke St.:
  • Site Size:
    Zoning:
    Heritage Designations:
  • Access:
  • Development Interest: Proposed Uses:
  • Lands owned by South Tipperary County Council and MMT Builders.
  • 0.2 ha.
    Town Centre and New residential.
  • -Within ACA.
  • -Within zone of archaeological potential. -Fethard Town Wall (National Monument & Protected Structure S 645) forms western
  • site boundary.
  • Existing frontage onto Burke Street. Access can be obtained to Barrack Street through housing development.
  • Part 8 consent for 3 no. dwellings on part of site.
  • Residential and commercial element onto Burke Street.
  • The site is predominantly backland with a small frontage onto Burke St. The site extends to the southern terminus of the Barrack St. housing development and is bounded to the west by the Fethard Town Wall. The site is occupied by a small number of disused outbuildings, is mostly vacant and has been subject to anti-social behaviour.
  • Proposed development will be required to provide a new access from Burke St. Through access to Barrack St. will not be permitted.
  • Development of this site should be designed to allow the Town Wall to be visible/viewed from Burke St and should provide for public access to the Town Wall by way of a wall walk / wall viewing area. This may include incorporation of the Town Wall into public open space.
  • Development should ensure the preservation of existing residential amenity and privacy. Building form, design and type should reflect the vernacular building types on Burke St. Plot size, density and site coverage should reflect the location and character of the area. Development proposals should include for on-site parking and development should not back onto the Town Wall.
  • Any proposal will be required to assess the impacts on architectural heritage and archaeology. Pre-application consultation with the Planning Authority and Architectural Heritage and Archaeology representatives of the Department of the Environment Heritage & Local Government is recommended.
  • Consent has been given under Part 8 of the Planning & Development Regulations for the development of 3 no. dwelling by South Tipperary County Council on part of the site. Same may proceed in the short term.
  • • OP 5 Site Barrack Street Mill
  • Site Size:
    Zoning:
    Heritage Designations:
  • Access: Proposed Uses:
  • Former Mill building and lands to immediate west.
  • 0.2 ha.
    Town Centre.
  • -Within ACA.
    -Within zone of archaeological potential.
  • Existing frontage onto Barrack St. Commercial and Residential.
  • This site is occupied by a 3 storey 4 bay former mill / store and a mix of other buildings and yard space formerly used by Fethard Wholesale Electrical. Re- development for town centre commercial uses and residential is considered appropriate. Development should explore the sensitive restoration and re-use of the former Mill building as a preference to re-development and any design should respect the scale and height of the former Mill. Off street parking should be explored as part of the development of this site.
  • Development height should not exceed 2 stories and should seek to reinforce and define the streetscape. Development should incorporate public realm proposals to define the gateway to the historic town centre.
  • Any proposal will be required to assess the impacts on architectural heritage and archaeology. Pre-application consultation with the Planning Authority and Architectural Heritage and Archaeology representatives of the Department of the Environment Heritage & Local Government is recommended.
  • O.P 6 The Tholsel
  • Site Size:
    Zoning:
    Heritage Designations:
  • Access: Proposed Uses:
  • Site comprising The Tholsel, former Town Hall building located at Main Street, Fethard.
  • 0.03 ha. Town Centre.
  • -Within ACA.
    -Within zone of archaeological potential. -NIAH Reg. 22110021. Regional Rating of Importance.
  • Existing frontage onto Main Street.
  • Commercial, Tourist Apartment and Social/Public.
  • This site is occupied by an end of terrace (formerly freestanding) seven-bay two-storey building with attic. The building was built c. 1600 is of medieval origin and has had many public uses since then. The building is now largely vacant.
  • The use of the building for tourist accommodation (in part) and for commercial and social or public uses is being promoted. Development will be required to adapt the building to an appropriate standard for modern use. Any proposal will be required to assess the impacts on architectural heritage and archaeology and proposals to restore the buildings character and enhance its appearance should form part of any development proposal.
  • Pre application consultation with the Planning Authority and Architectural Heritage and Archaeology representatives of the Department of the Environment Heritage & Local Government is recommended.
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