LOUGH KEY AREA PLAN 1. PREAMBLE This Area Plan forms part of the County Development Plan 2008-2014. It is intended that a Local Area Plan will be prepared and adopted after the preparation of the County Development Plan. This Plan provides updated information concerning the Lough Key Area and a framework for the management of development in an environmentally sustainable manner within the development envelope of the area. It is imperative that the implementation of development management in the County generates sustainable economic and social development whilst ensuring the conservation and protection of the natural and built environment. 2. LOCATION & AREA DESCRIPTION Lough Key is located just east of Boyle, in County Roscommon. It comprises approximately 350 hectares of mixed woodlands, open parkland, a lake, and a number of mature wooded islands. This area was formerly part of the Rockingham Estate, home of the Stafford King Harmon family. Situated along the Boyle River, Lough Key forms part of the Shannon waterway system. Lough Key and its surrounding landscape form part of an area of outstanding natural beauty, which is also of considerable recreational importance. Lough Key Forest Park provides opportunity for a range of recreational activities such as walking, kayaking, boating, and fishing, to name but a few. This area contains a rich diversity of flora and fauna, and is undoubtedly a hugely important asset and one of County Roscommon’s most important recreational resources. The River Shannon system is a highly significant waterway that extends along the eastern boundary of County Roscommon. The waterway includes a major tributary, the Suck, and a number of interconnecting lakes including Lough Allen, Lough Ree, Lough Key, Drumharlow Lough, and Lough Boderg. The predominant land-use around Lough Key has traditionally been agricultural. However, with the continued decline in the agricultural sector, agricultural is no longer a major source of employment in the Lough Key area, and is conducted primarily on a part-time basis. Low intensity grazing is now considered to be the predominant agricultural activity in the area. Roscommon County Development Plan 2008 – 2014 Lough Key Area Plan Page1 LOUGH KEY AREA PLAN 3. NATURAL & BUILT ENVIRONMENT 3.1 STRATEGIC GOALS • Conserve and enhance the quality of the environment of Lough Key. • Conserve the natural and built heritage of the area. The Council recognises the importance facilitating recreation and tourism uses in the Lough Key area and the importance of the enhancement of the Lough Key Forest Park, through appropriate development, while discouraging sporadic and unsustainable development. The protection of good quality agricultural land and wooded areas from extensive development is also of fundamental importance. Lough Key is recognised as a key strategic resource for the future development of the north Roscommon area. It is intended to promote the recreational opportunities on the lake as an economic and recreational resource for the benefit of the local community, without compromising the integrity of its environment for future generations. The Council recognises that there has been a significant increase in pressure for residential development, particularly holiday related, and recreation and tourism facilities in the Lough Key area. Polices for Natural & Built Environment Policy 1 Support initiatives, which reduce the risk of the introduction of invasive species, assist in the control and management of new and established invasive species, monitor impacts, raise public awareness, improve legislation and address international obligations. Policy 2 Implement conditions as appropriate, as part of a grant of a planning permission or a waste permit, to prevent the spread of invasive species. Policy 3 Encourage the use of native species in amenity planting and stocking and related community actions to reduce the introduction and spread of non-native species. Policy 4 Ensure the appropriate management of forestry development in Lough Key, particularly in relation to the protection of scenic views, run-off pollution potential, and the importance of broadleaf woodland in landscape visual amenity. Policy 5 Conserve and protect existing or future special amenity areas from inappropriate, poorly designed and poorly sited development. Roscommon County Development Plan 2008 – 2014 Lough Key Area Plan Page2 LOUGH KEY AREA PLAN 4. TOURISM & RECREATION 4.1 STRATEGIC GOAL • Ensure the integration of appropriate tourism and recreation development in the Lough Key Area, having regard to the assimilative capacity its environment. Lough Key is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful lakes in Ireland. There is an observation tower, ice-house, wishing chair, underground tunnels and beautiful wooded islands. The immense range of habitats encourages a huge diversity of wildlife and birds such as summer visitors; the cuckoo, tern, willow warbler, whitethroat and blackcap. Lough Key is also home to a number of historical and archaeological treasures such as the 19th century ruins on Castle Island, ruined churches on various islands, Trinity Bridge and the Bog Garden. The Council recognises the significance of Lough Key Forest Park as one of the premier tourist attractions of the county and will continue to co- operate with Coillte, the private sector and other interested parties in the sustainable development of the park for leisure, tourism and amenity purposes. The Council will therefore encourage the provision of facilities and services in the town that complement the recreational and tourism opportunities available at Lough Key. The development of Lough Key Forest Park, which is a joint venture between Roscommon County Council and Coillte funded by the European Development Fund, is near completion. The project includes three major attractions; a tree-top walk, a technology house, and children’s adventure play area. Walking, biking, orienteering, numerous water-based activities, and camping activities, amongst others also contribute to the Parks high amenity value. The Pay to Play Facility and the Interpretative Centre offer up to date tourism facilities for visitors to the area. The Boda Borg is a Swedish Technology Puzzle House and its incorporation into this project ensures that even in poor weather conditions visitors have activities to avail of. This flagship project will ensure that Lough Key Forest Park will continue to develop as a major tourist attraction and will help boost the local economy. It is anticipated that this redevelopment will significantly increase visitor numbers over the course of the plan period. Completion of the projected is expected by the end of June 2007. Other tourism products may be identified as tourism nodes which contribute to the tourism potential of the Lough Key/Boyle Area and the Lough Key Forest Park following further analysis. Within the confines of the park there is also a landscaped caravan park providing space for approximately fifty-two touring caravans and a separate designated area for tents. A service building provides a recreation room, toilets, showers and launderette with an outdoor children's play area. There is also a kiddies paddling area supervised by a qualified lifeguard from July to September. In total there are approximately ten kilometres of forest walks, which meander through scenic areas such as the lake shore, canal banks, and extensive wooded areas. The Council recognises that Lough Key Forest Park is under utilised with regard to tourism and recreation, and supports the promotion and marketing of the area within County Roscommon, nationally and internationally. The will seek to encourage and facilitate further appropriate new tourism and recreational facilities and services that will enhance the natural and unique qualities of the area and promote health and well being. High quality hotels, which will not impact negatively on this environmentally sensitive area, will be encouraged in appropriate locations, in the Lough Key area. The appropriate regeneration and conversion of existing buildings in the vicinity, for tourism and/or recreational purposes, will also be encouraged. The Council recognises that flexibility is required in the zoning of land in the Lough Key area in order to provide for further tourism and recreational development. Visually obtrusive, unsustainable development will however, not be permitted. The Council will therefore support the appropriate development of sustainable tourism and recreation within the region, through initiatives such as the Greening Irish Hotels Programme, which aims to develop and implement environmental best practice structures across the hospitality industry by Roscommon County Development Plan 2008 – 2014 Lough Key Area Plan Page3 LOUGH KEY AREA PLAN encouraging hotels for example, to become greener by saving energy and making better use of existing resources such as waste energy and water conservation. Polices for Tourism & Recreation Policy 6 Enhance the provision of appropriate lake shore facilities and picnic viewing areas at appropriate locations. Policy 7 Support the promotion and marketing of the area within County Roscommon, nationally and internationally. Policy 8 Encourage and facilitate further appropriate new tourism and recreational facilities and services that will enhance the natural and unique qualities of the area and promote health and well being. Objectives for Tourism & Recreation Objective 1 Seek to facilitate the provision of roadside lay-byes