Cahir Local Area Plan Submission 9th Nov. 2022

The following submission was made to the consultation on the Draft Local Area Plan 2021 -2027 for Cahir. There has been no feedback of any of the points.

• Cahir Mills
• Railway Station
• Zoning
• Footpaths and Cycleways
• The Square
• Conclusion

CahirMills:
It is our wish and always has been our wish to develop the Cahir Mills complex to it’s full potential.
It is demonstrable that Tipperary County Council has consistently hindered us in this endeavour and
is responsible for the Cahir Mills complex not being developed to date. The site was identified as
the primary priority site for development in the Urban Renewal Plan but Tipperary County
Council’s planning department would not meet to discuss it despite several meetings being arranged
which were either no-shows or cancelled at the last minute. During the Celtic Tiger era, several
investors showed interest in the site but were dissuaded after meeting with the County Council.

An employee of Tipperary County Council contacted us this year and asked if we would be open to
selling the mill as the council wanted it for a car park.We agreed to a valuation being done but
heard no more about that. A report was commissioned by the council from a conservation architect
which was done without consultation with us. This appears to contradict the assertion that it was
wanted for a car park. The failure to consult caused the report to omit some key aspects of the
complex such as the renewable energy potential and energy museum potential.

We developed the hydro electrical generation plant utilising the existing infrastructure and had it
operational until a fire in 2006. There are also two large vintage stationary oil engines which were
used to power the mill when the river was in flood and energy could not be generated from the
turbines. This combination has the potential for the development of an energy museum as an added
tourist attraction in the centre of Cahir.

The report suggests the replacement of the pitched roof on the front building and the retention of the
double barrelled corrugated metal roof on the back building. We intend to put a gambrel (dutch
barn) roof on both buildings. It should be noted that the council has at different times wanted the
front building knocked, the front building reduced to two stories and the back building knocked.

We request that Tipperary County Council engage proactively with us going forward but based on
track record we will not be holding our breath.We feel that engagement to date has been
disingenuous and a box checking exercise.

Railway Station:
The railway station has great potential, but without affordable frequent services that potential can’t
be achieved. It would be premature to attempt to make it a transport hub until the rail line is
functioning as a practical means of transport and there are facilities provided. Earlier and more
frequent trains should be sought and the possibility of extra platforms at sites like Bansha, Cappa
gates, Nicholstown gates etc. should be considered.

Zoning:
The roads servicing the proposed new residential zoning on the Mountain Rd. and Mountain View
Drive are not suitable for extra traffic. The green area on Mountain View Drive should be kept as a
green play area.

Footpaths & Cycleways:
We suggest that where footpaths are being installed or renovated that ducting be installed for
communications, community heating etc. This should be done according to a world standard
protocol. The lease of these ducts would provide recurring income for the council. This could be
extended outside the town making the approach roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

The Square:
There is apparently some plan for changes to the square which is not available in the local area plan
literature.We feel that the plan should have been available for this consultation as there are
conflicting rumours as to what the intention is. There are concerns that the plan will be imposed on
Cahir like the bizarrely out of place public toilets.

There is already a shortage of short-term/front-of-business parking in the town centre which results
in a loss of business for the business’ on the square and Castle street. The business owners are not in
favour of reducing parking on the square. Planning departments generally seems to have a tendency
toward mediterranean style plazas which are very nice in a mediterranean climate but not very
practical in an Irish climate most of the time.

Conclusion:
We don’t feel that the council have engaged proactively with the people of Cahir in informing them
fully of their plans for the town and request that the submission time be extended to allow full
disclosure of Tipperary County Council’s plans for the town and time to consider them.