Chapter 6: Economic Development
Bord na Móna has played, continues to play and has the potential to play a significant role in the economic development of the County. As set out earlier, with the unique nature of our landholding, industrial, remote and with access to key infrastructure; opportunities exist to support industries that require scale which is not readily achievable elsewhere in the country let alone the county.
As outlined previously, it is our view that the Bord na Móna landholding is a land resource of national significance that offers a range of opportunities and options for new beneficial uses. It is clear that these lands have the potential to support national policy objectives across a range of sectors including rural development and employment, renewable energy, recreation and tourism, and biodiversity.
We welcome the Councils comments in section 6.1. Rural Business and sets out;
“The rejuvenation of rural towns and villages requires that appropriate job creation can be supported in rural areas. Traditional sectors such as agriculture, tourism, extractive industries and forestry are complemented by diversification in sectors such as food, renewable energy and opportunities provided from improved digital connectivity.”
And also
“Energy production, including renewable energy in the form of wind, solar and biomass have to date largely been provided in rural areas and the location of future renewable energy production is likely to be met in rural areas.”
By acknowledging this potential the Council stands positioned to support appropriate commercial and industrial development on Bord na Móna’s land and can do so secure in the knowledge that given the scale and spread of Bord na Móna’s land and property assets, suitable commercial and industrial development can be harmoniously co-located within a biodiverse and ecologically rich rehabilitated peatland landscape as demonstrated by our property at Mount Lucas in County Offaly.