Council reveals preliminary results of public survey on future of Tipperary derelict site

Tipperary County Council says preliminary results from the public consultation survey on the future of Carrick-on-Suir's derelict former Goldcrop site shows strong public support for development initiatives to revamp the 2.7 acres North Quay property. 

The survey, which gathered feedback from 2,062 participants through online and in-person submissions, highlights employment, tourism, community, green spaces, sustainability and parking as development priorities. 

The consultation was undertaken as part of the process to develop a masterplan and feasibility study for the redevelopment of this key town centre site that was purchased by Tipperary County Council from the Goldcrop company in 2022. 

It aims to understand the best use of the site, with particular focus on tourism, leisure and regeneration.

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The site is derelict for many years. It is positioned close to Dillon Bridge and is adjacent to North Quay and Castle Lane.

It is located between Ormond Castle and Main Street and is directly behind Brewery Lane Theatre, Strand Theatre, Tudor Artisan Hub and the former An Post building, which is being renovated under Phase 3 of the Carrick on Suir Regeneration plan.

The Carrick-on-Suir Riverside Regeneration project is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund.

Key Findings

A summary of the responses to questions included within the survey are outlined below.

• Strong Support for Development
  67% of respondents expressed strong support for development initiatives, joining a further 23% expressing support while only 5% opposed. Neutral responses accounted for 5%

• A summary of the top Community Priorities emerging from the “What is most needed in Carrick on Suir” question in these preliminary results were as follows

  • Employment Opportunities – 55%

  • Road & Traffic Improvements – 34%

  • Retail & Services – 36%

  • Housing – 38%

  • Green/Recreational Spaces – 18%

  • Public Transport 16%

  • Open responses to this question highlighted parking, mentioned over 700 times with variations such as “tour bus parking”, “town parking” and “car park”

• Preferred Development Types:

  • Green Spaces/Parks – 54%

  • Tourism-Based Activity – 23%

  • Mixed-use Development – 23%

  • Residential – 21%

  • Public Plaza – 17%

  • Leisure Activity – 22%

  • Commercial/Retail – 25%

• Sustainability Matters:

  • 53% rated sustainability as “Very Important”

  • Public response strongly supports eco-conscious architecture and usage

• Community Concerns

While enthusiasm for development is high, with 63% of people raising no major concerns, the remaining respondents raised concerns about:

• Disruption during construction (18%)

• Increased traffic (13%

• Environmental impact (8%)
  Recurring themes included anti-social behaviour, floodplain restrictions, and safety issues

  Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District Administrator Marie Cox said the survey confirms what we’ve heard from the community: Carrick-on-Suir wants growth that creates jobs, improves infrastructure, and respects the environment. 

   "Enhancement of tourism offering along with improved accessibility and appropriate parking for the redevelopment were highlighted, and consideration of these will form part of the next phase of the Master planning process."

  She said the findings will guide planning strategies and ensure community voices shape the future of Carrick-on-Suir. A report which further considers the outcomes of the consultation process having regard to the proper planning and sustainable development of the site will be prepared and published in the coming months.

• The next phase of the masterplan and planning process will now commence, and with the recent funding announcement under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund of €1.250 million, activation of the site is expected to get underway during 2026.

  Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District Cathaoirleach Cllr David Dunne expressed his delight at a further step in the process and its impact on the recent funding announcement. 

  “Carrick on Suir has already seen the impact of the current regeneration funding, the progress on this long derelict site is a further step in the ongoing investment into the town and ensures that the momentum around the regeneration of the town continues. "Ultimately, any development of the site will bring jobs and opportunities to the town along with adding further to the aesthetic appeal of our town. I would like to thank everyone who took the time to participate in this survey," he added. 

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