Plans designed to improve Tipperary Hills amenity are revealed

A Part 8 Application for Improvement Works to the Tipperary Hills Recreation and Amenity Area has been made public by Tipperary County Council.

Early last year Tipperary County Council was awarded €500,000 under the Town & Village Renewal Scheme towards the enhancement of Tipperary Hills public park. The park known locally as the ‘The Hills’ is located close to the town and covers an area of approximately 21 acres, providing residents and visitors to the town with a much-loved amenity space.

The Part 8 application outlines general development throughout the site and includes the upgrading of all existing tarmac pathways to a minimum width of 2 metres, upgrading existing gravel paths to bound gravel paths, development of new seating areas, development of the Peace Path, upgrade of all existing seating, installation of information and wayfinding signage, construction of a dog exercise area, introduction of native woodland planting and specimen trees along with native wildflower meadows in selected locations throughout the amenity area and reorganisation of the existing carpark area.

Localised developments include the widening to 2.75m and refurbishment of tarmac pathway between St Patrick’s Avenue entrance and entrance to St John’s Famine Graveyard to facilitate hearse access; Introduction of safety guard rail to north edge of pathway; Introduction of bicycle parking at St Patrick’s Avenue entrance; Introduction of an information sign at St Patrick’s Avenue entrance to Clanwilliam Rugby Club; Upgrading of existing pathway to bound gravel pathway, 1.2m wide along east and north boundary of Clanwilliam Pitch and Putt clubhouse; Realign existing pathway to improve width and gradient to facilitate accessibility; Construction of new steps with safety handrail; Introduction of timber knee rail to south-western edge of pathway to limit access to pitch and putt greens; Relocation of existing signage; Introduction of seating; Landscaping and planting on both sides of pathway flat hollow playing pitch; Levelling and reseeding of the playing pitch; Introduction of natural seating area with bound gravel surface; Realignment of existing pathway to improve width and gradient to facilitate accessibility; Construction of new concrete steps with handrail; Landscaping, specimen tree planting and perennial planting Bohercrowe/ Monastery Road; Improved pedestrian access to The Hills including new style entrance; new concrete steps, safety handrails and resurfacing to pathway; Demolition and reconstruction of boundary stone wall from the Mass Path to the car park entrance to facilitate the introduction of new 2m wide footpath at ‘The Hollow’ Area of Tipperary Hills; Introduction of timber knee rail edge at western and northern edge of pathway; Introduction of information sign ‘Cup and Saucer’ Area of Tipperary Hills; Introduction of timber steps with handrails to provide safe access to the top of ‘Cup and Saucer’; Introduction of bound gravel path to circumference of top of ‘Cup and Saucer’; Installation of two log seats Telecoms Mast; Introduction of localised network of bound gravel paths and seating to the south of the mast; Introduction of areas of native woodland planting Dog Exercise Area; Development of fenced dog exercise area with 2 gates and bound gravel surface to the west of ‘The Hollow’.

Submissions or observations may be made online or in writing to Tipperary County Council, at Civic Offices, Emmet Street, Clonmel, to Anthony Coleman, Director of Services, Rosanna Road, Tipperary Town, and should be marked ‘Part 8 in respect of proposed Improvement works to the Tipperary Hills Recreation and Amenity Area’, no later than 4.30 pm on Tuesday, April 11, 2023.

Any person may, within four weeks from the date of the notice, apply to An Bord Pleanála for a screening determination as to whether the development would be likely to have significant effects on the environment.