This underpins this Development Plan and Cork City Council will support and facilitate the growth and diversification of the rural economy alongside associated improvements to help improve the quality of life for those living in rural settlements and the hinterland. 7.64 In March 2021, the Department of Rural and Community Development published its ‘Our Rural Future: Government’s blueprint to transform rural Ireland’. It forms a 5-year transformational strategy for rural development that focuses on facilitating remote working, revitalising town centres, rural jobs, adventure tourism, green economy and broadband roll-out. All of these considerations are applicable to Cork City’s hinterland.
The Rural Economy
7.62 The rural economy provides employment in the City’s hinterland. It also plays a role in providing a sustainable food supply, transitioning towards a carbon neutral society, improving the quality of the environment, curating the natural landscape and character of our rural areas, supporting tourism and facilitating active recreation. In a Cork City context, the rural hinterland supports a mix of businesses of varying sizes across a range of sectors; however, it is also under strong urban influence and the development plan needs to protect its character and quality, whilst supporting its housing, employment, infrastructure and community requirements. 7.63 One of the 10 National Strategic Outcomes in the National Planning Framework seeks to deliver stronger rural economic and communities while the Government’s Charter for Rural Ireland (2016) seeks “to support enterprise creation and development, maintain and restore the rural cultural heritage, support and protect existing towns and settlements, facilitate safe and secure rural communities and foster an increased quality of life for all rural dwellers”.
Diversification of the Rural Economy
7.65 The Development Plan supports in principle the enhancement and expansion of rural economic uses such as agriculture, agri-food, agri-tech, rural crafts and arts, social enterprises, forestry, tourism and horticulture. This also extends to entrepreneurial projects and initiatives arising from these uses, particularly where they generate environmental betterment.
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Cork City Draft Development Plan 2022-2028
Volume 1 I Chapter 7
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