Tourism

What Does NPF4 Mean for Tourism?

NPF4 is in general supportive of tourism development and recognises the economic, social and cultural benefits this type of development can bring. Notwithstanding, there is a clear focus within the NPF4 on sustainable tourism and ensuring that these benefits are realised by local communities.

Policy 30 (Tourism) encourages local authorities to support the recovery, growth and long-term resilience of the tourism sector. It states that proposals for new or extended tourist facilities in locations identified in the LDP will be supported. This places the onus on local authorities to identify locations where tourism development will be acceptable within their Local Development Plan (LDPs).

Policy 30 also sets out key considerations for local authorities when assessing proposals for tourism development. These include economic impact; compatibility with the surrounding area; impacts on communities (e.g. hindering the provision of homes); opportunities for sustainable travel; accessibility for disabled people; carbon reduction; and, opportunities to access the natural environment.

NPF4 policy on tourism also ties-in with recent legislation on short term lets. Policy 30 states that the change of use of existing buildings to short term lets will not be supported where the proposal will result in an unacceptable impact on local amenity, or the loss of residential accommodation (where such a loss is not outweighed by demonstrable local economic benefits).

Key Considerations for Future Development

ƒ The principle of new tourist accommodation is supported in NPF4 in areas which are allocated for such uses by local authorities.

ƒ There is an increased focus on sustainable tourism, where benefits of tourism development are shared with local communities. The impact of proposals on amenity and character of local areas will also be a key consideration.

ƒ NPF4 seeks to control change of use to short-term lets, in line with recently introduced national legislation.