CHAPTER 11 TOURISM & RECREATION
While there is mention of sustainability and protecting the environment, there is not enough emphasis on this aspect, particularly around protecting biodiversity and wildlife, recoginition that the concept of continued 'growth' in visitor numbers, users etc is by its very nature unsustainable, and the need for enforcing local rules around sticking to designated trails etc. We know in Ireland that people are not very good at self-regulating or following rules. If you really want to 'develop' tourist and recreation activities then you also have to take the repsonsibility of doing what it takes to protect our natural environment in relation to those activities and that means zoning of recreational areas and meaningful enforcement of rules etc.
CPO 11.37 the development of a coastal route from Bray to Arklow as well as links between this potential route and the coast road;
There already exists a fantastic coastal route from Bray to Wicklow Town. One that is listed elsewhere in the CDP for protection of its prospects/views, and is part of EU designated areas (SAC and SPA). If the development being referred to relates to a proposed 'greenway' then for the council to support or promote such a development would make a mockery of huge sections of this CDP where it committs to being sustainable, protecting and enhancing biodiversity and the natural environment. As it is large sections of the coastal walk are already oversubscribed from a use point of view. Local people use this walk to get away from it all. The last thing they want is to see it suburbanised and over-crowded - that would erode the very benefits that people currently use it for. It also would have negative impacts on an already 'protected' area.