2 Development
2.11 Housing/Planning
2.111 An overall plan is needed for the development of housing in the area
2.112 Goleen District has already assimilated over 806 holiday, second and letting homes west of a line from Dunmanus to Toormore including four holiday home complexes and a caravan park (verified in a survey 1999). These houses and apartments are scattered throughout the area and have created jobs for their neighbours in caretaking, maintenance and servicing. Further holiday/seasonal use housing should be planned to keep a balance between residential/visitor use.
2.113 As most of the coastline is an SAC, planning controls should be held.
2.114 Local people should have the opportunity of building houses on their own sites.
2.2 Amenities
2.21 Recreational Pitch, Changing Facilities and Club house. Preferably on the site traditionally used at Dough (Barleycove)
2.22 Mizen Vision! The Irish Lights Signal Station Visitor Centre to be developed to its full potential to bring visitors to the area.
2.23 The Mizen Way should be developed in conjunction and with the co-operation of the land owners as an authorised way marked long distance walk to be publicised and marketed with the Sheep’s Head, Beara, Kerry and Dingle Ways.The route takes in four peaks, Knocnaphuca, Knocnamadree, Mizen Peak and Letter Hill.
2.24 The old Roadstone quarry-works at Crookhaven Harbour should be developed as an amenity – perhaps a hotel with a restaurant with observation deck at the top.
2.25 The area needs a major hotel complex with leisure and conference facilities For the future a Helicopter/VTOL port should be identified and developed to feed into Bantry/Dunmanway Airport.
2.26 Kilmoe Church, Goleen to be developed as Kilmoe Recreation, Arts, International Centre. To house events that are not suitable for the Parish Hall.
2.27 National Underwater Park round Mizen Head (Diving services, ferry, boat hire employment opportunities) This would be a first in Ireland. It would protect our sea life, wrecks etc. Local fishermen would be accommodated.
2.28 National Park status for the preservation and development of the active rural community
2.29 A wet weather amenity is needed.
2.210 Recreational land is needed for Goleen.
2.211 The harbour areas of Goleen and Crookhaven need development.
2.3 Historical Sites
2.30 Monuments to be marked with history boards. The Altar, Kilmoe Church, Signal Station at Brow Head, Dunmanus Castle,
2.31 The Signal Station at Brow Head, Dunmanus Castle and the Three Castles at Three Castle Head to be made safe and open to the public in co-operation with the owners.
2.4 Environment
2.41 The environment must be protected for visitors and locals. The ecology, the water table, rivers, lakes, the seashore and the mountains.
2.42 The coastal zone has to be managed to achieve a balance between tourism and recreational uses and protection of the natural amenities.
2.43 Pollution control must be exercised by the community.
2.44 The SAC and REPS schemes should be used to maximise agricultural income through a positive programme of development and marketing the environmental uniqueness of the area.
2.45 A balance must be struck between tourism, agricultural and local needs with relation to the environment.
2.5 Preservation
2.51 The rural way of life has to be protected. Tourism is a means to earn income to ensure that the community can afford to live with a good standard of living in a remote area, but it should not be allowed to take over the area and destroy the basic amenity. Proactive planning to manage visitors is necessary.
2.52 The abundance of wild flowers in the fields, on the mountains and in the hedgerows is unusual now in most of Europe. They should be actively protected.
2.53 The area is rich in Bronze Age sites. These sites and monuments should be protected. ‘ Archaeological heritage is a fragile and non-renewable cultural resource’ (Cork County Council Draft Issues Document Sept. 1999)
2.6 Sustainability
2.61 All developments in the area should be according to a plan devised to ensure sustainability so that the resources are enhanced or retained for the future. The community should be actively involved in ensuring that all private and community developments are in accordance with the principles of sustainability and are not purely for short term gain.
3 Employment
3.3 Agriculture
3.31 Agriculture is the predominant and traditional form of employment in the area. Farming interests should co-operate to combine cost efficiency with environmental care to create more jobs and maintain current employment.
3.4 Enterprise Centre
3.41 St. Patrick’s, the property of Ken James, should be acquired for the community.
3.42 The IDA and the County Council should be asked to develop an enterprise centre/ workshops there.
3.43 Business outlets
3.44 The centre of Goleen village should be developed with serviced offices and retail outlets to encourage the establishment of business, services and professional people.
3.45 Mizen Telecottage should expand its services
3.5 Tourism
3.51 A systematic planned approach to tourism job creation accompanied by a marketing plan has to be taken.
3.52 Number of registered B&B in country homes and farmhouses should be increased.
3.53 Amenities such as stocked fishing, sailing, deep sea angling, hill walking, surfing etc. should be encouraged.
3.54 Hostel in Goleen
3.55 A fully developed integrated letting and maintenance agency for second and letting homes for the whole parish.
3.56 Hotel and Leisure facilities
3.57 Seminar centre at Mizen Vision!
3.58 Nature holidays - flora and bird watching
3.59 Heritage holidays.
3.591 Development of a Goleen District Web Site.
3.6 Distance Working
3.61 Computer literacy in the area is high and there are many forms of distance working that could apply to Goleen parish.
3.62 Telesales
3.63 Marketing
3.64 Internet and eCommerce