Longford County Council has given its approval to a plan to apply for a special UNESCO status for a biosphere reserve which will cover large parts of the Shannonside region.
The December meeting of the local authority heard that the designation could make the project "bigger than Center Parcs" for the county.
The proposal - previously known as the Mid-Shannon Wilderness Park, focuses on preserving bogs, land, and encompasses special areas of conservation.
It also includes over 900 square kilometres of land in Roscommon, 652 square kilometers in Longford and 375 square kilometres in Leitrim.
Councillors were given clarification that a UNESCO designation will not impose any additional rules or regulations on what development can or cannot take place within its environs.
Councillor Ger Farrell says the work done by senior planner Donall Mac An Bheatha on the designation means the project has great potential
