Cavan County Development Plan 2022–2028 — Chapter 2

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   2.3 Self-Sustaining Growth Town (Place of Strategic Potential) Virginia 2.3.1 Context This written statement provides an overview of the development strategy for Virginia. Virginia has been identified in the Northern and Western Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) as a Place of Strategic Potential performing important sub-regional functions for employment, housing and services. Virginia is identified as a hub for the east of the County with the RSES identifying the need to address the commuting out of the county by providing employment and support services. It is described as a Self Sustaining Growth Town in the County Settlement Hierarchy. The town has significant service and employment functions, good regional transport links and has the capacity for continued growth to become more self sustaining. 2.3.2 Town Character Virginia is an important growth Town in the south east of the county located on the N-3 between Cavan Town and Dublin. The settlement benefits from access to the national route and its proximity to the M3 motorway. The Town has a strong commercial and industrial base with its strategic location attracting significant investment resulting in a buoyant local economy and a strong demand for residential developments. Virginia developed during the 17th Century Plantation of Ulster. In the early decades of the nineteenth century the Marquis of Headfort developed Virginia from a plantation village into a thriving Market Town with a Church, a Constabulary Barracks, Court, and a Malting and Brewing establishment. The Town sits on the shores of Lough Ramor and adjacent to Virginia Forest Park- both amenities enjoyed by residents and tourists alike. Table 2.3.1 Fact Table Position in Settlement Hierarchy Self Sustaining Growth Town 2016 Population 2648 2011 Population 2282 Percentage Change 2011-2016 16% (366) 2028 Population Projection 3510 Housing Supply Target 2022-2018 364 Resident Workers 2016 1066 Total Jobs 2016 640 Jobs-Workforce Ratio 2016 0.600 Education (2020/2021 Enrolment) 1 primary school (446 pupils) 1 secondary school (754 pupils) Childcare options Core Strategy 67 Settlement Strategy

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   2.3.3 Strategy and Vision Virginia performs important retail, residential, service and amenity functions for local rural hinterlands as well as the Towns urban population. Opportunity exists to increase the economic profile of the Town by zoning additional lands for employment use and by maximising the potential of the strategic location of Virginia. Virginia experienced the highest population growth of all Tier 2 towns as defined in the 2014- 2020 Development Plan with 16% growth and an increase of 366 persons. The Core Strategy set out in Chapter 1 of this Plan projects that the population of Virginia Town will grow to 3,510 over this Plan period. This housing requirement will be accommodated in the town core, mixed use and brownfield sites of Virginia alongside land zoned for proposed residential and for low density residential which will accommodate an alternative to one off dwellings. In this settlement strategy, Virginia is identified as a Self Sustaining Growth Town that will be promoted in driving growth and economic development in the south east of the County. Virginia has significant employment and service functions relative to its regional and local catchment. It has good regional transport links and has the capacity for continued commensurate growth to become more self-sustaining. It supports the regional driver role of Cavan and acts as an important local driver providing a range of functions for its resident population and its surrounding catchment including housing, employment, services, retail and leisure opportunities. The town should grow at a sustainable level appropriate to its position in the settlement hierarchy. The lack of zoned economic lands has been identified as a serious constraint in the Town and so this plan seeks to address this concern in order to comply with the designation of Virginia as having strategic development potential in the RSES. The RSES has indicated that the commuting from the Town needs to be addressed by providng employment and support services. The RSES recognises that Virginia is strongly positioned to attract businesses, that need access to the Belfast/ Dublin corridor, available talent, quality of life and housing. Cavan County Development Plan 2022-2028 68 Cavan County Development Plan 2022-2028 VG 01 VG 04 VG 02 VG 05 VG 03 Virginia General Development Objectives It is a development objective of Cavan County Council to: Promote the development of Virginia as a driver of economic growth in the South East of the county and fulfil its role as a designated Self-Sustaining Growth Town. Support the investment in community, social, retail and economic opportunities to fulfil its role as a designated Self-Sustaining Growth Town and to complement the town’s population. Encourage and foster the creation of attractive, mixed use, sustainable communities that include a suitable mix of housing types and tenures with supporting facilities, amenities and services that meet the needs of the entire community and accord with the principles of universal design and Age Friendly standards. Engage with the community and relevant stakeholders to promote and support the regeneration of Virginia through identification of significant regeneration projects along with associated funding streams including Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. Provide for the creation of sustainable communities in Virginia by identifying sufficient land for new development, in particular housing, enterprise and employment, community, recreational and tourism uses.

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   2.3.4 Physical Infrastructure Virginia is served by an existing wastewater treatment plant which requires upgrade. Works are ongoing in addressing this issue. Water is connected to Bailieborough RWSS with source from same as Skeagh lake in Bailieboro. Virginia is the last Town on the N3 national route from Dublin to Northern Ireland border which has not been bypassed. The RSES for the Northern and Western Regional Assembly identifies as one of its ambitions, the promotion of connectivity as a driver of economic growth and employment. The bypass for Virginia has been identified as one of the investment commitments in the National Development Plan to bring to pre-appraisal and early planning stages, with a view to progress to construction and delivery within the lifetime of the RSES. This project is currently progressing through the planning and design phases. Green infrastructure is essential to delivering the Town’s economic competitiveness, an improved quality of life and improved social inclusion. Increased development pressure will inevitably lead to an increase in traffic levels. It is essential that traffic is managed so as to minimise future congestion. This plan aims to achieve a more balanced and sustainable pattern of movement in Virginia and undertake to facilitate the provision of a greater choice of transport modes. VI 01 VI 02 VI 03 VI 04 Virginia Physical Infrastructure Development Objectives It is a development objective of Cavan County Council to: Support the delivery of the infrastructure that Virginia requires to grow to a Self Sustaining Growth Town including effluent treatment plant upgrade and the new bypass. Support the development of green infrastructure, river walkways and access from amenities to the town centre. Co-operate with the relevant authorities in relation to the proposed Virginia by-pass for the Town and support its delivery. Commence the preparation of a Local Transport Plan (LTP) for Virginia in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and other relevant stakeholders within two years of the adoption of the County Development Plan. 2.3.5 Economic Development The role of Virginia as a hub for the east of County Cavan cannot be underestimated. Virginia’s strategic location can be regarded as our gateway not only to the Dublin Metropolitan Area, but also the Dublin-Belfast cross border network and the South and the West of Ireland. The Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Northern and Western Region depicts an Economic Strategy that builds on the identified strengths of the region and seeks to sustain a strong economy and support the creation of quality jobs that ensure a good living standard for all. This strategy advocates Virginia as a hub for employment, housing and services, noting its strong position to attract businesses that need access to the Belfast/ Dublin corridor, available talent, quality of life and housing. In addition to this, the National Planning Framework also talks about addressing economic resilience and connectivity as key strategic priorities for the Cavan area. “The maintenance of seamless crossborder movement for people, goods and services, together with improvements in digital and physical infrastructure will create new opportunities to leverage employment and for sustainable population growth. Enhanced connectivity would result in this area being strategically located almost equidistant between the Dublin, Belfast and Derry City regions in terms of time, as well as distance”. It is also noted that the Cavan area has the capacity to provide suitable alternative locations for larger employers in comparison to city areas where increasingly, issues like water supply, traffic congestion and lack of housing are acting as barriers to economic development, as well as offering a better quality of life with less drive time. There exists the innate opportunity to target such locations as alternatives to the Dublin area. The RSES states that commuting out of the county is an issue that needs to be addressed by providing employment and support services and advocates that Virginia is in a strong position to attract businesses, that need access to the Belfast/ Dublin corridor, available talent, quality of life and housing. Between 2011-2016 the population of Virginia increased by 366 people. The total population of Virginia is 2,648 which represents approximately 3.5% of the population of the county (76,176) in 2016. However, when considering the economic development potential of a strategic hub like Virginia, it is important to look at the population within a 30 minute drivetime which is 80,680 and within 1 hour drivetime there is a total population of 627,406. Core Strategy 69 Settlement Strategy

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   There are 1,354 people residing in the Virginia settlement area who are classed as being “At Work”. Of these workers, a total of 24% (323) are employed in Virginia, 16% (215) are employed elsewhere in Cavan, 36% (483) commute out of the County for employment and the remaining 25% (333) are either Mobile workers or have a blank or un-codable destination. Virginia is an important employment and service centre in that it supports a total of 1,011 jobs. Of these, 32% (323) are undertaken by local residents living in Virginia, 48% (485) are undertaken by workers living elsewhere in County Cavan and the remaining 20% (203) are undertaken by workers who commute to Virginia from outside the county. According to POWCAR 2016, there are 1,011 jobs based in Virginia. This accounts for 4.9% of all jobs based in the county. Although 52% of the resident workers in Virginia are employed elsewhere, Virginia is the employment destination for 688 workers from outside the settlement. The Town is a net exporter of jobs (-343). Virginia has a good mix of professional, business, retail and other services within the Town. It is the policy of this plan to support existing enterprise within and outside of Virginia, including the expanding of the existing Food Cluster containing Glanbia and AW Ennis east of Virginia. The Agri-Food sector is vital to the region and particularly to County Cavan. Whilst the sector is well established in the Central Border Region, there is undoubtedly room for further growth in the area with annual economic growth at 4%. Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) will provide much of this growth over the next 10 years, and these types of businesses must be supported. Given the majority of these companies are located outside of our main identified Urban Centre’s, sectoral expansion in agri-food must be facilitated in our Rural Towns and Villages, but particularly in Virginia with the existing agri-food cluster of Glanbia and AW Ennis feeds. Many of jobs in Virginia are concentrated in the Town centre area, commerce and trade, professional services and manufacturing industries are the among the largest industries of employment within the settlement itself. Virginia’s competitive advantage is based on its unique location, being the most easterly Town in the County. The Dublin Metropolitan Area is within a 30-minute drive as a result of improved transport links, notable the M3. The Virginia Bypass is a key piece of infrastructure required to facilitate sustainable economic growth within the County. The importance of this piece of infrastructure is acknowledged and the Plan supports the development of this bypass in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of this self-sustaining growth town. It is imperative that the bypass facilitates and enhances the economic development of the area and does not in any way hinder this growth as a result of its route or environmental impact. Cavan County Council concurs with the NPF and the RSES’s opinion that there are opportunities to further enhance the economic performance of Virginia by capitalising on its strategic location and the associated national and international connectivity that this provides. A study undertaken by Cavan County Council to examine and recommend future commercial lands in Virginia was carried out. It notes that the RSES seeks to promote employment growth and economic development of regional scale and Virginia has been identified as a town with a specific focus on strategic development potential of a regional scale exists. The study addresses deficits in terms of economic activity in Virginia and sets out the following aims for Virginia: 1. Attract large scale operators 2. Reduce the loss of economic activity and businesses to other locations 3. Reduce the level of commuting. 4. Retain employment in Virginia 5. Create sustainable and attractive family and work-life balance for the residents of Virginia and its environs Three preferred locations have been identified and are considered to support commercial development and should be promoted for future commercial development in the development plan. The 3 sites include: 1. Lands at Burrencarragh Virginia – this strategic employment site at Burrencarragh is considered to be a suitable site in accordance with the NPF and the RSES where there are opportunities to further enhance the economic performance of Virginia by capitalising on its strategic location and the associated national and international connectivity that this provides. The lands Cavan County Development Plan 2022-2028 70 Cavan County Development Plan 2022-2028

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   in question are considered appropriate for large scale employment generating uses of a strategic importance with a notable land requirement. RSES regconises the existing “Food Cluster of AW Ennis and Glanbia” and its potential. These lands will help achieve growth at this area. The development of this site will promote sustainable economic development in Virginia through the promotion of identified economic growth areas which provide employment opportunities and reduce the volume of long distance commuting. 2. Lands in the east of Virginia have the potential for future economic development that could support/enhance the existing business community in the area and create a more defined economic hub in the Town. The development of these lands could support local business needs and be developed in a phased manner as demand requires. A future link road between the lands towards the Bailieborough Road may serve to alleviate vehicular movement and traffic congestion in the Town centre. These lands support sustainable transport options such as walking and cycling to work. 3. Lands to the north of the Town centre and abut the N3. The lands are generally underdeveloped in contrast to other parts of Virginia. The development of this location could serve to improve economic activity in and around the northern fringes of Virginia Town. The proximity of the Town centre supports accessibility to services and infrastructure. The proximity promotes more sustainable transport options such as walking and cycling to work which is a targeted objectives of the RSES. These 3 areas are subject to the preparation of Masterplans. Core Strategy 71 Settlement Strategy VE 01 VE 02 VE 03 VE 04 VE 05 VE 06 VE 07 VE 08 Virginia Economic Development Objectives It is a development objective of Cavan County Council to: Promote sustainable economic development in Virginia through the promotion of identified economic growth areas which provide employment opportunities locally and reduce the volume of commuting. Support the growth of Virginia as a location of strategic development potential of a regional scale and support the existing Food Cluster containing Glanbia and AW Ennis east of Virginia. Promote and facilitate the sustainable growth of Virginia as a hub for the east of the County, in terms of economic, housing and services. Support the development of strategic employment lands identified in the Town. Support the consolidation and growth of existing enterprises and the development of employment opportunities within the Town and facilitate the establishment of new enterprise and employment uses on lands identified for employment purposes. New enterprises shall demonstrate high quality architectural built form that contributes to a positive sense of space and distinctiveness. Support the continued development of existing business and retail parks in Virginia. Enhance the physical appearance of existing enterprise parks in Virginia. Prepare masterplans 4,5, and 6 which shall be approved by the Planning Authority prior to the development of the lands.

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   2.3.6 Tourism Virginia is a picturesque Town, on the banks of Lough Ramor, and has much potential as a tourism Town. Virginia is located in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, Fáilte Ireland’s marketing proposition for the county. There is a sizable accommodation base locally with bednights available in guesthouses and hotels, many located on the banks of Lough Ramor. There is also a caravan and campsite nearby. The Town is well served with cafes, gastro pubs and restaurants. Virginia is located on the N3 creating good access from Dublin and the east of the country. The Town is 10km from one of Cavan’s most popular visitor attractions – Cavan County Museum and the World War 1 Trench Experience. Other nearby attractions include Crafts of Ireland and Killinkere Pet Farm, both located within a short driving distance from the Town. St. Kilian’s Heritage Centre in Mullagh is 11km away and Lough Crew Cairns is within driving distance. Deerpark Forest is located nearby and pedestrian access to the forest is available directly from the Town. Owned by Coillte, Deerpark is a popular local amenity, of rich heritage value and has the potential for further development. Lough Ramor and its lakeside amenity area is also accessible from the Town. There has been significant investment in the lakeside amenity area in recent years under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, with funding also provided by Cavan County Council. Lough Ramor is the biggest lake in the area at 800 hectares and is regarded as a good coarse and pike fishing destination. There is a Ramor Watersports Club operating a marina at the Lakeside Manor. Eight of the berths on the marina are available to visitors. The Virginia Show centre is located in the Town and is home to the annual Virginia Show every August. The long-established Ramor Theatre is located in the Town. €5.3million of funding has been committed to its expansion and the creation of a new Virginia Civic centre. This transformative Town centre Rural Regeneration and Development Fund Project will involve the creation of a new library, theatre space and multipurpose civic event facilities. Cavan County Development Plan 2022-2028 72 Cavan County Development Plan 2022-2028

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   VT 01 VT 02 VT 03 VT 04 VT 05 VT 06 VT 07 Virginia Tourism Development objectives It is a development objective of Cavan County Council to: Support the provision of tourist accommodation and associated services in Virginia. Encourage sustainable and suitable tourism related development. Engage with Fáilte Ireland and the Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands team to ensure maximum benefits for Virginia and East Cavan. Continue to work with the tourism industry locally to ensure a coordinated and collaborative approach for tourism signage, promotion and infrastructure. Encourage and support the delivery of tourist services in the Town. Harness the potential of Lough Ramor, the marina, and Deerpark Forest for outdoor recreation. Support festivals and events that attract visitors and have the potential to create an increase in bed nights. Core Strategy 73 Settlement Strategy

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   2.3.7 Sustainable Communities Virginia provides an attractive place to live, rich in natural beauty and amenity. Significant residential development in Virginia has resulted in an increase in population of the Town. Opportunity exists to accommodate the future needs of the Town in a consolidated fashion which will assist in the delivery of sustainable communities comprising of a mix of housing types, densities and tenure. An emphasis is therefore placed on building communities with a high standard of design, around the principles of place-making, green infrastructure, permeability and connectivity alongside the integration of community and recreational facilities. The development strategy for Virginia is to support new housing and population growth, consistent with the Core Strategy, facilitating compact growth together with providing a viable alternative to rural one-off housing within the surrounding countryside. Provision is made in the plan in accordance with RPO 3.7 of the RSES, for the development of serviced sites. In this regard, a portion of land has been zoned for low density residential use with an objective to provide selfbuild plots. The plan promotes the development of green infrastructure networks both within the settlement and to adjacent tourist amenities. New development proposals will have to demonstrate how they contribute towards the creation of Green Infrastructure networks, in particular the development of green routes through the Town with connections to the Town centre. Cavan County Development Plan 2022-2028 74 Cavan County Development Plan 2022-2028

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   VCR 01 VCR 02 VCR 03 VCR 04 VCR 05 VSC 01 VSC 02 VSC 03 VSC 04 VSC 05 VSC 06 VSC 07 VSC 08 Virginia Sustainable Communities Development Objectives. It is a development objective of Cavan County Council to: Provide for new residential development in accordance with the requirements of the Housing and Core Strategy Require that an appropriate mix of housing type, tenure, density and size is provided in all new residential developments to meet the needs of the population of Virginia Encourage the appropriate redevelopment of brownfield and infill sites for residential uses within the footprint of the existing built-up areas. Require proposals for new development to integrate with existing Green Infrastructure networks and contribute to the development and protection of overall Green Infrastructure assets. Support the provision of social and recreational amenities in Virginia to address gaps in these important Community facilities. Provide for the expansion and development of educational, social, community and recreational facilities in the settlements. Promote cycling and walking within the community through the implementation of improved walking/ cycling infrastructure within the Town and its hinterlands and at areas of interest and attractions. Support the provision of serviced sites on lands zoned for low density residential development. 2.3.8 Commercial and Retail Development Virginia has the highest proportion of floorspace dedicated to mainstream comparison shopping outside of Cavan Town. It also has the highest convenience floorspace provision outside of Cavan Town. Supervalu and Lidl have a presence in the town along with several smaller independently owned convenience shops in the town centre. Virginia has a 12.5% vacancy rate of retail units. This is a low level of vacancy compared with similar sized towns in the County. The Retail Strategy has indicated that less people in Virginia travel to other towns for grocery shopping. There is a reasonable range of comparison shopping with much located in the Virginia Shopping Centre. The promotion of linkages between this centre and the traditional town centre is strongly encouraged. Virginia Commercial and Retail Development objectives It is a development objective of Cavan County Council to: Sustain and enhance the retail and services offer of Virginia Town Centre in line with the County Retail Strategy Support commercial opportunities within Virginia Town centre which harnesses the potential of the Town for economic growth and sustainability. Reinforce the centre of Virginia as the property location for new commercial and retail development, with emphasis on quality of design, positive contribution to the existing streetscape and protection of existing heritage landscapes. Support the provision of mixed-use developments in the Town centre which create opportunities to live, work, shop etc. within the Town and reduce the carbased travel. Encourage and facilitate the re-use and regeneration of derelict land and buildings for retail and other town centre uses with due cognisance to the Sequential Approach prescribed in the Retail Planning Guidelines 2012. Core Strategy 75 Settlement Strategy

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    2.3.9 Regeneration and Placemaking A number of key sites exist within the settlement which present the potential for physical and social regeneration with the support of private and public-sector expertise and investment. In particular, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund operated by the Department of Rural and Community Development is available to support coordinated and integrated projects between government departments, state agencies, local authorities, other public bodies and communities, which will have an impact on sustainable economic and social development in the rural area. Accordingly, the potential for better use of under-utilised and vacant sites and buildings within the existing built-up footprint of Virginia to drive the delivery of quality housing, services and employment opportunities, in tandem with supporting social infrastructure is promoted. The redevelopment of sites presents an opportunity to contribute to Virginia’s rejuvenation and revitalisation and an overall improvement of the public realm and visual amenity. In this regard, proposals for strategic brownfield and infill sites should be accompanied by a site brief that sets out a phased programme for the regeneration of the site and demonstrates how the proposal achieves sustainable compact development and integrates principles of good urban design and placemaking. Two Masterplans have been completed in Virginia Town centre which explore the most sustainable use and regeneration of the backlands of the Town centre. The completion of a car park and access road via New Street is a significant development in the progress of Masterplan 2. Virginia provides the focus for a wide variety of activities that contribute to a sense of place and identity. The town plays an important economic, social and cultural role with the main priority of consolidation in the existing centre and support existing businesses and activities, in order to maintain vibrancy. The Lurgan Parish Church Quarter has been designated as an Architectural Conservation Area due to its architectural, historical and social interest that has a distinctive character worthy of protection and promotion. Cavan County Development Plan 2022-2028 76 Cavan County Development Plan 2022-2028

Source Cavan County Council: Cavan County Development Plan 2022–2028 — Chapter 2 (2022–2028) · Licence the publisher's termsText read from the publisher’s PDF; tables, maps and drawings do not survive as text, and page numbers are the PDF’s (its first page is 1). Check the original before relying on a passage.