Development plan · Cork County Council
Cork County Development Plan 2022–2028 – Volume One: Main Policy Material
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards. Variations adopted since are not in this text.
Cork County Council · 2022–2028 · 564 pages
Ask this document
Answers come only from the text of Cork County Development Plan 2022–2028 – Volume One: Main Policy Material, each claim linked to its page. They are not advice; check the page itself.
Free, with a daily limit.
- 21 Census Data 1.6.2 While the preparation of the County Development Plan has been informed, where possible, by the most up-to-date available data sources, the statutory timeframe of the plan-making process will not allow for the incorporation of Census 2022 data. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic Census 2021 is deferred until April 2022 with preliminary results available a number of months thereafter. Brexit and the Pandemic 1.6.3 The impacts of Brexit will only become apparent over the lifetime of the Plan. While there will be negative impacts there will also be opportunities created in areas such as logistics and distribution which Cork will be well placed to take advantage of. There will also be opportunities for Cork Harbour given potential difficulties with the land bridge and Cork been the closest port to the continent. 1.6.4 The Pandemic has made the Plan preparation much more challenging around its putting together, public consultation and interaction with elected members. It has also had an impact on accelerating existing trends such as move to online shopping and starting new ones such as remote working. It has also emphasised the importance of the provision of recreational amenities across the County. It has intensified the efforts to regenerate and renew our town centres. While it is too early to assess the long-term impacts of these trends it is important to continue monitoring them and adjusting policies as required over the Plan period. 1.7 County Development Plan and Strategic Planning Areas 1.7.1 The scale and diversity of County Cork requires a strategy to carefully match the individual potential of the main areas that make up the County. Based on the approach taken in national, regional and local strategic plans, this plan sets out the County strategy in relation to four ‘Strategic Sub Areas’ that best reflect the differing mix of socio-economic, cultural and environmental issues that define the main areas within the County. These are as follows: County Metropolitan Cork Strategic Planning Area: includes the parts of Metropolitan Cork that fall within the County Council’s administrative area. It consists of the ‘Metropolitan Towns’ of Carrigaline, Carrigtwohill, Cobh, Midleton and Passage West, the proposed new town at Monard and the surrounding villages and rural areas. Greater Cork Ring Strategic Planning Area: is the area previously referred to as the ‘CASP Ring’. It lies outside Metropolitan Cork and includes the town of Mallow, which was designated as a Key town by the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy, and the ‘Ring’ towns of Bandon, Fermoy, Kinsale, Macroom and Youghal. Each town supports a substantial rural hinterland consisting of several villages, smaller settlements and individual dwellings. North Cork Strategic Planning Area: includes the northern part of the County including the County Towns of Buttevant, Charleville, Kanturk, Millstreet, Mitchelstown and Newmarket. Each town supports a substantial rural hinterland consisting of several villages, smaller settlements and individual dwellings. West Cork Strategic Planning Area: includes the western part of the area of the County and includes the town of Clonakilty, which was designated as a Key town by the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy and the County Towns of Bantry, Castletownbere, Dunmanway, Schull, and Skibbereen. Each town supports a substantial rural hinterland consisting of several villages, smaller settlements and individual dwellings. 1.7.2 These areas are discussed further in Chapter 2 Core Strategy. GO TO CONTENTS
- 22 Figure 1.5 : Strategic Planning Areas 1.8 Development Plan Quality of Life Principles 1.8.1 The Development Plan vision and main aims for the County will be underpinned by the core quality of life principles of, sustainability, climate action, social inclusion, placemaking, and resilience. A brief description of these areas is set out as follows: Sustainability – the concept of sustainable development can be defined as” development which meets the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. Sustainable development is one of the major challenges facing society. How and where we live, work and take recreation makes demands on the earth’s resources. This Plan adopts the principle of sustainability by promoting and encouraging the integration of economic, environmental, social and cultural issues into policies and objectives to ensure the needs of urban and rural communities are met. Any reference to development in this plan should be considered to refer to sustainable development. Sustainability is also considered to involve compliance with European Environmental Directives. Climate Action – We now have a much clearer understanding of how climate change in Ireland will unfold over the next Plan period and it is clear that human activity is influencing climate change, and that this in turn will lead to a range of current and future impacts. The climate change impacts include rising sea levels, more intense rainfall events and flooding. Adaptation to the adverse effects of climate change is vital in order to reduce the impacts of climate change that are happening now and increase resilience to future impacts. It is recognised that the Plan has a key role in supporting the delivery of meaningful action on climate change through the implementation of the NPF compact growth agenda at the local level; the integration of land-use and transportation; and in the sustainable management of our environmental resources including biodiversity. Climate action is thus an important Development Plan Principle and this is reflected by the introduction of a new stand- alone Chapter 17 Climate Action in addition to other climate action related Policy Objectives which permeate throughout the Plan. Biodiversity - This plan includes objectives to enhance and protect biodiversity which are set out in the Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity and Environment Chapters as well as site specific objectives which aim to support community led initiatives to protect biodiversity including the development of community led Biodiversity Action Plans and Pollinator Plans. Social Inclusion – Social inclusion affects the wellbeing of individuals, families, social groups and communities. Creating a more socially inclusive society by alleviating social exclusion, poverty and deprivation is a major challenge. Steps towards achieving a more socially inclusive society include the provision of good quality affordable housing, community infrastructure and improving access to information and resources. GO TO CONTENTS
- 23 Placemaking – Good design adds quality to the places we live, work and enjoy. Ensuring high quality design adds value to our towns, villages and countryside and improves our quality of life. This plan promotes high quality design by encouraging its integration into every aspect of the plan. Resilience – Resilience is a principle that also underpins the Plan and is described as ‘the ability of a system, community or society exposed to hazards to resist, absorb, accommodate to and recover from the effects of a hazard in a timely and efficient manner, including through the preservation and restoration of its essential basic structures and functions’. (United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), 2009). It is built into the strategic policies and recommendations of each of the cross-cutting themes: sustainable development, climate change, social inclusion and placemaking. 1.9 Development Plan Aims 1.9.1 The Development Plan presents an opportunity to shape the future growth of County Cork to plan for and support the sustainable long term development of the County. The Plan aims to build on our previous successes and to strengthen our strategic advantage as a County, to ensure that we utilise the strengths of our citizens, communities, built and natural heritage, infrastructure, economy and tourism to their full potential. 1.9.2 The Cork County Development Plan aims to: 1. Plan for and support the sustainable long-term development of County Cork as an integrated network of vibrant socially and economically successful urban settlements and rural communities, metropolitan and town greenbelts and open countryside, supporting and contributing to the economic development of the County and of the Southern Region. 2. Provide for the future wellbeing of the residents of the County in strong inclusive communities by: • Supporting sustained economic vibrancy and increasing employment opportunities. • Protecting and improving the quality of the built and natural environments. • Ensuring the provision of adequate housing, necessary infrastructure and community facilities. • Promoting and improving quality of life and public health. • Build on the progress made in the County following the conclusion of the previous development plan. 3. Incorporate sustainable development, climate change mitigation and adaptation, social inclusion, high quality design and resilience as fundamental principles, cross cutting and underpinning the Development Plan. 4. Promote an appropriate balance of development across the County, by developing a hierarchy of high quality, vibrant urban centres. 5. Ensure an adequate supply of zoned lands to meet forecasted and anticipated economic and social needs, while avoiding an oversupply which would lead to fragmented development, dissipated infrastructural provision and urban sprawl. 6. Foster the development of socially and economically balanced sustainable rural and urban communities. 7. Facilitate the actions and implementation of the Local Economic and Community Plan, as appropriate. 8. Continue to influence regional and national planning and development policies in the interest of the County. 9. Co-operate with the Southern Regional Assembly, Local Authorities and other stakeholders in meeting the needs and development requirements of the County in accordance with the National Planning Framework and Southern Region Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy and any successor policy documents. 10. Facilitate and encourage innovation in order to drive sustainable development, protecting against potential negative impacts. 11. Enhance and protect biodiversity as set out in the Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity and Environment Chapters as well as site specific objectives which aim to support community led initiatives to protect biodiversity including the development of community led Biodiversity Action Plans and Pollinator Plans. GO TO CONTENTS
- 24 Development Plan Vision “The Vision is to provide for the development of County Cork as an attractive, competitive and sustainable place to live, visit and do business, where the quality of its economy, natural and built environment, culture and the strength and viability of its rural and urban communities are to the highest standards” GO TO CONTENTS
No text on this page — it is probably a drawing, a map, a photograph or a scanned page. See it in the PDF.
No text on this page — it is probably a drawing, a map, a photograph or a scanned page. See it in the PDF.
- 27 CHAPTER 2 CORE STRATEGY Aim of Chapter Through the application of the planning principles set out in this document, to provide for the development of County Cork as an attractive, competitive and sustainable place to live, visit and do business, where the quality of its economy, natural and built environment, culture and the strength and viability of its communities are to the highest standards, in accordance with all relevant Government Policy and Guidance.
No text on this page — it is probably a drawing, a map, a photograph or a scanned page. See it in the PDF.
- 29 CONTENTS Contents 2.1 Introduction 30 2.2 Purpose of the Core Strategy 30 2.3 Preparing the Core Strategy 31 2.4 Overview of Population Growth 31 2.5 Evaluation of Housing Demand – Joint Housing Strategy and Housing Needs Demand Assessment (HNDA) 35 2.6 Compact Growth 36 2.7 Tiered Approach to Land Use Zoning 36 2.8 Housing Projections 37 2.9 Housing and Jobs Requirement for the Plan Period 38 2.10 Additional Provision 40 2.11 Phasing and Residential Reserve 41 2.12 Urban Expansion Areas and the Monard SDZ: Long term and Strategic Development Areas (Further Additional Provision) 41 2.13 Core Strategy Statement 43 2.14 Strategic Planning Areas in Cork 48 2.15 Settlement Networks in Cork County 52 2.16 Other Integral Policy Considerations 57 2.17 The Core Strategy Diagrammatic Map 59 2.18 Implementation and Delivery 61 2.19 Active Land Management 63
- 30 2.1 Introduction 2.1.1 This Chapter sets out the Core Strategy which is the settlement and growth strategy for the County. The Core Strategy is the key component of the County Development Plan, in that it sets out, in line with the overarching hierarchy of national and regional plans, and the Development Plan Vision, the quantum and location of development in the County over the lifetime of the Plan. 2.2 Purpose of the Core Strategy 2.2.1 The formulation of the Core Strategy in accordance with Section 10 of the Planning and Development Acts, as amended, is the starting point in preparing the Development Plan. The purpose of the Core Strategy is to articulate a medium to longer term quantitatively based strategy for the spatial development of the County and in so doing to demonstrate that the Plan and its objectives are consistent with national and regional development objectives set out in the National Planning Framework (NPF) and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES). The central focus of the Core Strategy is on residential development and in ensuring that there is an acceptable equilibrium between the supply of zoned, serviced land for the projected demand for new housing, over the lifetime of the Plan. 2.2.2 Under the Act the Core Strategy must focus on: • Providing relevant information to demonstrate that the Development Plan and the Housing Strategy are consistent with the NPF, RSES and with specific planning policy requirements (SPPR’s) specified in Section 28 Guidelines. • Taking account of any policies of the Minister in relation to national and regional population targets. • Defining a settlement framework for the County that is consistent with the NPF and RSES; • Providing an evidence-based rationale for the land proposed to be zoned for residential and mixed-use development having regard to the capacity of existing zoned land and the phasing of development taking account of the location of public transport and services; and • Demonstrating how the Planning Authority has had regard to the statutory Retail Planning Guidelines in setting out objectives for retail development. 2.2.3 A key function of any core strategy is to focus on a preferred approach to both the spatial pattern and quantity of housing delivery over the lifetime of the plan, but it also draws together and provides a platform for a synergy between all of the key policy areas of the plan, from economy to placemaking and climate change. 2.2.4 The Core Strategy considers all aspects of what is needed to deliver sustainable communities having regard also to the availability of infrastructure, the carrying capacity of the environment and the need to support economic development. The following are the key areas considered in the preparation of the Core Strategy for Cork County. • Overall Planning Strategy and Climate Change Strategy – Issues arising from the National Planning Framework (NPF) and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Southern Region and the Cork MASP; appropriate levels of growth across the settlement hierarchy; provision for compact growth consistent with the objectives of the higher order plans and strategies as set out above, and the obligations in terms of climate action set out under section 10(2)(n) of the Act. • Population – Issues arising from recent patterns of population change and the need to consider adjustments to current polices so that the next County Development Plan is properly aligned with the National and Regional Policy; • Housing – The need for policy changes to reflect National and Regional Policy, Ministerial Policy changes and the constant fluctuations and continuing changes to market conditions since the current County Development Plan was prepared. Policies are further supported by the Joint Housing Strategy and the Housing Needs and Demand Assessment; • Placemaking – We need to make our towns and villages the places where people choose to live, work and visit by making our towns and villages more attractive, vibrant and liveable places; • Rural Housing – The need to develop policies that are consistent with Ministerial policy and effective in delivering a future pattern of population growth that focuses on the needs of rural communities and is consistent with National and Regional Policy; • Retail Development and Town Centres – The need for policy changes so that the next County Development Plan is aligned with Ministerial policies and reflects the economic circumstances in the County and changing consumer behaviour globally; • Transport and Infrastructure – The need to combine the emerging spatial patterns for the Cork Region, arising from Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS) and the implementation of Government Policy, with the key requirements of the other infrastructure providers (including Irish Water, National Transport Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland) to create a plan that is capable of delivering sustainable growth; • Employment and Economic Growth – The need to protect and consolidate existing critical employment locations that have underpinned Cork’s economic successes to date, while developing new employment locations and opportunities to serve current and future generations. • Environment – National Policy requires biodiversity to be considered as part of decision making and for biodiversity loss to be reduced and for substantial recovery to be achieved. This plan seeks to ensure a balance between protection of the environment including the maintenance and improvement of water quality and biodiversity and meeting the GO TO CONTENTS
Source Cork County Council: Cork County Development Plan 2022–2028 – Volume One: Main Policy Material (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.