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
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- 51 West and North Cork Strategic Planning Areas 2.14.7 In these Strategic Planning Areas this plan aims to support the delivery of residential development to support population growth backed up by increased employment opportunities to support strong urban and rural communities. County Development Plan Objective CS 2-5: North Cork Strategic Planning Area (a) Recognise the importance to the area of the established Networks as identified in the RSES for the Southern Region to act as a focus for new investment in jobs and housing and to recognise the value of such investment to the area as a whole; (b) Establish an appropriate balance in the spatial distribution of future population growth so that Kanturk, Millstreet, Mitchelstown, Charleville, Buttevant and Newmarket, can accelerate their rate of growth, in line with this Core Strategy and achieve a critical mass of population to enable them to maximise their potential to attract new investment in employment, services and public transport; (c) Facilitate the development of the villages and rural areas so that the rate of future population growth compliments the strategy to achieve a critical mass of population in the towns and provide protection for those areas recognised as under pressure from urban development; (d) Strengthen and protect the rural communities of the area by encouraging sustainable growth in population, protecting agricultural infrastructure and productivity and focusing other employment development primarily in the main towns and key villages; (e) Recognise the need to encourage the diversification of the rural economy by promoting a stronger tourism and leisure economy through the protection of the area’s natural and built heritage, and by encouraging appropriate new forms of employment development; (f) Prioritise the adequate provision of water services and transport infrastructure to meet current needs and future population targets while protecting the areas environment; and Protect and enhance the natural heritage of the Blackwater catchment. (g) Facilitate the development of renewable energy projects in support of national climate change objectives. GO TO CONTENTS
- 52 County Development Plan Objective CS 2-6: West Cork Strategic Planning Area (a) Recognise the importance of the role to be played by Clonakilty as a ‘Key’ town in the implementation of the National Planning Framework and RSES for the Southern Region to focus growth in West Cork and; to promote its development as a major centre of employment and population where there is a high standard of access to educational and cultural facilities; and provide the necessary infrastructure to ensure that this can be achieved while protecting the environmental quality of Clonakilty Bay. (b) Recognise the importance of upgrading the N71 to the development of Clonakilty, the overall economic potential of the West Cork Strategic Planning Area and the facilitation of a balanced economic strategy for the County as a whole; (c) Establish an appropriate balance in the spatial distribution of future population growth so that Bantry, Castletownbere, Dunmanway and Skibbereen, can accelerate their rate of growth, in line with this Core Strategy and achieve a critical mass of population to enable them to maximise their potential to attract new investment in employment, services and public transport; (d) Recognise the international importance and the importance to the region’s tourism economy, of the scenic and landscape qualities of the coastal and upland areas, particularly along the peninsulas in the southwest and to protect these landscapes from inappropriate development; (e) Facilitate the development of the villages and rural areas so that the rate of future population growth compliments the strategy to achieve a critical mass of population in the towns and provide protection for those areas recognised as under pressure from urban development; (f) Support a vibrant and well populated countryside, recognising the need to strengthen and protect the rural communities of the area by encouraging sustainable and balanced growth in both urban and rural populations, maintain traditional rural settlement patterns in rural areas and the islands, protecting agricultural and fishery infrastructure and productivity and focusing other employment development in the main towns and key villages; (g) Recognise the need to encourage the diversification of the rural economy by promoting a stronger tourism and leisure economy through the protection of the area’s natural and built heritage. This will also be achieved by recognising opportunities arising from wildlife tourism in the area and by encouraging appropriate new forms of employment development; (h) Prioritise the adequate provision of water services and transport infrastructure to meet current needs and future population targets while protecting the areas environment; (i) Protect and enhance the natural heritage of the areas coast including the West Cork Islands through the implementation of the National Marine Planning Framework; (j) Protect and enhance the natural and built heritage assets of the towns and villages from inappropriate development; (k) Recognise the role to be played by Castletownbere and its deep-water port facilities in the future growth of the fishing and tourism industry and to promote its future development and potential for other port related activities subject to the requirements of the Habitats, Birds, Water Framework, SEA and EIA Directives; (l) Facilitate the development of renewable energy projects in support of national climate change objectives. 2.15 Settlement Networks in Cork County 2.15.1 Designation of individual settlements is not the sole determinant of achieving successful renewal and growth. Across the county, there are examples of smaller-scale settlements that have a significant role in employment provision to their surrounding communities, often in highly skilled, world-leading innovative sectors sharing similar economic strengths and specialisms which when combined, provide strategic opportunities to drive the local and regional economy, contributing to and interacting with the larger centres of growth such as the Cork Metropolitan Area and the Key Towns of Mallow and Clonakilty. 2.15.2 These networks present opportunities for collaborative projects and shared benefits from strategic infrastructure investments, particularly from improved inter-regional connectivity (transport networks and digital communications) perspective. The RSES for the Southern Region recognises the importance of improved intra-regional connectivity between networked settlements - public transport, rail, inter-urban walking and cycling routes, greenways and e-mobility initiatives. GO TO CONTENTS
- 53 2.15.3 There are a number of well-established networks of settlements in the County that are strategically driving sub-regional growth and opportunities for further potential networks. Examples include: • Cork Ring Network: A network of Mallow Key Town, Bandon, Kinsale, Fermoy, Macroom and Youghal, all with a strong relationship with the Cork Metropolitan Area and with potential for sustainable employment led growth, consolidation and enhancement. • North Cork Agri-Food Network: a network of Charleville, Fermoy, Mitchelstown with Mallow as the Key Town leveraging significant potential from food and beverage and agri-tech assets. • West Cork Marine Network: a network based on the N71 West Cork to South Kerry Corridor across settlements of Clonakilty as the Key Town with Skibbereen, Bantry, Schull and Castletownbere, leveraging significant marine economy, tourism, food and beverage, digital and other assets with strategic transport connections to the Cork Metropolitan Area. 2.15.4 This plan acknowledges these networks at the sub-county level for sharing assets and providing strategic opportunities to drive the local and ultimately regional/national economy. Sustainable infrastructure investment to support the economic role of settlements in these networks is also identified in the Appendix D: Core Strategy Critical Infrastructure of this Plan. 2.15.5 The network of settlements in County Cork has been strengthened over the years by active development plan policies to direct development and services to appropriate locations and to promote economic investment by protecting the character and amenity of the various towns and villages. 2.15.6 The objectives set out in this section, mindful of these circumstances are a further refinement of the current development plan provisions, taking into account the recommendations at a national level, of the National Planning Framework, at a regional level, the RSES for the Southern Region. 2.15.7 This plan seeks to achieve balanced sustainable and most importantly achievable growth over the large geographic area that is County Cork, while building on and seeking to leverage new potential gains from all forms of infrastructural investment. Significant housing and employment growth is targeted at Metropolitan Cork, with appropriate growth allocations identified for other existing settlements in order to sustain their role, within a large rural hinterland performing unique collaborative roles as networks promoting socio-economic and cultural development. 2.15.8 It is recognised in this Plan that Cork has a vibrant mix of settlements that contribute to its attractiveness as a place to live and work. The maintenance of this settlement spectrum from Metropolitan Towns, Key Towns, County Towns, rural villages, coastal and island locations is critical to protecting one of Cork’s unique selling points and its attractiveness for investment. 2.15.9 The settlement network has been adjusted with the removal of the development boundary from most village nuclei and a discontinuation of many Other Locations. This adjustment is required so that growth is concentrated in the settlements that have the most potential to accommodate that growth and allow for more flexibility around provision of housing in the wider rural area where development boundaries have been removed from former village nuclei. 2.15.10 It is important that these settlements and locations are recognised as places with vibrant and committed communities often active in the provision of a range of social and community facilities. These places will always be acknowledged as such by the Planning Authority and proposals to extend existing business, social and cultural facilities will be considered on their merits. In addition, should significant investment in water services occur in these settlements over the lifetime of this plan, there is scope to review and include these locations. These locations will continue to be eligible to apply for local and national funding. A full list of these settlements is provided in Appendix I of the plan. 2.15.11 The following objectives set out a broad strategic aim for each group of settlements in the network. GO TO CONTENTS
- 54 County Development Plan Objectives CS 2-7: Network of Settlements – Higher Order Settlements Settlements Strategic Aim Retail Cork County Metropolitan Area Towns Metropolitan Towns Carrigaline, Carrigtwohill, Cobh, Passage West/ Glenbrook / Monkstown, Midleton and Monard SDZ Growth in population and employment so that the Cork Metropolitan Area (CMA) can compete effectively for investment and jobs in line with the key enablers identified in the RSES for the Southern Region and the Cork MASP. Consolidate employment at existing employment locations with improved supporting infrastructure, and in particular public transport improvements including those identified in the CMATS (2020). Continue with the strategic rebalancing of the city and county through the development of the UEAs along the East Cork Corridor and the Monard SDZ. Critical population growth, service and employment centres within the Cork Metropolitan Area, providing high levels of community facilities and amenities with infrastructure capacity high quality and integrated public transport connections should be the location of choice for most people especially those with an urban employment focus. Large Metropolitan Towns: Support the vitality and viability of the larger metropolitan towns and to ensure that such centres provide an appropriate range of retail and non retail functions to serve the needs of the community and respective catchment areas. Smaller Metropolitan Towns: Strengthen and consolidate the retail role and function of the smaller metropolitan towns and to provide retail development in accordance with their planned population growth to serve their local catchments. Key Town Mallow To sustainably strengthen the employment-led growth and town centre-led regeneration of Mallow as a regional economic driver, leverage its strategic location and accessibility on inter-regional road and rail networks to build upon inherent strengths, in particular food production and tourism potential, while protecting and enhancing the natural environment of the Blackwater Valley; To seek investment to support attributes and the sustainable delivery of infrastructure, including enhanced inter-regional connectivity (transport networks and digital) along the strategic road network N20/M20 corridor to the Cork and Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan areas and Atlantic Economic Corridor, subject to the outcome of the planning process and environmental assessments; To strengthen ‘steady state’ investment in existing rail infrastructure and seek investment for improved infrastructure and services to ensure its continued renewal and maintenance to high level in order to provide quality levels of safety, service, accessibility and connectivity; Future growth of the town should be planned for on a phased basis in consultation with the Local Authority and Irish Water to ensure that sufficient wastewater capacity is accounted for and that further growth avoids negative impacts on the nutrient sensitive River Blackwater. Support and develop the role of Mallow as an important retail centre in the North of the County while ensuring the vitality and vibrancy of its town centre is retained and enhanced. GO TO CONTENTS
- 55 County Development Plan Objectives CS 2-7: Network of Settlements – Higher Order Settlements Settlements Strategic Aim Retail Key Town Clonakilty To strengthen sustainably the employmentled growth and regeneration of Clonakilty as an economic driver for West Cork, build upon inherent strengths, in particular food production and tourism, while protecting and enhancing the natural environment of Clonakilty Bay; To leverage its strategic location and accessibility on the N71 road corridor, sharing strengths with other settlements in West Cork, including an enhanced role for Bantry; To seek investment to support attributes and the sustainable delivery of infrastructure, including enhanced inter-regional connectivity (transport networks and digital) for all key settlements along the N71 road corridor to the Cork Metropolitan Area, Cork Harbour and Cork Airport assets, subject to the outcome of the planning process and environmental assessments. Support and develop the role of Clonakilty as an important retail centre in the West of the County while ensuring the vitality and vibrancy of the other town centres are retained and enhanced Ring Towns Bandon, Fermoy, Kinsale, Macroom, Youghal To provide a better balance of development throughout the Greater Cork Ring Area, and fulfil their economic potential as quality urban centres providing employment, shopping, services and public transport for their rural hinterland so that they can become the location of choice for most people especially those with an urban employment focus. Support the vitality and viability of the Ring towns and to ensure that such centres provide an appropriate range of retail and non retail functions to serve the needs of the community and respective catchment areas. County Towns North (Buttevant, Charleville, Kanturk, Millstreet, Mitchelstown, Newmarket) West (Bantry, Castletownbere, Dunmanway, Schull, Skibbereen). To provide a better balance of development between each town and its rural hinterland and fulfil their role as economic and employment centres providing for the needs of their extensive rural hinterlands, so that they can become the location of choice for most people especially those with an urban employment focus. Support the vitality and viability of the Larger and Smaller Towns and to ensure that such centres provide an appropriate range of retail and non-retail functions to serve the needs of the community and respective catchment areas. GO TO CONTENTS
- 56 County Development Plan Objectives CS 2-7: Network of Settlements – Lower Order Settlements Settlements Strategic Objectives Key Villages Please refer to Volumes 3,4 and 5 of this Plan. Establish key villages as the primary focus for development in rural areas in the lower order settlement network and allow for the provision of local services, by encouraging and facilitating population growth at a scale, layout and design that reflects the character of each village, where water services and waste water infrastructure is available. Supporting the retention and improvement of key social and community facilities, and inter urban public transport. West Cork Island Communities Please refer to Volume 5 of this Plan. Support island communities in their sustainable economic, social and cultural development, to preserve and enhance their unique cultural, linguistic, built and natural heritage and support viable socio-economic island communities in order that the permanent population will be maintained and where possible further increased in a sustainable manner. Villages Please refer to Volumes 3,4 and 5 of this Plan. Encourage and facilitate development at a scale, layout and design that reflects the character of each village, where water services and waste water infrastructure is available and support the retention and improvement of key social and community facilities within villages, including the improved provision of inter urban public transport. Other Locations Please refer to Volumes 3,4 and 5 of this Plan. Recognise other locations, as areas which perform important functions with regard to tourism, heritage, recreation and other uses. GO TO CONTENTS
- 57 2.16 Other Integral Policy Considerations Joint Retail Strategy 2.16.1 This plan aims to reflect the requirements of the Retail Planning Guidelines taking account of likely future market conditions, including the increase in internet shopping and the changed retail environment as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. In Metropolitan Cork, the County and City Councils have prepared a Joint Retail Study for the Metropolitan area, which has informed the preparation of this plan. 2.16.2 Chapter 9 Town Centres and Retail sets out details of policies and objectives for the main centres of retail activity in the County and gives guidance on the broad quantum of new floorspace that may be required. Rural Housing Strategic Policy 2.16.3 This development plan follows the approach set out in the Ministerial Guidelines for Sustainable Rural Housing (2005) and in doing so, sets out a policy framework for each of the areas identified aiming to focus rural housing development on the needs of rural communities. Chapter 5 Rural sets out the policies and objectives relating to the future management of rural housing. Economic Strategy 2.16.4 This plan also sets out policies and objectives in support of the economic development of the County. It allows for a concentration of new economic and employment development primarily within the main towns to bring balance across the County and improve the level of employment choice. To implement this employment strategy a network of employment centres has been identified across the County that will ensure a sustainable pattern of economic development, both in urban and rural areas. The importance placed on a settlement’s employment base (resident workers: jobs ratio) cannot be over emphasised, and this has formed an integral part of the settlement strategy for the development of this plan. 2.16.5 Within the County Metropolitan Area, Carrigtwohill, Little Island, Ringaskiddy and Whitegate are identified as Strategic Employment Locations suitable for large scale employment development, i.e, large stand-alone uses which require significant amounts of land. The role of these areas is also recognised by the Cork MASP, in particular the potential for foreign direct investment and development by indigenous enterprises. Whitegate’s role in the provision of energy and the potential for renewable energy production is also recognised. These four areas have retained their roles as locations for FDI companies that required large stand-alone premises while some have also developed specialised internationally recognised employment functions. 2.175.6 The Cork Harbour Area/Cork Harbour Economy is a nationally scaled entity and includes five County Metropolitan Towns (Cobh, Carrigtwohill, Midleton, Passage West/Glenbrook/Monkstown and Carrigaline), as well as four no. Strategic Employment Locations (Ringaskiddy, Little Island, Carrigtwohill and Whitegate/Aghada). 2.16.7 The Harbour area consists of two distinct clusters: • the East Cork Growth Corridor - containing Cobh, Midleton, Carrigtwohill, Little Island, Whitegate and Aghada and Marino Point and, • the South Cork and Lower Harbour Growth Triangle - containing Carrigaline, Passage West/ Glenbrook/Monkstown, Ringaskiddy (as well as Brinny and Kilumney/Ovens that are located outside of the harbour area). 2.16.8 In addition, it is important to ensure new economic and employment opportunities are developed in tandem with the provision of transport and water services infrastructure and new housing developments. This strategy will provide people with the opportunity to live closer to work and reduce the need for commuting. See Chapter 8 Economic Development for a more detailed explanation of this strategy. Environmental Strategy 2.16.9 This Core Strategy has also been informed by the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), and Habitats Directive Assessment (HDA), undertaken as parallel processes in tandem with each stage of the Development Plan review. Where necessary detailed policies and objectives have been revised in order to reduce impacts on the environment and natural heritage See Chapter 1 Introduction, Context and Vision and Environmental Reports. 2.16.10 In addition, the implications and requirements of the Water Framework Directive as regards protecting and enhancing water quality, particularly with regard to securing the objectives of the River Basin Management Plans, have been incorporated into the Plan thereby ensuring full integration and consideration of environmental issues throughout the plan making process. See Chapter 11 Water Management. GO TO CONTENTS
- 58 Climate Change Strategy 2.16.11 The Planning and Development Acts require Development plans to contain a mandatory objective(s) addressing measures to reduce energy demand, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address Climate Change Adaptation. 2.16.12 This Core Strategy sets out how the plan will promote sustainable settlement and transportation strategies in urban and rural areas which will address the issues outlined in the mandatory objective above. The remaining chapters outline the sectoral policies and objectives that need to be implemented to achieve the targets set down in the Core Strategy including the essential transition towards a competitive, low carbon climate resilient future. Chapter 17 Climate Action draws together these policies and objectives in a coherent Climate Action Strategy. County Development Plan Objective CS 2-8: Climate Change Promote sustainable settlement and transportation strategies in urban and rural areas, including the promotion of measures to; a) Reduce energy demand in response to the likelihood of increases in energy and other costs due to long term decline in non-renewable resources, b) Reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, and address the necessity for adaptation to climate change, in particular, having regard to location, layout and design of new development. (c) Address climate change with particular emphasis on transport provision, by implementing the policies and objectives of this CDP 2.16.13 In addition, as outlined in the National Planning Framework, (NPO 52) the planning system will be responsive to our national environmental challenges and ensure that development occurs within environmental limits, having regard to the requirements of all relevant environmental legislation and the sustainable management of our natural capital. Transport Strategy 2.16.14 Transport is a key enabler of all economic and social activities and it is closely linked to quality of life, health and wellbeing. The transport policy of this plan seeks to support the delivery of an efficient transport system in the County supporting connectivity and competitiveness, and to make sustainable travel modes an attractive and convenient choice for as many people as possible in order to deliver economic, social, health, wellbeing, environmental and climate action benefits. Policy seeks to reduce both the demand for travel and dependence on the private car for transport and support high frequency public transport services. 2.16.15 Cork is a spatially large County and as such it is acknowledged that personal transport by car will continue to be a feature of longer trips despite the significant mode shift to sustainable transport that this plan seeks to achieve. The sustainable movement of goods, services and people will necessarily include some travel by road. Maintaining, improving and protecting the strategic function of the road network is therefore critical to the County’s economic and social health. Additionally, strategic road infrastructure investment projects are necessary to unlock certain development opportunities. This plan therefore facilitates improvements in road infrastructure and safeguards efficiency in the network. Chapter 12 Transport and Mobility sets out the Plan’s objectives in this regard. Marine Spatial Planning / National Marine Planning Framework 2.16.16 Marine spatial planning is a process that brings together all the multiple users of the ocean to make the best decisions about how to use marine resources sustainably. With the introduction of a National Marine Planning Framework in 2021, this County Development Plan will build on past experience regarding the integrated approach to the protection and management of our coastal areas including our Island Communities and to maintain their sustainable contribution to the economic, social and cultural life of the County. See Chapter 7 Marine, Coastal and Islands. Protection of Biodiversity 2.16.17 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. The Planning Authority intends to commence the process of reviewing the County Biodiversity Action Plan within 12 months of the adoption of this Plan. GO TO CONTENTS
- 59 2.17 The Core Strategy Diagrammatic Map 2.17.1 The following diagrammatic map sets out the key elements of the Core Strategy and presents them on one diagrammatic map. It draws together the strategic infrastructural assets of the County including the National Road Network and the Port of Cork which play an important role in the economic development of the Cork Region. It also sets out the Settlement Hierarchy and also presents the rural area types which are also set out in this plan. GO TO CONTENTS
- 60 Figure 2.6 Core Strategy Diagrammatic Map for County Cork 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.