County Donegal Development Plan 2024–2030 (As Varied)

1. Page 171

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 168 Chapter 8 Infrastructure

2. Page 172

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 169 Chapter 8 Infrastructure Objective TC-O-1 To facilitate the development and delivery of a sustainable telecommunications network across the County through a range of telecommunication systems including those arising out of: National Strategic Outcome 6 of the National Development Plan (NDP); the Government’s ‘Harnessing Digital-The Digital Ireland Framework’; and the National Broadband Plan, the National subvention plan to deliver High Speed Broadband to every rural household outside the commercially served areas as defined on the National Broadband Plan Map, subject to having due regard to natural and built heritage and to environmental considerations. Policies TC-P-1 It is a policy of the Council to protect the major ICT Wireless Network (line of sight). Development proposals falling within the network shall be considered in consultation with Donegal County Council Information Systems Department. Where the development proposal is considered to have negative effects on the network, the developer will be required to identify and implement measures to overcome this obstruction. The network is set out in Map no. 8.3.2. Updated versions will be made available over the Plan period via www.donegalcoco.ie to reflect upgrades and developments to the network as they come on stream. TC-P-2 It is a policy of the Council to seek the co-location of new or replacement antennae and dishes on existing masts as a first preference, and the co-location and clustering of new masts on existing sites as a second preference, unless a fully documented case for a new antenna, dish and/or structure is made explaining the precise circumstances which militate against co-location and/or clustering. Proposals for replacement antennae and dishes, support structures and associated access roads shall be generally supported where they can be sited and located in a manner that does not negatively impact on the visual amenities, built and archaeological heritage or qualifying interest of any given area; TC-P-3 Where it has been established that co-location or clustering is not possible in accordance with the requirements of Policy TC-P-2 it is a policy of the Council that such new telecommunications antennae and support structures and associated access roads shall be located in accordance with the provisions of the ‘ Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures, Guidelines for Planning Authorities 1996’, (or as may be amended) and that such structures shall not normally be supported within Areas of Especially High Scenic Amenity, beside schools, protected structures or archaeological sites and other monuments. Within towns and villages operators shall be encouraged to locate in industrial estates/areas where possible. TC-P-4 It is a policy of the Council to require, where appropriate, (by planning condition if necessary) the installation of broadband ducting in association with road, sewer, watermain, commercial and residential schemes, including one-off rural dwellings.

3. Page 173

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 170 Chapter 8 Infrastructure 8.4 Flooding 8.4.1 Introduction Flooding is a natural occurrence which can never be entirely prevented. It is caused by a variety of factors (e.g. rainfall, river, tidal/coastal, groundwater), often in combination, and can occur in a range of locations. Humans can further increase flood risk by such actions as building developments in flood risk locations, reducing floodplain storage capacity or increasing surface water runoff through overuse of hard surfaces. The timing and extent of flooding is often difficult to predict due to the complex interplay of atmospheric and geographical conditions which give rise to flooding (e.g. rainfall intensity and duration, catchment size, soil, gradient, geology, surface water runoff, tidal conditions etc). Furthermore, it is now widely accepted that flood events will become more frequent and severe as a result of climate change. In recent years Donegal has suffered a number of flooding events which have caused significant socio-economic damage e.g. Inishowen (2017), Letterkenny General Hospital (2013 and 2014), Bunbeg (2009) and Raphoe (2008). However, the Council considers that the planning process can play a significant positive role in managing flood risk by such actions by ensuring that: vulnerable developments are not built in identified flood prone locations, developments do not reduce the natural storage capacity provided by flood plains, and developments do not increase surface water runoff over and above natural rates. 8.4.2 Legislation and Guidance Relevant legislation and guidance advocate the precautionary approach to the management of flood risk in the development process. Relevant provisions include: - The EU Floods Directive (2007/60/EC): The Directive aims to reduce the adverse consequences of flooding on human health, the environment, cultural heritage and economic activity and requires Member states to map the flood extents and assets and humans at risk in these areas and to take adequate and coordinated measures to reduce this risk.

4. Page 174

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 171 Chapter 8 Infrastructure ‘The Planning System and Flood Risk Management - Guidelines for Planning Authorities’ (DoEHLG, 2009): These Guidelines set out a sequential approach for the management of development in areas at risk from flooding which can be broadly summarised as follows: Avoid development in locations at risk from flooding; Substitute a land use/development that is less vulnerable to flooding where avoidance is not possible; Justify the proposed land use/development in accordance with a specific Justification Test where avoidance and substitution are not possible; Mitigate any residual flood risks arising from the development to an acceptable level where the development has passed the justification test. The Guidelines also require the preparation of Strategic Flood Risk Assessments (SFRA) to identify Flood Risk Areas, assess existing flood infrastructure, identify possible flood defence measures; and identifies a hierarchy of Flood Risk Areas and categories of Vulnerable Development through which to apply the Sequential Test. (The categories of Flood Zones and Vulnerable Developments applicable to the Flood Risk Management Guidelines are set out in the Glossary/Definitions subsection below). NPF NPO57: 8.4.3 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment The Council commissioned Roughan O’Donovan Consulting Engineers to prepare a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) report to inform the preparation of the County Development Plan 2024-2030. The SFRA provides an assessment/identification of flood risk for the Development Plan area19 in accordance with “The Planning System and Flood Risk Management – Guidelines for Planning Authorities” (The Guidelines), 2009, published by the Department for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Office of Public Works (OPW). 8.4.4 Flood Risk Maps A Stage 1 Flood Risk Identification was undertaken by Roughan O’Donovan to identify any flooding or surface water management issues within the County that may warrant further investigation. As part of this stage the most up to date available data at the time of preparation was acquired from the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Donegal County Council. Flood risk information has enabled Donegal County Council to apply ‘The Guidelines’ sequential approach to flood risk management, and where necessary the Justification Test, to appraise sites for suitable land zonings and identify how flood risk can be managed as part of the Development Plan. 19 Note: Strategic Flood Risk Assessments were previously carried out for the towns of An Clochán Liath (Dungloe), Ballyshannon, Carndonagh, Donegal Town, Killybegs and Bridgend as part of the Seven Strategic Town Local Area Plan 2018-2024; therefore a Stage 2 Flood Risk Assessment for these settlements does not form part of the SFRA report for the CDP 2024-2030. Similarly, a separate SFRA report has been prepared for the town of Letterkenny as part of the preparation of the Letterkenny Plan and Local Transport 2023-2029.

5. Page 175

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 172 Chapter 8 Infrastructure The findings of the stage 1 assessment indicate that multiple settlements within the Development Plan area are at risk of flooding. Accordingly, a Stage 2 assessment was undertaken to confirm the sources of flooding that may affect settlements and a series of flood zone maps has been produced within the SFRA report (see Appendix A of SFRA report). The flood zone maps are largely derived from the CFRAM (Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management) study and NCFHM (National Coastal Flood Hazard Mapping); areas that are not covered in the CFRAM or NCFHM Studies are supplemented by fluvial mapping from the NIFM (National Indicative Fluvial Maps) Assessment. The Council recognises that there may be other locations at risk from flooding which are not specifically identified in the SFRA nor identified in OPW Draft Flood Risk Management Plans and the associated Flood Risk mapping. In such areas the Council will adopt a precautionary approach, employ the abovementioned sequential approach and utilise other available datasets (e.g. The Historic flood maps available on www.floodmaps.ie, the OPW’s Coastal Protection Strategy Study Mapping). Glossary/Definitions: Flood Zones types as summarised from Section 2.23 of The Planning System and Flood Risk Management - Guidelines for Planning Authorities (DoEHLG, 2009) Zone A – High probability of flooding, i.e.) more than 1% probability or 1 in 100 from rivers and more than 0.5% probability or 1 in 200 from coastal flooding. Zone B – Moderate probability of flooding, i.e.) between 0.1% probability or 1 in 1,000 years and 1% or 1 in 100 years for river flooding and between 0.1% or 1 in 1,000 year and 0.5% or 1 in 200 for coastal flooding. Zone C – Low probability of flooding, i.e.) less than 0.1% or 1 in 1,000 years for both river and coastal flooding). Flood zone C covers all areas outside of Zones A or B. Figure 8.4.1: Example - Flood Zone Areas A, B and C

6. Page 176

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 173 Chapter 8 Infrastructure Table 8.4.1 : Classification of Vulnerability for different types of development taken from Table 3.1 of The Planning System and Flood Risk Management - Guidelines for Planning Authorities (DoEHLG, 2009) Table 8.4.2: Matrix of Vulnerability Versus Flood Zone as taken from Table 3.1 of The Planning System and Flood Risk Management - Guidelines for Planning Authorities (DoEHLG, 2009) Objectives F-O-1 To ensure that development does not give rise to unacceptable new flood risks or does not exacerbate existing flood risk.

7. Page 177

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 174 Chapter 8 Infrastructure Policies F-P-1 CC To only permit development where flood or surface water management issues can be successfully addressed and/or where there is no unacceptable residual flood risk for the development, its occupants and/or private property or public infrastructure elsewhere within the catchment. A precautionary approach shall be applied to the consideration of flood risk issues and shall include the application of the ‘Avoid’, ‘Substitute’, ‘Justify’ principles set out in the EU Floods Directive (2007/60/EC) and ‘The Planning System and Flood Risk Management - Guidelines for Planning Authorities’, November 2009, DoEHLG. Where appropriate, applicants/developers shall be required to submit: a. an independent ‘Flood Risk Assessment’ in accordance with the aforementioned Guidelines or any subsequent related publication and/or ‘Surface Water Drainage Calculations’, from suitably qualified persons; and b. evidence of compliance with the Justification test set out in Section 5.15 of the aforementioned Guidelines or any subsequent related publication. F-P-2 CC a. To require the use of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDs) including flood attenuation areas, wetlands, the controlled release of surface waters and use of open spaces and semi-permeable hard surfaces for urban development proposals. b. Support the removal of existing stormwater discharging to combined (foul and storm) sewers using nature-based solutions. c. Not to support the discharge of additional surface water to combined sewers. F-P-3 CC To support the development of long and short-term flood remediation works, including embankments, sea defenses, drainage channels, and attenuation ponds and wetlands, subject to environmental considerations including potential impact on designated shellfish water and fresh water pearl mussel catchment areas, compliance with Article 6 of the Habitats Directive, best practice in Coastal Zone Management and the Marine Resource and Coastal Management policies of this Plan. F-P-4 Not to permit developments which would hinder the maintenance of river or drainage channels.

8. Page 178

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 175 Chapter 8 Infrastructure 8.5 Electricity Transmission and Gas Networks 8.5.1 Electricity Transmission Network As noted in the RSES, the existing electricity transmission network in the region is predominantly lower capacity 110 kV with very little higher capacity of 220 kV and 400 kV transmission infrastructure. Donegal is only served by the lower capacity 110kV lines. The RSES makes the case for enhanced transmission capacity having regard to, inter alia: the surplus of regional supply versus demand; the likelihood of increased demand arising from economic growth and the need to service these growth sectors in order to secure their location in the region; and the potential for exporting excess supply. Donegal supports the broad approach of the Regional Assembly for the enhancement of the network etc. as referenced in RPO’s 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 and 8.4. However, it is noted that there are no firm proposals at present to enhance the transmission capacity to Donegal, and that the only indication of any commitment to the County is to be found in the ‘North-West Project (study area)’ referenced in Table 11 in the RSES. As referenced elsewhere in this Plan, Killybegs is recognised nationally and regionally as Ireland’s premier fishing port. The port also has the potential to function as a key strategic hub for offshore renewable energy projects in the context of the national climate change policy, and the resultant drive towards developing the country’s renewable energy resource. However, the deficiencies in the electricity transmission network (and the strategic roads network – addressed in Chapter 8.1) are likely to prejudice achievement of the national and regional objectives for the Port. Objective ETN-O- 1 sets out the Planning Authority’s support in principle for the upgrading of the electricity transmission network to deal with the potential demands arising from projected growth in the County generally, and in particular from realisation of the full strategic potential of Killybegs. ‘ The provision of prudently managed infrastructure is key to delivering a connected, vibrant, inclusive, resilient and smart region that places environmental sustainability and quality of life values at the heart of our decisions. The lack of access to the essential benefits that infrastructure provides – such as electric power, clean water, modern telecommunications, and safe and reliable transportation - impede higher living standards and a significant obstacle to economic development.’ (NWRA RSES, p.262)

9. Page 179

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 176 Chapter 8 Infrastructure Hydro-electric Stations There are three strategically important hydro-electric installations in County Donegal, two on the river Erne (Cathleen’s Fall and Cliff) and one on the river Clady (Clady) with a combined generating capacity of 69 MW. These facilities constitute a long-established, sustainable source of energy for the county and the national network. As such there is an ongoing need for curtilage management and the restriction of incompatible lands uses, which might affect the ability to consolidate and/or expand operations at these locations. This approach is essential given that they are of strategic national importance in terms of electricity supply and are an integral part of climate change and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions agenda. 8.5.2 Gas For similar reasons to those set out at Section 8.5.1, the Council welcomes recognition in the RSES of the absence of a gas supply in Donegal and the observation that: ‘Within the lifetime of the RSES, it should be the ambition of our region to explore the extension of the network into Counties Sligo, Roscommon, Donegal and Leitrim.’ The Council also welcomes the RSES’s policy support for addressing this deficiency as contained in RPO’s 8.5, 8.6 and 8.7. Objectives ETN-O-1 To secure the strengthening of the electricity grid to include the provision of 220kv transmission networks to enable the harnessing and distribution of energy. ETN-O-2 To support the reinforcement of the medium and low voltage (MV/LV) network in Donegal G-O-1 To secure the build-out of the gas supply network into Donegal. Policy ETN-P-1 a. To protect the three hydro-electric power stations in County Donegal, two on the river Erne (Cathleen’s Fall and Cliff) and one on the river Clady (Clady) by restricting incompatible land uses which might affect the ability of these facilities to consolidate and/or expand operations at these locations. b. The treatment of hydro electric facility boundaries shall be sympathetic to adjoining amenities.

10. Page 180

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    County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 177

Source Donegal County Council: County Donegal Development Plan 2024–2030 (As Varied) (2024–2030) · 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.