Dublin City Development Plan 2022–2028 – Volume 1: Written Statement (as varied by Variations Nos. 1–11)

1. Page 591

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   Development Standards | Chapter 15 581 ▪ Any new public open space on the site should be contiguous to existing open space or natural feature (i.e. river corridors and canal bank) to encourage visual continuity and optimise value of ecological networks. ▪ Protect and incorporate existing trees that are worthy of retention into the design of new open spaces. ▪ Retain and incorporate other existing natural features into the design to reinforce local identity, landscape character, and amenity. ▪ Landscaping works should be integrated with overall surface water management and SuDS strategy such that landscaping plans may include associated biodiversity areas or wetlands which can reduce / better manage surface water run-off. ▪ Landscaping schemes should provide a hierarchy of different types of planting throughout the development in order to give visual variety. Permeable surfaces will be encouraged (see Appendix 12). ▪ Materials must be appropriate, durable and of a good quality. The texture and colour of materials must be sympathetic to the locality and be an integral part of the design. ▪ Street furniture should be sited such that it does not provide an obstacle for people with disabilities and should be designed so that it is fully accessible where feasible. ▪ Age friendly measures should be incorporated into the design. ▪ Permeability and accessibility for all users, particularly disabled persons should be provided. ▪ Cycle and pedestrian friendly routes should be accommodated. 15.6.13 Boundary Treatments Walls, fences, metal railings and gates used to define spaces and their usage all impact on the visual character and the quality of a development. These should be selected so as to be an integrated part of overall design. Details of all existing and proposed boundary treatments, including vehicular entrance details, should be submitted as part of any planning application. These shall include details in relation to proposed materials, finishes, and, in the case of planted boundaries, details in respect of species together with a planting schedule. In all instances, boundary treatments shall be of high quality, durable and attractive. 15.7 Climate Action Chapter 3 sets out the policies and objectives for climate action in the city. Dublin City Council will encourage the use of sustainable development principles to combat climate impacts in line with the Dublin City Climate Action Plan (2019- 2024) or as amended. To mitigate against negative climatic impacts, all new developments will be required to demonstrate compliance with the climate action principles set out in Chapter 3 and as detailed below.

2. Page 592

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   Development Standards | Chapter 15 582 15.7.1 Re-use of Existing Buildings Where development proposal comprises of existing buildings on the site, applicants are encouraged to reuse and repurpose the buildings for integration within the scheme, where possible in accordance with Policy CA6 and CA7. Where demolition is proposed, the applicant must submit a demolition justification report to set out the rational for the demolition having regard to the ‘embodied carbon’ of existing structures and demonstrate that all options other than demolition, such as refurbishment, extension or retrofitting are not possible; as well as the additional use of resources and energy arising from new construction relative to the reuse of existing structures. Existing building materials should be incorporated and utilised in the new design proposals where feasible and a clear strategy for the reuse and disposal of the materials should be included where demolition is proposed. 15.7.2 District Heating District heating is a system for distributing heat generated in a centralised location for residential and commercial heating requirements such as space heating and water heating. District heating systems will be supported in areas identified in Chapter 3: Climate Action. In these areas, all applications should be designed to cater for district heating systems. The details of the heating system proposed and compatibility with the district heating network should be specified in all planning applications. Applicants are requested to submit a Climate Action and Energy Statement with all planning applications in this zone – see below. Where district heating systems are not yet in operation, the applicant is required to demonstrate how the proposed heating system of the development can connect and facilitate future use of the district heating system once in place, see policy CA15, CA16, CA17 and CA18 for further information. 15.7.3 Climate Action and Energy Statement In order to comply with the policies set out in Section 3.5.2 ‘The Built Environment’ and Section 3.5.3 ‘Energy’ of Chapter 3, proposals for all new developments in excess of 30 or more residential units or 1,000 sq. m. or more of commercial floor space, or as or as otherwise required by the Planning Authority, will be required to include a Climate Action Energy Statement. The purpose of this statement is to demonstrate how low carbon energy and heating solutions have been considered as part of the overall design and planning of the proposed development. Having regard to the above, the statement, which shall be prepared by a certified engineer, shall address: ▪ the technical, environmental and economic feasibility of on-site renewable energy generation including solar PV and small scale wind power;

3. Page 593

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   Development Standards | Chapter 15 583 ▪ the technical, environmental and economic feasibility of at a minimum, the following high-efficiency alternative energy supply and heating systems: o decentralised energy supply systems based on energy from renewable and waste heat sources; o co-generation (combined heat and power); o district or block heating or cooling, particularly where it is based entirely or partially on energy from renewable and waste heat sources; o heat pumps; o include an assessment of embodied energy impacts. 15.7.3.1 ‘District Heating Enabled’ Development In addition to the requirements set out above, Climate Action Energy Statements for significant new residential and commercial developments, in Strategic Development and Regeneration Areas (SDRAs), will be required to investigate local heat sources and networks, and, where feasible, to demonstrate that the proposed development will be ‘District Heating Enabled’ in order to facilitate a connection to an available or developing district heating network. Any such investigation should have regard to the heat demand density of the area in which the proposed development is located, as shown in the heat demand density map included as Figure 15.1 below. This map which was produced by Codema, and is included here for information purposes only, shows the overall heat demand density in each CSO electoral district in the Dublin City area.

4. Page 594

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   Development Standards | Chapter 15 584 Figure 15.1: Heat Demand Density Map

5. Page 595

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   Development Standards | Chapter 15 585 Where it is not feasible for a development to be district heat enabled, the statement must provide a clear explanation as to why this is would not be the case, and must also demonstrate that the proposed development offers a similarly efficient and low carbon energy and heating solution. For the avoidance of doubt, for a development to be ‘District Heating Enabled’, it should incorporate an efficient, low carbon building heat network, and/or a block communal heating network, in order to facilitate a future connection to a district heating network, without the need for significant additional retrofitting. To this end, ‘District Heating Enabled’ development should provide for: ▪ an efficient, centralised, wet-based heat network within the building or within the area of the development as a whole (as appropriate); ▪ the allocation of sufficient space in plant rooms to accommodate suitable district heating equipment, such as heat exchangers etc.; ▪ the provision and safeguarding of suitable pipe routes throughout the building and complex; ▪ the provision and safeguarding of suitable district heating network connection routes at and beyond the site boundary27. In addition to this overall requirement for SDRAs, additional requirements exist for significant development proposals in specific areas as follows: ▪ SDRA 6 (Docklands) and 10 (North East Inner City): The Climate Action Energy Statement must demonstrate how the proposed development is District Heating Enabled and will connect to the ‘Docklands and Poolbeg’ DDHS catchment. ▪ SDRA 7 (Heuston and Environs), SDRA 8 (Grangegorman/Broadstone ) SDRA 11 (St. Teresa’s Garden and Environs), SDRA12 (Dolphin House) SDRA 14 (St. James’s Healthcare Campus and Environs SDRA 15 (Liberties and Newmarket Square): The Climate Action Energy Statement will be required to investigate possible connections or interconnections to existing heat networks in these areas, to ultimately create a district heating ‘node’. Where a proposed development will be ‘District Heating Enabled’, the Climate Action Energy Statement will provide the information requested in the following table: 27 Additional information in respect to ensuring that a development is ‘District Heating Enabled’ is provided can be found in the Dublin City Council ‘Dublin District Heating System Technical Information Pack for Developments’ which is available for download at: https://admin.dublincity.ie/sites/default/files/media/file-uploads/2018- 08/20180216_Technical_Information_Pack_for_Developers__DCC_002_.pdf

6. Page 596

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   Development Standards | Chapter 15 586 Table 15-3: Information Requirements for District Heating Enabled Developments Heat Demand Information Required Peak Heat Demand (kW) Estimated Annual Heat Consumption (MWh pa) Estimated Seasonal Base Load (kW) Gross Floor Area m2 Heat Demand per m2 GFA (w/M2) Heat Consumption per m2 GFA (kWh/m2) Number of Residential Dwellings Number of Boilers and their heat outputs Secondary Side Design Conditions Flow Temperature (max at peak) 0C Flow Temperature (min in Summer) 0C Return Temperature 0C Maximum Design Working Pressure, bar G Pressure Drop Through Heat Exchange, Kpa Plant Room Details Number of Heat Exchangers Proposed Size of Skids (LxWxH),m Size of Plant Room (LxWxH),m Location of Plant Room (attach sketch) Access Details (attach sketch) Other Comments 15.8 Residential Development New residential development in the city mainly comprises of apartment schemes with some limited residential housing schemes. This section sets out the general requirements for residential development followed by more specific guidance for apartments, student accommodation and houses. While the minimum standards set within these sections will be sought in relation to refurbishment schemes, it is acknowledged that this may not always be possible, particularly in relation to historic buildings, ‘living over the shop’ projects, tight urban infill developments and in the city regeneration area designated under the Living City Initiative. In such cases, the standards may be relaxed subject to the provision of good quality accommodation, and where the proposal secures the effective usage of underutilised accommodation. It must be satisfactorily demonstrated that the internal design and overall layout is closely aligned to the specific needs of the intended occupiers.

7. Page 597

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   Development Standards | Chapter 15 587 15.8.1 Quality/Making Sustainable Neighbourhoods As outlined in Chapter 5: Quality Housing and Sustainable Neighbourhoods’, it is an aim of Dublin City Council to encourage and foster living at sustainable urban densities through the creation of attractive sustainable neighbourhoods which promote and facilitate the provision of the 15-minute city through healthy placemaking and the delivery of high quality housing served by local services. Section 5.5.3 of the plan sets out guidance in relation to the essential requirements for sustainable communities including healthy placemaking and the 15 minute city. Proposals should have regard to the following guidelines in the making of sustainable neighbourhoods, as well as the principles and key characteristics of a good neighbourhood including ‘Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities: Design Guidelines’ (2007), ‘Sustainable Residential Developments in Urban Areas: Guidelines for Planning Authorities’ (2009) and accompanying ‘Urban Design Manual (2010)’, Local Area Plans - Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2013), NTA Permeability Best Practice Guide (2015), Sustainable Urban Housing; Design Standards for New Apartments (2020) Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (2019) and Design Manual for Quality Housing (2022). This section sets out guidance on qualitative, quantitative, and development management criteria for sustainable neighbourhood infrastructure and residential developments. 15.8.2 Community and Social Audit Community facilities, such as local parks and playgrounds, community centres, local hubs, schools, childcare are an integral component of a successful neighbourhood. Applications for large residential developments or mixed use developments should include provision for community type uses. All residential applications comprising of 50 or more units shall include a community and social audit to assess the provision of community facilities and infrastructure within the vicinity of the site and identify whether there is a need to provide additional facilities to cater for the proposed development. Each of the subsections below shall be assessed as part of the community and social audit. A community and social audit should address the following: ▪ Identify the existing community and social provision in the surrounding area covering a 750m radius. ▪ Assess the overall need in terms of necessity, deficiency, and opportunities to share/ enhance existing facilities based on current and proposed population projections. ▪ Justify the inclusion or exclusion of a community facility as part of the proposed development having regard to the findings of the audit. Where it is determined that new facilities are required the following design criteria should be considered:

8. Page 598

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   Development Standards | Chapter 15 588 ▪ The design of the facility should allow for multi-functional use. ▪ Community facilities must be located so that they are conveniently accessible by both residents and others who may have reason to use the facility. ▪ Community facilities should be well integrated with pedestrian and cycle routes and, where they serve a wider community, located on or close to a quality public transport route. ▪ Re-development proposals on sites containing a pre-existing community use / and / or recreational use should ensure that this use in terms of floor / ground space is no less than that on-site prior to redevelopment, and if possible, should represent increased provision. ▪ Community facilities must be accessible to all members of society including persons with disabilities and the elderly. 15.8.3 Schools In accordance with the requirements for social and community audit, planning applications for over 50 dwellings shall be accompanied by a report identifying the demand for school places likely to be generated and the capacity of existing schools in the vicinity to cater for such demand. In the case of very large-scale developments (800+ units), the phased completion of the dwellings must be linked with the provision of new schools. In determining an application for a school, the following shall be considered: ▪ Compliance with the Department of Education and the Department of Environment, Heritage, Community and Local Government’s Joint Code of Practice. ▪ Compliance with current Department of Education Technical Guidance documents available at: https://www.education.ie/en/School-Design/Technical-Guidance- Documents/ ▪ Compliance with Department of Education and Skills “Education for Sustainability” The National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development in Ireland, 2014- 2020 and any successor document. ▪ Ensure that school sites are fit-for purpose in terms of their location, access to services and the provision of space for recreational and sports activities which can help to support an effective learning and development environment for children. ▪ Seek to situate new schools within the existing/proposed catchment in a manner that aids ease of access from surrounding areas and encourages sustainable mobility by walking, cycling and public transport. ▪ Consider the use of multi-campus schooling arrangements in appropriate cases, e.g. 2 or 3 schools side-by-side; a primary and a post-primary school sharing a site; with schools anchoring wider social and community facilities required in the same area. ▪ Ensure provision of appropriate external hard and soft play areas. Roof level amenity space may be considered on tight, urban constrained sites. However, proposals should also endeavour to provide appropriate ground level, accessible amenity spaces.

9. Page 599

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   Development Standards | Chapter 15 589 ▪ Promote urban typologies for new schools which achieve an efficient use of scarce urban land and successfully address the streetscape or surrounding context. 15.8.4 Childcare Dublin City Council seeks to ensure that an adequate number of childcare facilities are provided to serve the city’s growing population. In order to meet this objective, one childcare facility (equivalent to a minimum of 20 child spaces) for every 75 dwellings units, shall be provided in all new mixed use and residential schemes. As part of the community and social audit, an assessment of the childcare facilities in the surrounding 1km radius of the proposed should be included. The analysis should have regard to: ▪ The make-up of the proposed residential area, i.e. an estimate of the mix of community that the housing area seeks to accommodate (if an assumption is made that 50 % approximately of the housing area will require childcare, how does the proposal contribute to the existing demand in the area). ▪ The number of childcare facilities within walking distance (i.e. 1km) of the proposal. ▪ The capacity of each childcare facility and the available capacity by completion of the project. ▪ The results of any childcare needs analysis carried out as part of the city childcare strategy or carried out as part of a local or area action plan or as part of the development plan in consultation with the city childcare committees, which will have identified areas already well served or alternatively, gap areas where there is under provision, will also contribute to refining the base figure. Childcare facilities should also be located in existing residential areas, business/technology parks, industrial estates, areas of employment and within office blocks, with such provision being established having regard to the Dublin City Childcare Committee audit and needs analysis (for full details, see Childcare Facilities, Guidelines for Planning Authorities 2001). 15.8.4.1 Design Criteria All childcare facilities are required to provide private outdoor play space or demonstrate safe and easy access to a safe outdoor play area. Such outdoor space should be appropriately located to be protected from air pollution – see objective QHSNO19. The internal design, layout and size of the childcare facility shall be in accordance with the standards set out in the Childcare Facilities, Guidelines for Planning Authorities 2001. Safe and secure access should also be provided in terms of pedestrian and cycle movements in association with public transport services in the area. Associated vehicular drop off will also be required in certain locations. This should be accompanied by a traffic and transport assessment which sets out the need to accommodate vehicular movements.

10. Page 600

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    Development Standards | Chapter 15 590 15.8.5 Public Realm All residential developments that include lands within the public realm must agree, subject to a letter of consent, with the planning authority that the proposed scheme is compliant with the public realm guidance as set out on the Dublin City Council website. https://www.dublincity.ie/residential/planning/strategic-planning/public-realm-strategy Details of road widths, public footpaths and accessibility can be found in Appendix 5 of the plan. Where new public spaces that will contribute to the public realm of an area are proposed, applicants must demonstrate that such spaces provide accessibility to all, are easy to navigate and create safe and secure environments. Please see guidance on street furniture, public lighting and accessibility in this regard as set out in Section 15.17. 15.8.6 Public Open Space Public open space is an external landscaped open space which makes a contribution to the public domain and is accessible to the public and local community for the purposes of active and passive recreation, including relaxation and children’s play. Public open space also provides for visual breaks between and within residential areas and facilitates biodiversity and the maintenance of wildlife habitats. All residential development is required to provide for public open space. Regard should be had to the guidance set out in Section 15.6.12 above regarding landscaping requirements, and also Section 15.6 on Green Infrastructure. The public open space requirement for residential developments shall be 10% of the overall site area as public open space. In the case of residential developments on Z12 and Z15 zoned lands, additional open space is required in order to retain the existing open character of the lands. A total of 25% public open space will be required within these zones. Table 15-4: Public Open Space Requirements for Residential Development Landuse / Zoning Requirement (minimum) Residential development (Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5, Z6, Z8, Z10, Z14) 10% Residential development (Z12) (Z15) 25% 15.8.7 Financial Contributions in Lieu of Open Space Public open space will normally be located on-site, however, in some instances it may be more appropriate to seek a financial contribution towards its provision elsewhere in the vicinity. This would include cases where it is not feasible, due to site constraints or other

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