Development plan · Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Development Plan 2022–2028 – Written Statement
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards. Variations adopted since are not in this text.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council · 2022–2028 · 380 pages
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- 7.5.3.1 Policy Objective RET6 – District Centres: It is a Policy Objective of the Council to maintain the District Centres at Blackrock, Stillorgan, Nutgrove and Cornelscourt, and to promote the mixed-use sustainable town centre which is currently under construction in Cherrywood in accordance with the approved SDZ Planning Scheme. The existing District Centres at Blackrock, Stillorgan, Nutgrove and Cornelscourt are characterised by medium or large foodstore anchors together with a range of comparison shopping, supported in some instances by employment, cultural, community and health uses (Stillorgan, Blackrock and Nutgrove). Work is currently under way on the permitted mixed use scheme in Cherrywood. The District Centres should progressively develop as mixed-use urban centres to include residential, supporting services, and commercial office components where appropriate. Development Plan and LAP policies will help guide the form of future development so that they evolve into fully functioning mixed-use, higher density urban centres with enhanced public transport, access and parking demand management. A number of specific objectives have been identified which will support their development as accessible multifunctional centres with a distinct sense of place. These objectives are set out below. Stillorgan District Centre M To promote the future redevelopment of Stillorgan as a multi-faceted, mixed-use sustainable District Centre having regard to the broad objectives of the adopted Stillorgan Local Area Plan. M To protect, and, where possible, enhance the residential amenity of established residential areas on the fringes of the District Centre. M Net retail sales area1 in Stillorgan District Centre zoned lands to be capped at 20,000 sq. m. Blackrock District Centre M To promote the ongoing redevelopment of Blackrock as a sustainable mixed-use District Centre having regard to the particular character, sense of place and broad objectives of the Blackrock Local Area Plan. M To encourage the renewal and provide for public realm improvement of the area between Blackrock DART Station and Main Street opening vistas to the shoreline and to improve pedestrian connections to the seafront. M To upgrade the public realm along Main Street and Rock Hill to provide a more attractive environment for retailing. M Net retail sales area in Blackrock District Centre zoned lands to be capped at 25,000 sq. m. Nutgrove District Centre M To promote the regeneration and redevelopment of Nutgrove District Centre as a sustainable, multifaceted mixed-use District Centre. M To encourage a broader range of uses into the District Centre including good quality residential, leisure and commercial office floorspace. M Net retail sales area in Nutgrove District Centre zoned lands to be capped at 25,000 sq. m. Cornelscourt District Centre M Net retail sales area in the Cornelscourt District Centre zoned lands to be capped at 25,000 sq. m. Cherrywood M Development of the retail development at Cherrywood shall be in accordance with the approved Planning Scheme. 7.5.4 Neighbourhood Centres The RSGDA explains that Neighbourhood Centres usually contain convenience retail ranging in size from 1,000-2,500 sq. m. with a limited range of supporting shops and retail services and possibly other services such as post offices, community centres or health clinics grouped together to create a focus for the local population. 7.5.4.1 Policy Objective RET7: Neighbourhood Centres It is a Policy Objective of the Council to support the development of the Neighbourhood Centres as the focal point of the communities and neighbourhoods they serve, by way of the provision of an appropriate mix, range and type of uses – including retail and retail services – in areas zoned objective ‘NC’ subject to the protection of the residential amenities of the surrounding area. 1 In accordance with the Retail Planning Guidelines, ‘net retail floorspace’ is defined as “the area within the shop or store which is visible to the public and to which the public has access including fitting rooms, checkouts, the area in front of checkouts, serving counters and the area behind used by serving staff, areas occupied by retail concessionaires, customer service areas, and internal lobbies in which goods are displayed, but excluding storage areas, circulation space to which the public does not have access to, cafes, and customer toilets” (DECLG, 2012, Annex 1, page 52). 153Towns, Villages and Retail DevelopmentChapter 7
- As the RSGDA suggests, the function of Neighbourhood Centres is to provide a range of convenient and easily accessible retail outlets and services within walking distance for the local catchment population. The Council considers that, subject to the protection of residential amenities, a number of the larger Neighbourhood Centres are capable of being promoted as local mixed-use nodes accommodating a range of uses beyond simply retailing or retail services. Leopardstown Valley would be one such Neighbourhood Centre which already offers a mix of commercial, retail and community infrastructure uses and has potential for more development to serve the area. The introduction of residential residential may potentially be suitable for some Neighbourhood Centre locations without adversely impacting on existing levels of amenity. Development in Neighbourhood Centres should ensure an appropriate mix of commercial uses, ensuring that there is not any overconcentration of a particular use class. Uses should be appropriate in scale and nature to the Neighbourhood Centre designation (see Chapter 12, Section 12.6.1). A number of LAPs identify neighbourhood centres, including one at Woodbrook – Shanganagh, Kiltiernan and Old Conna that have yet to be delivered. In addition, a Specific Local Objective (SLO) no. 82 exists to provide for a Neighbourhood Centre in the north east quadrant of the Park Carrickmines (see CDP Map no. 9). This SLO provides for a centre with a net retail floorspace cap of 6000 sq. m as well a leisure facility to meet the existing and future needs of the growth areas of Carrickmines, Stepaside-Ballyogan and Kiltiernan-Glenamuck. Although the underlying zoning objective is for employment uses, the centre, in conjunction with other Neighbourhood Centres, will serve a local need in an area undergoing rapid growth and development. While permission has recently been granted on the site for a project including retail and a cinema, it is considered appropriate to retain the SLO until the scheme is delivered. 7.5.5 Corner/Local Shops and Small Villages According to the RSGDA, ‘Corner/Local Shops and Small Villages’ meet the local day-to-day needs of surrounding residents and can play a role in providing more niche retail service offerings. 7.5.5.1 Policy Objective RET8: Local Shops It is a Policy Objective of the Council to facilitate the provision of local convenience shops in residential areas where there is a clear deficiency of retail provision, subject to protecting residential amenity. Within residential areas, the Council recognises the need for convenience shopping provision (as defined in the Retail Planning Guidelines) and accepts that a Neighbourhood Centre may not always be available within easy walking distance. When evaluating proposals for such a use, the Council will have regard to the distance from the proposed development to existing shopping facilities and to its impact on the amenity of adjoining dwellings. Local convenience shops should not have a floorspace greater than 100 sq. m. net. Dún Laoghaire 154dlrcoco | County Development Plan 2022-2028
- 7.6 Assessment of Retail Development Proposals In accordance with the Retail Planning Guidelines, a number of relevant development management criteria have been identified for the assessment of retail developments. It is important to note that these criteria should be read in conjunction with other requirements of the Plan, in particular those set out in Chapter 12 ‘Development Management’. 7.6.1 Approach to Assessment of Development Proposals 7.6.1.1 Policy Objective RET9: Assessment of Retail Proposals It is a Policy Objective of the Council to ensure that applications for new retail development shall accord with the retail policies of the Development Plan and are objectively assessed as set out in the Retail Planning Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2012). Applications for new retail development shall: M Be in line with the role and function of the retail centre in the Plan and accord with the scale and type of retailing identified for that location. M Accord with the fundamental objective to support the vitality and viability of the retail centre and must demonstrate compliance with the sequential approach. M Provide a detailed Retail Impact Assessment (RIA) and a Transport Impact Assessment (TIA) to accompany the application where appropriate, having regard to location, scale of development proposed and retail hierarchy. M Be of a high quality and incorporate layouts that encourage active and engaging frontages where appropriate. M Contribute to creating a sense of place. M Explore opportunities to provide a mix of uses to benefit the vitality of the surrounding area. There shall be a general presumption against large out-of-town retail centres, in particular those located adjacent or close to existing, new or planned National Roads/Motorways. 7.6.2 Casual Trading Areas 7.6.2.1 Policy Objective RET10: Casual Trading Areas It is a Policy Objective of the Council to designate sites as Casual Trading Areas in suitable locations where deemed appropriate. In the implementation of this policy the Council will have regard to the terms of the Casual Trading Act 1995 (or any subsequent review of, or amendment to this Act.). It is also Council policy to promote organic producers and producer-only products through the provision of its ‘CoCo Markets’ and to promote seasonal and craft markets, including privately operated farmers markets. 7.6.3 Non Retail Uses 7.6.3.1 Policy Objective RET11: Active Street Frontages Non-Retail Uses It is a Policy Objective of the Council to control the provision of non-retail uses at ground floor level in the principal shopping streets of Major Town Centres and District Centres and also within the shopping parades of mixed-use Neighbourhood Centres. All sites in areas zoned Major Town Centres, District Centres and Neighbourhood Centres may potentially be considered pivotal in creating a sense of vibrancy. The nature of the use of ground floor retail units will be required to reflect this in the design of their frontages, the use of the premises, and where feasible, their hours of opening. For the purposes of clarity, all changes of use from retail to other uses (commercial, residential etc.) at ground floor level within designated Major Town Centres, District Centres and/or Neighbourhood Centres shall require planning permission so as to allow the Planning Authority to assess the impact on the vitality and streetscape of the designated centre. In granting permissions, the Planning Authority may allow for some discretion having regard to situations where: the premises has been vacant for an extended period; its location in the context of the wider town, District and/or Neighbourhood Centres; and where the proposed design is of high quality, adds to the multi-functional nature of the town and where the proposal will increase the residential population. This Policy Objective will be operated through the Development Management process. 155Towns, Villages and Retail DevelopmentChapter 7
- 7.6.4 Retail Warehousing 7.6.4.1 Policy Objective RET12: Retail Warehousing It is a Policy Objective of the Council to strictly control and limit additional new retail warehousing/retail park floorspace in the County for the duration of the Plan. Any limited new retail warehousing will be on lands zoned Objective ‘LIW’ “To improve and provide for low density warehousing/ light industrial warehousing units”, ‘MIC’ “To consolidate and complete the development of the mixed use inner core to enhance and reinforce sustainable development”, ‘OE’ “To provide for office and enterprise development” and ‘E’ “To provide for economic development and employment” where the site has good access to a suitable road network and has access to integrated public transport. Where considered appropriate, some very limited retail warehousing may be open for consideration in or near the edge of lands zoned Objective ‘MTC’ “To protect, provide for and/or improve Major Town Centre facilities”, but only where it can be demonstrated that the proposal will add to the centre’s overall attractiveness for shopping. Any application for retail warehousing will be required to demonstrate that the proposal will not impact adversely on the vitality and viability of established retail centres in accordance with the criteria set down in the Retail Planning Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2012). The Retail Planning Guidelines advise a retail warehousing floorspace cap of 6000 sq. m gross with locational exceptions in the five ‘Gateway’ cities of Dublin, Cork, Limerick/Shannon, Galway and Waterford. In these areas the Guidelines indicate that Planning Authorities may wish to consider designating potential development sites for large-scale retail warehousing. It is noted that the RSGDA highlights a very significant increase in retail warehousing park schemes in the Greater Dublin Area since the beginning of the 2000s. At present, in terms of spatial distribution, the heaviest concentrations of retail warehousing are to be found at: M Nutgrove; M Sandyford Business District/Stillorgan Industrial Area; M Carrickmines; M Sallynoggin. The Development Plan will give heed to the cautionary sentiment outlined in the RSGDA and will consider carefully any new proposals for additional retail warehouse floorspace in terms of potential retail impact both on existing centres in DLR as well as on established retail warehousing cores. In addition, applications for retail warehousing will be required to demonstrate that the proposal is accessible by public transport and that there is sufficient capacity in the local road network to accommodate the development. Ballybrack Shopping Centre 156dlrcoco | County Development Plan 2022-2028
- Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity 8 Flowers Fernhill Park
- Fernhill Park, Stepaside 158dlrcoco | County Development Plan 2022-2028
- View of County from Dublin Mountains 8.1 Introduction The Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Development Plan (CDP), has adopted the principle of sustainable development within the Green Infrastructure (GI) Chapter, and identifies GI as a key strategic asset for the County, and one which can aid in the creation of a climate resilient County, as set out in the overarching vision and County Strategic Outcomes in Chapter 1. This Chapter includes policies for the protection, creation, and management of this resource in an integrated manner by focusing on key themes within GI such as: landscape and the coast; access; biodiversity; and parks. In addition, the integration of the emerging Ecosystem Services Approach (ESA), will be promoted and encouraged. ESA is a strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way. This will also be included in the forthcoming Biodiversity Plan for the County. The strategic vision of the Plan in relation to GI, Landscape, and Biodiversity recognises the following key issues: M Increasing awareness among all sections of the population of the importance of the County’s green infrastructure, landscape, and biodiversity, which can aid the eco-systems services approach address the challenge of climate change. M Ensure full integration of environmental considerations into other Development Plan policies. M Ensuring that the forthcoming County’s Wildlife Corridor Plan and the forthcoming Biodiversity Plan are implemented and that succession plans are put in place at the appropriate time. M Recognising the interconnecting elements of GI and the importance of the distribution of landscape, and recreational assets (parks and open spaces) across the County, to provide an inclusive and accessible County. M The need to update the existing ‘Green Infrastructure Strategy’ for the County during the lifetime of the Plan. M Recognising the challenges of climate change and its impact on GI and, biodiversity and the availability of ESA to address this challenge. M Ensuring full compliance with the requirements of the Habitats Directive. 159Green Infrastructure and BiodiversityChapter 8
- 8.2 National and Regional Planning Context The policies and objectives set out in this Chapter fully align with national and regional planning policy in the form of the National Planning Framework (NPF) and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) for the Eastern and Midlands Region. Both documents seek to protect and enhance the unique identity, and character of places, and to facilitate improvements to human wellbeing, and the quality of life that comes from the interaction of people and their environment. 8.2.1 National Planning Framework The NPF highlights the relevance of open space and recreation to enhance our amenities, landscape, heritage, and healthy living. It also emphasises that open space and recreational facilities are key to the delivery of sustainable communities. The NPF includes the following National Policy Objectives (NPOs), which relate directly to the issue of green infrastructure, open space, and recreation: M NPO26: Support the objectives of public health policy including Healthy Ireland and the National Physical Activity Plan, though integrating such policies, where appropriate and at the applicable scale, with planning policy. M NPO62: Identify and strengthen the value of greenbelts and green spaces at a regional and city scale, to enable enhanced connectivity to wider strategic networks, prevent coalescence of settlements and to allow for the long-term strategic expansion of urban areas. 8.2.2 Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy The RSES seeks to protect and enhance the unique identity and character of places and to facilitate improvements to human wellbeing and the quality of life that comes from the interaction of people and their environment. The RSES also contains a number of Regional Policy Objectives (RPOs), which could be included under the broad heading of Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity (including landscape, access, open space and recreation). The NPF and RSES outcomes, and policy objectives, outlined above have been taken into account, and form the basis for a number of the specific Policy Objectives set out in this Chapter. This Chapter is divided into the following Sections: M Green Infrastructure; M Landscape; M The Coast; M Access and the Mountains; M Biodiversity. Killiney Beach 160dlrcoco | County Development Plan 2022-2028
- 8.3 Green Infrastructure Green Infrastructure (GI) can be broadly defined as a strategically planned network of high quality natural and semi-natural areas with other environmental features, which is designed and managed to deliver a wide range of ecosystem services and protect biodiversity in both rural and urban settings (consistent with Section 7.7 of the RSES). GI serves a wide variety of important functions including but not limited to; provision of habitat, increased biodiversity, provision of ecological corridors, climate change adaptation and mitigation, water treatment, water retention, local amenity provision, air quality improvement, cultural and heritage preservation, provision of a mentally restorative environment and flood mitigation. At the local authority scale, GI offers an opportunity to develop integrated strategies around economic development, urban placemaking and rural policy. Linking strategic natural assets with cultural and heritage assets further enhances the opportunities for GI strategies to drive recreation and tourism benefits. 8.3.1 Policy Objective GIB1: Green Infrastructure Strategy It is a Policy Objective to continue to implement, and update, the DLR Green Infrastructure (GI) Strategy, to protect existing green infrastructure and encourage and facilitate, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, the development, design and management of high quality natural and semi-natural areas. This recognises the ecosystems approach and the synergies that can be achieved with regard to sustainable transport, provision of open space, sustainable management of water, protection and enhancement of biodiversity. The GI approach for the County, also guides and assists in developing a County-wide green infrastructure network to ensure the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity and ecosystems, including the protection of European Sites. GI includes our stocks of natural assets and the ecosystems services they provide to us, which if planned for in the same way as other services, can provide long term benefits in a County such as DLR. For example, our parks and open space promote health and well-being, providing recreational facilities and enjoyment for our communities and for our visitors to DLR. GI is also a crucial component in building resilient communities, capable of adapting to the consequences of climate change with trees, woodlands and wetlands, providing carbon capture and slowing water flows while improving air quality. GI also enhances opportunities for tourism, and encourages new businesses to invest, helping the economy of the County. It is the Council’s intention to review and update the existing Green Infrastructure Strategy for the County in consultation will all key stakeholders and with the public during the lifetime of the County Development Plan, 2022- 2028. The Strategy will identify key green infrastructure aims, with support from the forthcoming DLR County Wildlife Corridor Plan, 2021, and objectives for the County taking account of the main Policy Objectives identified in the County Development Plan. 161Green Infrastructure and BiodiversityChapter 8 Flowers Fernhill, Park
- 8.4 Landscape The landscape, and biodiversity of DLR represent some of the most important intrinsic assets of the County. Indeed, to a great degree they actually define the County. The extensive network of public parks and open spaces in the County, provide important areas for passive and active recreation, as well as key spaces for eco-systems and enhancement of biodiversity. The County is framed by its coastal and upland landscapes, and the diverse range of landscape character areas ‘Between the Mountains and the Sea’, testify to the variety of landscapes in what is the smallest administrative County in Ireland. All these assets are integral to the County’s image and add greatly to the quality of life for both residents and visitors alike. They set the physical context to the daily experiences of those who live, work, and visit DLR. The landscape, cultural heritage and biodiversity of the County also represent valuable economic assets. The effective management of these assets is integral to the future successful development of the County. By promoting greater levels of information, communication, and imaginative design, however, conflicts can be minimised, and it should be possible for DLR to continue to grow in vitality whilst retaining its very distinct characteristics. 8.4.1 Policy Objective GIB2: Landscape Character Areas It is a Policy Objective to continue to protect, manage and plan to conserve, maintain or enhance the distinctive characteristics of the County’s landscapes, townscapes and seascapes in accordance with the recommended strategies as originally outlined in the Landscape Character Assessment (2002 and since updated), in accordance with the ‘Draft Guidelines for Landscape and Landscape Assessment’ (2000) as issued by the Department of Environment and Local Government, in accordance with the European Landscape Convention (Florence Convention) and in accordance with ‘A National Landscape Strategy for Ireland – 2015-2025’. The Council shall implement any relevant recommendations contained in the Department of Arts, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht’s National Landscape Strategy for Ireland, 2015 - 2025. The Planning and Development (Amendment) Act, 2010 defines landscape as per Article 1 of the European Landscape Convention (ELC) (2000) “an area, as perceived by people, whose character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human factors”. The ELC definition introduced the concept of landscape as a dynamic system, not just confined to the countryside; but including urban, peri-urban and rural areas, and encompassing land, inland waters, coastal and marine areas. Landscape policy deals with every-day and degraded landscapes, as well as those that are considered to be exceptional. The new definition in law recognises the importance of all landscapes, not just exceptional landscapes, as having a crucial bearing on our quality of life and as deserving attention in policy. The Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 2000 (Part II, S10 (e) and 1st Schedule, Part IV (7) requires every planning authority to include objectives in their Development Plan for the “preservation of the character of the landscape where, and to the extent that…the proper planning and sustainable development of the area requires it, including the preservation of views and prospects and the amenities of places and features of natural beauty or interest.” The Council will take a proactive approach to the landscape with policies that seek to conserve, and enhance strongly distinctive, and specific landscape elements of significance that are intrinsically important or contribute to the general amenity of the County, and that underpin the broader landscape character of areas. The updating of the County Landscape Character Assessment, and the County Development Plan is informed by existing European, national, regional, and local planning documents and policies. Landscape assets are non-renewable resources that the Council will seek to protect. The existing Landscape Character Assessment is included as Appendix 8 of this Development Plan. 8.4.2 Policy Objective GIB3: Seascape It is a Policy Objective to carry out a Local Seascape Assessment in accordance with any relevant recommendations or methodologies contained in the Irish Marine Institute’s National Seascape Character Assessment and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht’s ‘National Landscape Strategy for Ireland, 2015 – 2025’. 162dlrcoco | County Development Plan 2022-2028
Source Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council: Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Development Plan 2022–2028 – Written Statement (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.