Fingal Development Plan 2023–2029 – Written Statement (Consolidated)

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   INTRODUCTION, VISION AND STRATEGIC OVERVIEW 11FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 Given the importance of climate change, climate action is included as an overarching and cross-cutting theme across this Plan in line with International, National and Regional policies and objectives. Chapter 5 Climate Action details Fingal’s position in relation to this key issue, in terms of a policy approach to the transition to a low carbon economy and to Fingal becoming climate resilient, with a strong emphasis on reduction in energy demand and emissions, through a combination of effective mitigation and adaptation responses to climate change. There has been much commentary on climate change in Ireland over the last twenty years or so and in the last few years the effects have become clearer. Ireland needs to commence the transition to a low carbon economy, with a reduction on reliance on fossil fuels and the unsustainable use of resources. Fingal County Council recognises the need to play its role as a key stakeholder in making the transition to a low carbon economy. This Plan sets out the future growth for Fingal in Chapter 2 Planning for Growth, with future development concentrated in the existing built footprint of Fingal’s towns and villages and urban settlements, in order to achieve compact growth. Developing well-serviced and well-connected communities is a key focus for development within Fingal, with reduced travel distances between home, work, education and services and enhanced active modal share, with an overall reduction in emissions. The integration of land-use and transport planning and aligning policies are key elements of this Plan. It is recognised that the nature of Fingal’s economy, settlement patterns, infrastructure (including roads, electricity networks, water supply and sewer systems), physical geography (e.g. total area, extensive coastline and rivers) and mix of land-use (e.g. horticulture and urban/suburban) presents a unique set of challenges in the response to climate change. The Council through proper planning and promotion of sustainable development, will work towards becoming a low carbon economy. This Plan contains provisions dealing with climate change mitigation and adaptation, in areas such as flood risk management, transportation, surface water, waste management, water services, urban design, energy, natural heritage and green infrastructure. Addressing the risks posed by climate change will require both adaptation and mitigation. Adaptation describes actions that are designed to cope with the consequences of climate change including warmer temperatures, more extreme precipitation events and sea level rise. Mitigation measures are designed to off-set or stop the human-caused drivers of climate change namely emissions of greenhouse gases and land-use change. Fingal County Council is committed to becoming a more climate resilient place and it is at the core of this Plan. While Chapter 5 Climate Action deals with the issue in detail, this cross-cutting theme underpins this entire Plan, with a selection of policies and objectives throughout, which will contribute to the transition to a climate resilient and low carbon society. 1.3.2 Healthy Placemaking and Sustainable Development Central to healthy placemaking is the development of sustainable communities, where communities are able to evolve and the needs of today can be facilitated without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Placemaking is a multi-faceted approach to the planning, design and management of new development and public spaces. It is fundamentally about responding to the context of a place, through

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   INTRODUCTION, VISION AND STRATEGIC OVERVIEW 12FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 the understanding of its evolution and history, its functionality, its impacts on those living and working there as well as how it interacts with the environment. Access to public transport, education, community facilities, leisure, retail, health services and jobs are as important as the aesthetic of a place. This Plan has a key role to play in enhancing and developing Fingal’s inherent sense of place, identity and character, ensuring that our individual communities remain distinctive and ensuring residents have access to a range of accommodation, facilities and environment in which to enjoy an improved higher quality of life. Healthy placemaking and sustainable communities are at the centre of our thinking in respect of planning, and specifically this Plan, incorporating the key characteristics that make for good placemaking and communities. Good planning and design also offers opportunities to reduce our use of natural resources by promoting renewable sources of energy. While the current Building Regulations set out standards and deal with issues such as building standards, workmanship, conservation of fuel and energy, and access for people with disabilities, there are other issues which can be addressed through good planning and urban design, i.e. the design and arrangement of buildings can result in the creation of a microclimate, influencing the effects of temperature, sunlight and wind movement. Certain orientations and design can enhance comfort on exposed sites and maximise the potential of daylight and solar gain. Incorporating energy efficiency into design and construction and where possible alternative energy technologies such as bio-energy, solar energy, heat pumps, heat recovery and wind energy should be encouraged. This can help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and minimise emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming and climate change. Promoting the use of low embodied energy materials, sustainable building technologies, and reduced resource use in the construction of buildings is an important consideration in the planning and construction of new developments. An important element of the sustainable development thread in this Plan, is the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA). These assessments are required under European legislation and provide a high level of protection to the environment. This Plan has adopted the principle of healthy placemaking and sustainable development by promoting and encouraging the integration of economic, environmental, social and cultural issues into local policies and programmes. 1.3.3 Social Inclusion Social inclusion is the process where a series of positive actions are taken to achieve equality of access to goods and services, to assist all individuals to participate in their community and society, to encourage the contribution of all persons to social and cultural life and to be aware of, and to challenge, all forms of discrimination. The ultimate aim of social inclusion is enabling participation in the mainstream of society for all those who desire it. All processes of consultation, policy-making and practice must not just include, but be driven by, the views and needs of excluded groups. Social inclusion is also about the wellbeing of individuals, families, social groups and communities.

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   INTRODUCTION, VISION AND STRATEGIC OVERVIEW 13FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029

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   INTRODUCTION, VISION AND STRATEGIC OVERVIEW 14FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 Creating a more socially inclusive society by alleviating social exclusion, poverty and deprivation is a major challenge. Steps taken towards this can include the provision of recreational and community infrastructure and improving access to information and resources. Social inclusion is embedded in this Plan with policies, in particular, focused on aiming to improve access to all groups within society. While the Development Plan is primarily a spatial land-use plan, it has the potential through its policies and objectives to impact positively on the lives of citizens through facilitating the provision of social and community facilities which are vital to quality of life and wellbeing. Mainstream approaches to planning, design and development may not always meet the needs of minority and marginalised groups and more focused consideration is sometimes required. It is also important to ensure that the needs of different generations and abilities including children, younger people, older persons and those with disabilities are met to the greatest extent possible. The promotion of inclusive neighbourhoods which cater for all age groups, that accord with the principles of universal design and that offer quality of opportunity and good services to all, is a key priority of the Plan. The design of all proposed development should strive to cater for all abilities and age groups including children, older people and people with a range of disabilities. Social inclusion is a priority that cuts across many of the Council’s functions. The Council has been involved in the preparation of several local plans and strategies relevant to social inclusion. The Development Plan has a role in facilitating initiatives through promoting good placemaking, for example ensuring new developments are designed with good connectivity and permeability for all. Social inclusion continues to be a cross-cutting theme within this Plan, taking cognisance of the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), which aims to tackle poverty and social inclusion through local engagement and partnership between disadvantaged individuals, community organisations and public sector organisations. There is no one blue-print for delivering sustainable communities and it requires different strategies in different areas and societies. All strategies benefit from effective, participative systems of governance and engaging the interest, creativity and energy of all citizens. These give a sense of ownership and encourage pride in local communities, which assists in social cohesion. The Plan has been proofed to ensure it has a strong social inclusion focus. The Plan aims to ensure that social inclusion continues to underpin all policies and objectives. Implications and challenges for the new Plan include: ¨ Ensuring that the Council works in partnership with other organisations and agencies to provide a supportive living environment for people from all walks of life and all stages of their lifecycle; ¨ Seeking new innovative ways of enhancing social inclusion; and ¨ Ensuring the Plan facilitates initiatives arising from other Council Departments, where appropriate.

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   INTRODUCTION, VISION AND STRATEGIC OVERVIEW 15FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 It is a strategic objective of this Plan to develop a network of sustainable neighbourhoods which have a range of facilities, a choice of tenure and universally designed adaptable house types, promote social inclusion and integration of all minority communities. Social inclusion is about ensuring that everyone has equal opportunity to participate in and contribute to, community life regardless of their age, ability, nationality, ethnic group, religion or any other of the many characteristics that contribute to diversity in our communities and society. 1.3.4 High Quality Design Good design adds quality to the places in which people live, work and enjoy. Ensuring high-quality design adds value to towns, villages and the countryside and improves people’s quality of life. Good design is essential to achieving attractive, high-quality places in which people will live, work and relax. The Government Policy on Places for People: Ireland’s National Policy on Architecture 2022 promotes the importance of good architecture in the creation of quality places. The Council promotes best practice contemporary architecture and the conservation of the County’s architectural heritage throughout the Plan. Facilitating and promoting good design is a cross-cutting theme in this Plan. Good design, in terms of overall layouts and individual buildings is fundamental to placemaking and developing sustainable communities with a ‘sense of place’ and ‘local distinctiveness’. Placemaking, the process of creating great places and strong communities is essential in attracting and retaining strong enterprise and employment sectors. Placemaking builds the necessary foundation upon which new enterprises can be developed and can grow, creating lasting, sustainable prosperity for local communities. Urban areas with a vital sense of place and high-quality design can take advantage of changes in the way business is done. Through Local Area Plans, Framework Plans and the Development Management processes, the Council promotes a high quality of design and standard of residential developments. In rural areas of the County, this Plan seeks to ensure sustainable patterns of development and high quality of design so that these areas remain attractive and retain their rural character. This Plan also sets out a range of objectives aimed at creating well-designed environments for both rural and urban settings. An overarching aim of this Plan is to create and sustain people-friendly places for the benefit of the residents and businesses of Fingal, whilst supporting developers seeking to deliver the highest quality design solutions. Investing in good urban design can create economically successful development that functions well and has a lasting effect into the future. 1.3.5 Resilience Resilience is a principle that also underpins this Plan and is described as “the ability of a system, community or society exposed to hazards to resist, absorb, accommodate to and recover from the effects of a hazard in a timely and efficient manner, including through the preservation and restoration of its essential basic structures and functions” (United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), 2009). The key concept of ‘resilience’ underpins this Plan and is built into the strategic policies and recommendations of each of the four cross-cutting themes: sustainable development, climate change, social inclusion and high-quality design.

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   INTRODUCTION, VISION AND STRATEGIC OVERVIEW 16FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 Challenges for the development of sustainable, well-designed, socially inclusive, attractive places where people will want to live and work include; ¨ Providing clear guidance and policy direction in identifying criteria and features on what contributes to making a place special; ¨ Providing design principles to ensure new ‘greenfield’ development creates a sense of place and is integrated into existing communities, it should respect existing features which positively contribute to the local distinctiveness of an area; ¨ Seeking new ways in which to achieve higher densities and create places where people will want to live and work; ¨ Encouraging vibrant and attractive towns, villages and neighbourhoods; ¨ Seeking new ways to provide a supportive living environment for people from all walks of life and all stages of their life cycle; ¨ Ensuring new buildings are of a high-quality design and adaptable for changing family demands; and ¨ Ensuring the most appropriate policy tools, such as Local Area Plans and Framework Plans are assigned to particular areas to ensure the best policy response is in place to facilitate development in a planned, coordinated and sustainable manner. 1.4 Strategic Objectives This Plan aims to form a coherent development strategy to 2029 and beyond. The strategic vision recognises the potential of Fingal and aligns with the key growth objectives set out in the higher order spatial plans and to take advantage of the strategic assets of the County. The vision is underpinned by the four cross cutting themes outlined above and a number of interlinked strategic objectives. In achieving a more sustainable and resilient County, the application of the strategic objectives at all levels, from plan-making to any urban or rural project and in Development Management, will help to deliver a better quality of life for all. The objectives which are set out below constitute inter-related and essential elements of a sustainable approach to the future development of Fingal. These objectives are imbedded throughout the Plan, cascading from the vision, Core Strategy, policies, objectives and standards through to implementation. In drafting these strategic objectives, the Council has taken a proactive approach towards development that promotes and facilitates appropriate and sustainable development, that nonetheless: ¨ Ensures the sustainable use of natural resources; ¨ Enables us to live within the area’s environmental capacity; ¨ Enables and enhances our resilience to climate change; and, ¨ Creates a more open, diverse and inclusive society.

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   INTRODUCTION, VISION AND STRATEGIC OVERVIEW 17FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 Delivering on these strategic objectives will result in an enhanced quality of life for all citizens. The following are the interlinked strategic objectives of this Plan: 1. Transition to an environmentally sustainable carbon neutral economy. 2. Continue the development of a network of well-serviced, well-connected, sustainable neighbourhoods which have a range of facilities, a choice of tenure and universally designed adaptable house types, promote social inclusion and integration of all minority communities. 3. Ensure new residential development is of the highest quality, endorsing the principles of healthy placemaking, enabling life cycle choices and physical, community, recreation and amenity infrastructure are provided in tandem, to create sustainable, healthy, inclusive and resilient communities. 4. Grow Fingal’s economy and create opportunity through maximising the potential for development through the promotion and enhancement of the competitive advantages of Fingal, including its strategic location, connectivity and accessibility to international markets, a skilled workforce and a high quality of life. 5. Protect the unique character of Fingal. Support and facilitate revitalisation and consolidation of our towns, urban and rural villages and neighbourhoods, through placemaking and public realm initiatives, which encompasses a multi-faceted approach to planning, design and management. 6. Continue to develop a strategic approach to town centre regeneration through Town Centre First: A Policy Approach for Irish Towns and by utilising existing buildings and unused lands for new development, promote residential occupancy in our rural towns and villages and provide for a mix of uses within these areas. Address vacancy and dereliction to create compact attractive, vibrant and safe environments in which to live, work, visit and invest. 7. Ensure the highest quality of public realm and urban design principles are applied to all new developments, ensuring developments contribute to a positive sense of place and local distinctiveness of an area and facilitate the universal design approach into all developments. 8. Create a competitive environment in which to do business. Promote, support and enable sustainable and economic development, enterprise and employment generation. Focus in particular on areas which are accessible by public and sustainable modes of transport. Enable settlements and rural areas to become self-sustaining through innovation and diversification of the rural economy. 9. Reduce car dependency and promote and facilitate sustainable modes of transport. Prioritise walking, cycling and public transport, while supporting an efficient and effective transport system. 10. Protect, enhance and ensure the sustainable use of Fingal’s key infrastructure, including water supplies and wastewater treatment facilities, energy supply including renewables, broadband and transportation. 11. Protect, enhance and connect areas of natural heritage, green infrastructure and open space for the benefits of quality of life, biodiversity, protected species and habitats, while having the potential to facilitate climate change adaptation and flood risk measures. 12. Protect, conserve and enhance the built and cultural heritage of Fingal, through promoting awareness, utilising relevant heritage legislation and ensuring good quality urban design principles are applied to all new developments. The principle that well planned and integrated development enhances the sustainability, attractiveness and quality of an area should be at the centre of any proposal. 13. Continue to support the development of the tourism industry in the County and work to sustain Fingal as a high quality and competitive tourism destination.

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   INTRODUCTION, VISION AND STRATEGIC OVERVIEW 18FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 1.5 Plan Overview The Fingal Development Plan is an integrated policy framework and must be read as a whole. The placement of the chapters and the policies within the chapters is no reflection on their importance or weight and does not represent a hierarchy. This Plan sets out policies and supporting text. These take account of: ¨ The legal requirements related to the adoption of the Fingal Development Plan; ¨ Other requirements of national and regional planning policy and guidance (without seeking to repeat these) ¨ Utilising the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA) processes. ¨ The evidence that underpins the Plan (without seeking to repeat it). The Fingal Development Plan 2023–2029 took account of the submissions received during the relevant consultation processes. This Plan will run from 2023–2029. This is the statutory timeframe for any Development Plan in Ireland, however much of the Plan provides a longer-term view of Fingal’s development to inform decision making. 1.6 Structure of the Plan This Plan is set out as follows: The Plan – Written Statement: The Written Statement is the main document of this Plan, setting out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of Fingal over a 6 year period to 2029. This volume comprises fourteen chapters of text, policies and objectives for development. Appendices: Appendix 1: Fingal Housing Strategy including the Housing Need and Demand Assessment, Appendix 2: Implementation of Ministerial Guidelines Appendix 3: Policy Context Appendix 4: Infrastructure Capacity Assessment Appendix 5: Record of Protected Structures and ACAs Appendix 6: Recorded Monuments/Sites and Monuments Record Appendix 7: Technical Guidance Notes, definitions of different land uses Appendix 8: Map based Local Objectives Appendix 9: Dublin Bay Biosphere Reserve Map 2016 Appendix 10: List of townlands to which assessment zone D applies Appendix 11: FCC SuDS Guidance Document – Green/ Blue Infrastructure for Development Appendix 12: Acronyms

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   INTRODUCTION, VISION AND STRATEGIC OVERVIEW 19FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 Accompanying Environmental Reports: This includes the documents informing the preparation of the Plan in accordance with environmental legislation, including a Strategic Environmental Assessment, Natura Impact Report and Strategic Flood Risk Assessment. Supplementary Information: This includes studies and reports which provided evidence and other information for the Plan. Sheets: Sheets 1–13 are the zoning and land use maps, including local objectives. Sheets 14 – 16 indicate the Green Infrastructure Maps and objectives and Sheet 17 indicates Connectivity and Movement for the County. In the event that any conflict or ambiguity arises between the Written Statement and supporting maps, the Written Statement shall take precedence. 1.7 Plan Making Process and Requirements The Plan has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2000, (as amended), higher tier international, national and regional level plans, ministerial guidelines and with regard to local level strategies and plans. The formal process for the preparation of the Plan commenced on 12th March 2021, with the publication of the Strategic Issues Paper. During the public consultation period 551 no. written submissions were received and considered in the Chief Executive’s Report issued to Elected Members on the 2nd July 2021. Preparation of the Draft Plan was informed by the Chief Executive’s Report on written submissions, consultations with members of the public, stakeholders, service providers, Elected Members, Strategic Policy Committees, Statutory Bodies, Government Departments and with the various Directorates of Fingal County Council. The Chief Executive’s Draft Plan was considered by the Elected Members and 917 no. Motions received and debated in a series of meetings between the 18th of January and the 10th February 2022. The resultant Draft Plan, comprising Stage 2 of the process commenced a phase of public consultation between the 24th of February and 12th May 2022. The final Plan was adopted on the 22nd February 2023 and came into effect six weeks later. The following sections set out the context of policy documents, local level strategies and environmental legislation requirements, which have underpinned the preparation of this Plan. 1.8 Planning Legislation This Plan has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended). Section 10(1) provides that the Plan shall set out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area and shall consist of a written statement and a plan or plans indicating the development objectives for the area. The Act sets out mandatory requirements with respect to the content of the Plan, including objectives for the zoning of land, the provision of infrastructure, the conservation and protection of the environment and the integration of planning and sustainable development with the social, community and cultural requirements of the population.

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    INTRODUCTION, VISION AND STRATEGIC OVERVIEW 20FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 The Act requires the preparation of a Core Strategy for Fingal, which must be consistent, as far as practicable, with the higher tier National and Regional growth objectives, set out under the National Planning Framework and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Eastern & Midland Region. In making a Development Plan, Section 12(11) of the Act states that members shall be restricted to considering the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, the statutory obligations of any Local Authority in the area, and any relevant policies or objectives for the time being of the Government or any Minister of the Government. 1.9 Policy Context This Plan has been prepared in accordance with Project Ireland 2040 and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) for the Eastern & Midland Region. As set out in the NPF, sustainability is at the centre of long-term planning. In this regard, Ireland is a signatory to the United Nations’ Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) as set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Transforming our World. The seventeen SDGs reflect economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development and set a framework for national level policies and agendas to 2030. There is significant alignment between the SDGs and the NPFs National Strategic Outcomes (NSOs), in areas including climate action, clean energy, sustainable cities and communities, economic growth, reduced inequalities and innovation and infrastructure, education and health. The policy context is set out in Appendix 3. Figure 1.1: UN Sustainable Development Goals

Source Fingal County Council: Fingal Development Plan 2023–2029 – Written Statement (Consolidated) (2023–2029) · 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.