Development plan · Fingal County Council
Fingal Development Plan 2023–2029 – Written Statement (Consolidated)
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards.
Fingal County Council · 2023–2029 · 662 pages
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- COMMUNITy INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPEN SPACE 171FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 These facilities offer a range of social and recreational opportunities for the local community. Fingal County Council currently owns and operates 15 no. community centres and has shared arrangements through the Department of Education for a further 6 no. centres as well as multiple other buildings throughout the County. In addition, there are numerous centres around the County which are privately owned and managed by individual communities. Multi-purpose community facilities proposed for Lanesborough/Meakestown and Baldoyle are currently at design/planning stage and the Council is actively engaging with the community in Howth to identify suitable options for community facilities. The need for additional and extended community facilities within the County is kept under active review and the Council will support the provision of such facilities where there is an identified need in line with population projections. In addition, the Council will support the extension and refurbishment of existing centres. Fingal County Council is committed to ensuring the provision of high-quality state of the art facilities. A Community Facilities Management Support Unit provides support to 33 no. community facilities across Fingal through the provision of a range of funding, technical and mentoring supports. The Council also engages a facility operator to support the day-to-day management of a further 15 no. community facilities. This ensures that such resources are provided to a very high and safe standard for community enjoyment. A Community Facilities Network has also been established which supports a wide range of collaborations and training options promoting greater synergies. Such projects include a ‘remobilisation working group’ which was established during Covid-19 to provide support and assistance to community centres post lockdown. 4.5.1.2 Recreation and Sports Facilities in Fingal It is imperative that as our communities grow, the expanding recreational and amenity needs of the community are also met. The provision of open spaces, recreational facilities and areas which encourage physical activity in general are key factors in contributing to improved physical and mental health. The Council supports national and regional objectives to ensure an active population thereby significantly enhancing public health and RPO 9.15 of the RSES which requires that “Local Authorities shall support the vision and objectives of the National Sports Policy, including working with local sports partnerships, clubs, communities and partnerships within and beyond sport, to increase sport and physical activity participation levels locally”. The Council directly provides the majority of facilities used for sports and outdoor recreation in Fingal. Currently almost 200 no. outdoor sports pitches are provided by the Council for use by a range of sporting codes. These are generally applied for and allocated on an annual basis to local clubs in response to their demand for facilities. The maintenance of sports grounds is of critical importance to clubs in Fingal, some of which rely almost exclusively on the Council for their facilities. Over 400 teams from more than sixty sports clubs use these outdoor facilities. The Council supports the National Physical Activity Plan – Get Ireland Active: Strategic Plan 2017–2020 and its target to increase the proportion of the population across each life stage undertaking regular physical activity by 1% per annum across the lifetime of Healthy Ireland2. The Fingal Sports Office Vision Statement 2019–2021 is based on a vision to build stronger, healthier and more sustainable sporting communities across Fingal. This is an interim policy statement to allow the Council to carry out certain functions and procedures as outlined in the National Sports Policy 2018 – 2027. These procedures include a facility audit, which will help inform the basis of Local Sports Plans as outlined in the National policy document. 2 Government-led initiative which aims to create an Irish society where everyone can enjoy good physical and mental health, and where wellbeing is valued and supported at every level of society.
- COMMUNITy INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPEN SPACE 172FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 The National Sports Policy 2018–2027 recognises the importance of developing a comprehensive, up-to-date database of facilities as the basis for a long-term planned approach to facility management, investment and addressing future needs. In line with this, a Sports and Recreation Facilities Audit was published in February 2021 for the local electoral areas of Balbriggan, Swords, Rush-Lusk. The aim of the audit was to develop a comprehensive overview of the existing provision of recreation, leisure and sports facilities within the study area. One of the key objectives was to identify a gap and needs analysis, focusing on what is required in the study area in order to develop and maintain facilities. A similar audit will be carried out for the remainder of the County during the lifetime of this Plan. Active Recreational Hubs Fingal County Council is pioneering the provision of Active Recreational Hubs strategically located in parks and open spaces around the County. This programme is in line with Council’s Keeping It Green – Open Space Strategy adopted in 2015. Recreational Hubs include high specification, well-serviced sports facilities designed for high-intensity use, catering for a range of sporting codes and located so that they facilitate ease of access with good connectivity via active travel infrastructure. Proximity to primary and post-primary schools is also a factor in determining the optimum location for these facilities. Where hubs are located close to schools, this increases the daytime use of the facilities and ideally associated infrastructure adding greatly to the financial sustainability of the facilities. The intensification of use in these hubs is achieved by the inclusion of professionally designed and constructed grass pitches, all-weather sports pitches and athletics facilities which are floodlit and available for evening use when demand is high. The Recreational Hub model is predicated on the Council liaising with local clubs with a view to these clubs becoming major stakeholders in the facilities and forming Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to manage the facilities via a Management Agreement between the clubs and the Council. The Capital investment provided by the Council by way of open space levies and grant funding is protected by a ‘not for profit’ sustainable financial model. Currently in Fingal, four of these facilities have received planning approval and several more are at various stages in the planning and development process including Porterstown Park and Ballymastone Recreational Hubs. The state-of-the-art National Sports Campus (NSC) is located at Abbottstown and is home to world-class indoor and outdoor facilities which host local, national, and international events and which are used for team and individual training. The Campus also provides valuable amenities for the local community with facility rentals, children’s camps, sports academies, team-building events, corporate conferences and more. Fingal County Council recognises the importance and potential of the NSC and to support the growth of the campus, it has been given its own unique zoning (NSC). This will allow for the continued expansion of the campus in a sustainable manner, which will give greater scope for the provision of associated and ancillary facilities at this location.
- COMMUNITy INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPEN SPACE 173FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 4.5.1.3 Facilities for Older People The RSES recognises that many of the factors which contribute to a good quality of life for older people are community-based and that all sectors have a role to play in creating an age-friendly society. High quality healthcare, community facilities and accessible transport networks are important factors for older people, and it is imperative that the Council plays a role in achieving age-friendly communities in the County. It is vital for Fingal County Council to plan to meet changing needs as the population age profile of the County changes and RPO 9.23 of the RSES requires that the Council “Facilitate the development of primary health care centres, hospitals, clinics, and facilities to cater for the specific needs of an ageing population in appropriate urban areas in accordance with RSES settlement strategy and core strategies of development plans”. Fingal County Council signed the Dublin Declaration on Age Friendly Cities and Communities, a World Health Organisation Initiative in 2011 and proceeded to develop the Fingal Age Friendly Strategy 2012–2017 and update in 2018–2023. From this came Fingal Age Friendly Facilities, which are places where older people may
- COMMUNITy INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPEN SPACE 174FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 enjoy the best possible local facilities as they grow older. Fingal County Council is committed to supporting older people to live healthily and independently and to be active participants within their own communities. Policy CIOSP1 – Community and Social Infrastructure To identify vacant commercial units and encourage their transition to potential community infrastructure. Objective CIOSO1 – Community Facilities and Social Infrastructure Audit Support the preparation of a Fingal cross-departmental community facilities and social infrastructure audit of the County. Objective CIOSO2 – Community Centres Support the provision of new community centres and facilitate the refurbishment and extension of facilities where there is a need for such works. Such facilities shall be accessible by a range of travel modes with an emphasis on walking, cycling and public transport use, while providing appropriate car parking facilities to meet anticipated demand of non-local visitors to the centre. Objective CIOSO3 – Community Infrastructure Guidelines Comply with the aims, objectives and principles in relation to community infrastructure as outlined in the Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas and the accompanying Urban Design Manual – A Best Practice Guide and any amendment thereof. Objective CIOSO4 – Vacant Commercial Units To identify vacant commercial units and encourage their transition to potential community infrastructure. Policy CIOSP2 – Community and Social Infrastructure Audits Promote the preparation of community and social infrastructure audits for large-scale developments which will inform policy on infrastructure provision within Fingal. Objective CIOSO5 – Residential Developments and Community Facilities Ensure proposals for large scale residential developments include a community facility, unless it can be established that the needs of the new residents can be adequately served within existing or committed community facilities in the area. Policy CIOSP3 – Timely Provision of Community Facilities Ensure the timely provision in conjunction with housing development of community services, resources and infrastructure, including schools, community, religious, and health facilities, required for the creation of sustainable communities. Objective CIOSO6 – Existing Community Infrastructure Resist the loss of existing social and community facilities such as community centres and youth clubs or any sports facilities including playing fields, unless satisfactory alternatives are available.
- COMMUNITy INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPEN SPACE 175FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 Objective CIOSO7 – Community Infrastructure and Local Amenity Ensure that proposals do not have a detrimental effect on local amenity by way of traffic, parking, noise or loss of privacy of adjacent residents. Objective CIOSO8 – Community Hall at Naul A new Community Hall centrally located be provided to service the needs of the people of the village of Naul. Objective CIOSO9 – Community Hall at Ballyboughal A new Community Hall centrally located be provided to serve the needs of the people of the village of Ballyboughal. Policy CIOSP4 – Social Inclusion Ensure provision of accessible, adequate and diverse community facilities and services in new and established residential areas to provide for the well-being of residents. Policy CIOSP5 – Community Engagement Support community engagement initiatives and the objectives of the Fingal Corporate Plan 2019–2024. Policy CIOSP6 – Facilities for Children, Teens and Young Adults Provide appropriate recreational, community, social and educational facilities for children, teens and young adults. Objective CIOSO10 – Flexibility in Design Ensure community facilities are flexible in their design and promote optimum usage, for users of all age and abilities. Policy CIOSP7 – Variety of Community Facilities Ensure the timely provision of community services, recreational facilities (including playgrounds) and resources, including schools, community, religious, burial and health facilities, required for the creation of sustainable communities. Objective CIOSO11 – Clustering Community Facilities Promote the clustering of accessible community, recreational and open space facilities, with community facilities being located in local centres or combined with school facilities as appropriate. Policy CIOSP8 – Sports Facilities Ensure that all communities in the County are facilitated with a variety of sporting facilities that are fit for purpose, accessible and adaptable.
- COMMUNITy INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPEN SPACE 176FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 Objective CIOSO12 – Sports and Recreation Facilities Audit Support the preparation of further sports and recreation facilities audit for the County, in accordance with the National Sports Policy 2018–2027. Objective CIOSO13 – Active Recreational Hubs and Multi-Use Games Areas Promote the development of high-quality and multi-functional recreational facilities throughout Fingal, including Active Recreational Hubs and Multi-Use Games Areas to meet existing and future community needs, in accordance with the National Sports Policy 2018–2027. Objective CIOSO14 – Fingal Sports Office Vision Statement 2019–2021 Support the strategic goals of the Fingal Sports Office Vision Statement 2019–2021, or any superseding sports strategy for the County. Objective CIOSO15 – Healthy Ireland and the National Physical Activity Plan Promote public health policy including Healthy Ireland and the National Physical Activity Plan in line with NPO 26 of the NPF and RPO 9.16 of the RSES. Objective CIOSO16 – National Sports Campus Zoning (NSC) Facilitate the provision of sporting facilities and associated infrastructure in accordance with the National Sports Campus zoning (NSC), incorporating appropriate office, administration, training, accommodation and other associated and ancillary development. 4.5.1.4 Education – Primary and Post-Primary Fingal County Council is the youngest Local Authority in the State (at 33.8 years) which is 3.7 years lower than the State, 2.2 years lower than the region and 2.5 years lower than Dublin average. As such, the demand for school places and new schools is high in the County. School facilities play a key role in their respective communities and can be a determining factor as to why people chose to live in a certain area. Fingal is home to a wide range of both primary and post-primary schools. Many schools provide a broader function in the communities they serve and often provide meeting rooms and facilities for evening classes, sports clubs and other activities. The facilitation of school premises outside of school hours for community use is supported and encouraged. The Code of Practice issued by the Department of Environment, Heritage and local Government in 2008 entitled The Provision of Schools and the Planning System 2008, has three core objectives for the effective integration of the school and the planning system. These include the following: ¨ That schools provision should be an integral part of the evolution of compact sustainable urban development and the development of sustainable communities. ¨ The provision of any new schools (both primary and post-primary) should be driven by and emerge from an integrated approach between the planning functions of Planning Authorities and the Department of Education and Science; and ¨ Local Authorities, as Planning Authorities, will support and assist the Department in ensuring the timely provision of school sites.
- COMMUNITy INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPEN SPACE 177FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 Fingal County Council continues to work collaboratively with the Department of Education in relation to the identification of schools and associated facilities. Under the Memorandum of Agreement, Fingal County Council makes land in its ownership available at a reduced cost to the Department of Education. In return the Department of Education, in co-operation with Fingal County Council, make a greater investment in enhanced sports and community and recreational facilities for schools being provided throughout the County. Based on extensive experience in the management and operation of community facilities, Fingal County Council’s Architects and Community Departments have developed a design brief which may be duplicated across various sites ensuring facilities can meet the needs of the community. Enhanced facilities are designed to meet varied community needs as identified by the Community Culture and Sports Division of Fingal County Council. The range of facilities includes amenities such as full-size sports hall, dressing rooms, storage areas, community meeting rooms, childcare spaces, all weather pitches and playgrounds. (This may vary from site to site). These additional facilities exceed the Department’s standard specification for schools and are also made available to the local community outside of school hours. Facilities constructed under the Memorandum of Agreement are leased by the Department of Education to Fingal County Council, who in turn issue a management licence to a local Board of Management. This ensures that community facilities are operated to meet community and educational needs in tandem. Table 4.1: New Primary and Post-Primary Schools opened in Fingal since 2016 School Name Location School Type Opening year Rivervalley Community National School Swords Primary 2019 Broadmeadow Community National School Swords Primary 2020 Gealscoil na Mara Donabate Primary 2020 Danu Community Special School Hansfield, Dublin 15 Primary 2019 Bremore Educate Together Secondary School Balbriggan Post-Primary 2016 Edmund Rice College Blanchardstown Post-Primary 2017 Malahide & Portmarnock ETSS Kinsealy Post-Primary 2018 Swords Community College Swords Post-Primary 2018 Eriu Community College Porterstown, D15 Post-Primary 2020
- COMMUNITy INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPEN SPACE 178FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 While the provision of new schools is the responsibility of the Department of Education, Fingal County Council has and will continue to work collaboratively with the Department and with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in relation to the identification of suitable sites for the delivery of new and expanded educational facilities in Fingal. Fingal County Council will engage with all relevant stakeholders and identify sites that could be used to provide much needed schools as identified in the Kilmartin Plan for the people of Tyrrelstown, Hollystown and Hollywoodrath that are in real need for a primary and secondary school. Policy CIOSP9 – Education and Health Continue to work collaboratively with Educational and Health care providers to ensure the timely provision of educational facilities, health care and community resources throughout Fingal. The Plan will support the provision of education and healthcare facilities in line with national and regional policy objectives. Objective CIOSO17 – Educational Infrastructure Encourage the continued use and possible intensification of existing educational infrastructure where appropriate. Facilitate the development of new schools, the re-development of existing schools and extensions planned as part of the Government’s School Building Programme. Objective CIOSO18 – Sites for Primary and Secondary Schools Identify sites for primary and secondary schools in consultation with the Department of Education based on future population growth projections and in accordance with the Core Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy. Objective CIOSO19 – Additional Schools Facilitate the development of additional schools, including Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí, at both primary and secondary level in a timely manner in partnership with the Department of Education and Skills and/or other bodies. Objective CIOSO20 – Design of Schools Require new schools and other education centres to meet the Council’s standards regarding quality of design with an emphasis on contemporary design, landscaping and vehicular movement and vehicular parking. Design of schools and other educational centres should also take account of sustainable building practices, water and energy conservation as well as air quality and climate change. Such standards are to be considered and demonstrated in any application for an educational centre. Objective CIOSO21 – Multiple Usage of School Buildings Promote and encourage the multiple usage of school buildings and associated infrastructure so that school facilities are also available for use by the local community after school hours.
- COMMUNITy INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPEN SPACE 179FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 Objective CIOSO22 – School Streets Principles Require new schools to be designed in accordance with ‘School Streets’ principles incorporating traffic free, clean air zones around schools either permanently or on a time controlled basis coinciding with school opening and closing times wherever possible. 4.5.1.5 Higher and Further Education Fingal is home to one third level institution, Technological University Dublin – Blanchardstown Campus. With over 30,000 students on its three main campuses, TU Dublin is one of the largest universities in the country, with campuses in Blanchardstown, Grangegorman and Tallaght. Connolly Hospital, a major teaching hospital is also located within the County. Educational attainment is an important factor when planning for the future and 39.6% of the population in Fingal have a third level education – which is higher than the national average at 33.4%. The importance of a well-educated population is recognised and fully supported by Fingal County Council. Fingal County Council recognises the importance of a well-educated population and of promoting access to education, including in new emerging communities. Other third level institutions within close proximity to Fingal and accessible to Fingal’s residents include Dublin City University (DCU), TU Dublin (City campus locations) and Trinity College Dublin (TCD). Objective CIOSO23 – Higher Education Promote and facilitate the development of existing and new third and higher-level education centres where practicable and in proximity to public transport. Objective CIOSO24 – Existing and New Further Education Centres Promote and facilitate the development of existing and new further education centres where practicable and in proximity to public transport, particularly in areas of high socio-economic disadvantage. 4.5.1.6 Healthcare The Health Service Executive (HSE) is the primary body responsible for the provision of health care facilities in the County. There are currently three public hospitals within the Fingal area including, Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown, and the more specialised facilities of the National Orthopaedic Hospital at Cappagh and the new National Forensic Mental Health Service (NFMHS) which is a new state-of-the-art facility, located at St. Ita’s in Portrane. There are 14 no. health centres in Fingal, with a centre located in each of the urban population centres, including 3 no. in the Blanchardstown area.
- COMMUNITy INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPEN SPACE 180FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 The HSE’s Sláintecare established in 2018, seeks to achieve a universal single-tier health and social care system where everyone has equal access to services based on need, and not ability to pay, with a focus on delivering the majority of services in the community. Fingal County Council will continue to support the provision of public and private healthcare facilities throughout the County on suitably zoned lands and will promote the location of same close to new and existing communities where services can be easily accessed. Objective CIOSO25 – Healthcare Facilities Support and facilitate the development of health centres, hospitals, clinics and primary care centres where new communities are proposed and in towns, villages and local centres, with good accessibility for all. Objective CIOSO26 – Primary Care Centre Swords Encourage and facilitate the delivery of a primary care centre for Swords. 4.5.1.7 Childcare and Early Learning The provision of high-quality accessible childcare and early learning facilities in existing and new communities is an important factor for economic and social wellbeing. Fingal County Childcare Committee (FCCC) currently has 320 no. registered childcare services in the Fingal area. The Council will seek to facilitate the provision of childcare facilities in appropriate locations throughout the County. In line with the DEHLG Childcare Facilities – Guidelines for Planning Authorities 2001, the Council will encourage the provision of such facilities in new and existing residential developments, within employment zones, town and neighbourhood centres, within educational buildings and close to public transport nodes. The Council will also continue to engage with FCCC regarding proposals for new facilities. The detailed standards required for such facilities are contained in the Chapter 14 Development Management Standards of the Plan. Policy CIOSP10 – Childcare Facilities Support the provision of appropriate childcare facilities. Objective CIOSO27 – Optimum Childcare Locations Encourage the provision of childcare facilities in appropriate locations, including residential areas, town and local centres, areas of employment and areas close to public transport nodes. Encourage the co-location of childcare facilities and community facilities where appropriate, such as community centres and schools, with an emphasis on community and not for profit childcare facilities where appropriate.
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.