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 181FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 Objective CIOSO28 – Childcare Facilities and New Development Require the provision of appropriate childcare facilities as an essential part of new residential and mixed-use developments in accordance with the provisions of the Childcare Facilities Guidelines for Planning Authorities 2001 or any superseding Guidelines, or as required by the Planning Authority. Such facilities should be provided in a timely manner and be an integral part of the development proposal. Objective CIOSO29 – Community-Based Childcare Promote the establishment of community-based, non-profit, childcare in future Fingal community facilities. 4.5.1.8 Libraries Since the early 1990s, Fingal Libraries have been a progressive and innovative service, building and developing new branch libraries, renovating and enhancing existing buildings and adopting new technologies and work practices. Libraries form a fundamental part of the community and cultural infrastructure within the County. The Council currently operates 10 no. libraries and key developments in recent years include a branch library co-located with a community and leisure centre at Donabate, the introduction of selfservice using RFID (radio-frequency identification) technology, 3 no. new mobile library vans, new library management and book distribution systems and the increased use of digital resources and eServices. The Fingal Libraries Development Plan provides a road map for the period 2018–2023, setting out the vision for the future of Fingal Libraries as a dynamic and inclusive space supporting culture, recreation, literacy, education and economic development in the County. The aim is to continue to provide accessible, democratic, inclusive and dynamic spaces in which people can engage, enjoy, create and learn. The key challenges of having a young, diverse and growing population present opportunities to respond with innovative uses of space and technology, with relevant print and digital collections and with imaginative cultural and educational programmes. Fingal County Council will continue to expand and develop this service subject to need and available resources. Policy CIOSP11 – Libraries Continue to support the expansion and growth of libraries as key community and cultural assets within the County. Objective CIOSO30 – Fingal Libraries Development Plan Support the development of the County’s library services and the implementation of key objectives, as set out in the Fingal Libraries Development Plan 2018–2023 or any superseding document.
- COMMUNITy INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPEN SPACE 182FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 MEATH DUBLIN CITY DUN LAOGHAIRE/ RATHDOWN DUBLIN SOUTH Balbriggan Library Skerries Library Garristown Library Rush Library Donabate Portrane Library Swords Library Libraries HQ, County Hall Archives and Local Studies Malahide Library Baldoyle Library Blanchardstown Library Mobiles/Housebound Service Blanchardstown Offices Howth Library Fingal Libraries & Council Offices
- COMMUNITy INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPEN SPACE 183FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 4.5.1.9 Places of Worship/Multi-Faith Facilities In line with the growing population is an increase in the number of faith communities and demand for additional places of worship throughout the County. Fingal County Council will continue to facilitate the development of new places of worship, ideally proximate to residential communities, where it is shown that these developments do not give rise to noise or traffic related issues which may adversely affect the amenity of adjacent residents. Places of worship will be encouraged to utilise existing shared community facilities where appropriate. Objective CIOSO31 – Places of Worship Facilitate the development of additional places of worship through the designation and/or zoning of lands for such community requirements and examine locating places of worship within shared community facilities. Objective CIOSO32 – Appropriate Locations for Places of Worship Encourage and facilitate the development of places of worship in appropriate locations in urban centres or within existing community facilities and proximate to residential communities. 4.5.1.10 Burial Facilities Fingal County Council acknowledges that many existing burial grounds within the County have reached or are nearing full capacity, particularly older or historic graveyards. Demand has grown in recent years for graveyards to include Columbarium walls. The future burial requirements of the County including Columbarium walls will be accommodated within Regional graveyards. Policy CIOSP12 – Burial Grounds Continue to support and facilitate the provision of appropriate burial facilities across Fingal. Objective CIOSO33 – Burial Grounds and Local Amenity Facilitate the development of extended and additional burial grounds, including green graveyards/ natural burial grounds in Fingal, bearing in mind the needs of multi-faith and non-religious communities, subject to traffic, noise and environmental considerations. Objective CIOSO34 – Future Burial Requirements Facilitate the future burial requirements of the County including the provision of Columbarium walls where possible, within existing and regional graveyards. 4.5.1.11 Fire Stations Fingal County Council will continue to support the development and upgrading of the fire service in conjunction with Dublin City Council who act as the lead authority in the provision of the Regional fire services. Objective CIOSO35 – Fire Stations Continue to support the provision of a modern and efficient fire service as required and in conjunction with Dublin City Council.
- COMMUNITy INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPEN SPACE 184FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029
- COMMUNITy INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPEN SPACE 185FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 4.5.2 Open Space Fingal’s open spaces, including its public parks, its demesne landscapes, coastal amenities, playgrounds and other outdoor facilities are prized resources within the County and Fingal County Council promotes an inclusive approach to access and accessibility. The variety of open space comprises a major component of the green infrastructure network of the County. In recent times, the importance of our outdoor parks and open spaces for physical exercise and for the enjoyment of nature has increased exponentially. The availability of good quality, highly accessible public spaces in close proximity to our homes is a vital local resource and an important element in the establishment of successful neighbourhoods and in fostering a sense of place. Fingal has a well-defined network of open spaces and recreational facilities that are accessible to significant numbers of the County’s population. The Council has approximately 2,000 hectares (5,000 acres) of public open space, sixty per cent of which has been generated through the planning process. The quantitative standard used through the planning process requires that 25 hectares is provided per 10,000 of population. Types of open spaces in the County range from small pocket parks to large Regional parks such as the historic demesnes of Malahide, Newbridge and Ardgillan. Fingal County Council’s Keeping It Green, An Open Space Strategy for Fingal 2015 provides the strategy for the provision and management of the County’s public open spaces. The strategy seeks to improve open space provision through better and more sustainable approaches to its management and outlines qualitative standards for the provision of existing and future open spaces. The focus of the strategy is on publicly owned and/or maintained land, the primary use of which is for outdoor recreation and amenity in Fingal. This Plan will continue to support the objectives and actions of the strategy, and this is discussed further in Chapter 9 Green Infrastructure and Natural Heritage. The five basic principles regarding open space provision in the County will continue to apply for this Plan and appropriate policies and objectives will guide the provision of a hierarchy of high quality, attractive and secure public and private open spaces, ranging from Regional parks and major local parks to smaller pocket parks, private gardens and balconies, as well as intensive recreational, amenity and community facilities such as Active Recreational Hubs and Multi-Use Games Areas (MUGAs). Private amenity space for new residential developments is addressed in Chapter 3 Sustainable Placemaking and Quality Homes and Chapter 9 Green Infrastructure and Natural Heritage. Standards in relation to open space provision are included in the Chapter 14 Development Management Standards. To achieve high quality open space, Fingal County Council has five basic principles of open space provision; Hierarchy, Accessibility, Quantity, Quality and Private Open Space. 4.5.2.1 Hierarchy The public open space hierarchy and accessibility standards are detailed in Table 4.2 below. The standards allow the provision of a wide variety of accessible public open spaces to meet the diverse needs of the County’s residents. For all developments with a residential component, a mix of public open space types should be provided where achievable.
- COMMUNITy INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPEN SPACE 186FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 Table 4.2: Public Open Space and Play Space Hierarchy and Accessibility Standards Type of Public Open Space Size of Park / Open Space Distance from homes Level of Play provision Age group catered for Description of Play Space Pocket Parks (Class 2 as per Development Contribution Scheme) Facilities for smaller children, but not necessarily formal play facilities. Have an important visual and social function also. Pocket parks must not be to the side or back of houses and must be adequately overlooked. Between 500 sq.m. – 0.2 hectares Within 100–200 metres walking distance of homes LAP (Local Area for Play) Minimum 10m x 10m to approximately 20% of public open space depending on calculated provision Intended primarily for children up to the age of 6, though it will be used by older children at different times of the day or evening Accessible and inclusive landscaped areas for play Imaginatively designed and contoured, using as far as possible natural materials such as logs or boulders with associated planting which create an attractive setting for play. Small Parks (Class 2 as per Development Contribution Scheme) Depending on their size, these will accommodate playground facilities, kick about areas, and passive recreation. Between 0.2 – 2 hectares Within 500–1000 metres walking distance of homes LEAP (Local Equipped Area for Play) Minimum activity zone of 200 square metres Intended, in the context of play, for use by children up to the age of 12. Accessible and inclusive landscaped areas for play Imaginatively designed and contoured, using as far as possible natural materials such as logs or boulders in combination with traditional play equipment and associated planting. Where natural landscape such as woodland is in proximity to the play space, this should be incorporated and play opportunities dispersed throughout the available space as appropriate. Local Parks (Class 1 as per Development Contribution Scheme) Accommodate playground facilities and a number of playing fields. Passive recreational and biodiversity areas will also be accommodated in these parks. Between 2 hectares – 20 hectares Within 500–1000 metres walking distance of homes LEAP (Local Equipped Area for Play) Minimum activity zone of 400 square metres Intended, in the context of play, for use by young and older children. Accessible and inclusive landscaped areas for play Imaginatively designed and contoured, using as far as possible natural materials such as logs or boulders in combination with traditional play equipment and associated planting. Where natural landscape such as woodland is in proximity to the play space this should be incorporated and play opportunities dispersed throughout the available space as appropriate. Provision for older children up to 17 years old such as hangout zones with bespoke seating and wi-fi connectivity in combination with such features as a MUGA or skating elements. The play space should reflect local heritage or folklore by linking design to local theme.
- COMMUNITy INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPEN SPACE 187FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 Urban Neighbourhood Parks (Class 1. As per Development Contribution Scheme) A wide variety of facilities and uses can be provided here due to their size. Biodiversity areas will also be accommodated in these parks. Between 20 hectares – 50 hectares Within 1000– 1500 metres walking distance of homes NEAP (Neighbourhood Equipped Area for Play) Minimum activity zone of 1,000 sq. metres comprising an area for play equipment and structures and a hard-surfaced area of at least 465 sq. metres (the minimum needed to play 5 aside football) Intended for use by accompanied young children and older children of relative independence, who have the freedom to range further from home. Accessible and inclusive landscaped areas for play Imaginatively designed and contoured, using as far as possible natural materials such as logs or boulders in combination with traditional play equipment with associated planting. Where natural landscape such as woodland is in proximity to the play space this should be incorporated and play opportunities dispersed throughout the available space. Provision for older children up to 17 years old such as hangout zones with bespoke seating and wi-fi connectivity. The larger space available in such provision should facilitate extended provision of MUGA and other informal, nonstructured activity such as a skate park, BMX track or Callisthenics equipment. The play space should reflect local heritage, or folklore by linking design to a local theme. Regional Parks (Class 1 as per Development Contribution Scheme) Provide for a large range of uses. Formal and informal play areas, passive recreation areas, biodiversity areas and often a distinct attraction will be available on site. Over 50 hectares Within 15 km ‘Destination’ Playground Popular facilities include meeting areas and youth shelters within local open space, floodlit multigames areas, skateboard parks and BMX track Intended as a destination where all ages will find a broad range of amenities to enjoy both as family units and independently. Within regional parks, all ages of the community can be catered for with the provision of the features of LAPs, LEAPs and NEAPs on a larger scale. The play spaces should reflect local heritage. The park landscape should also be evaluated for it’s potential to offer natural play and adventurous opportunities. *Areas not counted in the Open Space calculation include: ƿ Environmental Open Space, i.e. incidental or narrow pieces of open space used for the preservation of trees/ hedgerows and or as a visual relief and screen planting e.g. along roads. ƿ Green corridors ƿ Areas of open space under high voltage electricity lines and wayleave areas. ƿ Areas of open space where the presence of archaeology prohibits the development of the required play provision for a development in accordance with Development Plan standards.
- COMMUNITy INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPEN SPACE 188FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 4.5.2.2 Accessibility Public open space and recreational facilities should be accessible by sustainable means of transport namely walking, cycling and public transport, depending on the catchment of the facility in question. The provision for cycling in parks is permitted under Fingal’s current Parks and Open Spaces Bye-laws. Infrastructure for Electric Vehicle (EV) charging is provided for in all new car parks developed in parks and open spaces. Retrospective EV charging provision in existing car parks is being addressed by the Council’s Operations Department. 4.5.2.3 Quantity It is important that a wide variety of public open space is provided throughout Fingal. For all developments with a residential component, the overall standard for public open space provision is a minimum 2.5 hectares per 1000 population. In general, this shall be provided at a ratio of 75% Class 1 and 25% Class 2. In order to provide existing and future communities with adequate recreational and leisure opportunities, the Council will employ a flexible approach to the delivery of public open space and more intensive recreational/amenity facilities. It is the intention of the Council, however, to ensure, except under exceptional circumstances, public open space provision is not less than 12% of a development site area. This provision recognises the contribution residential open space makes to multi-functional urban green infrastructure and nature-based solutions such as Sustainable Urban Drainage (SuDS), biodiversity and active travel. The development site area cannot include lands zoned RU, GB, OS or HA. Consideration may be given by the Council to the inclusion of civic spaces within overall open space quantum calculations, but only on a case-by-case basis and only in instances where the space proposed is of a size and layout suitable to cater for civic events, is of an exceptionally high standard of finish, including the planting of large street trees and associated landscaping and does not fulfil ancillary functions associated with commercial or other land uses. Table 4.3: Recommended Quantitative Standards (Sustainable Residential Developments in Urban Areas, Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2009) Land use Minimum public open space standards Overall standard 2.5 hectares per 1000 population New residential development on greenfield sites/LAP lands 12% - 15% of site area New residential development on infill/brownfield sites 12% of site area (Target minimum amount of 15% except in cases where the developer can demonstrate that this is not possible, in which case the 12% to 15% range will apply.) Intensive Recreational Facilities/Amenities In certain circumstances, where the open space standards cannot be achieved or where more intensive recreational uses are deemed to be desirable, the Council, at its discretion, may consider arrangements whereby appropriate intensive facilities may be provided in lieu of open space of lesser utility. Intensive
- COMMUNITy INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPEN SPACE 189FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 recreational/amenity facilities may include indoor or outdoor all-weather recreational facilities. Intensive recreational/amenity facilities are defined as any resource, which is used by a variety of ‘not for profit’ voluntary organisations usually to advance their interests in community, culture, sports or other similar group activities. Schools, churches, childcare facilities, health centres and credit unions or similar are not included in this definition. 4.5.2.4 Quality High quality open space and recreational facilities will ensure that these spaces are frequently used and enjoyed by residents. Different types of open space and recreational facilities meet different needs and therefore have different functions. The larger open spaces and recreational facilities should ideally combine passive and active recreational uses. Careful consideration should go into the design of public open spaces, and they should be provided to a high specification. Emphasis must be placed on quality, and details of the proposed landscaping, hard and soft, of these spaces will be required at the planning application stage. Public open spaces should be overlooked and designed in a manner to reduce the occurrence of anti-social behaviour. 4.5.2.5 Private Open Space All residential units must be provided with appropriate levels of private open space for the amenity of residents. These standards are detailed in Chapter 14 Development Management Standards. 4.5.2.6 Playgrounds and play facilities Within the Fingal area, play facilities are located in Regional, Local and Neighbourhood Parks and within residential open space. Providing excellent play facilities for all the children of Fingal and visitors to the County, is a priority. Fingal County Council currently manages a network of play spaces on Council managed land ranging from playgrounds of various sizes in local and regional parks, to MUGA’s and skate parks. The Council has approved Fingal’s first Play Policy, Space for Play – A Play Policy for Fingal, which aims to provide a framework for the provision of safe, accessible, inclusive, natural and engaging play spaces for all children and adolescents up to the age of seventeen. The Play Policy provides the basis on which the current and future play provision throughout the County will be developed to the highest quality in line with international best practice. In residential and mixed-use developments, it will be a requirement of the Council to provide play facilities as part of the landscape plan for the site. The requirements for same are detailed in Table 4.2 and Chapter 14 Development Management Standards. Table 4.4: Public Sports and Playing Facilities in Fingal Facilities Quantity Grass Pitches 168 Playgrounds and play trails 49 Changing rooms 46
- COMMUNITy INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPEN SPACE 190FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 Tennis Courts 46 Outdoor Exercise gyms and callisthenic areas 38 Multi Use Games Areas (MUGA’s) 9 Mini pitches 5 Cricket pitches 6 Skateparks 4 Golf courses (full size) 2 Golf course (par 3) 2 Trim trails 2 Bowling greens 2 BMX track 1 Driving range 1 Traditional farm 1 4.5.2.7 Tree Policy Trees provide both valuable amenity and wildlife habitat. Visually they add to an area, softening the impact of physical development on the landscape while also fulfilling an important role in the improvement of air quality in urban areas and providing wildlife habitats. The Forest of Fingal – A Tree Strategy for Fingal sets out the Council’s policy for street tree planting, management and maintenance. In addition to contributing to visual amenity and a sense of place, trees are increasingly recognised as a significant component of green infrastructure. Trees provide nature-based solutions to the challenges of urbanisation including improved air quality (levels of particulate pollution on tree-lined streets can be up to 60% lower than those without trees) and surface water management (100 mature trees can capture as much as 1,137,500 litres of rainwater each year). Trees also have a role in mitigating climate change and in decarbonising the urban environment (single mature tree absorbs carbon at a rate of 21.6kg per year). The vision of the Tree Strategy is “To protect and enhance Fingal’s trees to maximise both the benefits they offer and the character they bring to the County to ensure a greener, healthier Fingal for now and future generations”. The strategy sets out a series of policies, objectives and actions aimed at achieving this vision. 4.5.2.8 Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) can best be defined as offering a ‘total’ solution to rainwater management and must be included in all new developments. Ponds, artificial wetlands and water features can make a positive contribution to the provision of SuDS and to the amenity of an area. Properly designed and located SuDS features can be incorporated within and can complement the amenity and aesthetic value of open spaces. There is a requirement to ensure that the design of SuDS enhances the quality of
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.