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

1. Page 221

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   ClIMATE ACTION 221FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 change. The summary table below, provides a brief overview of the principal ways that each relevant chapter in the Plan makes a concrete contribution to climate action efforts and how in broad terms, each chapter addresses the various climate action policy areas addressed in this chapter. Table 5.1: Summary of Climate Action Measures by Chapter Chapter 1 – Introduction ¨ Supports a reduction in energy demand and emissions through a reduction on reliance on fossil fuels and unsustainable use of resources. ¨ Supports compact growth and the continued consolidation of existing settlements within the County. ¨ Supports the effective use of land well-served by public transport and the development of sustainable infrastructure. ¨ Supports the transition to a low-carbon, resilient and sustainable society. Chapter 2 – Planning for Growth ¨ Supports sustainable development through compact growth via appropriate infill and brownfield development and targeted growth along key transport corridors. Chapter 3 – Sustainable Placemaking and Quality Homes ¨ Supports the consolidation of towns and villages over continued greenfield development, enhancing settlement vitality and avoiding duplication of investment in services and infrastructure. ¨ Promotes high quality residential development incorporating a range of typologies and tenure options enabling people to right size at the right time. ¨ Provides sustainable resilient communities hosting a range of local services, high quality public realms and community infrastructure, all within easy reach by walking, cycling and public transport. Chapter 4 – Community Infrastructure and Open Space ¨ Support the provision of community infrastructure and open space at locations which are accessible by active travel, including walking or cycling and which are close to transport routes. This will reduce the need to drive to access services and facilities. ¨ Support Fingal’s Keen To Be Green Facilities Project which will see community facilities from around Fingal take part in a 5-stage plan to become sustainable and take action against the effects of Climate Change. The Project is a collaboration between Fingal’s Community Development Office, Fingal Environment, Climate Action and Active Travel Department and the Fingal Community Facilities Network.

2. Page 222

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   ClIMATE ACTION 222FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 Chapter 5 – Climate Action ¨ Supports the implementation of the FCC Climate Change Action Plan. ¨ Supports integrating climate action measures into development proposals. ¨ Supports the decarbonisation of the energy sector and the continuing development of renewable and low carbon sources of energy. ¨ Supports local and countywide energy strategies and initiatives. ¨ Supports the circular economy approach to waste. ¨ Supports the transition towards more sustainable modes of movement and transport and the decarbonisation of transport. ¨ Supports improving flood risk mitigation and adaptation measures including the use of nature-based solutions and SuDS. ¨ Supports the principles of nature-based solutions and urban greening. Chapter 6 – Connectivity and Movement ¨ Supports land use policies which reduce demand for travel by bringing people and the activities they need to access closer together. ¨ Supports transitioning to low carbon mobility solutions through support for the ongoing development of a sustainable and integrated transportation network. ¨ A priority focus on increased provision of walking, cycling and public transport infrastructure. ¨ Encouraging behavioural change to more sustainable modes. ¨ Active support for key public transport projects and public transport accessibility in urban and rural areas. ¨ Designing roads and streets to improve conditions for sustainable modes. ¨ Seeks appropriate parking standards to facilitate sustainable development. ¨ Supports the effective management of strategic transport corridors to enable the efficient movement of people and goods. ¨ Supports reduced or zero emissions solutions for how goods are delivered and supports the potential that exists for the efficient use of the rail network to transport freight. ¨ Ensuring that transport corridors perform a function as green infrastructure links incorporating nature-based solutions.

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   ClIMATE ACTION 223FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 Chapter 7 – Employment and Economy ¨ Support initiatives which provide opportunities for businesses to operate in more a more sustainable manner providing for resilience and for the mutual benefit of businesses and customers. ¨ Support compact growth and the development of strategic development areas for population and employment growth in conjunction with appropriate infrastructure provision. ¨ Support clustering as a key economic concept and as a means of locating businesses at combined locations, thereby reducing distances. ¨ Support the provision of quality employment and residential developments in proximity to each other in order to reduce the need to travel. ¨ Support the Making Remote Work – National Remote Work Strategy and facilities that enable people to live near their place of work. ¨ Support the growth of the ‘green economy’ including renewable energy, retrofitting, and electric vehicles and charging infrastructure and supporting the transition towards a circular economy. ¨ Support the development of tourism infrastructure, visitor attractions and supporting facilities at appropriate locations in the County in a manner that does not have an adverse impact on the receiving areas and the receiving environment. ¨ Encourage the development of environmentally sustainable agricultural practices and ensure that watercourses, wildlife habitats and areas of ecological importance are protected from the threat of pollution. ¨ Support the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine in implementing sustainable forest development in line with National policy guidance. ¨ Facilitate and encourage the development of the alternative energy sector. Chapter 8 – Dublin Airport ¨ Places a strong emphasis on reducing climate emissions through increasing use of more sustainable transport modes and smarter travel approach for surface access to and from Dublin Airport. ¨ Support the restriction of increased employee car parking at the Airport in an effort to reduce emissions. ¨ Support the requirement for large-scale developments at the Airport to address carbon emissions as part of the Development Management process. ¨ Encourage waste prevention and minimization throughout Airport facilities.

4. Page 224

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   ClIMATE ACTION 224FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 Chapter 9 – Green Infrastructure and Natural Heritage ¨ Supports the implementation of the Fingal Biodiversity Action Plan, The Forest of Fingal-A Tree Strategy for Fingal, Keeping it Green – An Open Space Strategy for Fingal and Space for Play – A Play Policy for Fingal in the Plan. ¨ Supports Fingal’s Allotment Strategy, Community Gardens and promote re-wilding and pollinator initiatives within the County. ¨ Supports a co-ordinated and managed network of multifunctional green spaces linked to the wider regional Green Infrastructure network. ¨ Supports the integration Green Infrastructure and an ecosystem services approach into new developments / new growth areas. ¨ Supports the protection, maintenance, and enhancement of the watercourses and their riparian corridors in the county. ¨ Supports the protection and enhancement of the coast shoreline and marine environment as open space and valuable natural habitats. ¨ Provides for appropriate protection of trees and hedgerows, recognising their value to our natural heritage, biodiversity and climate action. Chapter 10 – Heritage, Culture and Arts ¨ Co-operate with other agencies in the investigation of climate change on the fabric of historic buildings and traditional construction to enhance adaptive capacity, strengthen resilience and reduce the vulnerability of the built heritage. ¨ Advance and support mechanisms through which the Council can develop resilience, adapt or mitigate the impact of Climate Change on the archaeological and built heritage of the County. ¨ Supports retaining existing buildings and enhance their energy performance in keeping with best building conservation principles. Supports operation with other agencies in the investigation of climate change on the fabric of historic buildings. ¨ Supports the implementation of the Community Monuments Fund in order to ensure the monitoring and adaptation of archaeological monuments and mitigate against damage caused by climate change. Chapter 11 – Infrastructure and Utilities ¨ Supports nature-based and adaptive flood risk management and promotes the use of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in all developments.

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   ClIMATE ACTION 225FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 ¨ Supports the integration of watercourse/waterbodies management and protection with land-use planning and Development Management. ¨ Supports the promotion and delivery of more sustainable forms of waste management in line with circular economy principles. ¨ Supports minimising/preventing waste and maximising material recycling, reuse and re-purposing. ¨ Supports renewable energy use and generation at appropriate locations within the built and natural environment. ¨ Supports the roll-out of the Smart Grids and Smart Cities Action Plan 2013 in order to enable new connections, grid balancing, energy management and micro grid development. Chapter 12 – Implementation and Monitoring ¨ Supports the monitoring of and successful implementation of the climate action related policies set out in the Plan. Chapter 13 – Land Use Zoning ¨ Supports the development of compact, integrated settlements and a climate resilient County by promoting particular classes of use in appropriate locations. ¨ Supports the consolidation of existing centres and the redevelopment of brownfield land to support the efficient use of land. ¨ Provides for the safeguarding of green infrastructure as well as community and social infrastructure. Chapter 14 – Development Management Standards ¨ Supports development which minimises resource consumption, reduces waste, conserves water, promotes efficient energy use and uses appropriate renewable technologies. ¨ Supports the use of sustainably sourced materials which are to be re-used and recycled wherever possible. ¨ Encourages the use of green building materials and low embodied energy products such as low carbon cement and recycled materials. ¨ Encourages developments which enhance biodiversity and provide for accessible open space and landscaping. ¨ Requires development to integrate surface water management principles including Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS).

6. Page 226

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   ClIMATE ACTION 226FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 6. CONNECTIVITY AND MOVEMENT FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023–2029

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   CONNECTIVITy AND MOVEMENT 227FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 6.1 Introduction To achieve sustainable development in Fingal and respond to key transportation challenges over the lifetime of this Plan, recognising that there is an over reliance on private cars throughout the County and the need to reduce transport emissions, this chapter identifies the policy framework to facilitate travel demands and cater for travel needs across Fingal in a sustainable manner. One of the key strategic objectives of this Plan is to strengthen the integration of land-use and transport planning with a priority focus on increased provision of walking, cycling and public transport infrastructure. This Plan promotes an integrated and sustainable transport network that is inclusive and accessible for all. Alongside this, the creation of attractive public realms and healthy placemaking will ensure that communities are connected in a sustainable and efficient way. Easy access to and from residential developments, workplaces, schools and services and reliable commercial deliveries and servicing will be dependent on an increasingly efficient system of transport given the projected increases in demand for travel. This Plan also promotes the continued management of traffic, the protection and enhancement of strategic transport corridors and the efficient movement of freight. This Plan recognises and supports a collaborative approach that needs to be taken by all stakeholders to ensure the delivery of a sustainable transport network including key transport projects, new walking and cycling infrastructure, behavioural change initiatives and improved roads access. It embraces the use of technology that enables more efficient movement around our County, including the increased use of shared mobility schemes for cars and bikes, electric vehicles and supporting measures to change travel behaviours. Combined, these measures will aid the delivery of an integrated transport system which will assist modal shift, improve quality of life, create more attractive and accessible environments, foster sustainable economic growth and underpin the transition to a low carbon and climate resilient society. 6.2 Context Effective connectivity locally, nationally and internationally makes Fingal an attractive place for people to live, work and visit and for businesses to operate in and invest. This leads to multiple benefits for the County and wider Dublin region. Fingal already benefits from strong transport connections through Dublin Airport, Dublin Tunnel and the strategic road corridors that run through the County as well as extensive bus and rail networks. Dublin Airport is the most important strategic location for international connectivity in the Country for both passengers and freight. Dublin Port, accessed directly from Fingal via the Dublin Tunnel, is the most important point of entry for freight on the island. This current network comprises key international and national routes including elements of the Trans European Network (TEN-T) where the ‘movement function’ of the route is critical. This includes the M1 and M50 motorways and the Dublin–Belfast rail line. Both the M1 and the Dublin – Belfast northern rail line provides critical transport connections within the Dublin – Belfast Economic Corridor. The Maynooth and PACE railway lines [Dunboyne/M3 Parkway rail line] and Dart and suburban rail form critically important elements of the existing transport network within Fingal which connects to Dublin City Centre and Country wide rail and bus networks. The extensive Dublin Bus network including the provision of quality bus corridors in areas such as Swords, Blanchardstown, Malahide, Ballymun and Finglas, facilitates enhanced travel connections to Dublin City.

8. Page 228

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   CONNECTIVITy AND MOVEMENT 228FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 Localised urban roads and streets accommodate pedestrians, cyclists, public transport and cars. On these routes the ‘place’ function of the route becomes more important as we try to create conditions to encourage use of sustainable modes and attractive environments. This element of the network offers the most potential to positively influence travel behaviour and presents opportunities to facilitate sustainable transport choices while at the same time making attractive places to live and visit. Fingal County Council continues to make progress in adding to the local transport network through allocation of existing road space for pedestrians and cyclists, public realm improvements and the advancement of new cycling and walking routes and Greenways. The Council is rolling out the Safe Routes to School Programme and other improved mobility solutions to foster active travel to schools and within neighbourhoods. New forms of mobility continue to be embraced by the Council, including a shift to electric vehicles for Council owned operational fleets and the provision of electric vehicle charging infrastructure to support the use of EV vehicles as well as the establishment of its first local mobility hubs to serve the general public and Fingal County Council staff members. The Council is facilitating the expansion of shared schemes for bikes and cars across the County and the introduction of initiatives such as Community Car Service and Age Friendly Fingal to respond to specific mobility needs. The integration of land-use and transportation continues through the implementation of development within plan frameworks along existing transport corridors and these areas continue to consolidate. The Council continues to progress a number of studies and projects across the County with the aim to improve the public realm and promote sustainable travel options. In the context of existing mode share, the Socio-Economic Profile of Fingal which was prepared to inform this Plan, highlights slightly lower reliance on private cars was evident compared to the national level at 51.8% of all commuters in 2016, whilst cycling and public transport modal share increased by 0.6% in both cases from 2011 to 2.8% and 20.5% respectively in 2016. Census 2016 shows that by far the greatest numbers of trips to work in Fingal are made by car, at 59.4% of all modes of transport. Bus and rail to work equates to 20.4% while cycling to work equates to 2.5% with 5.4% getting to work on foot and a total of 12.3% for other alternative modes. The latter would indicate a latent demand for more public transport and active travel infrastructure, thereby allowing people to make more sustainable transport options in their daily travel patterns if active travel alternatives were more readily available. Trips to work in 2016 59.4% 20.4% 2.5% 5.4% 12.3% Other 6.3 Opportunities This Plan has a key role to play in facilitating potential for real change in the way people move around and connect within the County by creating conditions to enable a transition from dependency on the private car and fossil fuel-based mobility in favour of more sustainable modes, which in turn will help to reduce the negative impacts of transport and climate change. There is an opportunity to build on current progress, to strengthen the alignment between land-use and transport infrastructure and continue to work closely with

9. Page 229

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   CONNECTIVITy AND MOVEMENT 229FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 national agencies to advance the delivery of key public transport projects. This can be achieved through prioritising the increased provision of high-quality, walkable and accessible public realm environments and safe and attractive cycling facilities and to optimise connectivity between sustainable modes through increased walking and cycling provision. Through these measures, there is an opportunity to assist modal shift and to make walking and cycling the natural choice for everyday shorter trips, many of which are currently made by car. Fingal County Council will facilitate active travel across the County and will engage widely with the public through open consultation in relation to a sustainable transport system and active travel. There is also an opportunity to interconnect many of our climate-based objectives such as naturebased solutions with travel networks to help deliver a range of environmental and public realm benefits. There is an opportunity to respond in a pro-active and collaborative way to ensure that the County is ready for and can fully benefit from technological changes in transport including the increasing role of shared mobility schemes, micro mobility modes, electric vehicles and the application of technology in the mobility sector. The County benefits from a number of strategic transport corridors which provide an essential means of international, national and regional connectivity and due to this accessibility, provides opportunities for increased trade and investment and tourism, subject to the efficient use of our road and rail networks. 6.4 Strategic Aims Transportation policy in Fingal is guided by a comprehensive and co-ordinated set of National and Regional policy documents including the NPF and RSES. Across these various policy documents, there are overarching policy and objectives to achieve compact growth through the integration of land-use and transportation planning, sustainable mobility and healthy placemaking with the aims to promote active travel modes, reduce dependency on the private car, tackle climate change and increase accessibility and connectivity within both urban and rural areas. The NTA’s Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2022–2042 builds on this approach and sets out the guiding policy and objectives for the efficient, effective and sustainable movement of people and goods through a network of public transport, walking and cycling improvements including high levels of network integration for the GDA including Fingal. The National Sustainable Mobility Policy sets out a strategic framework to 2030 for active travel and public transport journeys to 2030 to help Ireland meet its climate obligations. It is accompanied by an action plan to 2025 which contains actions to improve and expand sustainable mobility options across the Country by providing safe, green, accessible and efficient alternatives to car journeys. It also includes demand management and behavioural change measures to manage daily travel demand more efficiently and to reduce the journeys taken by private car. The National Investment Framework for Transport in Ireland (NIFTI), the strategic framework for future investment decision making in land transport to guide transport investment in the years ahead to enable the National Planning Framework, supports the Climate Action Plan and promotes positive social, environmental and economic outcomes throughout Ireland. NIFTI sets out the modal hierarchy in Ireland as; 1. Active Travel; 2. Public Transport; 3. Private Vehicles. It also outlines an intervention hierarchy which is: 1. Maintain; 2. Optimise; 3. Improve; 4. New. In the context of achieving accessible built environments, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) includes obligatory provisions on state parties to ensure access for persons with disabilities to, inter alia, the physical environment and transportation in both urban and rural areas. At national level, the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2022 (NDIS) sets out a range of actions to

10. Page 230

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    CONNECTIVITy AND MOVEMENT 230FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 improve inclusion for those living with a disability in Ireland, including in areas such as the delivery of public services, employment and living in the community including specific actions for the achievement of accessible transport and movement infrastructure. The Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines for Planning Authorities 2012 sets out the planning policy considerations relating to development affecting national primary and secondary roads, including motorways and associated junctions, outside the 50-60 kmph speed limit zones for cities, towns and villages. These guidelines have been developed following a number of key principles and aim to facilitate a consistent approach that affords maximum support for the goals of achieving and maintaining a safe and efficient network of national roads, thereby facilitating continued economic growth and development. Updated design guidance for Covid 19 mobility planning issued under the DMURS Interim Advice Note – Covid-19 Pandemic Response 2020 focuses on traffic calming and transferring road space to walking, cycling and outdoor seating. There are many other National and Regional policy documents relevant to sustainable mobility, some of which are referred to within individual policies and objectives in this chapter. A full list of guidance documents that informed the preparation of this Plan is set out within Appendices 2 and 3. 6.5 Policies and Objectives 6.5.1 The Role of Transportation Policy in Addressing Climate Change Reducing emissions from transport is one of the major challenges facing society and Fingal County Council acknowledges the importance of transitioning to low carbon mobility solutions to mitigate against climate change. This chapter contains policies and objectives to achieve this goal which will assist the Council in achieving its climate change targets as well as other positive environmental benefits. This Plan promotes the need for a shift to more sustainable travel choices by designing our built environments in a way that prioritises the most carbon efficient modes such as walking, cycling and public transport. It also seeks to support and encourage behavioural change by placing a focus on achieving residential and employment development in sustainable compact locations and utilising brownfield lands in our existing settlements adjacent to existing facilities and transport infrastructure. Fingal County Council recognises that an effective response to carbon emissions and climate change requires an integrated approach across all policy areas in the Plan. Whilst the key drivers in this regard will be those contained in this chapter that support the integration of land-use planning with the development of a sustainable transport network, these will be complemented by other policies contained in this Plan, such as those in Chapter 5 Climate Action supporting an increase in EV charging facilities, the creation of active travel corridors and the associated opportunities to incorporate nature based solutions such as SuDs features, landscaping and enhanced habitats. The National Climate Action Plan 2023 identifies increases in active travel and public transport trips and a reduction in vehicle kilometres as essential parts of meeting 2030 and 2050 climate targets. These changes shall be reflected in all calculations/predictions of demand for various travel modes carried out by the Council or for development consent purposes. Policy CMP1 – Decarbonisation of Motorised Transport Support the decarbonisation of motorised transport and facilitate modal shift to walking, cycling and public transport and taking account of National and Regional policy and guidance, while supporting an efficient and effective transport system.

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