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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- EMPlOyMENT AND ECONOMy 281FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 Objective EEO39 – Economic Potential of ICT, Financial and Banking Sectors Engage and collaborate with key stakeholders, relevant agencies, and sectoral representatives to develop the ICT and financial and banking sectors in Fingal and to ensure that the economic potential of the sectors are secured for the benefit of the local economy, and national economy. Objective EEO40 – Growth of ICT, Financial and Banking Sectors Promote the growth of the ICT, financial and banking sector in Fingal by making the County an attractive location to live and recognise the growing importance of placemaking, strong communities, and amenities as a key driver of investment. 7.5.1.4 Marine Fingal’s local marine sector is diverse based on location and activity ranging from fishing and recreational fishing to equipment retailing, recreation, transport and distribution. Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) identified the strongly performing coastal towns such as Howth, Balbriggan, Skerries, Malahide and Donabate in 2013. These key towns contain economic assets and infrastructure such as marinas, ports, fisheries and harbours. The coastal towns of Howth, Balbriggan, Malahide, Rush and Skerries benefit the most from the growth of the marine sector. In each case, the towns can leverage its coastal nature for economic growth in associated sectors such as tourism, fishing, import and export and logistics. These towns have a natural advantage in that the marine sector is strongly interrelated with tourism, manufacturing and retail including restaurants. While the economic strategy for the marine sector is to encourage enterprise creation and employment growth, as coastal locations are among the most sensitive in Fingal, proposals for economic development will need to be balanced against environmental considerations. Objective EEO41 – Marine Sector Support the existing diverse nature of the marine sector in Fingal, and identify and promote sustainable growth opportunities, while protecting European sites. This shall be achieved through engagement and partnership with the relevant agencies, sectoral representatives and local communities. Objective EEO42 – Marine Sectors Development and Environmental Issues Ensure that proposals for economic development associated with the marine sector are cognisant of the sensitivities of many of Fingal’s coastal locations and that relevant environmental issues are appropriately considered. Objective EEO43 – Feasibility Study of the Fingal Coastline Undertake a feasibility study of the Fingal coastline to identify potential sites to accommodate marina development relevant to recreational pursuits and requirements. As part of the study the impact on the receiving marine environment, including the coastline, will be assessed and Screening for Appropriate Assessment and SEA undertaken.
- EMPlOyMENT AND ECONOMy 282FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 7.5.2 Tourism The tourism sector plays a key role in the Fingal’s rural and urban local economies and accounts for a significant amount of employment. Furthermore, through Dublin Airport, Fingal provides the national major link between Ireland and international tourists. Fingal’s Tourism sector is characterised by large numbers of SMEs, with 800 businesses providing accommodation and catering services. Guest accommodation supports an estimated 3,000 full time job equivalents and the catering sector provides a further 2,000 jobs. Tourism is one of Fingal’s most important economic drivers which is fully embraced by the Council. The Council is custodian and owner of many heritage sites (Malahide Castle, Malahide Casino, Newbridge House, Swords Castle, Ardgillan Castle and Skerries Mills to name a few) and has invested considerable capital to safeguard their future ensuring they can be used by the public. Other heritage properties in the Council’s ownership include Shackleton Mills where a conservation plan for the building is currently underway and Bremore Castle which is being considered for future development. The Council’s programme of public events (Arts, Events, Creative Ireland, Crinniú na nÓg, etc) promote and animate heritage and cultural sites throughout the County. Fingal County Council invests considerable resources in supporting tourism in the County. In addition to the Council managing and continuing to develop a number of significant heritage properties; it works closely with Fáilte Ireland in the development of tourism infrastructure; and funds and supports Fingal Tourism Ltd, whose key roles are promotion, marketing and tourist information services. The Council also recognises the potential to make tourism a key economic function of the rural villages and will continue to promote appropriate sustainable tourism activities within the villages and encourages the development of cultural/ recreational facilities and services to attract visitors and tourists where appropriate. The Council continues to expand the Greenway network throughout the County and Policy CMP8 outlines the Councils intent and commitment to same. Further details are included in Chapter 6 Connectivity and Movement, in relation to the development of the Greenway network. 7.5.2.1 Integrated Tourism Complexes The Council will encourage the development of integrated tourism/leisure/recreational complexes in demesne type landscapes in the County, where such uses are consistent with the retention of such landscapes and only where the sensitive conservation and appropriate use of the historic buildings are the priority and where the interventions to the historic designed landscape are sympathetic and informed by a thorough understanding of the significance of the landscape features. The land holding of the main historic house/building, the outbuildings and other ancillary structures and the historic designed landscape should all be within the one ownership in order to deliver the aim of the Integrated Tourism Complex concept. Development proposals will need to be accompanied and directed by a Conservation Plan and a Designed Landscape Appraisal. The conservation of these assets into the future is essential and the Council recognises the need for the appropriate sustainable reuse of these buildings. An integrated tourism/leisure/recreational complex may include the following where they are of an appropriate scale and design for the setting: ¨ Hotel and associated facilities, conference centre, events facilities, golf course, equestrian centre, trekking centre, fitness centre, health/spa/wellness centre, indoor/outdoor water facility, fishing facility, museums, nature trails, walking routes and associated facilities.
- EMPlOyMENT AND ECONOMy 283FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029
- EMPlOyMENT AND ECONOMy 284FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 ¨ It may also include tourist related residential and leisure retail which is ancillary to the main tourist attraction. The tourist related residential development shall be contained within the existing buildings and retained in single company ownership and shall not be sold off individually. A comprehensive planning application will be required for the entire complex which will include proposals, where appropriate, for: ¨ The preservation/conservation of natural amenities on the site, ¨ The preservation/conservation of the heritage structures on the site, ¨ The retention of the open nature of the lands, ¨ Careful and sympathetic additional landscaping of the site. The complexes that will be considered for such proposals include; ¨ Abbeyville ¨ Dunsoghly Castle ¨ Roganstown ¨ Tyrrelstown House ¨ Hampton Demesne ¨ Beech Park House The global and domestic tourism markets were significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic given the reduction in flights and restrictions imposed in both 2020 (Q2–Q4) and in 2021 Q1. The tourism industry was one of the worst affected. Given the inextricable link between the tourism and aviation sectors, the implications of damage to the aviation sector had a severe impact on tourism. Sustainable measures to ensure the recovery and promotion of the tourism sector are imperative in Fingal. The policies, objectives and measures identified in the Tourism Statement of Strategy and Work Programme 2017–2022 align with those outlined below. The Council continues to collaborate and work with Fáilte Ireland on the Destination Towns for Skerries, the Coastal Destination Experience Development Plan, the Dublin Coastal Trail and the Dublin Brand. In addition, the Council work with Waterways Ireland in the delivery of their programmes that cross into the Fingal area. Developing the tourism market throughout the County is imperative and this must be done in a sustainable manner that does not impact negatively on the areas natural resources and we must ensure that the capacity of the landscape to absorb tourism activities is not exceeded. The built heritage will be protected and promoted, ensuring that the historic houses, demesnes and archaeology of Fingal can be enjoyed and experienced by tourists and residents alike. Policy EEP21 – Facilitating the Development of Tourism Facilitate and promote the development of tourism in the County and ensure that the appropriate policies, objectives and measures identified in the Tourism Statement of Strategy and Work Programme 2017–2022 are aligned with and supported by policies and objectives in the Plan.
- EMPlOyMENT AND ECONOMy 285FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 Objective EEO44 – Economic Potential of the Tourism Sector Engage and collaborate with key stakeholders, relevant agencies, sectoral representatives and local communities to develop the tourism sector in Fingal and to ensure that the economic potential of the tourism sector is secured for the benefit of the local economy. Objective EEO45 – Tourism and Economic Growth Promote and facilitate tourism as one of the key economic pillars of the County’s economy and a major generator of employment and to support the provision of necessary significant increase in facilities such as hotels, aparthotels, tourist hostels, cafes and restaurants, visitor attractions, including those for children. Policy EEP22 – Tourism Infrastructure Support 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. Objective EEO46 – Tourist Related Facilities Direct the provision of tourist related facilities, such as information offices and cultural centres, into town and village locations to support and strengthen the existing economic infrastructure of such centres. Objective EEO47 – Conservation and Protection Ensure the economic benefits associated with promoting the County’s natural, cultural and built heritage are balanced with due consideration for their conservation and protection. Objective EEO48 – Events and Concerts Support events and concerts at suitable locations within Fingal subject to the appropriate licensing arrangements, in consultation with affected stakeholders such as community groups, local businesses and residents in the immediate area where feasible and practical, and to protect and safeguard the amenities of the area and the natural and built heritage. Objective EEO49 – Rural-Based Tourism Promote opportunities for enterprise and employment creation in rural-based tourism where it can be demonstrated that the resultant development will not have a negative impact on the receiving rural environment. Objective EEO50 – Supporting Cycling and Walking Groups Support cycling/walking groups and local communities to develop cycling and walking trails and quiet ways in towns and villages, connecting towns and villages both for the enjoyment of local people and as an attractor for visitors to the area, promoting local economic development.
- EMPlOyMENT AND ECONOMy 286FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 Objective EEO51 – Integrated Tourism Complexes Facilitate, where appropriate, (those complexes as listed in 7.5.2.1 Abbeyville, Dunsoghly Castle, Roganstown, Tyrrelstown House, Hampton Demesne, Beech Park House), the conversion of former demesnes and estates and their outbuildings into integrated tourist, leisure and recreational complex type developments subject to architectural conservation best practice and proper planning and sustainable development, having regard to protecting the demesne type landscape and existing natural features, and providingimproved pedestrian access, where appropriate. Objective EEO52 – Sustainable Tourism Initiatives Support sustainable tourism initiatives which develop the tourist potential of the rural area while recognising and enhancing the quality and values of the rural area. Objective EEO53 – Recreation in the Natural Landscape Support recreational pursuits which promote the use of natural landscape features in a way which does not detract or cause undue damage to the features upon which any such proposed initiatives rely. Where the proposed pursuit involves land use changes either within or adjacent to Europeans sites, proposals will be subject to Screening for Appropriate Assessment. Objective EEO54 – Safe Walking and Cycling Promote informal recreation, particularly walking and cycling, through the development and expansion of a network of safe walking and cycling trails that provides access to rural landscapes, scenic uplands, riverine and coastal features and within towns and villages and their environs. Such routes can link with existing way marked trails, Slí na Slainte walks and parts of the Green Infrastructure Network and other local resources, such as existing or new rights of way. Objective EEO55 – New Fencing for lands open to or used by the public during the ten years preceding The following criteria will be used when assessing planning applications for new fencing in relation to lands open to or used by the public during the ten years preceding. Such fencing is not exempted development in accordance with Art. 9(1)(A)(x) of the Planning and Development Regulations. ¨ Such fencing in upland or amenity areas shall conform to the best agricultural practice. ¨ The nature of the material to be used, the height of the fence and in the case of a wire fence, the type of wire to be used will be taken into account. ¨ Stiles or gates at appropriate places may be required. Objective EEO56 – Tourism in Rural Villages Maximise the tourism potential of the rural villages by facilitating the provision of visitor services and accommodation, the promotion of new environmentally sustainable tourism products and co-operate with the relevant bodies in the marketing and promotion of tourism in the area. Objective EEO57 – Seamus Ennis Arts Centre Promote the extension and development of the Seamus Ennis Arts Centre, to incorporate a purpose built theatre/performance venue and ancillary facilities.
- EMPlOyMENT AND ECONOMy 287FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 Objective EEO58 – Bed and Breakfast or Guest House Accommodation Support proposed extensions to existing dwellings, within areas which have zoning objectives, RU, GB, HA, RV, or RC, which provide for bed and breakfast or guest house accommodation where the size, design, surface water management and foul drainage arrangements for the proposed development does not erode the rural quality and character of the surrounding area. Objective EEO59 – Campsites Support the development of appropriately located and sensitively designed campsites, with required ancillary facilities, as an alternative form of accommodation for visitors to the County. Objective EEO60 – Campsites adjacent to Settlements Any campsite adjacent to settlements shall, in terms of scale, layout and design, have regard to the existing character of the village and residential amenity. A detailed hard and soft landscaping plan shall be submitted for camp site applications. 7.5.3 Rural Economy Rural Fingal is comprised of a large number of diverse towns, villages and natural assets. The rural economy is driven by minor towns and villages such as Balrothery, Loughshinny, Ballyboughal, Naul, Balscadden, Oldtown, Garristown, Ballymadun and other areas, including Portrane, Coolquay, Kinsealy, Rivermeade, Rolestown as well as other areas. There are currently a variety of small, medium and larger-scale commercial enterprises operating in rural areas throughout the County. These provide important sources of employment and contribute to the diversification of the rural economy. The Council supports existing rural employment and commercial enterprises and will promote and encourage appropriately scaled enterprises. The Council acknowledges that the development of rural enterprise and employment opportunities will be vital to sustaining the rural economy. It is acknowledged in the RSES that rural areas are facing many challenges. These range from urban generated pressures to a declining and ageing population in some areas. There are also the issues such as changes to the rural economic structure and a lack of access to infrastructure and new technologies. Rural Fingal is well placed to sustain its population and its services, to promote its communities and its tourism product, to protect its built and natural environment and to diversify in terms of local enterprise, tourism and employment. There are a number of rural economic sectors throughout the County, and these include agriculture, horticulture, agri-food, agribusiness, equine, forestry, land reclamation and aggregate extraction, farm diversification, renewable energy projects, small and medium sized enterprises, home-based economic activity and rural tourism. Fingal is renowned for its agri-food and horticulture sector and they make a significant contribution to employment in rural areas, being a pivotal source of enterprise creation and opportunities. All of these sectors will play a vital role in the rural economy in the future. The NPF and RSES support these sectors and state that rural economies and communities should be facilitated in agriculture forestry, tourism and rural enterprise, while avoiding over-spill development from urban areas and urban generated housing.
- EMPlOyMENT AND ECONOMy 288FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029
- EMPlOyMENT AND ECONOMy 289FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 The regeneration and renewal of the rural towns and villages is a key objective of the NPF and the RSES and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund has been established to provide investment to support rural renewal for suitable projects in towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000, and outlying areas. The Council will continue to support and facilitate existing and new rural enterprises within the County and will engage and collaborate with key stakeholders, relevant agencies, sectoral representatives and local communities to develop these rural enterprises in Fingal. The Council aims to develop sustainable and economically efficient rural economies through initiatives to enhance sectors such as agricultural and food, forestry, fishing and aquaculture, energy and extractive industries, the bioeconomy, tourism, and diversification into alternative on-farm and off-farm activities. In doing this it is imperative that the maintenance and protection of the natural landscape and built heritage takes priority. Policy EEP23 – Rural Economy Support and protect existing rural economies such as valuable agricultural lands to ensure sustainable food supply, to protect the value and character of open countryside and to support the diversification of rural economies to create additional jobs and maximise opportunities in emerging sectors, such as agri-business, renewable energy, tourism and forestry. Objective EEO61 – Provision of Space for Small Scale Employment Encourage and support local enterprise within Fingal’s small towns, villages and rural business zones by facilitating the provision of space for small scale employment including office development. Objective EEO62 – Re-use of Vacant and Under-utilised Buildings within Rural Villages Encourage the re-use of vacant and under-utilised buildings within Rural Villages as remote working hubs and/or accommodation for small and medium sized enterprises. Policy EEP24 – Protecting the Rural Landscape And Natural Heritage Balance protecting the landscape and natural heritage of rural Fingal with the need to harness and promote economic opportunities associated with rural life such as agricultural, horticultural, tourism and rural-related economic uses. Objective EEO63 –Sustainable Agricultural Practices Encourage the development of environmentally sustainable agricultural practices, to ensure that development does not impinge on the visual amenity of the countryside and that watercourses, wildlife habitats and areas of ecological importance are protected from the threat of pollution. Objective EEO64 – Sustainable Horticultural Practices Support and facilitate the development of environmentally sustainable horticultural practices.
- EMPlOyMENT AND ECONOMy 290FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 Policy EEP25 – Markets Support outdoor and indoor markets in towns and villages in Fingal. Objective EEO65 – Licensed Country Markets Support the licensed operation of local country markets at suitable locations in Towns and Rural Villages. 7.5.3.1 Forestry Objective EEO66 – Forestry Facilitate the sustainable development of forestry provided that it is in harmony with the surrounding landscape, that no significant adverse impacts are caused to natural waters, wildlife habitats, or conservation areas and that it does not have a significant adverse visual impact on the local landscape and subject to compliance with normal planning and environmental criteria. Objective EEO67 – Sustainable Forest Development Support the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine in implementing sustainable forest development in line with National policy guidance. Objective EEO68 – Protection and Enhancement of Native Woodlands Support the protection and enhancement of existing native woodlands and where appropriate, the conversion of coniferous forest to native woodlands with a focus on opportunities for habitat linkage and wider eco-services. Objective EEO69 – Access to Forestry Encourage access to forestry for walking routes, biking trails and other non-noise generating recreational activities. 7.5.3.2 Renewable energy Objective EEO70 – Renewable and Alternative Energy Facilitate and encourage the development of the alternative energy sector, in line with a Local Renewable Energy Strategy, and work with the relevant agencies to support the development of alternative forms of energy where such developments do not negatively impact upon the environmental quality, and visual, residential or rural amenity of the area.
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.