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

1. Page 51

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   PlANNING FOR GROWTh CORE STRATEGy SETTlEMENT STRATEGy 51FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 of this key piece of strategic infrastructure in accordance with best planning practice and the principles of sustainable development. The development of the area following the sequential development of the existing Swords envelope, is also consistent with the Council’s long term strategic vision for Swords to develop as a sustainable city. It is envisaged that this area could accommodate the development of a significant mixeduse urban district providing for a significant level of employment in addition to approximately 6,000–7,000 residential units. A statutory land use plan will be prepared for these lands to provide a framework for development. NPF Tiered Approach and Phasing The amount of zoned land is in excess of the acceptable 20–25% surplus identified in the Development Plan Guidelines 2022 (published in draft form in August 2021). Given the surplus capacity identified, Fingal County Council have considered the Tiered Approach to the zoning of land. The NPF tiered approach under NPO 101 requires a Local Authority to differentiate between zoned lands that are serviced and zoned lands that are serviceable within the life of the Plan. Fingal County Council is exceptional in that the entire plan area is serviced and no fundamental constraints were identified by Uisce Éireann. Whilst there may be local infrastructural needs and upgrades needed for certain sites, all lands within the County are serviced and are connected to the public water systems. Furthermore, almost all lands are located proximate to existing and planned public transport corridors. All lands are located alongside existing public road routes and an extensive network of pedestrian and cycle routes are underway. The NPF and the Development Plan Guidelines outline that Tier 1 lands comprises lands that are able to connect to existing development services, i.e. road and footpath access including public lighting, foul sewer drainage, surface water drainage and water supply, for which there is service capacity available, and can therefore accommodate new development. These lands will generally be positioned within the existing built-up footprint of a settlement or contiguous to existing developed lands. It is considered all the capacity lands in Fingal are Tier 1 – as they are zoned, serviced and available. It is noted that the NPF specifically discusses the prioritising of development lands and states that there are many other planning considerations relevant to land zoning beyond the provision of basic enabling infrastructure including overall planned levels of growth, location, suitability for the type of development envisaged, availability of and proximity to amenities, schools, shops or employment, accessibility to transport services etc. Weighing up these factors, together with the availability of infrastructure, assisted Fingal in determining the order of priority to deliver planned growth and development. Analysis Having established that all existing lands zoned within Fingal are serviced and located alongside existing or planned public transport corridors and come within the definition of Tier 1, it is reasonable to consider other factors in order to prioritise lands to deliver planned growth and development in line with the NPF. Consideration was given to the available lands in the context of the sequential approach and the ambitious goal of the NPF of 50% of housing to be provided within or contiguous to the built-up area of Dublin City and suburbs and 30% of housing for other metropolitan settlements. PlANNING FOR GROWTh CORE STRATEGy SETTlEMENT STRATEGy

2. Page 52

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   PlANNING FOR GROWTh CORE STRATEGy SETTlEMENT STRATEGy 52FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 Analysis shows that the existing capacity of the zoned Fingal lands is 79% within the Metropolitan Area and 21% in the Core. 40% of the capacity is within the Dublin City and Suburbs. Notwithstanding this being below the NPF goal of 50%, it is reflective of the historical approach to zoning in Fingal. The current approach advocates moving towards the NPF goal of 50% within the City and Suburbs. Furthermore, the approach of the Urban Capacity Study has been to assign densities which are reasonable and appropriate to the position of the settlement in the County’s Settlement Hierarchy. However, there are site-specific instances, where lower density is applied in order to apply reasonableness to the analysis and where the pursuit of higher density is not considered appropriate from a ‘proper planning’ perspective. For example, opportunities for residential infill in large or growth settlements where the immediate urban environment is defined by close proximity to compact low-rise development, were considered better suited to lower density to facilitate effective assimilation (which also in turn, allows for diversity in tenure and in housing stock). Fingal County Council will continue to pursue the goals of the NPF of consolidation of Dublin City through the compact development of the Dublin City and Suburbs area within Fingal. The other Metropolitan towns of Swords, Donabate, Malahide and Portmarnock and the villages account for ca. 40% which is above the 30% goal. It is noted that 44% of this is allocated to Swords which is designated as a Key Town in the RSES where additional growth has been allocated in accordance with the National Planning Framework and the MASP. The NPF states: A Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan may enable up to 20% of the phased population growth targeted in the principal city and suburban area, to be accommodated in the wider metropolitan area, i.e. outside the city and suburbs or contiguous zoned area, in addition to growth identified for the Metropolitan area. This will be subject to: ¨ Any relocated growth being in the form of compact development, such as brownfield and greenfield locations along existing or planned high-capacity public transport corridors in accordance with principles of transit orientated development. ¨ National Policy Objective17, as set out in Chapter 4 of the NPF. The Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy provides further elaboration as it states; “This shall apply only to the three Metropolitan Key Towns in the MASP, namely Bray, Maynooth and Swords, and only if they can demonstrate compact growth on high capacity or planning existing public transport corridors”. The designation of Swords as a Key Town within the Eastern and Midland Region and as outlined in the RSES for the area is aligned with Fingal’s long-term approach for the development of Swords as the County Town and for its growth to a city of a sizable scale in accordance with the key priorities of compact growth and enhanced public realm in the town centre along with the planned sequential development of Swords. This approach is necessary in line with this strategic vision and ongoing investment in the town. The updated Table 2.14 shows the projected population growth and housing supply for Swords. This has been calculated, having regard to EMRA allocation for the town to 2031, its designation as a Key Town and the total figures available across the County. Accordingly, 20% of the Projected Housing Demand (3,285) have been allocated to Swords. PlANNING FOR GROWTh CORE STRATEGy SETTlEMENT STRATEGy

3. Page 53

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   PlANNING FOR GROWTh CORE STRATEGy SETTlEMENT STRATEGy 53FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 The allocation of c. 20% of the units to the other towns and villages within the Metropolitan area works towards the RSES target of 30% for other metropolitan settlements. Again, on consideration of the zoned lands within the Metropolitan towns and villages and the existing growth rates, it is considered that this allocation is appropriate for the towns and villages. Lastly, the Core Region accounts for ca. 21% of the capacity. The RSES outlines the growth enablers for this area. Part of this to promote continued growth at sustainable rates, while providing for increased employment and improved local economies, services and functions to allow towns to become more selfsustaining and to create the quality of life to attract investment. In order to facilitate the achievement of compact growth in the Core Region, a target of 30% of all new homes should be within the existing built up area of settlements. The capacity for the Core Region is aligned with the target. Further analysis was carried out to assess existing zoned lands in respect of their ability to contribute towards National Strategic Outcomes relating to compact growth, sustainable mobility, climate action and a transition to a low carbon and climate resilient society. The result of this indicates that generally, all lands currently zoned are capable of delivering residential development within the County and contributing in a positive manner to the achievement of the above NSOs. Consideration is also given to ensuring that the delivery of housing to meet the needs of current and future population in line with national targets during the course of the plan period can be sustainably achieved. In this regard the balance between the deliverability of units and avoiding an overly rigid identification of specific capacity lands forms a key part of the Core Strategy. The approach taken considers the need to promote compact growth in a balanced way within each town and village according to its role and function within the settlement hierarchy. The Council is actively engaged with social and affordable housing delivery and has a strong supply pipeline which will be delivered over the Development Plan period and will provide for a significant proportion of the annual housing targets for the County. However, in terms of deliverability from a private development perspective, the following factors have been considered: ¨ 79% of the allocated unit growth is within the Metropolitan Area, and 21% within the Core ¨ 51% of the allocated growth within the Metropolitan Areas is within Dublin City and Suburbs and 22% within the Key Town of Swords. ¨ The housing data and trends within the County indicate that approximately 43% of sites with permission are activated at any given time while the remainder may take time to commence, based on a range of factors (e.g. raising of funding, potential market changes) or that permissions may not be implemented at all during their lifetime. ¨ Larger developments (SHDs) comprise a significant element of permitted units throughout the County and delivery has been limited to date. This presents a challenge which the Council is closely monitoring and in recognition of the above, a flexible approach to provide for delivery has been incorporated into the Plan. This will ensure an adequate supply of suitable lands come forward to compliment the Council’s supply pipeline and achieve the housing supply targets. PlANNING FOR GROWTh CORE STRATEGy SETTlEMENT STRATEGy

4. Page 54

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   PlANNING FOR GROWTh CORE STRATEGy SETTlEMENT STRATEGy 54FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 Therefore, while the County has an excess of zoned land than that required to deliver the supply targets this is considered necessary to facilitate a choice in sites that come forward recognising that not all sites may be available within the plan period. Regard must be had to the historical trends for housing delivery as detailed above and the fact that there are significant complexities in delivering housing including issues such as economic viability, site assembly and site ownership, funding, timescales for delivering the necessary physical infrastructure and the nature of speculative land management. Since the adoption of the Development Plan in early 2017, activity in the housing sector in Fingal has generally (apart from a Covid slowdown in 2020) been growing in a positive manner and at the end of June 2021, there are 72 active sites with 2,500 homes under construction. The bulk of this construction activity is taking place in the ‘Dublin City and Suburbs’, and ‘Metropolitan’ area and is in areas with a framework for growth. Fingal has employed a number of policy responses to facilitate housing development, namely the adoption of Local Area Plans (LAPs) and Masterplans across the County. The LAPs and Masterplans provide a framework for development. These set out where Fingal’s priorities for growth are and provide a development framework and phasing arrangements which will ensure the delivery of the required social and physical infrastructure in an appropriate manner. In addition, the preparation of these Plans has involved significant local consultation and the engagement of Elected Members and give a degree of certainty to those involved in the development of their areas. Furthermore, as part of this approach to facilitate housing development, Fingal County Council has applied for and has been successful in seeking funding through the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) and the Serviced Site Fund. This policy response is shown to be successful to date. The main areas of construction activity, i.e. Hansfield, Blanchardstown, Swords, Baldoyle, Portmarnock, Donabate and Santry are the areas with the Strategic Development Zone, Local Area Plans and Masterplans and also, where construction and SHD activity is taking place. This clearly shows how the development of Fingal is in line with the National and Regional policy regarding consolidation of development within Dublin City and Suburbs, and within the development boundary of existing towns and urban areas and along public transport corridors. While the particular LAPs and Masterplans include phasing arrangements which ensure the rate of growth is aligned with the provision of social and physical infrastructure and the growth targets of the RSES, the provision of such plans, will naturally result in a phasing of land, i.e. those with a framework will be available for development before those without. Fingal’s location within the region and the location of the zoned available land along existing and proposed high capacity public transport corridors and its ability to provide a steady stream of housing must be considered a positive attribute in current circumstances. PlANNING FOR GROWTh CORE STRATEGy SETTlEMENT STRATEGy

5. Page 55

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   PlANNING FOR GROWTh CORE STRATEGy SETTlEMENT STRATEGy 55FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 Consideration was given to the phasing of land within Fingal, however, this would result in zoned, serviced lands being unavailable for development and in itself, would be contrary to the overarching national and regional objectives to provide housing in appropriate locations at an appropriate scale. Furthermore, given the ambitious targets of Housing for All and the current housing supply crisis, it is appropriate to continue with the Active Land Management objectives of the Council. The analysis carried out identified that lands are serviced and have the potential to contribute towards sustainable development, ensuring that any obstacles to delivery in one area or site can be overcome by provision within another. This ensures sufficient lands are available to meet the supply targets identified. Key to ensuring this flexible approach and alignment with National and Regional Planning Policy is the Council’s Active Land Management objective to monitor construction and planning activity throughout the County at a settlement level as outlined above and under Section 2.4 below. Housing delivery within the Metropolitan Area and to some extent towns in the Core Area indicate that Fingal is well positioned to facilitate the right quantity of appropriate housing in the right locations. It is Fingal’s priority, and has been for a significant period of time and over successive Development Plans, to form effective and innovative approaches to mobilise development to create housing and quality urban neighbourhoods. Consequently, any development undertaken in the County is positioned against national, regional and local policies and objectives. Therefore, Ireland 2040, Housing for All, the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy, Fingal Development Plan, the Urban and Rural Regeneration and Development Funds, and other such policies and programmes set the context for future development. Having regard to the history of housing delivery in Fingal in locations either within Dublin City and Suburbs, within Swords Key Town and proximate to high quality public transport in the Metropolitan Area, and to a lesser extent, in similar well-served locations within the Core area, Fingal County Council aims to continue to effectively manage sustainable growth in the settlement typologies within the County. The Core Strategy figures for each settlement serve as a benchmark for monitoring to ensure compliance with National and Regional figures. Table 2.14 overleaf sets out the Core Strategy for this Development Plan. PlANNING FOR GROWTh CORE STRATEGy SETTlEMENT STRATEGy

6. Page 56

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   PlANNING FOR GROWTh CORE STRATEGy SETTlEMENT STRATEGy 56FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 Table 2.14: Core Strategy – 2023–2029 Fingal Development Plan Core Strategy Areas Settlement Type Name CSO Census Population 2022 Estimated 2029 Population Growth Estimated 2029 Population Projected Housing Demand (Units) Total Undeveloped Zoned Residential Land 2025 Total Units / Potential Yield 2025 Lands – With Permission (Extant) – Units 2025 Metropolitan Area (1) Dublin City and Suburbs Consolidation Area Blanchardstown – Mulhuddart LEA, includes The Ward, Dubber, Tyrellstown, Mulhuddart, Corduff & Abbottstown (excl. Dunsink) 39,173 4,297 43,470 2,323 48 2,383 397 Dunsink 849 4,625 5,474 2,500 N/A 2,500 0 Ongar LEA – includes Blakestown, Coolmine 55,536 3,199 58,735 1,729 44 2,224 2,501 Castleknock LEA, includes Roselawn, Delwood, Castleknock Park, Knockmaroon & Lucan North 35,518 3,296 38,814 1,782 35 1,747 584 Santry and Ballymun 7,882 993 8,875 537 10 508 373 Belcamp and Balgriffin 4,298 1,617 5,915 874 41 2,038 117 Baldoyle / Sutton 13,885 1,640 15,525 887 29 1,440 1,887 Howth 8,399 1,640 10,039 887 17 852 392 (2) Key Town Swords 51,016 10,777 61,793 5,826 117 5,832 2,128 (3) Self Sustaining Growth Town Donabate 9,669 5,298 14,967 2,864 57 2,863 1,443 Core Area (4) Self Sustaining Towns Malahide 18,608 2,877 21,485 1,555 56 2,794 640 Portmarnock 10,750 1,510 12,260 816 16 792 124 (5) Towns and Villages Baskin 549 33 582 18 0 0 3 Coolquay 362 66 428 35 19 378 1 Kinsealy 906 476 1,382 257 14 272 1 Portrane 1,262 348 1,610 188 10 499 0 Rivermeade 1,009 305 1,314 165 17 341 6 Rowlestown 1,035 328 1,363 177 47 930 5 (4) Self Sustaining Towns Balbriggan 24,845 6,240 31,085 3,373 93 4,662 1,574 Rush 11,583 1,640 13,223 887 37 1,855 151 Lusk 9,450 984 10,434 532 23 1,140 129 Skerries 10,963 308 11,271 167 17 872 264 (5) Towns and Villages Ballyboghil 1,115 289 1,404 156 21 421 8 Ballymadun 760 33 793 18 17 330 0 Balrothery 2,282 154 2,436 83 15 741 43 Balscadden 264 26 290 14 8 154 1 Garristown 619 282 901 153 18 192 10 Loughshinny 741 66 807 35 3 164 19 Naul 1,077 148 1,225 80 10 192 0 Oldtown 1,447 164 1,661 89 15 294 5 (6) Rural Rural areas 4,654 223 4,877 121 0 0 8 Totals 330,506 53,883 384,389 29,126 852 39,575 12,823 PlANNING FOR GROWTh CORE STRATEGy SETTlEMENT STRATEGy

7. Page 57

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   PlANNING FOR GROWTh CORE STRATEGy SETTlEMENT STRATEGy 57FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 Table 2.14 shows where the Projected Housing Demand will be concentrated. It also shows the extent of undeveloped lands in each settlement. The Council will monitor the delivery of housing units to ensure general compliance with the Core Strategy and housing supply targets for the County and to inform the redistribution potential, if required, as per objective CSO3. This allows for the Council to consider the redistribution of housing population figures where the applicant must demonstrate to the Planning Authority that the proposal is aligned with the overall growth target for the County. The Core Strategy figures for each settlement serve as a benchmark for monitoring to ensure compliance with National and Regional figures and the relevant guidelines. In relation to the delivery of development, Fingal County Council recognises there will be market constraints to delivery at any given time. However, anticipating the market and delivery of specific sites is not an exact science. In this regard, a degree of flexibility has been built into the distribution of the housing and population targets, in line with national and regional policy, to ensure an adequate supply to meet demand. This flexibility requires close monitoring of housing delivery, taking account of the function of each settlement. For monitoring at a settlement scale, the policy of this plan is to monitor each settlement, with Dublin City and Suburbs settlement as one area, with options to transfer a portion of the allocated units from one neighbourhood area to another, subject to considering a number of key criteria during the lifetime of the Development Plan. This enables for flexibility in terms of locating new housing and allows time to lapse for planning permissions which have not delivered. Equally, the Council will actively pursue active land management measures provided for under legislation, to ensure that land hoarding is discouraged, and that development potential is released through available mechanisms and initiatives including through central or other funding. A new policy regarding monitoring and the provision of social and physical infrastructure is proposed to manage the additional zoned lands. In line with the above, the Core Strategy figures set out in Table 2.14 factor in sites with planning permission but not commenced. The Strategic Long Term Reserve lands are not included in this table. This has been guided by the housing capacity of existing undeveloped zoned land in Fingal, the needs for Housing units by the Ministerial Guidelines and other Planning policy documents set out in the earlier sections of this Chapter. Policy CSP1 – Core Strategy Promote and facilitate housing and population growth in accordance with the overarching Core Strategy to meet the needs of current and future citizens of Fingal. Policy CSP2 – Compact Growth and Regeneration Support the implementation of and promote development consistent with the National Strategic Outcome of Compact Growth as outlined in the NPF and the Regional Strategic Outcome of Compact Growth and Regeneration as set out in the RSES. Policy CSP3 – Strategic Development Areas and Corridors Support the economic development of Fingal in line with the policies and objectives stipulated in the National Planning Framework and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy and utilise active land measures such as provision of LAPs and masterplans across the County as part of the development approach for Strategic Development Areas and Corridors. PlANNING FOR GROWTh CORE STRATEGy SETTlEMENT STRATEGy

8. Page 58

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   PlANNING FOR GROWTh CORE STRATEGy SETTlEMENT STRATEGy 58FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 Policy CSP4 – Sequential Development Promote the sequential development of serviceable lands in accordance with the tiered approach to land zoning outlined in the NPF, the RSES and MASP and ensure co-ordination with other neighbouring planning authorities where strategic development corridors traverse county boundaries. Policy CSP5 – Key Enabling Infrastructure Identify and support the provision of key enabling infrastructure at strategic development sites in Fingal County, as outlined in the MASP, to facilitate their release for development during the lifetime of the Development Plan. Objective CSO1 – Sufficient Zoned Land Ensure that sufficient zoned land is available to satisfy the housing and population requirements of the County, as set out under the Ministerial Guidelines for Housing Supply and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy, over the lifetime of the Plan. Objective CSO2 – Monitoring Process for Housing Delivery Implement a robust monitoring process for all housing delivery including the performance of large-scale housing developments (Schemes for 100 units+) for each town, village and urban settlement within the County to allow for ongoing assessment of delivery targets whilst ensuring overdevelopment does not occur in any particular area and to ensure that the delivery of necessary infrastructure is provided in a timely manner with the delivery of housing to ensure the sustainability of communities. Objective CSO3 – Delivery of Housing Units Provide for flexibility in achieving the housing supply targets and meeting housing demand, the Council will consider the re-distribution of housing and population figures within each settlement. In this regard, where a site greater than 0.25ha has the potential to exceed the allocation for a particular settlement as set out under Table 2.14, the applicant must demonstrate to the Planning Authority that the necessary social and physical infrastructure {including active travel infrastructure, accessibility to both current and planned public transport services} is in place or can be provided as part of the application to accommodate the proposed development. The Council will monitor the delivery of housing units to ensure general compliance with the Core Strategy and housing supply targets for the County and to inform the redistribution potential outlined above. Objective CSO4 – Database of Sites Maintain and further expand the database of greenfield, brownfield and infill sites as part of the active land management process. Objective CSO5 – Database for Residential Zoned Land Create and maintain a database of land zoned for residential development that has not yet been developed including, where available, information on why this land has not been developed so as to inform future zoning and de-zoning decisions. PlANNING FOR GROWTh CORE STRATEGy SETTlEMENT STRATEGy

9. Page 59

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   PlANNING FOR GROWTh CORE STRATEGy SETTlEMENT STRATEGy 59FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 Objective CSO6 – Phased Development Ensure the phased development of new housing areas in tandem with the delivery of physical and social infrastructure provision as identified within Local Area Plans or Masterplans, as informed by assessments carried out by the Planning Authority. Objective CSO7 – Enabling Infrastructure Identify and support the provision of key enabling infrastructure at strategic sites in Fingal County to facilitate their release for development in response to the current housing crisis. Objective CSO8 – Protection of Long-Term Strategic Reserve Protect the long-term strategic reserve land bank at Lissenhall for potential future residential growth and to restrict development except for reasonable intensification of, extensions to and improvement of premises within these areas, subject to normal planning criteria. 2.3 Housing Strategy and HNDA Housing Strategy A Housing Strategy has been prepared to meet statutory requirements set out under the Planning and Development Act 2000, (as amended) and in particular, Part V of said Act. The Act requires each Planning Authority to prepare a housing strategy which will cover the period of its Development Plan. The Housing Strategy forms an integral part of the Development Plan by incorporating national and regional housing policies and housing demand and supply requirements at a local level. The Housing Strategy is set out in Appendix 1. Following the publication of National and Regional level planning policy, the Housing Strategy is now supported by an evidence-based Housing Need Demand Assessment (HNDA). 2.3.1 Housing Need Demand Assessment HNDA is a tool that is aimed at assisting Local Authorities to develop long term strategic views of housing need across all tenures, and to provide a robust evidence base to inform policies around housing and to support the preparation of housing strategies. HNDAs are designed to give broad, long-run estimates of potential future housing need, rather than precision estimates. The HNDA is included within the Housing Strategy. The total housing need figure over the plan period used in the HNDA is a combination of a household projection scenario (in this case the Convergence Scenario) and an estimate of existing unmet housing need spread over a longer time period, as discussed in the HNDA. It is the policy of the Council to provide fully for the unmet demand during the lifetime of this Development Plan, whilst recognising that the scale of construction required to meet the target is significant. The HNDA results in relation to the affordability of housing reflect the impact of rising house and rental prices alongside low levels of construction of both social and private housing over the previous decade. PlANNING FOR GROWTh CORE STRATEGy SETTlEMENT STRATEGy

10. Page 60

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    PlANNING FOR GROWTh CORE STRATEGy SETTlEMENT STRATEGy 60FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 2.4 Implementation and Active Land Management As outlined above Fingal County Council has a physical excess of zoned lands to meet the population and housing targets set out under national and regional policy. The Core Strategy strikes a balance between having a physical excess of zoned lands and being able to deliver new development to meet the needs of citizens. The analysis outlined above, has sought to address this by recognising that in an urban environment, there will be market constraints to delivery at any given time. However, anticipating the market and delivery of specific sites is not an exact science. In this regard, a degree of flexibility has been built into the distribution of the housing and population targets, in line with national and regional policy, to ensure an adequate supply to meet demand. This flexibility requires close monitoring of housing delivery, taking account of the function of each settlement. The Council will actively pursue active land management measures provided for under legislation, to ensure that land hoarding is discouraged, and that development potential is released through available mechanisms and initiatives including through central or other funding. Successful active land management involves a multi-layered approach including the incentivisation of development through the implementation of measures such as the vacant site levy and working collaboratively with key stakeholders to achieve core objectives. Funding opportunities such as the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund can also be harnessed to kick start development and enhance development opportunities. Fingal has employed a number of policy responses to facilitate housing development, namely the adoption of Local Area Plans and Masterplans across the County. Hansfield Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) in Dublin 15 continues to work as a successful policy tool with approx. 1,200 units occupied to date on the overall SDZ lands since the inception of the scheme. The LAPs and Masterplans provide a framework for development of larger zoned sites. These set out where Fingal’s priorities for growth are and provide a development framework and phasing arrangements which will ensure the delivery of the required social and physical infrastructure in an appropriate manner. In addition, the preparation of these Plans has involved significant local consultation and the engagement of Elected Members and give a degree of certainty to those involved in the development of their areas. This policy response is shown to be successful to date. The main areas of construction activity, i.e. Hansfield, Blanchardstown, Swords, Baldoyle, Portmarnock, Donabate and Santry and are the areas benefiting from Local Area Plans Masterplans and a Strategic Development Zone and also where construction activity is taking place. While the particular LAPs and Masterplans include phasing arrangements which ensure the rate of growth is aligned with the provision of social and physical infrastructure and the growth targets of the RSES, the provision of such plans, by themselves, will naturally result in a phasing of land, i.e. those with a framework will be available for development before those without. With regard to the preparation of Local Area Plans, Masterplans or Framework Plans which adjoin or are directly adjacent to the functional area of other Local Authorities (including Dublin City Council and Meath County Council in the case of Ballymadun LAP), the Council will seek to engage fully with the Local Authorities prior to, and during the preparation of these plans. PlANNING FOR GROWTh CORE STRATEGy SETTlEMENT STRATEGy

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.