Development plan · Galway City Council
Galway City Development Plan 2023–2029
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards.
Galway City Council · 2023–2029 · 386 pages
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- Community and CultureOlder people Ireland’s population is ageing and nationally it is projected that almost one in four people will be aged over 65 by 2040. Government policy aims to support older people to live independently in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. The NPF emphasises the need for local plans to accommodate the needs and opportunities for an aging population particularly with regard to housing, transport and leisure. In line with this the Council is committed to policies that encourage healthy independent living. This includes for the building of life time adaptable neighbourhoods and communities that support older people to remain healthy, active and connected to their communities. This will be achieved through implementation of appropriate housing policies and through directly providing for appropriate housing options within social housing schemes. This also includes making the built environment attractive, safe and accessible and the provision of accessible community services and facilities appropriate to the needs older people. Galway City Council is a member of Age Friendly Ireland and is a partner authority in the delivery of the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme. In this regard the Council will advise on design and encourage innovative in housing which facilitates life-time adaptability and accessibility to meet the varying needs of occupants over their lifetimes. Children and young people The Council recognises that the health and wellbeing of young people is disproportionally influenced by the environment that they live in and recognises the importance of ensuring opportunities for physical activity, play, walking and cycling. The NPF notes that the high youth population in Ireland will be sustained for a period, gradually decreasing as a proportion of the population by 2040 but is significant enough to require sustained provision of appropriate amenity and facilities. The Council, in conjunction with other stakeholders is committed to addressing these needs and to continue supporting and enhancing the delivery of key facilities such as childcare, schools and access to formal and informal recreational amenities for children and young people of all abilities. Galway City Council continue to support the Child Friendly City initiative and will engage with children and young people and their representative groups including Galway City Comhairle na nÓg. The Council will also have regard to the CYPSE Galway Children and Young People’s Plan 2021-2023. Diversity Galway is a multi-cultural city, as evidenced by 2016 census figures which indicates that 25.8% of Galway City’s population were born outside of Ireland, significantly higher than the State at 17.3%. This diversity is reflected in the character and distinctiveness of the city, the participation in the city economy and the arts and cultural offering. The Council through the LECP, arts and culture and inclusive strategies supports and celebrates diversity and aims to encourage integration, greater access, engagement and participation from all communities. Health and wellbeing Health, wellbeing and quality of life is influenced by the built environment. Planning, through policies and land use objectives contributes to physical health and mental wellbeing. This is particularly through providing opportunities for recreation and amenity, active transport and opportunities for social interaction and support for employment and essential community services. Galway City is a member of the National Healthy Cities and Counties of Ireland Network which supports local authorities to implement actions to improve health and wellbeing at a local level. The Council will continue to support Galway’s membership of the network and the implementation of Healthy Ireland and the Healthy Galway City Strategy 2019-21, an LCDC initiative. Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029 197
- Community and CultureThe Development Plan is committed to supporting the development of healthy and active communities, where there are opportunities for the whole community to be healthy and active at all life stages. The policies in the Plan give support for a range of measures that will contribute to healthy communities including those that protect and enhance the environment, promote the availability and accessibility of community facilities and sustainable mobility infrastructure and policy support to facilitate the provision of health care facilities to enable access to health care. Quality of Life Material Living Conditions Economic and Physical Safety Overall Life Satisfaction Governance and Basic Rights Arts, Culture and Heritage Natural and Living Environment Leisure and Social Interactions Education Employment Health Figure 7.2: Elements supporting quality of life Source: NPF Policy 7.3 Inclusive City 1. Proactively promote all forms of social inclusion, where feasible in land use planning particularly in the built environment and public realm, housing, community facilities, employment opportunities, transport and accessibility. 2. Proactively promote the various aims of the Council to give effect to the UNCRPD, Barcelona Declaration and support universal design principles to make Galway a more accessible and disability friendly city. 3. Support the objectives of the Social Inclusion Office in promoting a socially inclusive society in the city and to include the provision of an Intercultural Centre. 4. Ensure meaningful public participation, engagement and knowledge sharing in the planning process and in relation to other strategic policy and projects within the city. 5. Promote the concept of ‘life-time adaptability’ and access for all in the built environment. 6. Facilitate the implementation of the Housing Strategy, in particular with regard to reducing undue segregation and in specialist housing provision. 198 Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029
- Community and Culture7. Co-operate with the Access for All Network and other organisations representing people with disabilities to provide equal access for all citizens particularly in the area of housing, transport, employment, built environment and the public realm within the city. 8. Support the participation of the city in the National Healthy Cities and Counties of Ireland Network and the implementation of the Healthy Galway City Strategy 2019-2021. 9. Support the Galway City & County Age Friendly programme 10. Support the development of an accessible and safe resource centre for the LGBT+ community. 7.4 Bilingual City The Irish language is an integral part of the culture, heritage and identity of the city. Almost half of the city has Gaeltacht status and the 2016 census indicates that 41% of the population indicate that they speak Irish. The city Gaeltacht include communities in Cnoc na Cathrach, Mionlach and An Caisleán Gearr. The Galway Gaeltacht (Connemara Gaeltacht) is the largest Gaeltacht Area in the country and accounts for 50.8% of the total Gaeltacht population. The city is a designated Gaeltacht Service Town under the Gaeltacht Act 2012 recognising the significant role it plays in supporting the Gaeltacht community through delivery of public services and leisure, social and commercial amenities. As part of the city’s designation as a Gaeltacht Service Town, an Irish language plan, Plean Teanga Chathair na Gaillimhe 2020- 2026 has been approved at Ministerial level. The Irish Language is an integral part of city life in Galway and organisations such as Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe, University of Galway/Ollscoil na Gaillmhe, Aras na Gaeilge, Gaillimh le Gaeilge and Árus na nGael, Radió na Gaeltachta and TG4, play a lead role in the cultural promotion of the language in the city as Ireland’s first bilingual city, designated in 2016. There are two language planning areas in the city, East Galway City (Oirthear Chathair na Gaillimhe) and west area at Knocknacarra, part of the Bearna – Cnoc na Cathrach language planning area. Language plans prepared for these areas aim to support the use of the everyday use of the Irish language through measures to promote and strengthen its use, education and social, business and public settings. Irish Language areas shaded red. Chathair na Gallimhe Bearna agus Cnoc na Cathrach An tEachréidh Figure 7.3: Map of Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas in Galway City Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029 199
- Community and CultureThe Council recognises that the Irish language is a cultural heritage asset and will continue to support initiatives to strengthen the bilingual status of the city. The Plan promotes and protects the linguistic and cultural heritage of the Gaeltacht and supports the implementation of the language plans in the city and continues to promote the integration of the use of Irish through the naming of new roads, residential place names and signage on shop fronts and commercial development. Policy 7.4 Bilingual City 1. Protect and promote the distinctive cultural and linguistic heritage of the city and continue to support Galway’s status as a Bilingual City and recognise the importance of the Irish language as a cultural, community and economic resource. 2. Promote the use of the Irish language in the naming of new residential developments, public roads and parks and encourage the preferential use of Irish and bilingual signage in the commercial and public realm. 3. Support and facilitate the development of infrastructure, which promotes the cultural and linguistic heritage of the city, where appropriate. 4. Support the implementation of the Plean Tenga Chathair na Gaillimhe 2020- 2026 and the designation of the city as a Gaeltacht Service Town. Support the implementation of language plans for Bearna & Cnoc na Cathrach LPA, Galway City East LPA and the Eachréidh LPA. 5. Support infrastructure and interventions in Gaeltacht areas of the city that preserves and promotes Irish in the Gaeltacht, conserves and protects the heritage, culture and richness of the language as well as strengthens the position of the Irish Language in the public realm. 200 Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029
- Community and Culture7.5 Community Facilities The provision of high quality social and community infrastructure for all ages and abilities is a key element in building sustainable and inclusive communities. There is a tangible link between access to community facilities and individual wellbeing and participation in society. Social and community facilities and activities can include a broad range of infrastructure and services including those related to libraries, facilities for education, community activity, health, religion, arts and cultural. Facilities can also be linked to life-cycles, such as those for children, older people and people with special needs. Community facilities provide a hub for local communities to meet and interact through sports, culture, arts and educational and social events. The presence of a wide range of high quality community services, community and cultural facilities makes the city attractive to people who live, work and visit the city and can act as a catalyst for investment. The location of local community facilities close to where people live supports the ‘15-minute city’ concept where residents have easy access to their essential needs at distances of no more than 15 minutes by walking, cycling or public transport. The Development Plan supports the provision of community facilities at scales relative to meet the needs of the local community and that are accessible in particular by sustainable transport modes. It is considered that community and cultural services that have a wide catchment should be located on existing or proposed public transport routes and be accessible by walking and cycling. Over the lifetime of this plan, resources will be required to ensure investment into existing community and cultural infrastructure to retrofit these facilities to improve their energy ratings in order to minimise the carbon footprint of the community and cultural activity taking place in these venues and facilities. In order to inform the requirements for community facilities in the city, the Council will undertake an audit of community facilities. The purpose of the audit will be to identify current gaps, demand, and capacity and identify areas where broader use can be made of community resources including opportunities for multi-purpose use. The audit will also have an aim to highlight where appropriate investment is recommended, review opportunities for funding, give shared knowledge to other relevant providers and give guidance on future policy and investment direction. The preparation of this audit while subject to available resources and cooperation with other agencies involved with the delivery of community services will be prioritised to identify opportunities and challenges in community infrastructure across the city. The provision of community, social and cultural facilities and services at a local level builds sustainable residential neighbourhoods and accords with national guidelines and regeneration policy including the NPF, RSES and Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas Guidelines for Planning Authorities (DECLG 2009). Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029 201
- Community and CulturePolicy 7.5 Community Facilities 1. Facilitate a balanced and equitable provision of diverse community services and facilities in collaboration with key stakeholders in alignment with the core/settlement strategy through policies, zoning objectives and specific designations 2. Support the location and concentration of local community facilities and services in accordance with the aim to build sustainable, compact neighbourhoods in line with the ‘15-minute city’ concept so that these can be easily accessible by walking and cycling. Where larger scaled facilities and services are provided these should be aligned with existing /proposed public transport links. 3. Ensure that all facilities designed for community use are suitable for use by people of all ages and abilities in accordance with the Building for Everyone – Universal Design Guidance. 4. Encourage and facilitate the provision of community facilities and local services of a nature and scale appropriate to serve the needs of the local community in tandem with the development of residential areas. 5. Maintain existing burial grounds and make provision for new cemeteries and associated services such as a crematorium to serve the existing and future targeted population of the city. Education Access to education and training opportunities is a key enabler to deliver the support for personal and economic prosperity and societal gain. The Council acknowledges the importance of education and the need to provide educational facilities that are suitable for a range of ages and abilities and that are accessible to their respective communities. The provision of a range of education and training facilities is essential to the delivery of sustainable communities, promoting social inclusion and making a high standard of education and employment accessible to all. The expansion of and investment in education and training facilities will be required to be aligned with population growth targets. 202 Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029
- Community and Culture1. Ensure that sufficient land is reserved for the establishment, improvement or expansion of education facilities within the city in accordance with the settlement strategy, targeted population and in collaboration with the Department of Education and Skills (DES). 2. Support the ongoing development and provision of third level education, further education and lifelong learning in the city. 3. Facilitate the upgrade and expansion of existing education facilities and the provision of new education facilities as required, including to: • Support the future improvement and sustainable expansion of University of Galway; • Support the development of Atlantic Technological University (ATU); • Support the role of the GTI in the delivery of education; • Support the role of the GRETB in the delivery of Further Education and Training in the city. 4. Ensure that the design and layout of all educational establishments incorporate facilities for sustainable transport measures and public transport. The location of local education facilities close to where people live supports the ‘15-minute city’ concept where all residents have easy access to their essential needs at distances of no more than 15 minutes by walking, cycling or public transport. The current imbalance in the location of the provision of education facilities in Galway is a major challenge in achieving the ‘15-minute city’ Galway City is a major centre for education with regional and national influence. The city has three third level institutions, University of Galway, Atlantic Technological University (ATU) and Galway Technology Institute (GTI). These are a significant assets to the city in terms of employment, education provision and the contribution they make to research, innovation and the knowledge economy. The Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB) delivers a range of further education and training (FET) initiatives providing opportunities to acquire new skills to support career transition and progression. There is student population of approximately 26,000 in the city which contributes to the city’s vibrancy and innovation. The Regional Skills Forum West is actively progressing greater collaboration between skills development organisations and business groupings in the City so that the skillsets are in place amongst our labour force to meet future skillset needs of employers. The city is also home to 25 primary schools, 12 post primary schools, 5 special schools and a number of private colleges and language schools. With regard to future school provision, the Council will adhere to the recommendations outlined in The Provision of Schools and the Planning System, A Code of Practice for Planning Authorities, DECLG (2008) and Local Area Plan Guidelines for Planning Authorities DECLG (2013) and Technical Guidance Documents on school site identification and suitability assessment, published by the Department of Education (DES). The Council will also support the DES in the identification of school sites, the protection of existing school sites and expansion, where feasible. The Council will also support urban-design schools, a model of carbon-neutral urban schools, as per DES Guidelines, including measures to facilitate reduced requirements for onsite parking and set-down and to support access to off-site public amenities and facilities. In order to encourage sustainable travel, maximise the sharing of facilities and ensure the development of sustainable residential neighbourhoods, the Council will encourage the location of schools adjacent to residential areas, public transport routes and community, cultural and recreational facilities. The provision of education, childcare and other community services will be an integral part of a new neighbourhood development and included for in plans for new settlement areas such as Ardaun. Policy 7.6 Education Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029 203
- Community and Culture5. Ensure that safe and easy access for people with disabilities is incorporated in the design of all education developments. 6. Support the further development and diversification of third level education institutions in the city, including the promotion of knowledge based industry linked research and innovation hubs and facilities. 7. Encourage the multi-use of school facilities for other community uses outside of school hours to maximise community benefit and use of resources. Early Years and Childcare Services Childcare facilities are critical community services and access to affordable and high-quality childcare is an essential requirement for an equitable society and achieving a sustainable community. Access to childcare enables participation of parents and guardians in the workforce and supports the social and educational development of children. The availability of childcare is also a significant determinant in enabling access to education and training opportunities. In all new housing areas over 75 units, the provision of one childcare facility with a minimum of 20 childcare spaces is required, in line with the Ministerial Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Childcare Facilities (DECLG 2001) and to create sustainable residential neighbourhoods. Exceptions to this will only be allowed, where there are substantiated reasons not to provide such a facility, for example if there are adequate childcare facilities in adjoining developments or the immediate area. The onus will be on the developer to substantiate such exceptional cases and will require the opinion and advice from the Galway Childcare Committee and their knowledge of supply and demand for such services. The Council will be open to consider alternative arrangements where the overall objectives of providing childcare facilities within new housing areas can be otherwise achieved, for example, the provision of one purpose-built facility with more than minimum capacity shared between housing developments. In addition to the above, childcare facilities will be considered in residential areas through conversion of existing dwellings, where they do not have an undue negative effect on the residential environment. However, a residential accommodation content may be required to be retained in accordance with the provisions outlined under Chapter 11. In order to safeguard residential amenities, the Council may limit the scale of development. In major industrial estates, business and technology parks and any other developments that generate major employment opportunities, the Council will encourage the provision of on-site childcare facilities as part of these developments. In large-scale retail, leisure or tourism developments, in particular, shopping centres, the provision of a drop-in childcare facility for shoppers will be encouraged. The Plan recognises the contribution that good quality, well-located facilities can have on making neighbourhoods sustainable and achieving the ambitions of the ‘15-minute city’ concept. Policy 7.7 Childcare 1. Facilitate the development of childcare facilities, including afterschool services, at a number of suitable locations, such as, within residential areas, places of employment, city centre, neighbourhood and district centres, schools, in the vicinity of educational and community establishments and adjacent to public transport nodes in consultation with the Galway Childcare Committee. 2. Contribute to the provision of childcare facilities by requiring that such facilities be provided in conjunction with residential developments over 75 dwelling units. An exception can only be considered where it can be clearly established and professionally supported that adequate childcare facilities already exist to service the area and where acceptable alternative arrangements to support childcare, play and or other child specific facilities are deemed acceptable. 204 Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029
- Community and CultureHealthcare Facilities Healthcare facilities include a range of services from local GP surgeries to primary care centres, hospitals, nursing homes and social and community care facilities. Galway is a centre for regional health care services for the Western Region. There are four hospital sites within the city including University Hospital Galway (UHG) and Merlin Park University Hospital (MPUH), part of the Saolta Hospital Group which provide a secondary, regional and supra regional services. UHG is a designated supra regional centre for cancer and cardiac services and is a teaching hospital partnered with University of Galway. The city also supports a number of other healthcare providers including the Bon Secours Hospital, the Galway Clinic, the Galway Hospice and a number of nursing homes. The healthcare sector is a significant employer in the city and a significant asset for the community. In response to a changing demographic profile and health needs of the population including longer life expectancy, a growing and ageing population and a higher prevalence of chronic conditions the health system is in the process of transitioning away from a hospital-centric model to community based care model. The Sláintecare Strategy is reorienting the way health services are delivered through the promotion of primary care which aims to deliver multidisciplinary care at a single point of access in a community setting or primary care centre. The continued support for this sector is recognised as is the support for the trend towards increased specialisations and also for appropriate expansions of all health and hospital institutions. Primary care, community and specialist medical services can be accommodated within district, neighbourhood and local centres and be directed to the city centre area. The Development Plan supports the development and the expansion of all healthcare facilities and the accommodation of Primary Health Care Centres in areas where they can be easily accessed by communities and can enhance the level of local service provision. Policy 7.8 Healthcare Facilities 1. Promote the delivery and enhancement of health care facilities in the city having regard to the designated role of Galway as a Regional City under the NPF/RSES. 2. Support the development and expansion of existing healthcare infrastructure by the HSE, statutory and voluntary agencies and private healthcare providers to support the provision of healthcare, including community based care, mental health and social care services as appropriate and in accordance with the local need and the regional role of the city. 3. Ensure healthcare facilities are delivered in tandem, and at an appropriate scale, with new residential development and in locations that are easily accessed by walking, cycling and public transport. 4. Support the delivery of an enhanced regional healthcare service, including for a new Emergency Department at University Hospital Galway (UHG) and expanded hospital services at Merlin Park University Hospital (MPUH) that will serve the Metropolitan Area and the wider regional catchment. 5. Support the delivery of key strategic healthcare infrastructure, including a new Elective Hospital, within the city with the preferred location at Merlin Park Hospital campus. Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029 205
- Community and Culture7.6 Institutional Lands Institutional lands in the city are characterised as generally large tracts of land and associated buildings accommodating uses such as schools, colleges, residential, religious and healthcare institutions. These lands vary in size, layout and function and add to the vibrancy of the city. Many institutional lands display extensive open grounds and mature landscaped areas, which are important components of the strategic green network in the city and are accessible to the public. Some institutional lands have buildings and features of architectural, cultural and historical importance which form part of the city’s cultural heritage and identity. 206 Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029
Source Galway City Council: Galway City Development Plan 2023–2029 (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.