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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- Climate ActionThe challenge for this plan is to ensure these spaces are carefully managed and enhanced and a balance sought between providing for recreation and access and maintaining the integrity of the ecosystem. This is especially important in light of the targeted population growth for the city which will require a sufficient scale and quality of open space. The Green Spaces Strategy that is currently being prepared by the Council will supplement the relevant policies in the plan in this regard. Sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS) is another measure promoted in policy and in development design whereby through design, surface water/rainwater is reduced and managed sustainably. This can reduce the risk of local flooding. SuDS can include for nature based solutions where a range of different measures can be used such as green roofs, swales, ponds and tree pits. Where these are incorporated into the design they can improve water quality, prevent flash flooding while contributing to biodiversity and habitat enhancement. The application of SuDS is varied depending on site specific circumstances and can have an application for buildings too where rainwater can be harvested and deliver both sustainable management and conservation of water. Flood Risk (Adaption) Due to rising sea levels and more intense rainfall projections, Galway City will face a greater risk of coastal, fluvial, pluvial (urban storm water) flooding. This will pose significant risk to communities and business operating in flood risk areas. A Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) has been carried out, as part of the preparation of the Development Plan. This provides information on flood risk in the city and has informed the Core Strategy and guided the drafting of policies and objectives. These will guide future development, restricting certain types of development in flood zones and require design measures where development is acceptable following justification testing. However owing to climate change, existing developments in the city are still at great risk to flooding. The management of this anticipated flooding and all flood risk will require adaptation measures such as specific flood risk relief scheme which is currently under way. Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029 57
- Climate ActionThe Western Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) study in 2016 identified Galway City as an Area for Further Assessment (AFA) and concluded that a flood relief scheme would be viable and effective for the community. This project has since commenced and the City Council working with the Office of Public Works (OPW) have commissioned the scheme known as the Coirib go Cósta project to address the sustainable and effective management of flood risk in the city. It is envisaged that this project, including the design, consent and construction will be completed by 2029. Renewable Energy (Mitigation) Renewable energy is a low carbon or zero carbon source of energy produced from sources that are constantly replenished through the cycles of nature. Unlike fossil fuels these sources of energy are not finite. The development of renewable energy resources and the development of low carbon energies is critical to the transition to a low carbon economy and to meet climate targets relating the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The development of these are needed to ensure the security of energy supply in the country. The Development Plan supports the increase in use of renewable energy and development of renewable energy infrastructure and initiatives to provide a viable alternative to the burning of fossil fuels. Sources of renewable energy include solar photovoltaic (PV), solar thermal, geothermal, hydroelectric power, tidal power, renewable gas, green hydrogen, the use of biofuels and onshore and offshore wind turbines. Only some of these present suitable opportunities in the city being an urban area. Potential also exists to prepare feasibility studies on low carbon district heating, waste heating recovery and utilisation opportunities within the city particularly in newly designated areas such as Ardaun and in some of the regeneration sites. 58 Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029
- Climate ActionThe development of offshore renewable energy sources is emerging as a critical resource to meet emissions targets. The Western Seaboard is ideally suited to the development of offshore renewable energy and Ireland is currently part of an international initiative to develop and test wave and wind energy converters. The Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS) is located west of Bellmullet in Co. Mayo and offers a full scale test facility for wind and wave ocean energy converters, there is also a quarter scale test site in Galway Bay. In the event that large scale off shore renewable energy projects advance Galway Port is ideally placed to provide the onshore support for such development. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) supports ‘sustainable energy community initiatives’ which assist local communities to develop projects focused on using energy in a more sustainable way through measures to support energy efficiency, the use of renewable energy and smart energy systems. The Council will collaborate with SEAI on these initiatives in the city and will avail of the support and expertise of CARO and other relevant stakeholders. Policy 2.3 - Renewable Energy 1. Promote and facilitate the development of renewable sources of energy within the city, and support national initiatives, which offer sustainable alternatives to dependency on fossil fuels and a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, subject to the avoidance of unduly negative visual and environmental impacts, or impacts on residential amenity. 2. Support and work in partnership with SEAI, local Sustainable Energy Communities and relevant stakeholders in the development of energy efficient and renewable energy projects and investigate the potential for the use of emerging renewable technologies in the city. 3. Ensure that the development of renewable energy and its associated infrastructure avoids negative impacts on European sites and adhere to the requirements of Article 6 of the Habitats Directive (92/43EEC). 4. Promote small scale, on-site energy development, where energy generated is primarily required to meet the needs of households, communities and businesses to reduce their carbon emissions. Examples could include micro wind/solar energy generation, low carbon district heating, waste heating recovery and utilisation, geothermal and air to water energy technologies. 5. Support transmission network integration requirements facilitating linkages of renewable energy proposals to the electricity and gas transmission grid, in a sustainable and timely manner, subject to proper planning and environmental considerations. 6. Support the development of appropriate land-based infrastructure at suitable locations in the city to support off- shore renewable energy production subject to adequate visual, environmental and ecological protection. Transport (Mitigation) Transport includes the movement of goods and people and accounted for 20.4% of Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2019. Transport emissions are closely linked to economic growth, as Ireland’s population is expected to grow by over a million people by 2040 this will create an increase in demand for movement of people and goods and an additional challenge in reducing transport related emissions. In addition transport contributes to air pollution and poor local air quality through the release of micro-particulates and nitrogen oxides which are responsible for respiratory diseases. Transport emissions in Ireland are exacerbated by a dispersed settlement pattern, low population density, high proportion of journeys being taken by private car and inadequate public transport, walking and cycling infrastructure. Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029 59
- Climate ActionIreland is targeted to reduce transport related emissions by 40-45% by 2030. Policy to reduce emissions in the transport sector are focused on both reducing the transport intensity of growth and the carbon intensity of travel. For the Development Plan this includes for adopting compact growth polices and regeneration of brownfield sites which is one of the main tenets of the Core Strategy in conjunction with a strategy for transport which promotes sustainable mobility as provided for in the Galway Transport Strategy (GTS). This will encourage sustainable densities, expansion of walking, cycling and public transport networks, encouragement of the neighbourhood concept and supporting infrastructure for the transition to electric vehicles and the use of biofuels. Built Environment (Adaption and Mitigation) In 2019 the residential, commercial and public sectors accounted for 13.9% of Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions. These sectors include the emissions from the built environment. Improving the energy efficiency of buildings, through retrofit and higher energy performance standards for new buildings, is necessary to reduce overall energy demand and improve living standards by making buildings healthier, more comfortable and less costly to heat. Improved energy efficiency and performance building is critical to greenhouse gas emission targets. New buildings are required to be nearly Zero Energy Buildings (nZEB) standard through the transposition of the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) through Part L of the Building Regulations. The EPBD also requires that energy required by the building to be met by a significant extent by energy from renewable sources produced on-site or nearby and is applicable to buildings undergoing a renovation of in excess of 25% of the building envelope. The Council encourages the design of high energy performance buildings through the siting, layout and design of new developments to make best use of renewable and low carbon energy opportunities. The Council also supports the retrofit and reuse of existing buildings. Policy 2.4 Sustainable Building Design and Construction 1. Increase the energy performance of new buildings in the city by encouraging energy efficiency and energy conservation in the siting, layout, design, and construction of development. 2. Encourage new development to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and make use of opportunities for renewable and low carbon energy including through design, layout, orientation and construction practices. 3. Encourage high standards of energy conservation and improved energy performance in all existing and planned local authority housing and include for a deep retrofit programme of works (currently under the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme). 4. Liaise with the SEAI and other agencies to develop standards, procedures and targets for energy conservation in the Council’s housing stock. 5. Support the retrofit and reuse of existing buildings in the interests of sustainability and in line with delivery of the proposed National Aggregated Model of Retrofitting. 6. Promote energy efficiency and sustainability in both existing and new buildings and support the implementation of the EU Energy Performance in Buildings Directive and the Building Energy Rating Certification (BER). 7. Support flexibility, accessibility and adaptability in terms of layout and design of new housing. 60 Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029
- Climate Action2.4 Integrating Climate Action into the City Development Plan To address climate change requires a strategic integrated approach to be embedded in the Development Plan. In this regard Table 2.1 shows the key cross-cutting policies that contribute to mitigation and adaptation that have been incorporated into each chapter of the plan. Table 2.1: Key policies measures incorporating climate adaptation and mitigation measures Chapter Policies & objectives 1. Introduction, Strategic Context & Core Strategy • Identifies climate action and just transition to a climate resilient, biodiversity rich and climate neutral economy as a strategic goal. • Identifies the protection and enhancement of the natural environment and the green network as strategic goal. • Facilitates compact growth of the city through the integration of land use and sustainable mobility networks and the redevelopment of brownfield and undertilised lands. 2. Climate Action • Supports the just transition to a climate resilient, biodiversity rich, carbon neutral economy. • Supports the implementation of all international, European, national and local objectives set out in government and sectoral climate plans and the Galway City Council Climate Adaptation Strategy 2019-2024. • Promotes the development of renewable energy infrastructure, green infrastructure and nature based solutions and flood risk management in the city. • Supports the delivery of Coirib go Cósta Flood Relief Scheme. • Supports the designated Decarbonising Zone (DZ) and actions arising from the Energy Master Plan for Galway City. • Supports the transition to a circular economy. 3. Housing and Sustainable Neighbourhoods • Supports the ‘15-Minute City’ concept and the creation of sustainable residential neighbourhoods through the provision of community services and facilities in tandem with residential development. • Supports compact growth and higher residential density on strategic Regeneration and Opportunity Sites and sites close to public transport. • Supports the integration of green infrastructure, energy efficiency and life time adaptability in the layout of new developments. Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029 61
- Climate Action4. Sustainable Mobility and Transportation • Supports the integration of land use and transportation to encourage compact growth, shift to sustainable mobility and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. • Supports the ’15-Minute City’ concept to reduce dependence on car use and encourage sustainable mobility. • Supports the delivery of public transport and sustainable mobility projects in the Galway Transport Strategy (GTS) such as Cross City Link, Bus Connects and the National Greenway Network in the city. • Supports the expansion of the EV charging network 5. Natural Heritage, Recreation and Amenity • Promotes nature based solutions to contribute to climate resilience • Supports the implementation of the National Biodiversity Action Plan (2017-2023), All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2021-2025 and the Galway City Biodiversity Action Plan 2014-2024. • Supports the protection of sites of ecological importance, the protection of wildlife corridors and stepping stones and the restoration of biodiversity through green design features in the city. • Supports the development of a Green and Blue Network. 6. Economy, Enterprise and Retail • Supports the transition to a low carbon economy. • Supports new employment which is aligned with climate action and the circular economy. • Supports the integration of employment, housing and sustainable transport modes. • Facilitates the development of vibrant District, Neighbourhood and Local Centres with range of retail, community and leisure services to reduce travel demand and support “15 minute neighbourhood (city) concept”. • Supports innovation in the workplace through digitisation, remote & flexible work practices and support hub working. 7. Community and Culture • Supports the provision of sustainable communities where local services and community facilities are easily accessible by walking, cycling and public transport. • Ensures that community facilities and services are delivered in tandem with new residential developments. • Ensure that all new community facilities and services including arts and cultural facilities, healthcare facilities and education and childcare facilities are located to be accessible by walking, cycling and public transport. 62 Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029
- Climate Action8. Built Heritage, Placemaking and Urban Design • Promotes sustainable building design, best conservation practice and the appropriate maintenance, adaption and reuse of historic buildings. • Supports the delivery of high quality urban design, place making and public realm that is resilient to the climate change • Promotes the integration of nature based SuDS solutions in the public realm • Encourages innovation in architecture and promote energy efficiency and green design 9. Environment and Infrastructure • Protects and promotes the sustainable management of water and water bodies in the city and the use of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS), Strategic Flood Risk Assessment, management and delivery of the Flood Relief Scheme Coirib go Cósta. • Promotes the development of green infrastructure. • Promotes and supports initiatives to reduce air and noise pollution. • Protects against light pollution and requires the design of energy efficient lighting schemes for all new developments. • Supports the development of digital infrastructure and a Smart City. • Supports the delivery of a sustainable electricity system to ensure transition to a low carbon economy. 10. Compact Growth and Regeneration • Supports measures outlined in the Galway City Urban Density and Building Height Study to facilitate compact development focused on accessible locations and minimisation of travel. • Supports the re-development on regeneration and brownfield sites and measures to address dereliction and vacancy. • Supports the enhancement of the public realm to enhance accessibility and connectivity. All Chapters All chapters are subject to the following environmental assessments as part of the preparation of the Development Plan. – Strategic Environmental Assessment - Appropriate Assessment - Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029 63
- Housing and Sustainable Neighbourhoods62 Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029 Housing and Sustainable Neighbourhoods33.1 Context 3.2 Housing Strategy 3.3 Traveller Accommodation 3.4 Sustainable Neighbourhood Concept 3.5 Sustainable Neighbourhoods: Outer Suburbs 3.6 Sustainable Neighbourhoods: Established Suburbs 3.7 Sustainable Neighbourhoods: Inner Residential Areas 3.8 Sustainable Neighbourhoods: City Centre Residential Areas 3.9 Specific Objectives 65 66 71 72 80 82 84 86 90
- Housing and Sustainable Neighbourhoods Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029 65 3.1 Context The availability of good quality affordable housing in a manner that is socially inclusive and supports good placemaking is essential to meet the needs of a growing city. The Development Plan provides the framework for housing integrated with transportation infrastructure and linked to employment opportunities. It ensures that a policy framework supports the co-ordination of housing with essential services, amenities and community facilities. This approach reflects national and regional policy supporting increased city living, compact growth and vibrant and healthy communities. It supports a reduction in the city carbon footprint by reducing car dependency and the need to travel. The plan gives more certainty for investment decisions by both the private and public sector. A strategic goal of the plan includes to facilitate social inclusion in housing and access for all to the wider environment as part of an equal and inclusive city. This goal is reflected in the policies supporting housing and sustainable neighbourhoods. As set out in the Core Strategy, the settlement strategy for the city is focussed on regeneration of brownfield and under-utilised sites which have scope for a significant quantum of residential development and development of sites identified for residential led development by reason of their optimum location proximate to existing services and public transport, cycle and pedestrian networks. It includes the Ardaun area, a nationally designated Major Urban Housing Delivery Site (MUHDS) and includes for consolidation within existing suburban housing areas, mainly located in Ballyburke, Rahoon, Castlegar and Doughiska. A Housing Strategy which includes a Housing Need Demand Assessment (HNDA) has been prepared as part of this plan (see supporting documents). It reviewed trends in supply and demand in the city and sets out the projected housing needs over the plan period. It also reviewed the need for specialist housing options. National policy on housing, Housing for All - a New Housing Plan for Ireland sets out a road map for the delivery of housing over the next 10 years. It has a target of delivery of 33,000 homes nationally per annum broken down into private sector owner/rental housing, social housing, affordable housing and cost rental housing. The Local Authorities, Land Development Agency (LDA) and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) will be major players in new housing delivery. Reuse of vacant housing stock and upgrade and retrofit of existing stock meeting climate action objectives as well as housing demand are also key measures.
- Housing and Sustainable Neighbourhoods 66 Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029 The policy framework for housing and sustainable neighbourhoods has been assessed through SEA and represents a sustainable settlement option supporting appropriate densities and a compact urban form. The plan includes the requirement to prepare Local Area Plans, Masterplans / Framework Plans and design briefs/statements. These will assist in setting out guiding principles for development to secure high standards in design and layout, to create well connected and permeable neighbourhoods and to ensure the protection and enhancement of existing residential amenity. 3.2 Housing Strategy Planning Authorities are required to prepare and integrate Housing Strategies into their Development Plans. In general, the purpose of a Housing Strategy is to ensure that the housing needs of the existing and future population are met. Plan policy informed by the Housing Strategy seeks to ensure that housing need across all tenures is met for people of different levels of income, including social, affordable and cost rental housing and specialist housing, housing for owner occupation, private rented accommodation and student accommodation. A mix of house types and sizes to satisfy the requirements of various categories of households is supported. This includes the special requirements of older persons and persons with disabilities, the Traveller community and people who are homeless. Private Sector Delivery A significant amount of housing need will be required to be met through the private sector. The Council takes a proactive approach through development management to facilitate private sector housing delivery and collaborates with key stakeholders to progress critical infrastructure delivery. Specific funding streams such as the URDF can also assist housing delivery through funding for enabling infrastructure. The private sector also has a role in meeting social housing need through the Part V legislation, measures such as turnkey schemes, public private partnerships and in the private rented sector through schemes such as the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme and the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS). Other measures to support housing delivery include the vacant site levy which is intended as a mechanism to incentivise the development of vacant sites, enabling them to be brought into beneficial use or encouraging their sale to those who have an interest and resources to develop. The Council continues to examine vacant sites which are suitable for housing and add to the existing Vacant Site Register where appropriate, in accordance with current legislation. Any future measures to introduce a levy for vacant buildings will also be implemented by the Council where appropriate. It is also recognised that the reuse of existing building stock in the city can supplement housing delivery. Vacant or underutilised upper floor space above ground floor business premises and options for conversion of vacant commercial space to residential use have the potential for supporting residential use particularly in city centre locations and commercial hubs. Initiatives such as the Housing for All, Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Fund also support housing delivery. Social, Affordable and Cost Rental Housing The HNDA calculates that 55.4% of households requiring homes during the plan period fall into the social (35%) and affordable (20.4%) categories. This reflects the lack of capacity to purchase houses in the private property market due in part by high existing property prices and rents in Galway City. Although household incomes in the City are relatively high by national standards, high housing costs result in relatively high numbers of households facing affordability challenges. With rents also estimated to grow at a slightly faster pace than incomes, requirements for affordable housing is forecast to grow over the plan period.
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.