Development plan · Laois County Council
Laois County Development Plan 2021–2027
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards.
Laois County Council · 2021–2027 · 317 pages
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- Chapter 4 Housing Strategy 109 | P a g e Groups with Specific Planning Needs Policy Objectives HPO 30 Facilitate and ensure the provision of social housing and affordable housing throughout the County to sufficiently cater for social and specific housing needs and relevant requirements over the Development Plan period. HPO 31 Progress the provision of social and specific housing through partnership with approved housing bodies, voluntary and co-operative organisations, the Health Service Executive, and through agreements with private developers. HPO 32 Promote social integration and facilitate a diverse range of dwelling tenures within housing developments, including social housing within the County. HPO 33 Build and support the delivery of new housing appropriate to the needs of the county in terms of the demand for social housing, the needs of people with disabilities, homeless people, older people, and the Traveller community. HPO 34 Meet the County’s housing need for social housing provision through a range of mechanisms, including: (i) Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), (ii) a social housing building programme, (iii) acquisition, leasing, (iv) the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, (v) the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) and (vi) the utilisation of existing housing stock, i.e. vacant and underutilised sites HPO 35 Ensure the provision of housing for people with varying levels of income taking into consideration the housing support system and the planning system which will ensure that an appropriate mix of units is provided in appropriate locations. All new social and/or affordable housing to be of the highest standard of design and in accordance with the development standards set out in the County Development Plan and the DoEHLG social housing guidelines. HPO 36 Ensure 10% of all lands zoned for residential uses, or for a mixture of residential and other uses, shall be reserved for the provision of social and/or affordable housing in order to address the requirement for social housing under Part V22, thus promoting tenure diversity and socially inclusive communities within the County. HPO 37 Implement the Laois County Council Traveller Accommodation Programme 2019- 2024 (and any superseding programmes agreed by the Council) in accordance with the principles of proper planning and sustainable development. 22 In this regard, the percentage reservation for Part V shall be decided on a case-by-case basis of individual site assessment. Criteria to be taken into account will include the type and location of the housing units required by the Planning Authority at a given time, as defined by the priority housing list by the Housing Section and the existing mix of housing classes in the area. The location, house size and house design requirements for permissions that will include social housing shall be discussed at pre-planning meetings between the applicant and the Local Authority
- Chapter 4 Housing Strategy 110 | P a g e Development Management Standard For Groups with Specific Planning Needs DM HP 22 NURSING HOMES Provide for a mixed urban/rural setting for nursing homes in the County and to site residential care facilities for the elderly in accordance with the following: (i) Facilities should be located close to community and social facilities required by occupants (e.g. shops, post office, community centres, etc) thereby ensuring that older people can remain part of existing communities. (ii) Facilities should be easily accessible for residents, employees, visitors and service providers. Such facilities will generally be acceptable in villages and rural settlements to cater for local demand. A mobility strategy shall be provided detailing connections to town and village centres for residents, employees and visitors. (iii) Facilities should be located within an environment that is suitable for their stated purpose, integrating within the wider community while providing a safe environment for residents. (iv) Facilities should be located in an area which can benefit from the creation of strong links between the care for the elderly facilities and the local community including activities linked to other community groups.
- 111 | P a g e CHAPTER 5 QUALITY OF LIFE & SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES Aim: To facilitate the delivery of social infrastructure throughout the county, improve physical access to services, facilitate the maintenance and upgrading of cultural and heritage facilities for communities and to enhance the environmental, amenity and physical attributes of communities which creates healthy placemaking. 5.1 INTRODUCTION Building strong, inclusive communities is an integral component to achieving sustainable development objectives and the principle of healthy placemaking. Apart from housing and employment opportunities, sustainable communities require the provision of and access to a myriad of support infrastructure in the areas of education, childcare, health and community support services, recreational and leisure facilities and a good quality built environment. Communities also require opportunities to meet, interact and form bonds, all essential prerequisites to the evolution of a sense of place and belonging. 5.1.1 GUIDANCE The objectives and policies of this chapter are informed by the principles of the following national policy documents: • The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; • National Planning Framework; • National Development Strategy 2018 – 2027; • Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy; • Our sustainable future – A Framework for Sustainable Development; • Building for Everyone: A Universal Design Approach, 2012, National Disability Authority; • National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan 2013-2015, National Disability Strategy Implementation Group; • National Women’s Strategy 2007-2016, Department of Justice and Equality; • Get Ireland Active, National Physical Activity Plan for Ireland, 2016; • Charter for Rural Ireland, 2016 Department of Environment, Community and Local Government; • Our Communities: A Framework Policy for Local and Community Development in Ireland, 2015, Department of Environment, Community and Local Government; • Tabacco Free Ireland, Department of Health; • Healthy Ireland - A Healthy Weight For Ireland, Department of Health; • The National Positive Ageing Strategy; • Time to move on from congregated settings – A strategy for community inclusion; • The Urban Design Manual – A Best Practice Guide; • Rejuvenating Irelands Small Town Centres; • Research 195: Health Benefits from Biodiversity and Green Infrastructure; • National Biodiversity Action Plan; • Sustainable Mobility Policy; • United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
- Chapter 5 Quality of Life & Sustainable Communities 112 | P a g e 5.2 SOCIAL INCLUSION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT One of the overall aims of the Plan is the promotion of social inclusion. Social inclusion can be defined as a process which ensures that those at risk of poverty and social exclusion gain the opportunities and resources necessary to participate fully in society and have access to social infrastructure services. It is important that our living, working and leisure environments are designed and maintained in a manner that is accessible to all. In order to facilitate social inclusion at local level, the Social Inclusion Activation Programme (SICAP) 2018-2022 is overseen by the LCDC, with the aim of tackling poverty, social exclusion and long term unemployment through engagement and participation between community organisations, public sector agencies and certain sectors of society. In Laois, the Public Participation Network acts as the main link through which the Council will connect with and seek representation from the local Community/Voluntary, Social Inclusion and Environmental sectors, to progress their work in the areas of arts, sports, community and social inclusion initiatives. This is vital in helping to attract economic investments to local areas, promoting tourism and providing local services and supporting the isolated in our community. 5.2.1 LOCAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE AND LOCAL ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY PLAN As previously stated, new local government structures brought about a greater emphasis on community development with the introduction of Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) in each local authority to addresses the need for creating sustainable communities for each County. This reform also brought about the requirement for the LCDC to prepare a Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) every six years, of which policies and actions will inform the County Development Plan. The Laois LECP 2016 – 2021 and the Laois County Development Plan operate in tandem and must be consistent with each other. The LECP provides the supporting framework for economic and local community development of Laois, whereas the County Development Plan provides an overarching strategy and statutory policy support for the proper planning and sustainable development of the County at a spatial level. Overarching Social Inclusion and Community Development Policy Objectives SCPO 1 Deliver on the objectives and actions set out in the National Planning Framework, Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (EMRA), Laois Local Economic and Community Plan 2016-2021 (and any subsequent LECP) and relevant National Guidance documents to strengthen community and social development in the County. SCPO 2 Ensure that sufficient lands in appropriate locations are zoned to cater for new and existing social and community needs. SCPO 3 Promote the highest levels of universal accessibility in all social and community facilities including flexible housing typologies, buildings and public spaces/areas. SCPO 4 Ensure that all arts and cultural facilities in the ownership and management of the Council are accessible to the wider community and to promote the role of these facilities as focal points for the community. SCPO 5 Support and encourage communities in the regeneration and expansion of community centres subject to budget allocations. SCPO 6 Promote social inclusion through equality of access to services and facilities and to assist in the removal of barriers to full participation in society.
- Chapter 5 Quality of Life & Sustainable Communities 113 | P a g e Overarching Social Inclusion and Community Development Policy Objectives SCPO 7 Increase accessibility to public transport and walking and cycling infrastructure within main residential areas with schools, community and sports facilities to encourage more sustainable modes of transport. SCPO 8 Seek to improve the energy efficiency of the County’s existing building stock to promote energy efficiency in the design and development of all new buildings in the County, in accordance with the Building Regulations Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Energy). SCPO 9 Encourage that new social infrastructure development proposals maximise energy efficiency through siting, layout, design and incorporate best practice in energy technologies, conservation and smart technology. SCPO 10 Support and encourage pilot schemes which promote innovative ways to incorporate energy efficiency. SCPO 11 Require, where feasible and practicable, the provision of Photovoltaic solar panels in new public and community buildings for electricity generation/storage and/or water heating purposes so as to minimise carbon emissions and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and reduce energy costs. SCPO 12 Require the use of SuDS within Local Authority Developments and other social infrastructure projects in accordance with the Greater Dublin Regional Code of Practice for Drainage Works. SCPO 13 Encourage the use of Green Roof technology particularly on leisure and educational buildings. SCPO 14 Support and implement the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Communities SCPO 15 Support sport and physical activity opportunities for people with disabilities across the County in collaboration with national sporting disability organisations. SCPO 16 Facilitate and support a more diverse and socially inclusive society that targets equality of opportunity and a better quality of life for all citizens, through improved integration of services and funding and greater accessibility in the delivery of sustainable communities and the provision of associated services.
- Chapter 5 Quality of Life & Sustainable Communities 114 | P a g e Development Management Standard DM SC 1 ACCESSIBILITY The Council will require that the design of buildings and the layout of developments incorporate measures to ensure accessibility. Access requirements for parents and carers, people with disabilities, the elderly and others who may be temporarily impaired must be incorporated into the design of buildings, public spaces, car parking, footpaths and general facilities and services. Universal design will be encouraged in all new developments. Developers must have regard to or comply with (as appropriate) the following criteria in the preparation of development proposals: i. Part M of the Building Regulations and the requirement for Disability Access Certificates (DACs); ii. Buildings for Everyone: A Universal Design Approach (National Disability Authority, 2012); iii. Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas: Guidelines for Planning Authorities and its companion document Urban Design Manual (DEHLG, 2008). Applications for significant development have regard to Appendix 6 of Buildings for Everyone: A Universal Design Approach (National Disability Authority, 2012). DM SC 2 SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE In assessing planning applications for social infrastructure23 both urban and rural locations, regard will be taken of considerations such as: 1) Practicalities of site location in terms of site location, uses, impact on local amenities, desirability, and accessibility; 2) Provision of renewable energy sources; 3) The potential for multi-use by other groups/members of the community; 4) Conformity with the requirements of appropriate legislative guidelines; 5) Consideration for local needs and baseline data. 5.3 SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE 5.3.1 EDUCATION Education is critical to achieving the full socio-economic potential of the County. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) indicates that there has been a slight decrease in birth rates in the County between 2012 and 2016 at 1,276 and 1,118 respectively. Nonetheless the provision of childcare facilities and primary and secondary level schools infrastructure in the County is essential. There are 66 primary schools in the County catering for 9,883 students and 10 post primary schools in the County catering for 4,954 pupils. Both of these figures equate to 17.5% of the population. The Department of Education and Skills is responsible for the delivery of educational facilities and 23 including leisure facilities, sports grounds, playing fields, play areas, community halls, organisational meeting facilities, medical facilities and other community orientated developments
- Chapter 5 Quality of Life & Sustainable Communities 115 | P a g e services, however, in terms of planning for the provision of education infrastructure in Laois, the primary role of the Planning Authority is to identify and reserve sufficient lands at the most optimum locations within the study area. The Council works proactively with the Department of Education and Skills on an ongoing basis to identify educational needs and the spatial and land use implications of same as they arise. The Council recognises the important role of higher education in providing for the economic and social wellbeing of the County’s population. In terms of adult education, the Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board promote Adult Learning Services, Back to Education Initiative and Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme with Portlaoise Institute of Further Education offering many QQI Level 5 and 6 Courses. Portarlington Further Education and Training Centre, Lifelong Learning Department is the County’s only third level institution which offers accredited part-time third level programmes. Laois Local Enterprise Office also offers business information and advice, business skills training and mentoring support as well as other skills and training options to support businesses in the County. The development of linkages between new and existing employers with the aforementioned institutions will add to the attractiveness of the area for investors due to the availability of potential future employees with the necessary skills locally. Education Policy Objectives EDPO 1 All sites for schools shall comply with the requirements of the following: • ‘The Provision of Schools and the Planning System A Code of Practice for Planning Authorities’, 2008, or any update thereof; • Technical guidance document TGD-025 (or any such updated document) in respect of primary schools; • Technical guidance document TGD-027 (or any such updated document) in respect of post primary schools. EDPO 2 Ensure that existing and new school sites are protected for educational use and allows for intensification of development on such sites and protect lands adjacent to existing schools for future educational use to allow for expansion of these schools, if required, subject to site suitability. EDPO 3 Facilitate the development of primary, second-level, third-level, vocational and lifelong learning facilities and digital capacity for distance learning including lifelong learning and Up-skilling generally to meet the needs of the County including mature adults i.e. back to school in existing educational infrastructure EDPO 4 Promote the shared use of educational and community facilities for community and non-school purposes where possible. EDPO 5 Explore the potential for a dedicated third level / technical college in Portlaoise or Portarlington as appropriate. EDPO 6 Ensure the provision and implementation of primary and secondary education facilities in concert with the planning and sustainable development of residential areas and community facilities in order to maximise the opportunities for use of walking, cycling and use of public transport. Safe walking and cycling zones (including signage) on the main approach roads to educational facilities will be encouraged. EDPO 7 Increase the active school flag programme to at least another 20 schools in the County.
- Chapter 5 Quality of Life & Sustainable Communities 116 | P a g e Education Policy Objectives EDPO 8 Ensure new and existing school buildings are as self-sustaining as possible, endeavoring to avoid fossil fuel dependence and adapting to a lower energy society. EDPO 9 Undertake a feasibility study for Portlaoise for the provision of a school / education infrastructure. Education Development Management Standard DM ED 1 EDUCATION FACILIITIES Assessing planning applications for new education facilities and/or redevelopment/extensions of existing schools, the Planning Authority will have regard to the following: • Site location, proximity of school to catchment area, size of site relative to outdoor space requirements and the future needs of the school (i.e. sufficient space provided for future expansion). • Mobility Management Plan shall be submitted to ensure safe accessible pedestrian and cyclist routes to and from the school from nearby residential and commercial areas. This shall have regard to and comply with (as appropriate) the NTA’s Workplace Travel Plans: A Guide for Implementers and the Toolkit for School Travel. • Provision of safe and adequate set down etc facilities for buses. • Provision of adequate, secure, covered cycle facilities. • Provision of safe access and adequate car parking and set down areas to facilitate drop off/pick up. • Adequate signage, lighting and boundary treatments. • Impact on local amenities and out of school hours uses. DM ED 2 EXTENSIONS TO SCHOOLS Extensions to education facilities will generally be accepted subject to scale, high quality design and satisfactory integration with the existing structure. School extensions should not negatively impact on adjoining amenities and amenities within the school site. DM ED 3 TEMPORARY CLASSROOMS Temporary classrooms will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and will generally be accepted for a temporary period not exceeding five years and such classrooms should not interfere with onsite car/cycle parking spaces or unduly impact the usability of outdoor play/sports facilities. Any such proposal shall be accompanied by a timeline for the construction of permanent facilities. 5.3.2 CHILDCARE FACILITIES Access to affordable and high-quality childcare is an essential requirement for an equitable society, a thriving economy and sustainable communities and is a critical part of the County’s infrastructure. Laois County Childcare Committee supports early childcare services, throughout the County catering for full day care, after school and preschool care. The 0-4-year preschool population within the County in 2016 represents XX% of the population of Laois. Whilst the Council is not directly
- Chapter 5 Quality of Life & Sustainable Communities 117 | P a g e involved in the provision of childcare services, the Plan will seek to ensure sufficient facilities are provided in the areas required. Childcare Facilities Policy Objectives CCPO 1 Encourage, promote and facilitate the provision of childcare facilities in accordance with national policy and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government Planning Guidelines on Childcare Facilities: Guidelines for Planning Authorities (DoEHLG, 2001) and any other relevant statutory guidelines which may issue during the period of this Plan CCPO 2 Ensure the provision of quality affordable childcare throughout the County in consultation with the Laois County Childcare Committee, and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, Tusla Child and Family Agency CCPO 3 Promote and encourage the provision of a network of childcare facilities that reflect the distribution of the residential population in the County and to minimise travel distance and maximise opportunities for disadvantaged communities; Development Management Standard DM CC 1 CHILDCARE FACILITIES Require the provision of childcare facilities of an appropriate type and scale in suitable locations throughout the County and comply with the Section 28 Guidelines on Childcare Facilities, 2001 (and any subsequent update).. In particular, the development of childcare facilities at the following locations will normally be required; • areas of concentrated employment and business parks; • neighbourhood centres; • integrated into large retail developments and retail warehouse parks; • in, or in the vicinity of, schools or major educational facilities; • adjacent to public transport nodes; • in, or adjacent to, community centres and • within new and existing residential development. 5.3.3 HEALTH CARE FACILITIES Healthcare and medical facilities are provided by public, private and voluntary agencies within County Laois. The Health Service Executive (HSE) is the primary organisation responsible for the delivery of health care and personal social services to the people of the County. The primary role of Laois County Council with regard to health care is to ensure that there is an adequate policy framework in place which includes for the reservation of lands should additional services be required and that the health care facilities would be permitted subject to good planning practice. The Planning Authority will reserve sites within town and village boundaries for health care facilities in consultation with the HSE.
- Chapter 5 Quality of Life & Sustainable Communities 118 | P a g e Health Care Policy Objectives HCPO 1 Co-operate with the Health Service Executive and other statutory and voluntary agencies in the provision of appropriate health care facilities covering the full spectrum of such care from hospitals to the provision of community based care facilities subject to proper planning considerations and the principles of sustainable development. HCPO 2 Ensure that adequate lands and services are available for the improvement, establishment and expansion of health services and ensure that adequate services such as water supply or wastewater treatment are in place prior to development taking place. HCPO 3 Encourage the integration of healthcare facilities within new and existing communities and to discourage proposals that would cause unnecessary isolation or other access difficulties, particularly for the disabled, the elderly and children. HCPO 4 Encourage, support and facilitate the provision of a range of services for the aged population. HCPO 5 Support the development and expansion of the Midlands Regional Hospital at Portlaoise in accordance with RPO 4.74 of the RSES. HCPO 6 Have particular regard to public transport access in considering proposals for major hospital facilities or the re-location of major hospital facilities to a new location. This should include both public transport access from the catchment area of the hospital and, where the facility serves a specialist or national need, from outside of the catchment. HCPO 7 To proactively encourage the development of public parkland at St. Fintan’s Hospital Campus Portlaoise and to look at recreational infrastructure such cycle ways and pathways that connect St. Fintan’s to main hospital, a hub. Development Management Standard DM HC 1 CHANGE OF USE RESIDENTIAL TO HEALTHCARE FACILITY Consider change of use applications from residential to health care facilities / surgeries only where the privacy and amenity of adjacent occupiers can be preserved and the proposal does not have a detrimental effect on local amenity by way of an increase in traffic, car parking or noise. Conversion of part of a dwelling to a medical or dental surgery will normally be permitted where the dwelling remains as the main residence of the practitioner and where a need has been demonstrated. Conversion of the ground floor of a dwelling to a surgery with a separate apartment on the upper floor may be permitted where there are no other more suitable premises available. 5.3.4 EMERGENCY SERVICES Fire services and civil defence are important emergency response and safety services provided by Laois County Council. The fire service also has a responsibility in relation to fire safety standards in the design of new and improved buildings, changes of use and also in relation to the fire safety aspects of the daily use of buildings which are accessed by the public. Under the Building
Source Laois County Council: Laois County Development Plan 2021–2027 (2021–2027) · 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.