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 5 Quality of Life & Sustainable Communities 119 | P a g e Regulations, separate applications are sent to the Fire Service to obtain a Fire Safety Certificate and this is obtained prior to construction. There are eight fire stations at strategic locations throughout the County; Portlaoise (the headquarters of the network), Portarlington, Abbeyleix, Rathdowney, Mountmellick, Stradbally, Durrow and Mountrath. Emergency Services Policy Objectives EDPO 1 Continue to support the provision of a modern and effective fire service for the County through a programme for fire station development and improvement at existing and future stations. EDPO 2 Facilitate the accommodation of fire service facilities in locations that allow ease of access and safe functioning with respect to the road network. EDPO 3 Ensure new and refurbished developments are as self-sustaining as possible, endeavoring to avoid fossil fuel dependence. 5.3.5 CRIME PREVENTION Informed, positive planning, particularly when co-ordinated with other measures, can make a significant contribution to tackling crime. Sustainable communities are communities which succeed economically, socially and environmentally, and respect the needs of future generations. They are well-designed places where people feel safe and secure; where crime and disorder, or the fear of crime, doesn’t undermine quality of life or community cohesion. Designing out crime and designing in community safety should be central to the planning and delivery of new development. Crime Prevention Policy Objectives CPPO 1 Support the provision of Garda liaison facilities within community facilities as resources allow. CPPO 2 Co-operate with an Garda Síochána’s Older Person Strategy to ensure contact and safety of elderly and rurally isolated citizens through the support of local CCTV, community alert/ neighbourhood watch schemes. Crime Prevention Development Management Standard DM CP 1 DESIGNING OUT CRIME The following principles of designing out crime must be considered for all developments: • Access and movement: places with well-defined routes, spaces and entrances that provide for convenient movement without compromising security; • Structure: places that are structured so that different uses do not cause conflict; • Surveillance: places where all publicly accessible spaces are overlooked; • Ownership: places that promote a sense of ownership, respect, territorial responsibility and community; • Physical protection: places that include necessary, well-designed security features; • Activity: places where the level of human activity is appropriate to the location and creates a reduced risk of crime and a sense of safety at all
- Chapter 5 Quality of Life & Sustainable Communities 120 | P a g e times; • Management and maintenance: places that are designed with management and maintenance in mind, to discourage crime in the present and the future. 5.3.6 ARTS AND CULTURAL FACILITIES Our Public Libraries 2022, the national strategy for public libraries sets out the objective to consolidate the role of the library as the public face of local authorities. The strategy recognises that renewed investment in the development of library buildings, technology and other equipment is essential for libraries to deliver quality services. The public library service of Laois County Council plays an increasingly important educational, community, information and outreach role in the county. Libraries such as Portlaoise, Portarlington, Stradbally, Mountmellick, Abbeyleix, Mountrath and Durrow serve as key arts and culture outlets within the county. Works commenced in January 2020 on the construction of a new state of the art 1,800sqm public library in Portlaoise which has received funding of €3m from the Department of Rural and Community Development under the Libraries Capital Programme. Funding has also been received from the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund in respect of the development of a new Cultural Quarter in Portlaoise. The County Laois Arts Development Plan 2014-2017 (check for update) sets out measures to encourage heightened awareness and interest in the arts and increase public participation by all sectors of the community including those previously not involved. The Arts Plan also includes objectives in relation to public art. Arts and cultural facilities are wide ranging across the County and include - Dunamase Arts Centre in Portlaoise, Mountmellick and Attanagh museums, Laois Arthouse in Stradbally and outdoor music venues such as the internationally acclaimed Electric Picnic site in Stradbally Hall. Arts and Cultural Facilities Policy Objectives ACPO 1 Continue to expand and improve the library service to meet the needs of the community, in line with the objectives and priorities of the Library Development Plan and subject to the availability of resources. ACPO 2 Investigate the delivery of library services to rural villages using public private partnerships and electronic networking, subject to availability of resources. ACPO 3 Develop links between existing library facilities for third level education and outreach facilities in relation to distance learning. ACPO 4 Continue to recognise the importance of the arts in areas of personal development, community development, employment and tourism and to endeavour to create further opportunities in each of these areas. ACPO 5 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 centres as focal points for the community. ACPO 6 Continue the physical enhancement programme of arts spaces in libraries countywide, including visual art galleries, performance and workshop facilities, subject to availability of resources.
- Chapter 5 Quality of Life & Sustainable Communities 121 | P a g e ACPO 7 Promote the provision of public art, including temporary art and sculpture, through such mechanisms as the government supported Percent for Art Scheme and the development management process. ACPO 8 Encourage and support the creation and display of works of art in public areas, including appropriate locations within the streetscape, provided no unacceptable environmental, amenity; traffic or other problems are created. 5.3.7 BURIAL GROUNDS The individual Settlement Plans and Local Area Plans will examine the adequacy of the existing graveyards and burial grounds and will reserve lands within each development centre for burial facilities. In addition to the actual provision of burial grounds, another important planning issue is to recognise and protect the heritage value of the existing cemeteries, often located in the grounds of old churches. Cemeteries had been provided on a parish basis in Ireland and very frequently were in the vicinity of and associated with the ruins of churches that had existed in previous centuries. Burial Grounds Policy Objectives BGPO 1 Facilitate the provision of new burial grounds and the extension of existing cemeteries as appropriate to cater for the needs of a multi-cultural County and the mobility and accessibility requirements of all people. e Ensure the protection of groundwater dependent Natura 2000 sites which rely on the continued supply of groundwater resources to secure the key environmental conditions that support the integrity of the site and through protection of groundwater standards by the Water Framework Directive. BGPO 2 Explore the use of environmentally sound burial site options such as Columbarium Walls, in appropriate locations in the county. BGPO 3 Protect, preserve, enhance, conserve and maintain the cultural heritage of archaeological/historic graveyards and historic burial grounds(including those identified in the RMP), and continue to encourage and promote local involvement and community stewardship in the care, maintenance, rehabilitation, management and conservation of these graveyards in accordance with legislation and best conservation and heritage and principles. BGPO 4 Facilitate the provision of pet crematoriums at appropriate locations subject to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. Development Management Standards on Crematoriums BG 1 Crematoriums Proposals for crematoria shall be required to demonstrate that emissions to air shall not result in: significant adverse effects on air quality, human health, residential amenity and sensitive ecological receptors; or any adverse effect on the integrity of any European site. All proposals shall be subject to appropriate air dispersion modelling and shall comply with relevant EU and national emission limit values and Best Available
- Chapter 5 Quality of Life & Sustainable Communities 122 | P a g e Techniques requirements. Where necessary, buffer distances, stack height design, operational controls and ongoing emissions monitoring shall be implemented to prevent exceedance of air quality standards or associated significant adverse effects on environmental receptors. 5.4 NATURAL AND RECREATIONAL AMENITIES Recreation, leisure and sport are important components of a good quality of life and have major land use implications. Adequate and accessible provision of open space, sport and recreational facilities including swimming pools, Playgrounds and public parks is an important consideration in assessing the quality of life in a town or area. It is likely to become more important as densities in central areas increase and pressure from competing land uses becomes more intense. It is also recognised that the countryside of County Laois provides an important resource in outdoor recreational facilities not only for its own population but also for those visiting the County particularly in terms of provision of a range of forest tracks such as Togher Portlaoise, Oughval Stradbally, Cullenagh Ballyroan, Fossey Timahoe, Dunmore Durrow and Grantstown Lake Ballacolla and Blueways and Greenways such as Grand Canal Walk Vicarstown. The Council recognises the significance of natural amenities as a major resource for visitors and local people and attracting inward investment from tourism and increasing the marketability of Laois as a location for industry, business and commercial activity. This chapter should be read in conjunction with Chapter 10 Infrastructure and Chapter 11 on Biodiversity and Natural Heritage in relation to walking and cycling infrastructure. 5.4.1 SPORTS AND RECREATION PROVISION Laois Sports Partnership was established in 2001 as part of the Irish Sports Council now Sport Ireland, initiative aimed at improving the delivery of sport at a local level. The Local Sports Partnership (LSP) initiative aims to increase participation in sport and optimise the use of local resources. Many of the sports facilities within the County are in private ownership. Laois County Council will continue, where appropriate, to facilitate the provision of further facilities to which public access will be available, where possible. The Council will have regard to the Departments of Health and Children & Youth Affairs’ policy document, “Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures” a National Policy Framework for children and young people 2014 – 2020. It is recognized that a multi-agency approach is required to deliver the needs of the young people of the County. Such needs include skate parks, youth cafes; hang out areas where young people can socialize with one another. The Council will be guided by this multi-agency Plan in the development of local play policies over the lifetime of the Plan. Natural and Recreational Amenities Policy Objectives NRPO 1 Support local sports groups and community groups in the development, improvement and expansion of facilities for sporting and recreational needs of all sectors and ages through the reservation of suitable land and the provision of funding where available and appropriate. NRPO 2 Recognize the role played by natural amenities as a major resource for visitors and local people and support, protect and promote public access to mountains, Natura 2000 sites, nature reserves rivers, lakes and other natural amenities that have been traditionally used for outdoor recreation and to the countryside generally.
- Chapter 5 Quality of Life & Sustainable Communities 123 | P a g e Natural and Recreational Amenities Policy Objectives NRPO 3 Work in co-operation with Laois Sports Partnership in exploring the potential for clustering facilities to provide a regional sports centre in a strategic location and develop County Laois as an Outdoor Activity Hub. NRPO 4 Prepare an Open Space Plan for the County having regard to the town parks, riverside walks and other amenity spaces and resources and ensure that any plan or project associated with open space planning or tourism is subject to Appropriate Assessment Screening in compliance with the Habitats Directive, and subsequent assessment as required. NRPO 5 Connect open spaces in such a way so as to provide links to, or consolidation of, areas of public open space within a settlement. Ensure such links are accessible for all users. NRPO 6 Preserve the major natural amenities of the County (i.e. Slieve Bloom Mountains and River Valleys) and to provide parks and open spaces in association with them along with facilitating walking and cycling routes linking the mountains, river valleys and major parks. NRPO 7 Investigate the feasibility of the following specific recreation and leisure projects subject to the Habitats and Birds Directives: • Support the ongoing development of an athletic track, including provision of dressing rooms and tartan resurface in Portlaoise; • Investigate and facilitate where appropriate the provision of strategic greenways throughout the county; • Facilitate where appropriate the provision of additional handball facilities throughout the county. NRPO 8 Encourage community gardening, allotments and other use of open space to facilitate lower carbon living education and practice NRPO 9 Encourage and facilitate the development of green infrastructure that recognises the synergies that can be achieved with regard to the following: • Provision of open space amenities; • Sustainable management of water; • Protection and management of biodiversity; • Protection of cultural heritage; • Protection of protected landscape sensitivities NRPO 10 Identify and seek to implement a strategic, coherent and high-quality cycle and walking network across the County that is integrated with public transport and interconnected with cultural, recreational, retail, educational and employment destinations and attractions. NRPO 11 Facilitate the development of the Derryounce Experience Lakes and Trails through the development of an historical trail through Derryounce Bog and a Heritage Museum documenting the history of the bog, turf production in the area and the former location of the town’s Power Station.
- Chapter 5 Quality of Life & Sustainable Communities 124 | P a g e Natural and Recreational Amenities Policy Objectives NRPO 12 Facilitate development of a green corridor connecting Derryounce Lakes and Trails, the River Barrow and The Peoples Park, Portarlington and on to Mount Lucas in Co Offaly. NRPO 13 Facilitate the development of greenways / blueways along the main waterways through the county – Grand Canal, River Barrow and River Nore and their tributaries subject to the Habitats and Birds Directives and the proper planning and development of the areas. NRPO 14 Support the development of the following leisure facilities throughout the County: • Portlaoise Leisure Centre • Portarlington Leisure Centre • National natural playground in Emo NRPO 15 Support the development of playgrounds and upgrade existing park infrastructure where necessary. Ensure these facilities are inclusive and encourage various kinds of physical activity of all ages. NRPO 16 Devise and adopt, in co-operation with other relevant agencies, a “Play and Recreational Plan for County Laois” setting out strategy for the provision, resourcing and implementation of improved social and play opportunities for children and the youth of the County. NRPO 17 Improve the provision of public playgrounds to allow for recreational areas including work out stations and appropriate seating for the elderly and the youth in appropriate locations across the county with particular emphasis on those areas with greatest need. NRPO 18 Given the central location of Portlaoise, it is policy of the Council to acknowledge and support the role that sporting venues in the Key Town of Portlaoise play at a regional level in accommodating sporting events for the region. NRPO 19 Develop of a Sports Plan for County Laois as part of National Strategy in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. Development Management Standards on Natural and Recreation Amenities DM NR 1 SPECIALISED SPORTING FACILITIES Proposals for sports facilities involving the use of motor vehicles, aircraft or firearms or other noise generating sports will be considered with the following criteria: • There will be no unacceptable disturbance to local residents. There will be no unacceptable disturbance to farm livestock and wildlife; • There will be no conflict with the enjoyment of areas used for informal recreation; • The ambient noise level in the area of the proposed development is already high and the noise likely to be produced by the proposed activity will not be pre-dominant; • In certain cases, the Council may only consider it appropriate to grant a temporary permission so as to allow the impact of noise levels and other
- Chapter 5 Quality of Life & Sustainable Communities 125 | P a g e forms of disturbance and nuisance to be more fully assessed; • The development will not have an unacceptable impact on the visual or natural amenity of the area especially with Natura 2000 sites. DM NR 2 DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATED WITH WATER SPORTS The Council will normally only permit proposals for development associated with water sports adjacent to inland lakes and waterways where all the following criteria are met: 1. The proposed facilities are compatible with any existing use of water, including non-recreational uses; 2. It will not result in damage to sites of nature conservation importance or features of archaeological and built heritage; 3. The development can be satisfactorily integrated into the landscape or townscape surroundings; 4. The development will not have an unacceptable impact on the visual amenity especially with Natura 2000 sites; and 5. The development will not result in the over intensification of use leading to pollution, excessive noise and nuisance. DM NR 3 FLOODLIGHTING OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND PUBLIC OPEN SPACE In assessing planning applications for the floodlighting of sports pitches, tourist attractions or other high-order structures regard will be taken of considerations such as: 1) The horizontal and vertical luminance levels (lux levels) of the fixtures; 2) details of when the lighting are to be used; 3) Floodlights are to have fully-shielded light fixtures with cowl accessories to ensure that upward light emittance is low. Street lighting schemes to residential areas and public open spaces should be modest in scale, with fixture designs that limit upward or horizontal light, in order to create safe environments, while limiting glare and enhancing efficiency.
- 126 | P a g e CHAPTER 6 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Aim: To Promote And Develop Laois’ Economy And Create A Viable And Favourable Low Carbon Economic Environment For Business And Enterprise To Thrive Both In Urban And Rural Areas Whilst Delivering Sustainable Jobs, Employment Opportunity Both Within The County And Beyond 6.1 INTRODUCTION This chapter focuses on the economic development of Laois including developing employment opportunities , inward investment , local entrepreneurship and town/village centre management, retail . A sound local economy is fundamental to fostering sustainable communities and a good quality of life. This Plan seeks to create the conditions to support the sustainable economic development of County Laois during the Plan period 2021 – 2027 in collaborate with all relevant stakeholders. In addition to the economic benefits associated with the sector, Laois County Council is committed to protecting, promoting and enhancing the natural resources of the County making it a nicer place to live and visit. Similar to the wider regional and national picture, the local economy has undergone rapid changes of fortune over the last ten years and in particular the instability caused by COVID 19 pandemic. There has been a significant shift in the number of people working from home and a greater emphasis is now placed on facilitating remote working facilities such as co-working hubsin particular in more rural areas. The central location of Laois is strategically important, lying between the southern region and Dublin. Its central location in Ireland can be leveraged to enable significant strategic investment to a greater extent than at present, supported by a sustainable pattern of population growth,with a focus on strategic national employment and infrastructure development, quality of life and a strengthening of the urban cores of the county towns and other principal settlements. 6.2 POLICY CONTEXT This section is prepared in the context of the following documents: • Project Ireland 2040: National Planning Framework (2018) • National Development Plan 2018-2027 • Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) for the Eastern and Midland Region (2019) • Food Wise 2025: A 10 Year Vision for the Irish Agri-Food Industry (2015) • Laois Local Economic and Community Plan 2016-2021 • Enterprise 2025 Renewed (2018) • Realising Our Rural Potential (2017) • Midlands Regional Enterprise Action Plan 2019-2020 • National Policy Statement on the Bio-economy (2018) • National Mitigation Plan (2017) • Climate Action Plan 2019 • National Broadband Plan (2012) • Laois Digital Strategy (awaited) • National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland 2019-2022 • Just Transition Progress Report 2020 • Powering the Regions, Enterprise Ireland Regional Plan Report, 2019 • Enterprise 2025 Renewed
- Chapter 6 Economic Development 127 | P a g e • Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan The RSES notes Dublin as the main economic driver of the region, however the region also contains an extensive network of large economically active towns which provide key employment functions within the urban and hinterland area. There has been consistent improvement in employment levels in Laois since mid-2013. Relativeto the national average, Laois has a young population and high labour-force participation rates. Similar to the wider Midlands and national trends, Laois’ services sector continues to grow its share of the local economy in employment and productivity terms. Figure 6.1: Portlaoise and its connectivity in the National and European Context Portlaoise and the EU Trans-European Portlaoise and National Transport Network Infrastructure The modern economy is characterised by rapid changes with new and sometimes unexpected areas of commercial opportunities emerging, while some traditional enterprises lose their competitive advantage. It is anticipated that further employment growth in Laois will be strongly associated with private sector enterprises in the services sector. Zoned brownfield and greenfield lands provide opportunities for a range of uses including office-based uses. 6.3 ECONOMIC PROFILE OF LAOIS 6.3.1 LABOUR FORCE According to Census 2016, the total labour force residing in Laois was 39,609 which is equivalent to 62% (Labour Force Participation Rate) of the total population of the County. Between 2011 and 2016 the labour force in Laois increased by an additional 5.34% (+3,239). This rate of increase was marginally below the state average of 3.2%. and National
- Chapter 6 Economic Development 128 | P a g e The distribution of the labour force in Co. Laois is varied with the highest rates tending to be in close proximity to urban settlements across the county. As presented in Figure 6.2 the highest rates were recorded in Portlaoise and Portarlington. Figure 6.2: Distribution of Labour Force in Laois Aside from these areas the highest rate was recorded in the ED of Graigue Rural; 67% (2,304 persons) of the total population within the ED aged 15 and over is part of the labour force. The following EDs also recorded a high labour force participation rate of the total population of the ED Mountmellick Urban 58% (1,367 persons), Borris 71% (822 persons), Clondarrig 71% (921 persons), Stradbally 56% (807 persons), Mountrath 60% (1,099 persons) and Abbeyleix 56% (1,232 persons). According to the 2016 Census, the total labour force ‘At Work’ residing in Laois is 33,541 persons and equates to 84.6% of the total labour force within the county. The rate is lower than the state (87.1%) and neighbouring county Kildare (88.6%) yet higher than Offaly (84%). Aside from Portlaoise and Portarlington, the highest number of individuals recorded ‘At Work’ was within the ED of Graigue Rural; 57% (3,455 persons) of the total population aged 15 years and over were recorded as been ‘At Work’. High concentrations were recorded in the following EDs Mountmellick Urban 44% (1,028 persons), Clondarrig 60% (780 persons), Mountrath 47% (855 persons) and Abbeyleix 49% (1,072 persons). With over 18,505 jobs in the County and a Jobs: Workforce ratio of 0.56 recorded in Census 2016, the economic benefits associated with the strategic location of the County and good transport connectivity, and in particular the strength of the employment base, are apparent. At a settlement level, Portlaoise is the primary centre of employment in the County, with almost 8410 jobs in 2016. The Job: Workforce ratio in the town of Portlaoise was 0.99 in 2016,highlighting the close alignment between population and employment generation. Portarlington on the other
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.