Laois County Development Plan 2021–2027

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   Chapter 2 Core and Settlement Strategy 49 | P a g e In making the choice to live either in a small town / village or open countryside, consideration must now be given to impact on the climate and what actions we need to take to be more sustainably responsible. Facilitating and encouraging people to live in more sustainable communities in towns and villages, near to essential services and public transport, is essential in addressing the climate change agenda and our transition to a low carbon society which is less dependent on private vehicle. The structure of rural villages in Laois can be categorized as follows : a) Villages >500 population (depending on assets available / function within the county) b) Villages < 500 population c) Rural settlements Villages such as Borris in Ossory, Ballyroan, Clonaslee and Killenard have an important role to play in performing local residential, retailing, social and leisure functions and providing appropriate local services to a wider rural hinterland. They have attractive streetscapes, physical settings and heritage buildings that present a strong visual character. These villages provide opportunities for future expansion/ provision of services such as community centres, local shop, pub, petrol outlet and have the potential to attract a population seeking to live in a rural environment. Development growth should be low density, relative to the scale of the settlement, located as near as is practicable to the core area. Due to their existing and envisaged size, their general structure as small country settlements, their range of housing requirements and their semi urban character, their plans include statutory zoning of particular land for particular purposes. Smaller Villages such as Ballinakill, Ballybrittas, Emo, Castletown, The Swan, etc have a limited service base and are to a large extent founded on the local primary school catchment area. These villages provide opportunities for future expansion/ provision of services such as community centres, local shop, pub, petrol outlet and have the potential to attract a population seeking to live in a rural environment.Development growth should be low density, relative to the scale of the settlement, located as near as is practicable to the core area. Rural settlements are very small, sometimes embryonic rural settlements with a very small amount of development to date. These settlements are defined by their loose gathering of one-off houses and some public services dispersed within the settlement such as a church, school, shop, playing pitch and speed limits. Examples of these settlements include Arles,Attanagh, Ballyfin, Shanahoe, Ballaghmore, Kilbricken, Donaghmore, The Rock and Wolfhill. The availability of serviced sites, in tandem with schemes such as the Irish Water Scheme for Small Towns and Villages, will help to enable this. Rural Areas Policy Objectives CS 30 Support housing at an appropriate scale and repopulation taking place within villages in a consolidated, sustainable and sequential manner, priority will be given to refurbishment of existing houses or appropriate replacement to current building standards within the existing footprint. CS 31 Promote the provision of serviced sites in line with investment opportunities by Irish Water in order to attract people to build their own homes and live in villages. CS 32 Facilitate the expansion of villages and small towns to provide for employment, retail and social opportunities at an appropriate scale subject to normal planning requirements. CS 33 Support the servicing of rural villages (serviced sites) to provide an alternative to oneoff housing in the countryside, in line with RSES Objective RPO 4.78.

2. Page 52

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   Chapter 2 Core and Settlement Strategy 50 | P a g e CS 34 Within the designated development limits of the rural villages in Volume 2, development will be permitted where it involves infilling, conversion, single site housing development, or the use of derelict or underused land or premises, subject to siting, design, protection of residential amenities and normal development management criteria. 2.11 ENVIRONMENT AND ECOSYSTEMS SERVICES APPROACH The development objectives in the t Development Plan are consistent, as far as practicable, with the conservation and protection of the environment. The accompanying Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), Appropriate Assessment (AA) and Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) processes have informed the preparation of the t Plan (see Chapter 1: Introduction for a description of these processes and Volume 4 for associated documents detailing the findings). All recommendations made by these processes have been integrated into the Plan and this will contribute towards environmental conservation and protection within the County and beyond. Ecosystems are multifunctional communities of living organisms interacting with each other and their environment. Ecosystems provide a series of services for human well-being (ecosystem services) either directly or indirectly contributing towards human wellbeing. The Ecosystems Services Approach followed by the Plan provides a strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way. Ecosystem Services Approach principles include: a) Consideration of natural systems - by using knowledge of interactions in nature and how ecosystems function (this has been considered in preparing the Plan including at Chapter 11 “Biodiversity and Natural Heritage”) b) Taking into account of the services that ecosystems provide - including those that underpin social and economic well-being, such as flood and climate regulation (including at Plan Chapter 3 “Climate Action and Energy”),resources for food, fibre or fuel (including at Plan Chapters3 “Climate Action and Energy” and 9 “Rural Laois”), or recreation, culture and quality of life (including at Plan Chapter5 “Quality Of Life and Sustainable Communities”) c) Involving people - those who benefit from the ecosystem services and those managing them need to be involved in decisions that affect them. Public consultation has informed the preparation of the Draft Plan which will be further refined before adoption, taking into account submissions/observations made on the Draft Plan during public display. Natural capital consists of renewable and non-renewable resources (e.g. plants, animals, air, water, soils, minerals) which need to be managed. In recognition of this, policy objectives have been integrated into the Plan that will contribute towards the management of air quality, noise pollution, light pollution, pollination, flood risk, water bodies and river basins and natural resources supporting energy production and recreation. Ecosystems Approach Policy Objectives CS 35 Promote an Ecosystem Services Approach in the preparation of lower-level plans, strategies and Development Management.

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   Chapter 2 Core and Settlement Strategy 51 | P a g e CS 36 Contribute, as practicable, towards achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals11 of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which came into force in 2016. 11 Including: • Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere • Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture • Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages • Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all • Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls • Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all • Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all • Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all • Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation • Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries • Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable • Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns • Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts • Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development • Goal 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss • Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels • Goal 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

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   52 | P a g e CHAPTER 3 CLIMATE ACTION & ENERGY Aim: To reduce our carbon footprint by integrating climate action into the planning system in support of national targets for climate policy mitigation and adaptation objectives, as well as targets for greenhouse gas emissions reductions. 3.1 WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE Climate change refers to a long term, large scale change in global or regional climate patterns. In recent years, global temperatures have been rising. Changes observed in our climate since the early 20th century are primarily driven by human activities, primarily fossil fuel burning, which increases heat-trapping greenhouse gas levels in Earth’s atmosphere, raising the average surface temperature and creating a shift in global atmospheric pressure. Many human activities generate these gases such as the production of electricity, transportation, industrial and agricultural activity which contribute to high quantities of these emissions. As can be seen in the chart below, agriculture is the highest producer of greenhouse gas emissions in the country, followed by transport and energy industries. Figure 3.1 Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Sector Source: EPA Environmental Indicator 3.1.1 CLIMATE ACTION = MITIGATION + ADAPTATION Climate change is now recognised as the most significant global threat and its impacts are already having far-reaching economic, social and environmental consequences which can be seen in our rising sea levels, higher average temperatures, frequent weather extremes and flooding. ‘Climate Action’ includes the two approaches necessary to tackle climate change – Mitigation and Adaptation. Mitigation refers to efforts that will reduce current and future greenhouse gas emissions including reductions in energy use, switching to renewable energy sources and carbon sinks. Climate adaptation consists of actions that will reduce the impacts that are already happening and those that are projected to happen in the future. These include flood protection, reduced impact of rising sea levels, increased resilience of infrastructure and emergency response planning.

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   Chapter 3 Climate Action & Eenergy 53 | P a g e Figure 3.2 Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Measures Source: Climate Action Regional Office 3.2 CLIMATE CHANGE LEGISLATIVE BACKGROUND 3.2.1 INTERNATIONAL The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international environmental treaty adopted in May 1992, with an objective “to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system”. The framework outlined how specific international treaties may negotiate further action towards its key objective. Most recently, the Paris Agreement 2015 is a protocol set within the context of the UNFCCC and was ratified by Ireland on 4th November 2016 and it is aimed at limiting global warming to less than 2.0°C above pre-industrial level and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.50°C along with building resilience and increasing the ability to mitigate the impacts of climate change. 3.2.2 EUROPEAN The European Union published a Strategy on Adapting to Climate Change in April 2013 the main focus of which was to build a more climate resilient Europe. The EU Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy is the mainstream European voluntary movement involving local authorities in the development and implementation of sustainable energy and climate policies. Laois County Council is working towards becoming a party to the Covenant of Mayors. 3.2.3 NATIONAL Ireland’s first national policy to address the impacts of climate change was introduced in 2012 with National Climate Change Adaptation Framework (NCCAF) with the National Policy Position on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development 2014 reiterating the policy position. The National Policy Position 42 establishes the fundamental national objective of achieving transition to a competitive, low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by 2050, guided by a long-term vision based on:

6. Page 56

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   Chapter 3 Climate Action & Eenergy 54 | P a g e • an aggregate reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of at least 80% (compared to 1990 levels) by 2050 across the electricity generation, built environment and transport sectors; and • in parallel, an approach to carbon neutrality in the agriculture and land-use sector, including forestry, which does not compromise capacity for sustainable food production. Subsequently, the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act, 2015, provide the statutory basis for the national transition to a low carbon society by 2050 - the objective laid out in the National Policy Position. It also made provision for and gave statutory authority to both the National Mitigation Plan (NMP), published in 2017 and the National Adaptation Framework (NAF) published in 2018. Furthermore, the Government’s 2019 Climate Action Plan sets out clear 2030 targets for each sector and the expected emissions savings that will result. 3.2.3.1 National Adaptation Framework (NAF) 2018 The NAF sets out the national strategy to reduce the vulnerability of the country to the negative effects of climate change and outlines a whole of government and society approach to climate adaptation in Ireland. Under the NAF a number of Government Departments are required to prepare sectoral adaptation plans in relation to the priority area that they are responsible for. Local authorities are also required to prepare local adaptation strategies, of which Laois County Council prepared the Laois Climate Adaptation Strategy in August 2019. 3.2.3.2 Laois County Council Climate Adaptation Strategy 2019 - 2024 The Laois County Council Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2019-2024 features a range of actions across six thematic areas, including: Local Adaptation Governance and Business Operations; Infrastructure and Built Environment; Land Use and Development; Drainage and Flood Management; Natural Resources and Cultural Infrastructure; and Community Health and Wellbeing. The Strategy sets out a number of ‘Adaptation Actions’ including: • To ensure that Climate Change adaptation considerations are mainstreamed and integrated successfully into all functions and activities of the local authority ensuring operational protocols, procedures and policies implement an appropriate response in addressing the diversity of impacts associated with climate change. • To build capacity and resilience within Laois County Council to respond to climate change and climate change/severe weather events. • To ensure and increase the resilience of infrastructural assets and the built environment, informing investment decisions. • To Integrate climate action considerations into land use planning policy and influence positive behaviour. • To manage the risk of flooding through a variety of responses. • To provide for enhancement of natural environment to work positively towards climate action. • To promote effective bio-diversity management and enhance protection of natural habitats and landscapes. • To build capacity and resilience within communities. In this regard, the Laois’s Climate Adaptation Strategy 2019-2024 has provided a critical point of reference in preparing this plan. 3.2.3.3 Climate Action Plan 2019 The Climate Action Plan identifies the nature and scale of the climate challenge and sets the course of action and carbon proof polices over the coming years to address climate change. This Plan clearly recognises that Ireland must significantly step up its commitments to tackle climate disruption. The leadership role both the Government and public bodies can play in taking early

7. Page 57

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   Chapter 3 Climate Action & Eenergy 55 | P a g e action on climate is fundamental to achieving our decarbonisation goals. The infographic below provides an overview of targets set. Figure 3.3 Climate Action Plan Source: Climate Action Regional Office 3.2.3.4 National Planning Framework (NPF) The NPF identifies planning as a means to implement and integrate climate change objectives at local level and recognises that in order to meet this national target, it will be necessary to make choices about how we balance growth with more sustainable approaches to development and land use. The NPF sets out 10 National Strategic Outcomes to guide the future development of Ireland over the next 20 years, of which 2 are related specifically to addressing climate action - NSO 8 ‘Transition TO A LOW CARBON AND CLIMATE RESILIENT SOCIETY’ and NSO 9 ‘Sustainable Management of Water, Waste and other Environmental Resources’. It is stated that these objectives will shape investment choices over the coming decades in line with the National Mitigation Plan and the National Adaptation Framework and how the country will adapt to a new renewables focused energy production system such as from wind and solar sources. There are further National Policy Objectives noted within the theme of climate change and how mitigation and adaption measures are required. Of particular note, Laois County Council must demonstrate compliance with NPOs in areas such as densification, NPO 3 (C) 30% brownfield (role of URDF in consolidation) integrating transport links, increasing permeability (both pedestrian and cycling) and connection to public transport (15min walk). 3.2.3.5 Regional and Spatial Economic Strategy (RSES) Aligning with the National Policy Objectives of the NPF, the RSES sets out 16 Regional Strategic Outcomes (RSOs) which set the framework for City and County Development Plans to build climate resilience into their policies and objectives and to support the transition to a low carbon economy by 2050. The Strategy identifies the following RSOs in relation to climate action: • RSO 6. Integrated Transport and Land Use • RSO 7. Sustainable Management of Water, Waste and other Environmental Resources • RSO 8. Build Climate Resilience • RSO 9 Support the Transition to Low Carbon and Clean Energy • RSO 10. Enhanced Green Infrastructure

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   Chapter 3 Climate Action & Eenergy 56 | P a g e • RSO 11. Biodiversity and Natural Heritage EMRA is leading an ESPON EU research project (QGasSP) to identify a robust method for quantifying the relative GHG impacts of alternative spatial planning policies, the outputs of which are anticipated in 2021, and should inform the future plans as they progress. Climate Action Policy Objectives CA 1 Support and facilitate European and national objectives for climate adaptation and mitigation as detailed in the following documents, taking into account other provisions of the Plan (including those relating to land use planning, energy, sustainable mobility, flood risk management and drainage): • Climate Action Plan (2019 and any subsequent versions); • National Climate Change Adaptation Framework (2018 and any subsequent versions); • Any Regional Decarbonisation Plan prepared on foot of commitments included in the emerging Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Eastern and Midland Region; • Relevant provisions of any Sectoral Adaptation Plans prepared to comply the requirements of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, including those seeking to contribute towards the National Transition Objective, to pursue, and achieve, the transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by the end of the year 2050; and • Laois Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2019-2024. CA 2 Support and facilitate the creation of a Decarbonisation Zone in the Key Town of Portlaoise.

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   Chapter 3 Climate Action & Eenergy 57 | P a g e 3.4 INTEGRATING CLIMATE ACTION INTO THE PLAN One of the cross-cutting principles of this Plan is to support a transition to a low carbon and climate resilient society, a necessary measure that is supported by the aforementioned comprehensive legislative and policy framework relating to climate action. The Development Plan seeks to simultaneously address issues of climate change, energy supply and sustainability through the adoption and implementation of policy at a local level. The majority of County Laois commuters drive accounting for 73 % of those who commute to work and 30% of those commuting to 3rd level study. The next most popular modes of transport for workers in walking (6%) and for 3rd level students on foot (23%) and bus (17%) were the next most popular. For primary and secondary students, the most popular mode of travel was as passengers by car (60%), bus(18%) and walking 15. The following is the baseline modal share for the overall County. In relation to Portlaoise, the majority of commuters also favor driving which accounts for 67 % of those who commute to work and 28% of those commuting to 3rd level study. The next most popular modes of transport for workers in walking (9%) and for 3rd level students on foot (21%) and bus (21%) were the next most popular. For primary and secondary students, the most popular mode of travel was as passengers by car (57%), bus(22%) and walking (13%).

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    Chapter 3 Climate Action & Eenergy 58 | P a g e In relation to Portarlington, the majority of commuters also favor driving which accounts for 62 % of those who commute to work and 27% of those commuting to 3rd level study. The next most popular modes of transport for workers is the train (6%) and bus (23%) were the next most popular. Please also refer to Chapter 6, 9 and 11 in relation to the future use of peatlands.

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.