Development plan · Leitrim County Council
Leitrim County Development Plan 2023–2029
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards.
Leitrim County Council · 2023–2029 · 398 pages
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- 7.8.7 Fire Service Leitrim is served by a fully retained fire service. There are 5 fire stations located throughout the county; namely, Ballinamore, Carrick-on Shannon, Drumshanbo, Manorhamilton and Mohill. Three other fire stations, namely, Bundoran in Co. Donegal and Dowra and Killeshandra in Co. Cavan provide first attendance cover into parts of Leitrim on the basis that they are the nearest fire station to that area. Leitrim Fire Service progressed and completed a number of capital projects during 2019. A new, state of the art, fire station was completed and opened in Ballinamore. A refurbishment and extension project was completed to Drumshanbo Fire Station providing a substantial improvement to the facilities available. Significant progress has also made on the Manorhamilton Fire Station project with the new site acquired and progressed to design and tender stage. OBJECTIVES FS OBJ 1 To support the development and enhancement of the fire service in Co. Leitrim together with necessary extensions and upgrades to existing facilities to ensure operational compliance subject to funding being available. FS OBJ 2 To facilitate the development of a new fire station on a site identified in the Manorhamilton land use zoning objectives map subject to the undertaking of the necessary environmental assessments as part of the planning consent process. 7.8.8 Burial Grounds Local Authorities have a statutory responsibility to provide for burial facilities. The Council will support the development of additional burial grounds and extensions to existing facilities where appropriate. The Council will assist and encourage local involvement in the upkeep and maintenance of burial grounds, and in the preservation of the heritage value of older burial grounds. Advice on the public health and other technical aspects of new burial grounds will continue to be given to local community interests. POLICY BUR GRD POL 1 To protect historic graveyards in Co. Leitrim. OBJECTIVE BUR GRD OBJ 1 To provide or facilitate the provision of new burial grounds and extensions to existing burial grounds to meet the needs of the county. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 171 7 Sustainable Communities
- 7.8.9 Arts and Cultural Facilities Leitrim County Council recognises the value and importance of the arts, culture and creativity. We have seen how investment in the creative sector pays dividend in terms of the social capital it builds and how it improves the lives of our citizens and grows pride. While this is invaluable to our society, the arts, culture and creativity sectors are also invaluable contributors to the economy of the county by attracting visitors, investment and job creation. Co. Leitrim is remarkable, relative to its size, for its levels of activity and capacity across a wide range of artforms and cultural arenas and is acknowledged as having one of the largest proportions of artists and craftspeople of anywhere in the country. The highest proportion of these are based in the north of the county where in Manorhamilton, the Leitrim Sculpture Centre boasts the widest array of material processes of any arts facility in the country, while the Glens Centre maintains a strong focus on the professional development of performing artists in theatre and music. Meanwhile, the Dock in Carrickon-Shannon enjoys a considerable and growing national and international reputation and represents the most significant point of contact in the county for the public to engage with the arts and is also home to the Leitrim Design House. Finally, while Ballinamore is remarkable for its levels of involvement in the arts by children and young people, the proposed new Junction Centre in Ballinamore will also contain a bespoke facility for young people to engage with the arts, the only such facility in the county. Leitrim County Council, through its Arts Office, provides information, advice and assistance to a wide range of clients and develops policies in relation to various aspects of the creative sector. It works closely with The Arts Council and Creative Ireland and develops and co-ordinates a number of programmes independently and in association with a wide range of local, national and international partners. The mission statement of Leitrim County Council’s current Arts Plan is “to nurture and foster the arts in all its diversity; to embrace and welcome new ideas; to create the conditions to help turn those ideas into reality; and to embed the arts and creativity into all aspects of the social, economic and cultural life of Leitrim.” This mission statement is reflected through a series of actions that align to three strategic priorities of Public Engagement, Children & Young People, and Professional Development & Sustainability. POLICIES ART POL 1 To raise awareness of the culturally-rich and artistically vibrant offering and services provided in Co. Leitrim. ART POL 2 To support the professional development and sustainability of those who work in the creative sector. ART POL 3 To provide enhanced opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to explore different forms of cultural and creative expression. ART POL 4 To strengthen Co. Leitrim’s capacity as a creative hub and cultural cluster, enhancing the potential for economic development and sustainability in the sector. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I172 7 Sustainable Communities
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- 8.1 Strategic Aim The strategic aim of this chapter is: “To support increased use of sustainable modes of transport; the integration of spatial planning more closely with transport planning to reduce the need for travel; enhancing existing strategic transportation infrastructure in the county and regional accessibility; transitioning towards a low carbon energy efficient transport system, and; the development of a safer, more efficient, effective and connected transport system within Co. Leitrim”. 8.2 Introduction The continued delivery, expansion and maintenance of a well-functioning, multi modal transport network is essential to delivering the county’s economic competitiveness, improving the quality of life of residents and achieving better social cohesion. Accessibility and mobility for all sections of the community is vital for the future development of the county. The Council acknowledges the importance of the existing road network in Co. Leitrim and fully recognises the need to maximise benefits from the existing and proposed road network. However, there is acceptance that the transport sector is a significant contributory factor in the growth of greenhouse gas emissions generally. Ensuring transport infrastructure and services will be able to withstand the likely future impacts of climate change is a big challenge for this Plan having regard to the dispersed nature of our predominantly rural population and to our general dependence on the private car for transport. Data provided by the National Transport Authority (NTA) based on Census of Population 2016 (POWSCAR) data indicates that a significant number of shorter journeys (less than 2km) are being made by car within our larger urban centres. Census 2016 indicated that Co. Leitrim has one of the highest rates of car dependence in the country with 69.1% of commuters travelling to work by car or as a passenger in a car, compared to 65.6% nationally, with just 1.1% availing of public transport (bus and rail) compared to a national average of 9.3%. The Census demonstrated that whilst there was a good uptake in bus use for travelling for education purposes, this was not replicated for travelling for work purposes. Travelling to work or school/college by cycling was negligible. It is therefore the ambition of the Council through this Plan to improve this travel pattern as a means of positively impacting on people’s quality of life and on the receiving environment by reducing the need for travel and seeking to change the travel patterns for shorter trips within urban settlements to non-motorised forms of transport (cycling and walking) to the maximum extent practicable in a rural county such as Co. Leitrim. The Council will seek to achieve a more balanced and sustainable pattern of movement within the county and will endeavour to facilitate a greater choice of transport modes to encourage a modal shift to more sustainable modes of transport and transitioning to a low carbon transport system. Furthermore, this Plan supports and encourages sustainable and compact forms of development, which, if realised, will reduce the need to travel, reduce the extent of car dependency and reduce carbon emissions from transport. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I174
- 8.3 Legislative and Policy Context There are a number of national and regional strategies and plans which provide a context for the Council’s transportation strategy and policy framework. Prominent examples of such are as follows: Project Ireland 2040 - The National Planning Framework As outlined previously, the NPF is based on achieving ten strategic outcomes, the most pertinent of which to this chapter is sustainable mobility, securing compact and sustainable growth and ensuring a transition to a low carbon and climate resistant society. A strong emphasis is therefore placed on electrification of public transport fleets and the use of electric vehicles to improve the environmental quality of our towns. The transition to more sustainable modes of travel (walking, cycling, public transport) is promoted, particularly within smaller towns and villages and in rural areas. The NPF also supports the implementation of planning and transportation strategies for urban areas, with a major focus on improving walking and cycling routes, including continuous greenway networks and targeted measures to enhance permeability and connectivity. In respect of compact growth, an emphasis is placed on renewing and developing existing settlements and delivering new housing in existing settlements thereby reducing the need to travel. Enhanced regional accessibility is also a strategic outcome of the NPF and is of relevance to this county as it provides access to the northwest of the country. Northern and Western Regional Assembly Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy A core objective of the RSES is also the need to promote more sustainable forms of transport to reduce energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions, such as walking, cycling, electric vehicles and the increased usage of public transport. Sustainable mobility can be realised through the effective integration of land-use and transportation; the design of roads and streets; using more sustainable modes of transport; providing supporting infrastructure and education. The RSES requires the preparation of a joint Local Transport Plan (LTP) for the Key Town of Carrick-on-Shannon and adjoining settlement of Cortober. This will support the NPF objectives of compact growth and sustainable mobility. The RSES also places a strong emphasis on enhanced regional accessibility and there are several projects identified of relevance to Co. Leitrim. The growth of the northern and western region is dependent on transport and infrastructure investment, to improve accessibility and reduce travel times between urban and rural settlements. Building on Recovery: Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2016-2021 The document ‘Building on Recovery – Infrastructure and Capital investment 2016-2021’ (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform) sets out future capital spending proposals for investment in infrastructure. €42 billion has been allocated for projects nationally up to 2021. Following a review in 2018, the Government published a new 10-year National Investment Plan for the period 2018- 2027. National Sustainable Mobility Policy (2022) The National Sustainable Mobility Policy (2022) supersedes the previous national transport policy, Smarter Travel: A Sustainable Transport Future, A New Transport Policy for Ireland 2009–2020 and sets out the strategic framework to 2030 for active travel (walking and cycling) and public transport journeys to help Ireland meet its climate obligations. The policy is accompanied by an action plan running from 2022 to 2025, which sets out a range of actions to deliver overarching policy goals of delivering at least 500,000 additional daily active travel and public journeys by 2030 and a 10% reduction in the number of kilometres driven by fossil fuelled cars. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 175 8 Transport
- National Cycle Policy Framework 2009-2020 The National Cycle Policy Framework 2009-2020 (Department of Transport) which is derived from Smarter Travel policy document sets out a national policy for cycling, to create a stronger cycling culture, a safer environment for cycling and improved quality of life. Spatial Planning and National Roads - Guidelines for Planning Authorities 2012 These guidelines set out planning policy considerations relating to development affecting national primary and secondary roads, including motorways and associated junctions, outside the 50-60 kmph speed limit zones for towns and villages. The guidelines seek to achieve and maintain a safe and efficient network of national roads in the broader context of sustainable development strategies, thereby facilitating continued economic growth, while encouraging a shift towards more sustainable travel and transport in accordance with the Smarter Travel policy document and its policy successor, National Sustainable Mobility Policy (2022). Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets, 2019 The Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS) by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport sets out design standards for urban roads and streets which balance the “place function” (the needs of residents and visitors) with the “transport function” (the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, public transport, cars and goods vehicles). The DMURS sets out design guidance and standards for constructing new and reconfiguring existing urban roads and streets, incorporating good planning and design practice and focus on the public realm. It also outlines practical design measures to encourage more sustainable travel patterns in urban areas. In May 2020, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the need to accommodate additional space for pedestrians and cyclists and to optimise the space available on streets, an Interim Advice Note was issued by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) to Local Authorities. The Interim Note provides guidance in order to assist in the implementation on a number of measures including: ● Widening of footpaths. ● Potential pedestrianisation of some streets. ● Potential one-way systems. ● Altering traffic signal times. ● Providing additional temporary facilities for cyclists. ● Provision of some external space where appropriate to support business activities. Strategy for the Future Development of National and Regional Greenways,2018 The objective of this Strategy prepared by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, is to assist in the strategic development of nationally and regionally significant Greenways in appropriate locations constructed to an appropriate standard to deliver a quality experience for all users. It also aims to increase the number and geographical spread of Greenways of scale and quality around the country over the next 10 years resulting in a significant increase in the number of people using Greenways as a visitor experience and as a recreational amenity. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I176 8 Transport
- Local Link Rural Transport Programme Strategic Plan 2018 to 2022 The National Transport Authority (NTA) provides rural transport services through the Local Link Rural Transport Programme Strategic Plan 2018-2022. The key priorities of this programme continue to be directed at addressing rural social exclusion and the integration of rural transport services with other public transport services. The services provided under the programme are therefore intended to fulfil a primarily social function, in meeting the needs of communities in towns, villages and rural areas. In June 2021, Phase 1 of the Pilot Integrated TFI Local Link Public Transport Project for Co. Leitrim commenced. The project consisted of the NTA and the Donegal Sligo Leitrim Transport Coordination Unit (TCU) working closely with the HSE to plan and develop a revised network of TFI Local Link services for Co. Leitrim. The services are designed to meet the needs of mainstream public transport users as well as the transport needs of passengers accessing (non-emergency) health care services. Climate Action Plan 2021 This Plan sets out the Government’s plan of action in relation to combatting climate change and its impacts. It sets out governance arrangements including carbon-proofing our policies, establishment of carbon budgets and a strengthened Climate Change Advisory Council. A central component of the plan is the Government’s commitment to undertake the following: ● 70% of the country’s electricity needs will come from renewable sources by 2030 ● accelerate the take up of EV cars and vans so that 100% of all new cars and vans are EVs by 2030. This will enable achieving our target of 950,000 EVs on the road by 2030 ● this means approximately one third of all vehicles sold during the decade will be Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) or Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) ● make growth less transport intensive through better planning, remote and home-working and modal shift to public transport ● increase the renewable biofuel content of motor fuels ● set targets for the conversion of public transport fleets to zero carbon alternatives NTA Guidance In addition to the above policy framework the Development Plan has been informed by the following guidance: ● The National Cycle Manual ● Permeability Best Practice Guide ● Achieving Effective Workplace Travel Plans: Guidance for Local Authorities ● Workplace Travel Plans: A Guide for Implementers ● Toolkit for School Travel ● Guidance Note on Area Based Transport Assessment (NTA and TII) Age Friendly Principles and Guidelines for the Planning Authority, Age Friendly Ireland, 2021 All Local Authorities have formally adopted the Age Friendly Programme representing the first full national roll out of the model. In line with the objectives of the 2020 Programme for Government, services should be located within close proximity to where people live; improve the effectiveness of transport services and reduce barriers within the public realm thereby allowing older people to use public spaces in an accessible and inclusive manner. This chapter reflects the overarching principles of these national policy documents. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 177 8 Transport
- 8.4 Integration of Land Use Planning and Transportation The integration of land use and transportation is a fundamental principle of the national policy document ‘Smarter Travel: A Sustainable Transport Future’ and its policy successor, ‘National Sustainable Mobility Policy’ (2022) and will inform the policy framework pursued in this Plan. By shaping the pattern of development and influencing the location, scale, density, design and mix of land-uses, the integration of land-use and transportation can help reduce the need to travel and facilitate sustainable urban development. This Plan promotes an integrated approach to landuse and transportation which aligns with the Core Strategy and directs most of the future development into existing towns and settlements within Co. Leitrim, to reduce car dependency to the maximum amount possible. The Plan strongly supports the creation of compact growth, consolidation of existing settlements and prioritisation of the development of brownfield lands across the settlement hierarchy, which in turn will encourage the use of public transport, cycling and walking as viable alternatives to the private car. Lands identified for residential development in the Land Use Zoning maps of the principal towns are generally located within the builtup area and are situated close to or within the core areas of the settlements in order to encourage the consolidation of the settlements and make active travel (walking and cycling) more viable. Land Use and Transportation Strategies also play a vital role in supporting better coordination and integration of development planning. It is Council policy to prepare an Area Based Transport Plan for Carrick-on-Shannon/Cortober in conjunction with Roscommon County Council, to realise its role as a Key Town in our region. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I178 8 Transport
- POLICIES ILU POL 1 To support and facilitate the integration of land use with transportation infrastructure, through the development of sustainable compact settlements and promotion of higher residential densities at appropriate locations, well served by public transport to the extent practicable in a rural county with smaller urban centres such as Co. Leitrim. ILU POL 2 To support the development of a low carbon transport system by continuing to promote modal shift from private car use towards increased use of more sustainable forms of transport such as cycling, walking and public transport in circumstances where alternative options are available. ILU POL 3 To support the maintenance and optimisation of the county’s existing transport infrastructure to ensure its optimal use in line with National Investment Framework for Transport in Ireland’s (NIFTI’s) modal hierarchy and seek to undertake appropriate traffic management measures to prioritise road users in line with the modal hierarchy. ILU POL 4 To strengthen inter-regional connectivity, through the improvement of inter-urban road, bus and rail connectivity, with a particular emphasis on improved connectivity between the largest urban centres and access to ports and airports, for the movement of both people and goods. ILU POL 5 To promote the integration of land use and transport planning measures which facilitate sustainable transportation options, economic, societal and climate returns on transport investment and minimisation of environmental impacts. ILU POL 6 New transport infrastructure projects, including blueways and greenways, that are not already provided for by existing plans/programmes, which have been subject to environmental assessment, or are not already permitted, will be subject to feasibility assessment, considering need, environmental sensitivities as identified in the SEA Environmental Report, and objectives relating to sustainable mobility. Where feasibility is established, a Corridor and Route Selection Process will be undertaken, where appropriate, in two stages: Stage 1 – Route Corridor Identification, Evaluation and Selection; and Stage 2 – Route Identification, Evaluation and Selection. This Corridor and Route Selection Process will not be applicable to national roads schemes which are required to be progressed in accordance with statutory processes and TII Publications, including the Project Management Guidelines and Project Appraisal Guidelines. OBJECTIVES ILU OBJ 1 To transition towards sustainable and low carbon transport modes, through the promotion of alternative modes of sustainable transport and ‘walkable communities’ together with the achievement of compact settlement forms close to established public transport. ILU OBJ 2 To promote and deliver a sustainable, integrated and low carbon transport system with ease of movement throughout Co. Leitrim by enhancing the existing transport infrastructure in terms of road, bus, rail, cycling and pedestrian facilities. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 179 8 Transport
- 8.5 Modal Share and Sustainable Mobility In accordance with subsection 10(2)(n) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, a key requirement of a Development Plan is the promotion of sustainable settlement and transportation strategies in urban and rural areas. 23 Settlements below 1,500 inhabitants are defined as ‘rural’ under the CSO definitions. The rural aggregate population of Leitrim was recorded in 2016 as being 28,622 out of a total county population of 32,044, equating to approximately 89.3% of the population of Leitrim in 2016 being classified as a rural distribution. 24 Climate Resilient Opportunities or Generations Ahead (CRÓGA) Project, developed by Good Energies Alliance Ireland (GEAI) with support from the EU Eramus + Programme and the Irish Environmental Network (2019). Such measures seek to: ● reduce energy demand ● reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions ● adapt to climate change having regard to location, layout and design of new development As the key land use and transportation planning document for the county, this Plan seeks to address these requirements in a holistic and consistent manner. In particular, Chapter 2, Core Strategy, provides the overarching strategic policy direction to develop more compact forms of growth within our settlements. The achievement of compact growth, consolidation and prioritisation of development of vacant or underused brownfield sites within settlements reduces the need for travel to school, services and recreational by means other than walking and cycling to the maximum extent practicable. This will result in increasing levels of sustainable mobility within our settlements for shorter trips as viable and realistic alternatives to the dependence on the private car. An enhanced bus service connecting smaller centres to larger centres will seek to reduce car based transport trips in conjunction with increased acceptance and use of electric charging vehicles. Moreover, Chapter 12 of this Plan, Climate Action & Renewable Energy, establishes specific policies and objectives aimed at mitigating the causes of climate change and adapting to the effects of climate change with transportation a key focus. As outlined previously, Co. Leitrim is the most rural county in Ireland according to the 2016 Census of Population23. It is not, therefore, surprising that there is a significant reliance on private car transportation within the county. This in turn is a significant source of GHG emissions with the transport sector as a whole accounting for 22% of the total GHG emissions for Co. Leitrim24. In this regard there is a clear need for the enhancement of sustainable mobility options in the county, albeit tempered by the reality of seeking to cater for a largely dispersed rural population. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I180 8 Transport
Source Leitrim County Council: Leitrim County 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.