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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- POLICIES ENI POL 1 To support the development of a safe, secure and reliable electricity network which assists EirGrid in their grid development programme, as set out in the Grid Development Strategy – Your Grid, Your Tomorrow, 2017 and Tomorrow’s Energy Scenarios 2017: Planning our Energy Future, 2017. ENI POL 2 To co-operate and liaise with statutory and other energy providers in relation to power generation in order to ensure that the energy needs of future population and economic expansion within designated growth areas and across the wider region can be delivered in a sustainable and timely manner, which minimises impacts on environmental sensitive and high visual quality areas and that capacity is available at local and regional scale to meet future needs. ENI POL 3 To require comprehensive studies to be undertaken for all technical and environmental considerations, to inform the assessment of proposed transmission routes brought forward for planning consent. ENI POL 4 To support the renewal, reinforcement and strengthening of the electricity transmission network with particular reference to the regionally important projects such as Renewable Integration Development Project. ENI POL 5 To support the necessary integration of the transmission network requirements to allow linkages with renewable energy proposals at all levels to the electricity transmission grid in a sustainable and timely manner. ENI POL 6 To support the build-out of the gas supply network into Co. Leitrim. OBJECTIVE ENI OBJ 1 To safeguard existing strategic energy corridors from encroachment by other developments that could compromise the delivery of energy networks. 231LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 9 Infrastructure and Energy
- 9.16 Information Communications and Technology 9.16.1 Digital Strategy for Co. Leitrim ‘Digital Leitrim’, is the title for the Co. Leitrim Digital Strategy. It will co-ordinate all activities for the development of a collaborative digital society and economy over the period to 2023. This is the first Digital Strategy for the county and as such, ‘Digital Leitrim ‘will build the foundations for and set the direction for digital development in the county over the coming decade. The strategy will build on existing resources, knowledge, networks and plans to create a forward thinking, creative Co. Leitrim that respects and protects its natural resources & environment, its culture & heritage, its people and their skills and talents. Leitrim County Council will use this Digital Strategy to bring together a number of actions and objectives from the community and civic society, enterprise, education, cultural and environmental fields and apply a digital dimension to all aspects of development. The Digital Strategy will help pave the way for future priorities and shape how the county allocates it resources and works collaboratively for a more innovative, creative and low carbon future. It will address issues of rural isolation and decline, economic and agricultural innovation, cultural and tourism promotion with low carbon impacts and environmental protection to the core. POLICY DS POL 1 To support the implementation and roll out of action contained in the Digital Strategy for Leitrim 2021-2023 or any replacement Strategy. 9.17 Broadband Broadband is one of the key drivers in maintaining competitiveness and supporting socio-economic development. It provides a connectivity that has transformed the way people and businesses operate. The availability of high speed and reliable broadband is becoming a prerequisite for economic competitiveness and there is also an increased reliance on broadband for communication and entertainment. The COVID-19 pandemic with its associated social distancing has led to a paradigm shift in terms of accepting remote work and social practices and these have become extensively prevalent. It is anticipated that many of the trends that developed in response to COVID-19 will remain, potentially speeding up the reliance on broadband. Co. Leitrim will benefit from the rollout of several Government led broadband schemes including the National Broadband Plan, Rural Broadband Scheme and Broadband for Schools which is a significant advancement in relation to the digital infrastructure that has taken place within the telecommunications sector in the county. The National Broadband Plan (NBP), part funded by the Irish Government and the European Regional Development Fund, is the Government’s plan to deliver high speed broadband services to all businesses, farms and households in Ireland, providing broadband to underserved areas where the market has failed due to factors such as low population density and ensuring that people living and working in rural areas have the same digital opportunities as those in urban areas. The targets of the NBP includes: ● 70Mbps-100Mbps available to at least 50% of the population with a majority having access to 100Mbps. ● At least 40Mbps, and in many cases much faster speeds, to at least a further 20% of the population and potentially as much as 35% around smaller towns and villages. ● A minimum of 30Mbps available to all properties, no matter how rural and remote. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I232 9 Infrastructure and Energy
- Figure 9.2: National Broadband Plan Intervention Areas in Co. Leitrim Some of Co. Leitrim’s towns suffer from broadband deficiencies, which are detrimental to their economic growth. The Council will work towards remedying this, through facilitating the implementation of the National Broadband Plan. There are 11,595 no. premises in Co. Leitrim without access to highspeed broadband. This represents 52% of the total premises in the county. The extent of the Intervention Areas is shown on Figure 9.2. Under the NBP, the Government will invest €56m in Co. Leitrim. In Figure 9.2, the amber areas are the target areas for the State intervention of the National Broadband Plan. The blue area are where commercial operators are delivering or have indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services. Broadband Connection Point (BCP’s) are public locations which have been selected to receive high speed connectivity in the first year of the National Broadband Plan by the Department of Rural and Community Development. This included 12 no. BCPs in Co. Leitrim, 5 no. of which have been provided at Aghanlish Community Centre, Askill Community Centre, Gortletteragh Community Centre, Killargue Community Centre and Glencar Waterfall. An additional 5 no. sites are due for completion later this year at Aughavas GAA, Aughawillan GAA & Aughawillan Community Centre, Teach Dúchas Drumeela and Killenummery Hall. 2 no. additional sites are pending site surveys with potential for BCP’s at the new Ballagh Centre, Rossinver and Leitrim Gaels Community Facility. In addition, the NBP will provide high speed broadband to 12 no. national schools in the county in the initial roll out phase with 2 schools (Saint Michael’s National School, Glenfarne and Aughawillan National School) already operational. The Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), a network of ducting and fibre optic cable has been installed in Carrick-on-Shannon and Manorhamilton, which can be used to provide services including telecoms, Internet access, television, telematics and CCTV. The county is part of the Atlantic Economic Corridor (AEC). Under this platform, the AEC Hub Network has been developed. This classifies all the enterprise hubs and co-working spaces along the AEC and a shared online booking system has been developed to coordinate and promote the facilities. Co. Leitrim has 9 no. hub sites included within this project. Leitrim County Council is also part of the Upper Shannon Erne Future Economy Project (USEFE), this is a partnership between Cavan, Leitrim, Longford, Bord na Mona and ESB. Under this project, the Council have developed a partnership between The Hive in Carrick-on-Shannon, Cavan Digital Hub in Cavan town and Edgeworthstown Enterprise Hub in Co. Longford to develop the facilities to promote coworking/remote working in the region. POLICIES BR POL 1 To support and facilitate the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and public and private agencies as appropriate, in improving high quality broadband infrastructure throughout the county and supporting the roll out of the National Broadband Plan. BR POL 2 To support and facilitate the delivery of the National Broadband Plan and Leitrim County Councils Digital Strategy as a means of developing further opportunities for enterprise, employment, education, innovation and skills development, for those who live and work in rural areas throughout Leitrim, where appropriate. BR POL 3 To promote the potential of the Metropolitan Area Network fibre optic cable managed by eNET. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 233 9 Infrastructure and Energy
- 9.18 Telecommunications The Council recognises the importance of advanced communications infrastructure for an information-based society, and as a key support for business, education and research. The Council will support and facilitate the provision of advanced communication networks and services to the extent required to contribute to national, regional and local competitiveness and to attract inward investment. The Council will also encourage the further co-ordinated and focused development and extension of telecommunications infrastructure including broadband connectivity in the county, particularly in the Tier 2A and 2B Towns, as a means of improving their economic competitiveness. The Council considers the provision of a state of the art telecommunications network to be critical in addressing the county’s peripherality and will seek to ensure the county is served by the most up-todate technology available. The Council will seek to achieve a balance between facilitating the provision of telecommunications services in the interests of social and economic progress and protecting residential amenities and environmental quality. The Council will have due regard to the guideline issued by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, ‘Planning Guidelines for Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures’ (1996) and Circular Letter Pl 07/12. The assessment of individual development proposals will be governed by the criteria contained in the Development Management chapter of this Plan. POLICIES TEL POL 1 To promote and facilitate the provision of a high quality telecommunications infrastructure network throughout the county having regard to the requirements of the “Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures – Guidelines for Planning Authorities”. TEL POL 2 To support service providers in the development of key telecommunications infrastructure. TEL POL 3 To support the delivery of high capacity Information Communications Technology Infrastructure, broadband connectivity and digital broadcasting, throughout the county, in order to ensure economic competitiveness and in enabling more flexible work practices. TEL POL 4 To encourage co-location of antennae on existing telecommunications structures. The shared use of existing structures will be required where the numbers of masts located in any single area is considered to have an excessive concentration. TEL POL 5 To ensure that telecommunications structures are located to minimise and /or mitigate any adverse impacts on communities, residential properties, schools and the built or natural environment. OBJECTIVE TEL OBJ 1 To ensure that all areas of the county have adequate mobile communication coverage and in particular to require service providers to provide services in areas where existing coverage is poor. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I234 9 Infrastructure and Energy
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- 10.1 Introduction The strengthening of rural economies and communities is one of the National Strategic Outcomes of the NPF. This is of particular importance to Co. Leitrim, which is predominantly a rural county, with the vast majority of our population rural-based, living outside of defined settlements and the majority of our land in agricultural or forestry use. In the context of this chapter, ‘rural’ relates to the open countryside outside of settlements as outlined in the Core Strategy. This Plan presents a rural housing policy in Chapter 3 which seeks to balance the need to sustain rural communities with the need to protect Leitrim’s natural heritage, environment and landscape qualities. The rural housing policy differentiates between the pressure for one off housing in the areas surrounding large towns from the remainder of the countryside. The Plan seeks to support the appropriate and sustainable development of rural areas by encouraging growth and arresting decline in areas that have experienced low population growth or decline in recent decades and by managing the growth of areas that are under strong urban influence, while sustaining vibrant rural communities. A consolidation of housing within rural villages and small towns is equally encouraged to create vibrant rural communities that can support a transition to a low carbon and climate resilient society but also bring life and vibrancy back into our smaller settlements. The Council recognises that rural-based employment extends beyond what are considered as traditional rural sectors to include all aspects of the economy. The rollout of broadband and key tourism infrastructure such as greenways and blueways has begun to revitalise some of our rural areas and facilitated increased levels of rural diversification. The workplace measures introduced to combat the COVID-19 pandemic have illustrated the effectiveness of remote working as a viable alternative for many to traditional office-based employment, and the advances in remote working technologies will ensure that home-working will be an increasingly significant workplace for many into the future. Such trends will have a significantly positive impact on further sustaining and revitalising rural communities, with issues such as quality of life, reducing personal carbon footprint and health benefits featuring more prominently in the choices in relation to where people live and work. This chapter sets out the policies required for sustainable rural development, in a manner that is consistent with the guidance, strategies and policies at national and regional level. The Plan seeks to ensure that agricultural activity is accommodated, and environmental assets are protected. A consolidation of housing within rural villages is encouraged to create vibrant rural communities that can support a transition to a low carbon and climate resilient society but also bring life and vibrancy back into our smaller villages. This Plan will include policies and objectives to ensure that Co. Leitrim’s rural areas capitalise on their potential while protecting the environmental assets that define their character and value. Rural diversification opportunities are vital for sustaining a viable rural economy. However, a balance needs to be maintained between facilitating appropriate forms of rural development and protecting the rural environment. This Plan will aim to provide an enabling policy framework which strikes to achieve this balance. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I236
- 10.2 Vision “To support agriculture and the rural economy whilst protecting the environment and maintaining a stable population in rural areas to ensure the maintenance of vibrant rural communities”. 10.3 Policy Context 10.3.1 Sustainable Rural Housing, Guidelines for Planning Authorities, 2005 The Circular letter PL2/2017, issued by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government in May 2017, advised Local Authorities that the Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines are currently being revised to ensure the rural housing policies and objectives contained in Local Authority Development Plans comply with Article 43 of the EU Treaty on the freedom of movement of citizens. At the date of publication, the revised Guidelines have not been issued. The Council will have regard to the current Guidelines and any future guidelines issued in relation to rural housing development. 10.3.1 Project Ireland 2040 - National Planning Framework (NPF) The NPF acknowledges that ‘rural areas have a major role to play in Ireland 2040 and encourages Local Authorities to ensure that connectivity gaps are addressed and that planning and investment policies support job creation in the rural economy’. Improved coordination of existing investment programmes dealing with social inclusion, rural development and town and village renewal are sought, as is planning for the future growth and development of rural areas. National Strategic Objective (NSO 3) identifies traditional pillars of the rural economy, such as the natural resource and the food sector, as being key to future economic development as well as those emerging from improved connectivity and broadband access which has the potential to yield further rural economic development opportunities. Section 3.17.2.2 outlines the rural housing considerations for Co. Leitrim as contained in the NPF. 10.3.2 Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020- 2032 (NWRA RSES) In relation to forestry, a Regional Fora is to be established ‘to set out a framework for sustainable afforestation across the region that enables government policy to grow the sector and that addresses community concerns and perceptions’ (RPO 5.24). Section 3.17.2.3 outlines the rural housing considerations for Co. Leitrim as contained in the RSES. 10.3.4 Realising our Rural Potential: Action Plan for Rural Development 2017 This Action Plan aims to unlock the potential of rural areas through a framework of supports at national and local level which will ensure that people who live in rural areas have increased opportunities for employment locally, access to public services and social networks that support a high quality of life. A number of key initiatives proposed as part of the Strategy include the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Delivery of the 2014-2020 EU LEADER Programme. The Action Plan for Rural Ireland builds on the commitments contained in the Charter for Rural Ireland and sets out a clear roadmap for its implementation. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 237 10 Rural Development
- 10.3.5 Charter for Rural Ireland This Charter (2016) contains a number of commitments which help to establish the foundations for the rejuvenation of the rural economy and rural society as a whole. The Charter is ‘a statement of Government commitment to support Rural Ireland’s regeneration and to underpin the future sustainable development of Ireland’s rural communities’. 10.3.6 Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 This Rural Development Programme is based on the EU framework for rural development and the objective of the programme is to foster the development of rural areas through innovation, locally based, bottom up development strategies. The Local Community Development Committees (LCDC) and LEADER are the programme implementation bodies. 10.3.7 Our Rural Future: Rural Development Policy 2021-2025 ‘Our Rural Future’, produced by the Department of Rural and Community Development represents the whole of Government’s blueprint for a post COVID-19 recovery and development of rural Ireland over the next 5 years. It provides the framework to achieve the vision of transforming the quality of life and opportunity for people living in rural areas. The policy reflects the unprecedented change in living and working patterns during COVID-19 and the significant opportunities this presents for rural communities – from remote working and revitalising our town centres to job creation, developing a green economy and enhancing our outdoor amenities. It is supported by 150 no. commitments to be implemented across a range of Government Departments and agencies, which will address the challenges facing communities and deliver new opportunities for people living in rural areas. Further commitments will be added to over the lifetime of the policy to respond to emerging needs and opportunities in rural areas. ‘Our Rural Future’ will be underpinned by investment across Government in areas such as the roll out of high-speed broadband, remote working facilities, job creation, town centre regeneration, community development, improvements in regional and local roads, new cycling and walking infrastructure, expanded rural transport services, funding for tourism, culture and heritage projects, and a just transition to a climate-neutral society. The Vision emphasises the interdependence of rural and urban areas and recognises: ● the centrality of the people who live in rural Ireland ● the importance of vibrant and lived-in rural places ● the possibilities for rural areas to support quality jobs and contribute to sustaining our shared environment The policy will encourage and support rural communities to develop cohesive and integrated plans to meet the long-term needs of their own particular area, recognising that each rural place is different and there is no one-size-fits-all solution to meet the developmental needs of every area. Outcomes The high-level outcomes of delivering this policy will see: ● more people living in rural Ireland, including in our towns and villages and on the islands ● more people working in rural Ireland, with good career prospects, regardless of where their employer is based ● rural Ireland contributing to, and benefiting from, the transition to a low-carbon economy and a climate-neutral society ● rural towns being vibrant hubs for commercial and social activity ● rural communities, and especially young people, having an active role in shaping the future for rural Ireland. Thematic Objectives ‘Our Rural Future’ addresses the following thematic objectives: ● optimising the opportunities for rural communities from high speed broadband, in particular through investment in remote working ● supporting improved quality employment and career opportunities in rural areas ● assisting the regeneration, repopulation and development of rural towns and villages ● enhancing the participation, leadership and resilience of rural communities ● enhancing public services in rural areas ● transitioning to a climate neutral society ● supporting the sustainability of agriculture and natural resources ● supporting the sustainability of our island and coastal communities ● nurturing our culture and heritage (runs throughout the other thematic areas) LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I238 10 Rural Development
- 10.4 Rural Economy Leitrim is a predominantly rural county, with much of its population rural-based and the majority of the land in the county is in agricultural or forestry use. Construction, engineering, manufacturing, quarrying, tourism related services, transport, energy production, forestry, agriculture, food, education, waste disposal and health are all areas of employment in the rural areas of Co. Leitrim. The Council recognises, however, that rural-based employment extends beyond these traditional rural sectors to include all aspects of the economy. A national strategic outcome of the NPF is ‘Strengthened Rural Economies and Communities’. Rural areas play a key role in defining our identity, in driving our economy and our high-quality environment and are part of the county’s strategic development during the Plan period. In addition to the natural resources and food sector as traditional pillars of the rural economy, improved connectivity facilitating home working and digital hubs, broadband and rural economic development opportunities offer the potential to ensure our rural areas remain and strengthen as a living and working community. Chapter 4 - Economic Development deals with rural diversification and economic enterprises in further detail. POLICIES RUR ECON POL 1 To support the continued vitality and viability of rural areas by promoting sustainable social and economic development whilst recognising the need to protect the value and character of open countryside. RUR ECON POL 2 To facilitate the continuation of agriculture, and the broadening of the rural economy, while conserving the landscape, environment and natural diversity of the countryside. RUR ECON POL 3 To accommodate proposals for new employment and enterprise development that may emerge (subject to proper planning and sustainable development considerations) and for which there are strong locational factors that do not apply to the same extent elsewhere. This would include the development of manufacturing facilities dependent on rural resources in appropriate locations. RUR ECON POL 4 To maximise the potential synergies and development opportunities between tourism, crafts and food sector particularly along the Blueway and Greenway proposition being developed across and through the county. RUR ECON POL 5 To provide for the sustainable development of fisheries, where this is in compliance with the Habitats and Birds Directives and other ecological protection objectives. Where new infrastructure is being provided, it should be positioned at already modified locations where feasible and sedimentation and siltation issues should be considered, with floating infrastructure used where feasible. Fishery related developments may necessitate the preparation of a Visitor/Habitat Management Plan that includes requirements in relation to sustainable fishing practices that would not affect the ecological site integrity and invasive species. RUR ECON POL 6 To avoid the creation of any additional access point from new development or the generation of increased traffic from existing accesses to national roads to which speed limits greater than 60 kmh apply. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 239 10 Rural Development
- OBJECTIVES RUR ECON OBJ 1 To promote rural economic development, recognising the need to advance the long term sustainable social and environmental development of rural areas and encouraging economic diversification and facilitating growth of rural based enterprises. RUR ECON OBJ 2 To promote the growth of rural enterprises and activities that are resource dependent. RUR ECON OBJ 3 To develop and support sustainable and economically efficient rural economies enhancing sectors such as agricultural and food, forestry, fishing and aquaculture, energy and extractive industries, the bio-economy, renewable energy, tourism, outdoor recreation and creative arts sector and facilitating diversification into alternative onfarm and off-farm activities, while protecting the natural landscape and built heritage. RUR ECON OBJ 4 To identify and protect rural resources, such as locally and regionally important aquifers and water sources, from development which would prejudice their sustainable future usage. RUR ECON OBJ 5 To support and promote certified organic farming and producers operating in the county including the facilitation of farmer’s markets at appropriate locations. RUR ECON OBJ 6 To increase collaboration initiatives by small artisan food producers to maximise its current and potential contribution to the food and agrieconomy, culture, tourism and quality of life offer. 240 LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 10 Rural Development
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.