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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- Table 2.6 on the previous page provides the potential housing yield from the lands identified with a residential or mixed use land use zoning objective in the Plan. Notes: A. The Carrick-on-Shannon/Cortober Local Area Plan will identify the quantum of lands required to provide for 362 no. households or 30% of the final approved housing projections for the county. B. The marginal under provision in Dromahair can comfortably be provided in redevelopment proposals of brownfield/under utilised sites in the town centre similar to the development of 4 no. social housing units to the rear of the approved new library which redeveloped the vacant and dilapidated former Breffni Hotel site. C. The delivery of the required number of households in Mohill is dependent on the development primarily of backland sites, one of which includes a significant element of redundant former industrial buildings. The site north of Main Street has no obvious access and is essentially land locked. The creation of an access will require site assembly and the agreement of the demolition of an existing structure or parts of an existing structure. On that basis, the quantum of lands identified exceeds that required but is justified on the need for active land management on the part of the Local Authority to lead in the delivery of the release of these lands, the need for a Framework Plan to be prepared for each area and the likely timeframe involved which may extend beyond the life of the Development Plan. It is considered that the lands east of Hyde Street have the least impediments and will be the first option pursued by the Local Authority. D. At the Special Meeting of Leitrim County Council to adopt the Leitrim County Development Plan 2023-2029, the Elected Members resolved to approve the inclusion of objective CN 9 in the Carrigallen Settlement Plan, as contained within Volume II of the Plan, which facilitates the development of Social & Community zoned lands to the south of the existing Scoil Mhuire Naofa National School for up to 20 no. residential units in the event that the potential relocation of Carrigallen Vocational School to these subject lands is not required and subject to certain criteria being met.For completeness, Table 2.6 accounts for this potential housing yield of 20 no. residential units for the Carrigallen settlement. E. The achievement of the household levels assigned to Drumsna will be dependent on infill/backland opportunities being realised. In addition, the village has considerable architectural and historic significance. It is considered that with the absence of a national school in the village and the need to drive children to national schools in Annaduff or Carrick-on-Shannon, that the development of this Key Village needs to be carefully considered and managed. F. The lands identified in Tullaghan for new housing relate to the completion of Aigean Croith which can be considered a brownfield site. This was permitted as a housing development of 15 no. units, 3 of which were completed and occupied. The yield of development which is expected to be realised from the lands identified is therefore less than the yield for other Key Villages contained in Table 2.6 but considered appropriate for the scale and character of the village. G. The figure of 145 no. rural dwellings excludes an additional 20% which will be redeveloped on brownfield sites and constitute replacement houses. These are not considered to constitute additional houses. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 31 2 Core Strategy
- 2.8 Rural Housing Leitrim County Council recognises the long tradition of people living in rural areas and promotes sustainable rural settlements as a key component of delivering balanced regional development. The Leitrim County Development Plan 2015-2023 identified three area types in the county in terms of their capacity to accommodate further rural housing – low, medium and high capacity areas. The Plan sets out the policy against which all applications for one off housing in the countryside are assessed. The NPF recognises that careful planning is required to manage demand for housing in the countryside and acknowledges that it will continue to be necessary to demonstrate a functional economic or social requirement for housing need in areas under urban influence i.e. the commuter catchment of large towns such as Carrick-on-Shannon and Sligo. The Rural Housing policy therefore differentiates between the pressure for one off housing in the areas surrounding large towns (Carrick-on-Shannon and the impact of Sligo extending into Co. Leitrim), where an economic and social tie to an area must be established, from the remainder of the countryside. The facilitation of rural housing also poses a significant challenge in rural Leitrim owing to the poor percolation characteristics associated with soil conditions across most of the county. These soil characteristics make it extremely difficult for applicants from rural areas to satisfy the requirements of the EPA Code of Practice for individual wastewater treatment systems in order to build individual houses in the countryside. The result is a decline in rural population which is having a profound effect on the retention of services and in sporting organisations being able to field teams. The retention of sustainable rural communities will be a priority of the County Development Plan. It is also a requirement of the RSES that 20% of all individual dwellings in rural areas consist of brownfield redevelopment. This requirement is in addition to the requirement relating to small towns and villages which is outlined in the Strategic Aims of this Core Strategy. This will become an increasing challenge as such opportunities diminish over time. This objective is contained in the Housing Strategy. 32 LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 2 Core Strategy
- 2.9 Compact Growth An efficient use of land is essential for sustainable development. The NPF acknowledges that the physical format of urban development is one of our greatest national development challenges and identifies compact growth as one of the National Strategic Outcomes. This requires delivering a greater proportion of residential development and other development within existing built-up areas of towns and villages and moving away from a reliance on greenfield development to meet our future development needs. Creating more compact development has been traditionally more difficult to achieve than a continuous process of pushing development onto greenfield locations. It is now a requirement that 30% of all new homes will be delivered within the existing built up footprint of ‘urban’ settlements. This will require making better use of under utilised land including infill and brownfield sites. RPO 3.2 (c) relates to the builtup footprint of those urban settlements as defined by the CSO and which have a population of at least 1,500 people. The CSO defines a settlement of fewer than 1,500 people as ‘rural’.’ It is considered that the provisions of RPO 3.2 (c) only apply to Carrickon-Shannon and possibly Manorhamilton which would now be considered to exceed this population threshold. As Ballinamore is within the same tier in the Settlement Hierarchy as Manorhamilton, this requirement will also apply to Ballinamore (CS OBJ 5 refers). It is noted however that on the basis of the defined settlement boundary produced by the CSO that the majority of the sites identified for residential development within the Tier 2B ‘Support Towns’ and Tier 3 ‘Key Villages’ are infill sites contained within the defined settlement boundary. The Objectives Maps, contained within Volume III of this Plan, include the CSO defined individual urban settlement boundary and the Planning Authority has identified most of the lands proposed for residential development within these boundaries. The application of this boundary will define those residentially zoned lands of settlements which will contribute to the cumulative delivery of 30% of all new homes within the built-up footprint of existing settlements in Tier 1 and 2A and 20% of all new homes within the built-up footprint of existing settlements in Tier 2B and 3 respectively. 33LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 2 Core Strategy
- 2.10 Retail Development A Retail Strategy for the county has been prepared as part of this Plan. The preparation of the Strategy has been informed by the Retail Planning Guidelines for Planning Authorities (DECLG, 2012). The aim of this Strategy is to sustain and improve the retail competitiveness of the county, address expenditure leakage, and ensure an equitable and sustainable distribution of retail floorspace across the county. Co. Leitrim is not identified in the Retail Planning Guidelines as requiring the undertaking of a Joint or Multi-Authority Retail Strategy (Section 3.5 refers). Section 3.7 of the Guidelines indicates that there is no specific requirement to estimate detailed floorspace requirements for additional retail development for plans outside the areas covered by Joint or Multi- Authority Retail Strategies. Instead, a general statement of additional retail development requirements, reflecting the local evidence of market interest and the need to provide good opportunities for retail provision to serve the main population centres in the county, is considered sufficient to formulate appropriate policies and criteria for dealing with new development proposals. This Plan has been prepared on this basis with a number of retail development policies contained herein which take cognisance of the Retail Strategy. The policy position in relation to retailing activity is set out in Chapter 4 (Economic Development). LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I34 2 Core Strategy
- 2.11 Core Strategy Policies and Objectives Leitrim County Council will ensure that the future spatial development of Leitrim is underpinned by means of a plan led approach and in accordance with national and regional policy, in facilitating residential and employment generating development at locations of sufficient environmental carrying capacity. This in turn will support investment in public infrastructure and services, and which is sensitive to the physical character of the built and natural environment of Co. Leitrim. This approach is enshrined in the following Core Strategy Objectives: OVERARCHING CORE STRATEGY OBJECTIVES CS OBJ 1 To ensure that the future spatial development of Co. Leitrim is in accordance with the National Planning Framework 2040 including the population targets set out under the Implementation Roadmap, and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Northern and Western Region 2020-2032. CS OBJ 2 To implement all land use planning objectives in a manner which takes account of and is consistent with the Core Strategy to accelerate a transition to a greener, low carbon and climate resilient county with a focus on reduced travel demand through the promotion of sustainable settlement patterns to the maximum extent practicable in a rural county such as Co. Leitrim. CS OBJ 3 To ensure that adequate zoned lands are available to satisfy the housing requirements of the county in designated settlements over the lifetime of the Plan. CS OBJ 4 To promote the integration of land use and transportation policies and to prioritise provision for cycling and walking travel modes and the strengthening of public transport with particular emphasis on the bus for inter urban centre travel. CS OBJ 5 To support the regeneration of underused town centre and brownfield/infill lands along with the delivery of existing zoned and serviced lands to facilitate population growth and achieve sustainable compact growth targets of 30% of all new housing to be built within the existing urban footprint of the targeted settlements of Carrick-on- Shannon, Ballinamore and Manorhamilton. CS OBJ 6 To support the regeneration of underused town and village centre and brownfield/infill lands along with the delivery of existing zoned and serviced lands to facilitate population growth and achieve sustainable compact growth targets of 20% of all new housing to be built within the existing footprint of the settlements contained in Tier 2B and 3 of the Settlement Hierarchy. CS OBJ 7 To incorporate measures for the promotion of sustainable settlement and transportation strategies in urban and rural areas including the promotion of measures to reduce energy demand, reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, and address the necessity of adaptation to climate change, having regard to the location, layout and design of new development. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 35 2 Core Strategy
- CS OBJ 8 To support the continued growth and development of the Key Town of Carrick-on-Shannon as an urban place of regional scale attaining a target population of over 5,000 people by the end of the Plan period with a focus on quality of life and as a driver of economic development within the county and wider region. CS OBJ 9 To prepare a Joint Local Area Plan (LAP) for Carrick-on-Shannon/Cortober in conjunction with Roscommon County Council and informed by a Local Transport Plan prepared in consultation with the National Transport Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and other stakeholders within one year of the adoption of the Leitrim County Development Plan 2023-2029. The Local Area Plan shall determine the land use zoning objectives for Carrick-on-Shannon and ensure that the quantum of land identified for residential development adheres to that indicated in Table 2.6 of this Core Strategy. The LAP shall ensure sustainable, compact, sequential growth in the combined urban centre by consolidating the existing footprint with a focus on the redevelopment and regeneration of identified infill and brownfield sites. CS OBJ 10 To support and facilitate the transition of Carrickon-Shannon towards a decarbonisation zone within the lifetime of this Plan striving to make Carrick-on-Shannon a leader in climate adaptation and mitigation, and accelerate a transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy. CS OBJ 11 To ensure that Ballinamore and Manorhamilton become self-sustaining economic drivers within their catchments, by consolidating their residential, retail, tourism and service functions and enhancing their distinctive town centre character. CS OBJ 12 To ensure that the Support Towns of Dromahair, Drumshanbo, Kinlough and Mohill develop in a sustainable and consolidated manner with increased local employment opportunities available to sustain their communities, providing an appropriate range of local services and amenities and ensuring a high quality of life for residents in each centre. CS OBJ 13 To ensure that the Key Villages accommodate commensurate population and employment growth to accommodate natural increase and maintain existing services, and to ensure that future growth is balanced and sustainable. CS OBJ 14 Ensure that the range of Villages across the county maintain their existing population levels and services, cater for modest levels of growth appropriate to their scale, size and character. CS OBJ 15 To promote and support 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 and graigs, supporting the retention of services in such centres and as a viable alternative to one off housing in the countryside. CS OBJ 16 To ensure that individual rural housing is facilitated to sustain rural communities whilst ensuring that Leitrim’s natural heritage, environment and landscape qualities are protected. CS OBJ 17 To promote Carrick-on-Shannon as the main retail centre in the county with the provision of retail in other centres commensurate with their roles. CS OBJ 18 To support the vitality and viability of existing town and village centres and facilitate a competitive and healthy environment for the retailing sector by ensuring that future growth in retail floorspace responds to the identified retail hierarchy, the sequential approach, and the needs of the projected population of the settlement areas. CS OBJ 19 To ensure that development is promoted, supported or facilitated through the County Development Plan that provides for climate action including that related to the increased risk of flooding and the promotion of sustainable transport options and renewable energy where possible to achieve a successful transition to a low carbon economy. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I36 2 Core Strategy
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- 3.1 Introduction Building strong, inclusive communities is a key element in achieving sustainable development. The availability and supply of housing to meet the required demand is a critical element in maintaining the competitiveness of the county and its attractiveness as a place to live and invest. Placemaking, compact growth, active land management, and addressing the impact of climate change are some of the key themes of both the NPF and RSES. The Council’s role with regard to housing is to formulate a planning policy in the County Development Plan, to consider planning applications for private housing against this policy framework, to ensure that sufficient lands are zoned to meet the projected housing demand and to provide houses or facilitate the provision of social housing for those requiring assistance to provide homes for themselves. The Council also has the capacity to influence the supply, location and scale of new housing within its functional area. The Council’s core objective in relation to the provision of housing is to ensure that every household has accommodation suitable to their needs, located in a suitable environment, at a price or rent it can afford. The Settlement Strategy contained in the Core Strategy provides a network of vibrant settlements that are supported by strong rural areas and adheres to realising the National Strategic Outcomes and Regional Policy Objectives for population and settlement growth set out in the NPF and RSES. The Settlement Strategy promotes increased residential density where appropriate as well as supporting the consolidation of town centres and the promotion of placemaking (see Chapter 6 – Urban Settlements). The previous Leitrim County Development Plan 2015- 2023 followed a period of recession in the national property market post 2008. A review of the Housing Strategy and preparation of Housing Need Demand Assessment (HNDA), as required by the NPF, was carried out in consultation with MacCabe Durney Barnes Consultants to reflect the fundamental changes that have taken place in the economy since the last Plan was prepared. High levels of market uncertainty and the changing nature of housing demand, including mitigating factors such as income, demographics and credit conditions are key aspects which underline the current housing market. The lack of activity in the multiple housing sector remains a grave concern for the Local Authority in meeting our population and household targets set out in the Core Strategy. This chapter has also considered the key legislative and policy documents which are set out in the more detailed Housing Strategy which contains the findings of the Housing Strategy and the Housing Needs Demand Assessment, as well as current Government policy at the time of their preparation. It should be noted that work on the Housing Needs Demand Assessment which informed the Housing Strategy was completed in May 2021 and predate the publication of the Housing for All Programme and the Affordable Housing Act 2021. The Plan generally contains households projections to cover the life of the Plan as qualified in Section 2.5 Housing Supply Targets in the previous chapter. This will require a further adjustment to the household projections agreed to date with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This chapter should be read as an Executive Summary of the more detailed Housing Strategy and accompanying Housing Needs Demand Assessment. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I38
- 3.2 Strategic Aim The strategic aim of this chapter seeks: “To develop and support vibrant sustainable communities in an attractive living environment where people can live and enjoy a high quality of life, with access to a wide range of community facilities and amenities, while ensuring co-ordinated investment in infrastructure that will support economic competitiveness to provide quality employment outcomes for our citizens”. The strategic aim will be achieved through the following principles: 1 To promote socially balanced and inclusive communities in all housing areas across Co. Leitrim 2 To ensure that the housing needs of our communities are met in a manner which satisfies their individual needs and at a location of choice recognising the strong rural tradition of Co. Leitrim and the attractive proposition of our towns and villages 3 Facilitating affordable and quality housing developments within existing town and village boundaries promoting compact growth and mixed use developments to the maximum extent practicable 4 Developing brownfield sites and vacant sites in urban areas 5 Managing ribbon development and oneoff housing, while promoting the reuse of the existing rural stock and brownfield development opportunities 6 To provide for varying identified needs in the county with respect to housing typology, size and mix 7 Ensuring that a range of social, education and community infrastructure is available to provide a good quality of life to our residents 8 To monitor the Housing Strategy, allowing for adequate consultation with those who are central to the implementation of the objectives in the strategy 39LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 3 Housing
- 3.3 Co. Leitrim Housing Strategy The preparation of a Housing Strategy is a mandatory requirement under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Section 94 therein requires a Development Plan to include a strategy for the purposes of ensuring that the proper planning and sustainable development of the area provides for the housing of the existing and future populations of the county. This strategy is known as the ‘Housing Strategy’. The Housing Strategy is provided in Appendix V of this Plan. The purpose of a Housing Strategy is to evaluate the housing needs of the existing and future population in the county. The Housing Strategy shall: a) Include an estimate of, and provision for, the existing need and the likely future need for housing in the area covered by the Development Plan. The Planning Authority shall ensure that sufficient and suitable land is zoned in its Development Plan for residential use (or for a mixture of residential and other uses), to meet the requirements of the Housing Strategy and to ensure that a scarcity of such land does not occur at any time during the period of the Development Plan. b) Take into account the need to ensure that housing is available for persons who have different levels of income, and for those in need of social or affordable housing in the area. A Housing Strategy shall therefore provide that as a general policy a specified percentage, not being more than 20% of the land zoned in the Development Plan for residential use, or for a mixture of residential and other uses, shall be reserved for social and/or affordable housing. c) Ensure that a mixture of house types and sizes is developed to reasonably match the requirements of the different categories of households, as may be determined by the Planning Authority, including the special requirements of elderly persons and persons with disabilities. d) Counteract undue segregation in housing between persons of different social backgrounds. The Planning Authority may indicate in respect of any residential area that there is no requirement for social/affordable housing in respect of that area, or that a lower percentage than that specified in the housing strategy may instead be required. The Co. Leitrim Housing Strategy is closely aligned with the Core Strategy as the future housing need is based on the population and household projections contained in the Core Strategy. The Housing Strategy is also informed by the most recent Social Housing Needs Assessment for Leitrim in addition to National Housing Policy publications including ‘The Social Housing Strategy 2020 – Support, Supply, and Reform (2014)’, and ‘Rebuilding Ireland – Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness (2016)’. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I40 3 Housing
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.