Development plan · Longford County Council
Longford County Development Plan 2021–2027
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards.
Longford County Council · 2021–2027 · 486 pages
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- From analysis of the 2016 Census, the prominent employment sectors in County Longford are professional services (21.8%), commerce and trade (20.5%) and manufacturing industries (16.9%). Table 4.6 and Figure 4.1 illustrate jobs by industry sector share in County Longford with the State comparison. Table 4.6: Employment Numbers in County Longford by Industry Sector with State Comparison (Source: CSO, Census 2016) Industry Longford Total State Total Longford Industry Share % State Industry Share % Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing 1,159 89,116 7.6% 4.4% Building & Construction 841 101,849 5.5% 5.1% Manufacturing Industries 2,566 229,548 16.9% 11.4% Commerce & trade 3,108 480,117 20.5% 23.9% Transport & Communications 756 171,194 5.0% 8.5% Public Administration 929 106,797 6.1% 5.3% Professional Services 3,314 471,656 21.8% 23.5% Other 2,499 356,364 16.5% 17.8% Total 15,172 2,006,641 100.0% 100.0% OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS COMMERCE AND TRADE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHING n State Industry Share % n Longford Industry Share % 0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 7.6% 4.4% 5.5% 20.5% 23.9% 5.0% 8.5% 6.1% 5.3% 17.8% 16.5% 23.5% 21.8% 5.1% 11.4% 16.9% Figure 4.1: Bar Chart Illustrating Employment Numbers in County Longford by Industry Sector with State Comparison (Source: CSO, Census 2016)County Development Plan 2021–2027 81
- Table 4.7 details the social class of those persons aged 15 years and over at work, as recorded in the 2016 Census. It illustrates that there is a strong representation at managerial and technical and non-manual and classes. Similarly, there is a high level of manual skilled and semi-skilled reflecting the strength of the manufacturing sector in the County. Table 4.7: Socio-Economic Profile of Persons Aged 15 and Over at Work in County Longford (Source: CSO, Census 2016) Socio-Economic Class Number of Persons aged 15 years and over at Work % of Persons aged 15 years and over at Work Professional workers 836 5.5% Managerial and technical 4,024 26.5% Non-manual 3,201 21.1% Skilled manual 2,836 18.7% Semi-skilled 2,483 16.4% Unskilled 643 4.2% All other gainfully occupied and unknown 1,149 7.6% All social classes 15,172 100.0% 4.7.2 Population Trends and Targets During the inter-censal period between 2011 and 2016, the population in County Longford grew by 4.8% (1,873 additional persons), as the population increased to 40,873 from 39,000 people. However, there are significant variances in population growth across the settlements. Ballymahon and Edgeworthstown have continued to significantly increase their populations over the 20-year period from 1996-2016, and both recorded significant population increases of 20.8% (up to 1,877 persons) and 18.8% (up to 2,072 persons) respectively between 2011 and 2016. Longford Town recorded a population increase of 407 persons (+4.24%) over the same period to yield a population of 10,008 in 2016. Other towns and villages which made significant population gains over the inter-censal period between 2011 and 2016 include Aughnacliffe (+19%), Keenagh (+83%), Ballinalee (+12.66%) and Drumlish (+11.5%). 4.7.3 Population Distribution The population distribution across urban and rural areas in County Longford remained consistent between 2011 and 2016. According to the CSO, 13,957 people (34.2%) were living in urban settlements13 in Longford in 2016, whilst 26,916 (65.85%) were living in smaller towns and villages, as well as in the rural remainder of the county. In 2011, census results showed a distribution between the urban and rural population as 33.1% and 66.9% respectively. Thus, the marginal increase (+ 1%) in urban living in County Longford has broadly aligned with the prevailing state-wide direction of travel of urbanisation. 4.7.4 Population Structure The age profile of the EMRA region in 2016 was relatively young with nearly half a million children, or approximately 1 in 5 people (22%) in the Region aged under 14 years of age. Figure 4.2 illustrates the age profile of the EMRA area, depicting this as a population pyramid according to gender and age group. In County Longford, this figure is broadly similar, standing at 23.3% as set out in Table 3.2. In total, the number of children of pre-school age (0-4 years) in Longford is 3,051 (7.5%). 5,205 (12.7%) are of primary school going age (5-12 years) and a further 3,432 (8.4%) are of secondary school going age (13- 18 years). A comparative age profile of the county is presented in Figure 4.3. 13 The CSO defines a settlement of more than 1,500 people as ‘urban’.Longford County Council 82
- Figure 4.2: EMRA Age Profile (Source: CSO, Census 2016) Figure 4.3: County Longford Age Profile (Source: CSO, Census 2016) Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly Area Age Group and Population Percentage - Census 2016 County Longford Age Group and Population Percentage - Census 2016 10% 8% 6% 4% 2% 0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 8% 6% 4% 2% 0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% Age Group 85+ 80-84 years 75-79 years 70-74 years 65-69 years 60-64 years 55-59 years 50-54 years 45-49 years 40-44 years 35-39 years 30-34 years 25-29 years 20-24 years 15-19 years 10-14 years 5-9 years 0-4 years Age Group 85+ 80-84 years 75-79 years 70-74 years 65-69 years 60-64 years 55-59 years 50-54 years 45-49 years 40-44 years 35-39 years 30-34 years 25-29 years 20-24 years 15-19 years 10-14 years 5-9 years 0-4 years n Female n Male n Female n MaleCounty Development Plan 2021–2027 83
- Census 2016 results show that Ireland’s population has been getting steadily older since the 1980’s. In 2016, 37.2% of the Irish population were aged 45 and over, compared with 34.4% in 2011 and 27.6% in 1986. In 2016, 13.4% of the national population were over 65 years. As with the state, both the EMRA region and County Longford are ageing. As the RSES notes, by 2031 there will be a significant increase in the regional population aged over 65 and as such, there is a need to plan for adequate healthcare, accommodation and services to enable independent living for as long as possible, encourage active lifestyles and address isolation for older residents. 4.7.5 Housing Stock Census 2016 results record a total housing stock of 18,591 units in County Longford, which represents a marginal decrease of 232 units since 2011. The number of occupied dwellings in County Longford recorded in 2016 was 15,09214. The average occupancy rate across the county was 2.70 persons per occupied dwelling which is marginally lower than the national rate of 2.75. Over half (54.7%) of households in Longford in 2016 had just one or two persons living in that household as illustrated in Table 4.8; this generally compares to the national figures on household size cohorts. 93.9% of households comprised of a house or bungalow, while 4.2% were apartments in 2016; whereas at a national level, 12% of all occupied households were apartments. Table 4.9 provides detail of housing tenures across County Longford. Home ownership remains the dominant tenure in Longford with 63.7% of households within this category in 2016; 26% of which pay a mortgage; 17.4% of households were in the private rental market; while 14.6% (2,198) of rented properties comprise social housing, an increase of almost 3% since 2011. 14 Excluding caravans and mobile homes as permanent dwellings. Source: CSO Census of Population (2016) Table 4.8: Existing Household Size Cohorts (Source: CSO, Census 2016) County Longford Households Persons Households % Persons % 1 person 4,035 4,035 26.7% 9.9% 2 persons 4,233 8,466 28.0% 20.8% 3 persons 2,466 7,398 16.3% 18.1% 4 persons 2,274 9,096 15.0% 22.3% 5+ persons 2,114 11,780 14.0% 28.9% Total 15,122 40,775 100.0% 100.0% Table 4.9: Household Tenure – Occupancy Type County Longford (Source: CSO, Census 2016) County Longford Owner occupied with mortgage Owner occupied no mortgage Rented from private landlord Rented from Local Authority Rented from voluntary body Occupied free of rent Not stated Total No. of Households 3,864 5,753 2,621 2,031 167 257 399 15,092 % of Households 26% 38% 17% 13% 1% 2% 3% 100%Longford County Council 84
- 4.7.6 Area already zoned in the Longford County Development Plan 2015-2021 Section 10 (2A) (c) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) prescribes that a core strategy shall take account of the area in the development plan already zoned for residential use or a mixture of residential and other uses, with details on the area of such lands and the quantum of housing to be included in the area. Accordingly, from the lands already zoned under the Longford County Development Plan 2015-2021 for residential use, Table 4.10 below sets out the area of land zoned for residential use in the County Development Plan 2015-2021. Table 4.10: Quantum of lands zoned for residential use or mixture and associated housing yield as detailed in the Longford County Development Plan 2015-2021 Plan Mixed Use Zoning Residential Zoning Longford County Development Plan 2015-2021 103Ha 163Ha It is noted that the Longford County Development Plan 2015-2021 did not allocate a residential unit figure to zonings for a mixture of residential and other uses. The amount of land that was zoned mixed use (which included developed and undeveloped land) was 103 hectares. The number of units allocated to the residential zoned figure under the County Development Plan 2015-2021 was 2,335 which equated to 163 hectares of residentially zoned land. 4.8 Settlement Strategy – Overview The network of settlements throughout the County fulfils a vital function in providing crucial services, infrastructure, amenities and the necessary level of critical mass to cater for immediate settlement populations as well as sustaining surrounding rural hinterland populations. This Plan recognises the roles of all towns, villages and rural areas as components of a balanced Settlement Strategy for the County. Both the Core Strategy and associated Settlement Hierarchy provide the geographic framework to guide the location and scale of new development for the plan period, taking cognisance of the regional settlement, retail hierarchies and the guiding principles on the preparation of Core Strategies provided in the RSES. This Settlement Strategy is underpinned by national, regional and local planning policy which encourages new developments to locate within existing towns and villages, where social and infrastructural services are in place and where such services may be provided or developed in the future. By placing an increased emphasis on the future development of existing settlements within the county, this plan seeks to foster sustainable live-work patterns which reinforces existing urban centres. This will also encourage enhanced commercial and employment opportunities and provide an increased range of social and recreational facilities, whilst safeguarding the agricultural sector and rural areas from urban generated development pressures. Accordingly, this Settlement Strategy addresses a range of settlement scales within urban and rural contexts that provide for a variety of levels of employment, services and housing choice commensurate with their position in the Settlement Hierarchy, and in recognition of their capacity to facilitate the long-term sustainability of rural communities. 4.8.1 Settlement Strategy - Key Principles Strong, vibrant and sustainable settlements are the catalysts for overall development within the County. Such settlements provide for a range of jobs, services, amenities and housing choice, which support and foster economies and communities within their respective settlement boundaries. In developing this Settlement Strategy, the following key principles were used to inform its preparation and to facilitate delivery on a strategic level:County Development Plan 2021–2027 85
- KEY PRINCIPLE 13 KEY PRINCIPLE 14 KEY PRINCIPLE 15 KEY PRINCIPLE 1 KEY PRINCIPLE 2 KEY PRINCIPLE 3 KEY PRINCIPLE 4 KEY PRINCIPLE 5 KEY PRINCIPLE 6 KEY PRINCIPLE 7 KEY PRINCIPLE 8 KEY PRINCIPLE 9 KEY PRINCIPLE 10 KEY PRINCIPLE 11 KEY PRINCIPLE 12 Support the strengthening of the town and village network and rural communities throughout the county in accordance with the hierarchy outlined in the following sections and supported by the Eastern and Midland Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) and Ministerial guidance issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development act 2000, as amended, particularly the Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines for Planning Authorities and Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas or their replacement guidance. Create vibrant and thriving urban and rural communities, underpinned in the principles of sustainability and the development of environments which retain and foster a high quality of life. Support and facilitate the transition towards a low carbon society. Align future development with existing and planned investment in infrastructure within settlements. Give effect to the principle of ‘compact growth’15 by targeting at least 30% of all new residential development to occur within the existing built-up footprints of towns and villages within the county, with a focus on infill and brownfield land development, rather than peripheral development patterns. Focus on the need for more balanced development amongst the network of higher order towns in the Settlement Hierarchy to support the role and function of Longford Town as the principal economic driver and focus of investment for the county. Consolidate and enhance the self-sustaining attributes of settlements in the county in terms of housing and service provisions, infrastructure, environmental carrying capacity, amenity value, and other relevant criteria. Protect key environmental and ecological assets by preserving the quality of the landscape, open space, recreational resources, biodiversity, architectural, archaeological and cultural heritage and material assets in the county. Support and promote sustainable economic development and enterprise activity within urban and rural economies. Manage urban generated growth in rural areas under strong urban influence and stronger rural areas and reverse the decline or stagnation of many rural communities. Promote development within Rural Settlement Clusters as a viable alternative to one-off housing in the countryside, particularly in rural areas under strong urban influence. Identify targeted renewal and regeneration schemes within settlements to address areas of decline and to act as catalysts for future investment and development within specific settlements. Promote development that is commensurate in scale and character with receiving settlement environments. Address the dependency on private car transportation through enhanced sustainable mobility measures and greater integration of transportation and land use spatial planning. Foster a collaborative platform with key stakeholders and infrastructure providers in coordinating the quantum and location of development within the network of towns and villages throughout the county. 15 This means within the existing built-up footprint of all sizes of urban settlement, as defined by the CSO in line with UN criteria i.e. having a minimum of 50 occupied dwellings, with a maximum distance between any dwelling and the building closest to it of 100 metres, and where there is evidence of an urban centre (shop, school etc.).Longford County Council 86
- 4.8.2 Settlement Strategy Methodology In realising the population growth target for County Longford over the plan period, as established in the NPF Implementation Roadmap, and its allocation throughout the Settlement Hierarchy, a robust evidence-based analysis was conducted for the county and its respective settlements to determine historic growth trends and infrastructure capacity to accommodate growth over the plan period and beyond. This approach was supported by demographic and housing market analysis conducted by KPMG - Future Analytics Consulting Limited, in accordance with the population targets identified in the NPF Implementation Roadmap and average household sizes advocated by the NPF. Key aspects examined included: ■ Existing population base and other demographic factors (e.g. birth and mortality rates); ■ Availability of physical and social infrastructure, including public transport provisions, (both existing and planned); ■ Settlement form including existing density levels, scale, function and character; ■ Incidences of urban decay, dereliction, vacancy, stagnating urban environments, unfinished residential development; ■ Brownfield land capacity; ■ Planning history; ■ Potential for economic and social development; and ■ Analysis of socio-economic deprivation (Pobal HP Deprivation Index). ■ Environmental constraints; ■ Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the plan; ■ An assessment of the potential adverse effects of the plan (in combination with other plans or projects) on Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas (Appropriate Assessment); ■ Strategic Flood Risk Assessment of settlements. Edgeworthstown Library opened on the 22nd November 2021County Development Plan 2021–2027 87
- 4.8.3 Consistency with Population Estimates and Projections The NPF Implementation Roadmap provides transitional population projections at a County scale in order to inform Development Plans for the period 2026 and 2031. By 2031 the NPF Implementation Roadmap states that the population of County Longford is set to be in the range of 46,000-47,000. At the higher projected growth rate, this means that the population of the County will grow by approximately 6,120 people from its 2016 base (or 5,120 people at the lower rate). By 2026, it is envisaged that the population of County Longford will grow by 4,627 people at the higher projected rate to reach 45,500 (or 3,627 people at the lower rate). Table 4.11: NPF Roadmap / RSES Population Targets to 2026 and 2031 (Source: Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework) Census 2016 2026 NPF Roadmap / RSES Target 2031 NPF Roadmap / RSES Target EMRA Region 2,329,000 2,566,500-2,619,000 2,668,000-2,740,500 Midlands Strategic Planning Area 292,500 318,500-324,500 329,500-337,000 County Longford 40,873 44,500-45,500 46,000-47,000 St. Brigid’s Church, ArdaghLongford County Council 88
- In realising the population growth target for County Longford over the plan period and its allocation throughout the Settlement Hierarchy, a robust evidence-based analysis was conducted for the county and its respective settlements to determine historic growth trends and infrastructure capacity to accommodate growth. This approach was supported by demographic and housing market analysis conducted by KPMG-Future Analytics Consulting Limited, in accordance with the population targets identified in the NPF Implementation Roadmap and average household size as advocated by the NPF. The selection of the upper population growth targets detailed in the NPF Implementation Roadmap for the County (in respect of the target years of 2026 and 2031) was informed by population projection modelling undertaken by KPMG-Future Analytics using the demographic cohort component methodology and key, up to date assumptions in fertility rates, mortality rates and migration rates per year of projection across the duration of the period. The population projection modelling undertaken by KPMG-Future Analytics provided three population growth scenarios for the County: low, medium and high, with variances in the level of net national migration the key determinant in each scenario. Even in the lowest population scenario, which aligned with the CSO’s 10,000 net inward national assumption from 2020 and beyond for the entirety of the period, the modelling forecasted a population of 46,409 for County Longford at the target year of 2026 and a population of 49,646 for the corresponding target year of 2031. By contrast the upper range of the NPF population targets for County Longford for 2026 and 2031 were 45,500 and 47,000 respectively. Given the policy implications for deviating from the population projections detailed in the NPF Implementation Roadmap, principally in relation to NPO 9 of the NPF, the decision to use the upper range of population figures in the Roadmap document was justified in light of the population modelling undertaken by our appointed consultants. 4.8.4 Settlement Hierarchy Methodology In developing a settlement hierarchy for County Longford, an Asset-Based Approach, similar to that advocated by the RSES in the preparation of its Growth Strategy, has been utilised to identify those settlements which have the greatest capacity and potential for growth within the county and sets out the qualitative and quantitative evidence base for the social, economic and natural assets that exist within the settlements of the county. The Asset-Based Criteria approach used by the Planning Authority is included in the Table included in Annex 6 and should be referred to when considering the settlement hierarchy of Longford County. The asset-based methodology employed encompasses the identification and evaluation of a range of assets at settlement level across a number of criteria. These replicate those used in RSES and provide a means of evaluating common asset criteria across a range of settlements within the county, thereby providing the basis for identifying the emerging spatial hierarchy of settlements in the county. This process was also informed by the criteria listed in the Hierarchy of Settlements and related Infrastructure considered by NPF (Figure 4.4). These criteria are grouped under 8 no. overarching themes, with criteria graded according to the size of the settlement.County Development Plan 2021–2027 89
- Hierarchy of Settlements and Related Infrastructure The hierarchy of Settlements and Related Infrastructure Wheel Source: Derived from Strategic Investment Board Limited, 2008 Smaller Settlements and Rural Areas Smaller Towns and Villages Large Towns Cities P o w e r G e n e r a t i o n W a s t e & S e w a g e T r e a t m e n t P l a n t s W a s t e l a n d fi l l W a s t e - r e c y c l e d R e c y c l i n g R e n e w a b l e s W a t e r & S e w e r s S u p p l y A c c e s s t o c l e a n S e w a g e D e p a r t m e n t S t o r e s S p e c i a l i s t S h o p s , A r t s & C u l t u r a l F a c i l i t i e s S h o p p i n g C e n t r e s R e t a i l W a r e h o u s i n g R a n g e o f r e s t a u r a n t s S u p e r m a r k e t s , R e s t a u r a n t s , M i x o f R e t a i l F a c i l i t i e s S h o p P u b P o s t O ffi c e P e t r o l S t a t i o n H i g h er EducationInstitutes S p ecialSchools H i g h e r E d ucationInstitutes F u rth er Education C a m p usesof H i g h e r E ducatio n I n s titutes L i b r a ry,Post G a r d a H Q , H i g h C o u r t , P r i s o n , F o r e n s i c S c i e n c e G a r d a D i s t r i c t C o u n t y C o u r t P r o b a t i o n S e r v i c e G a r d a S t a t i o n N e i g h b o u - h o o d W a t c h M u s e u m / G a l l e r i e s C o n f e r e n c e / C o n c e r t A r e n a L e i s u r e C e n t r e ( p o o l ) V i s i t o r C e n t r e , A d v i c e C e n t r e , A r t s & C u l t u r e C e n t r e C o m m u n i t y C e n t r e s , S p o r t s F a c i l i t y W e l f a r e S e r v i c e s L o c a l H a l l P l a y A r e a s (Ele c ti v e a n d E m e r g e n c y ) A c u t e H o s p i t a l S e r v i c e s I n j u r y C l i n i c s S e r v i c e s , M i n o r O u t p a t i e n t a n d D i a g n o s t i c C a r e S e r v i c e s P r i m a r y a n d S o c i a l T o u r i s m O ffi c e I n d u s t r i a l P a r k O ffi c e I n f o r m a t i o n E n t e r p r i s e C e n t r e , C h i l d c a r e B u s i n e s s U n i t W o r k s h o p / K e y T r a n s p o r t N o d e s E n e r g y G e n e r a t i o n I n t e r c o n n e c t o r P o r t s & A i r p o r t s S c i e n c e c e n t r e , M a j o r I n d u s t r i a l P a r k s , S t r a t e g i c D e v e l o p m e n t Z o n e s T o u ris m S i g n a t u r e p r o j e c t s C y c l e N e t w o r k P a r k N ’ R i d e B u s / R a i l , M a j o r R o a d s l a r g e r c e n t r e s B u s / r a i l t o T r u n k R o a d s L i n k C o r r i d o r s E N V I R O N M E N T C O M M E R C I A L SKILLS J U S T I C E S O C I A L H E A L T H N E T W O R K S P R O D U C T I V E L i g h t i n g S t r e e t B r o a d b a n d S c h o ol, E C C E P r i m a ry O u t r e a c h A m b u l a n c e G P , P h a r m a c i s t 83 Figure 4.4: Hierarchy of Settlements and Related Infrastructure Considered by the NPF (Source: NPF)Longford County Council 90
Source Longford County Council: Longford 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.