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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- Figure 7.2 shows the largest increases in population are expected in the 50 to 55 age cohort to 2031. The persons aged over 65 is projected to increase significantly in the coming years, with the RSES projecting that growth rates of persons aged over 85’s set to almost double. Likewise, the age profile of County Longford, over the coming years it is expected to follow a trend of an increasing ageing population. 7.4.3.4 Disabled Population There were 5,916 persons registered as living with a disability or chronic illness in Longford equating to 15% of the County’s population and representing an increase of 9.5 % on previous 2011 census figures. The Longford figure is also higher than the national figure of 13.5%. This must be acknowledged in terms of the provision of healthy placemaking and adequate social infrastructure provision. 7.4.3.5 Ethnic Groups Migration is recognised as a key driver of future population growth over the lifetime of the EMRA RSES, with Longford specifically identified as demographically diverse within the State. In fact, Longford is identified as a settlement which has more than a quarter of its residents born outside the State. Between 2011 to 2016, nationally only eight counties recorded an increase in their non-Irish national population, with the County of Longford having the second largest increase where the non- Irish population increased by 502 persons (9.1 %). Figure 7.3 shows the 10 towns where more than 26 per cent of the population were non-Irish. This shows that County Longford has 3 towns (Edgeworthstown, Ballymahon and Longford) among the top 10 towns identified nationally with the highest proportion of non-Irish nationals. Figure 7.3: Towns with the highest percentage of non-Irish nationals, 2016 Town County Number of residents % of non-Irish nationals Number of non- Irish nationals The largest non-Irish group (number) Ballyhaunis Mayo 2,383 39.5 941 Polish – 159 Edgeworthstown Longford 2,062 32.3 667 Polish – 163 Ballymahon Longford 1,866 32.1 599 Polish – 273 Ballyjamesduff Cavan 2,689 30.2 812 Polish – 311 Monaghan Monaghan 7,597 30.1 2,287 Lithuanian - 1,004 Saggart Dublin 3,145 28.9 909 Polish – 326 Longford Longford 10,011 27.4 2,740 Polish - 1,004 Cahir Tipperary 3,590 27.3 979 Polish – 340 Gort Galway 2,951 26.6 785 Brazilian – 397 Cavan Cavan 10,656 26.2 2,790 Polish – 827 211County Development Plan 2021–2027
- Edgewowthstown with 667 persons representing 32.2% of the population; Ballymahon with 599 persons representing 32.1 % of the population; and Longford town with 2,740 persons, representing 27.4% of the population. This compared with an average non-Irish population of 14.9%for all towns over 1,500 in 2016. 7.4.3.6 Traveller Community Nationally the number of usual residents present in the State and enumerated as Irish Travellers in Census 2016 increased from 2011, by 5.1 per cent. Notably the biggest percentage increases were recorded in Longford where Traveller numbers rose by 40.8 %. Nationally Longford had the highest absolute increase in Traveller numbers of any county, and the highest number of Travellers per head of population, with 25.7 Travellers for every thousand people. Also, the structure of the Irish Traveller population is very different to that of the general population, with a broad base at the younger ages and reducing sharply at higher ages. Nearly 58.1% Irish Travellers were under 25 years of age, compared to just over 33.4% in the general population. In terms of those aged 65; this is significantly lower than the general population. 7.4.4 Social and Community Infrastructure Requirements As a result of the particular population characteristics, there is therefore potential for mis-alignment in the county across a range of social and infrastructure services in the county, which the Development Plan aims to address. The Development Plan aims to consider demographic trends and patterns in terms of the provision of social infrastructure. Longford County Council recognises that it is important to work collaboratively with service providers and stakeholders including the local community through LCDCs and the LECPs to identify social infrastructure needs and set out an agreed programme of social infrastructure provision. In terms of housing provision, the changing demographic patterns envisaged will require a change in tenure typologies. Changing household formation trends require a range of housing typologies, including smaller units, shared living schemes and flexible designs that are adaptive for people’s full life cycle to meet their housing needs today and into the future. The provision of affordable, appropriate, adaptable and quality accommodation is recognised as key to positive health outcomes. Also in accordance with the RSES, the quality of services and amenities for a diverse and multicultural society will be a key determinant in how successful and attractive the County is and will require a planning response to support the integration of traveller and migrant communities, to ensure that diverse needs are met now and over the lifetime of the Strategy. CPO 7.26 CPO 7.27 CPO 7.29 CPO 7.28 CPO 7.30 Social and Community Infrastructure Provision – County Policy Objectives It is the County Policy Objective to: Work collaboratively with relevant service providers and stakeholders to facilitate the provision of community services and social infrastructure, where appropriate, in order to meet the needs of new and existing communities. Support the relevant actions of the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) and the Longford Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) to deliver social infrastructure needs and to reduce poverty and social exclusion. Support the planned provision of easily accessible social, community, cultural and recreational facilities and ensure all communities have access to a range of facilities that meet their needs easily accessible by walking, cycling or public transport. Encourage shared use and co-location of social and community facilities, in order to align service provision, use land more efficiently and facilitate opportunities for further inclusion and community participation. Ensure crime prevention measures are incorporated into the design of community buildings and recreational areas. 212Longford County Council
- Art Installation at Newtowncashel CPO 7.32 CPO 7.31 CPO 7.33 Social and Community Infrastructure Provision – County Policy Objectives It is the County Policy Objective to: Ensure the integration of age friendly and family friendly strategies in all design proposals and that provision is made for flexible housing typologies, and that buildings and public spaces are designed for all, including older people, disabled people and people with young children. Support initiatives to increase social integration of minority groups, including non-Irish nationals and Travellers. Secure the implementation of the Council’s Traveler Accommodation Programme and to review this programme, if required and/or deemed to be necessary, during the Plan period. 213County Development Plan 2021–2027
- 7.4.5 Healthcare and Care Facilities The availability and access to health services is central to creating healthier places. In addressing lifestyle induced illness and an aging population, the provision of educative and primary health care can support lifestyle adjustments that help people avoid tertiary care, leading to a more effective and less burdened health-care system. The Council recognises the need to ensure the provision of appropriate care facilities and accommodation for the elderly and other vulnerable people. In addition to universal design standards, the quality of such accommodation is dependent on its location in terms of safe and convenient access to services and amenities. As such, there is a presumption against the development of Residential Respite and Retirement Homes in the open countryside for reasons relating to sustainability, poor accessibility and lack of public transport, social exclusion, isolation and safety. CPO 7.34 CPO 7.35 CPO 7.36 Healthcare and Care Facilities – County Policy Objectives It is the County Policy Objective to: Facilitate the development of primary health care centres, hospitals, clinics, and facilities to cater for the specific needs of an ageing population in accordance with the settlement strategy and core strategy. Support and encourage the development of sustainable retirement villages and sheltered housing for older persons in appropriate serviced town and village locations in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. Implement the following criteria when designing proposals for residential care homes, retirement homes, nursing homes, retirement villages and sheltered accommodation: ■ Location/Placemaking - Locate new developments close (walking distance) to services and amenities; ■ Physical Considerations – Employment of Universal Design standards; ■ Technology - Integrate technology into developments, enhancing safety and security, health monitoring, comfort and social connectedness; ■ Social Supports - Integrate social supports into developments, access to information, find non-health service-based solutions; ■ Adequate provision of open space informed by the need to cater for all levels of disability and in particular the needs of an ageing population and mobility impaired users, in line with Ministerial and Departmental guidelines; ■ Apply standards outlined in the Housing Options for Our Ageing Population and the Housing Agency document ‘Thinking Ahead: Independent and Supported Housing Modes for an Ageing Population’; ■ Provision of adequate parking facilities; ■ Innovative high-quality design and materials; ■ Potential impact on the residential amenities of adjoining properties. 214Longford County Council
- 7.4.6 Education School provision is a key part of social infrastructure to be provided in tandem with housing provision. The Development Plan seeks to prioritise the alignment of targeted and planned population and employment growth with educational investment, including the provision of new schools on welllocated sites within or close to existing built-up areas that meet the diverse needs of local populations. It is expected that the number of children will continue to increase until the mid 2020’s and decline only slowly thereafter. This means that the continued provision and enhancement of facilities and amenities for children and young people, such as childcare, schools, playgrounds, parks and sportsgrounds, is a priority and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. The Council will support the provision of high-quality education and training provision, including the allocation of sufficient sites and the development of childcare facilities, schools, and colleges in appropriate locations to cater for population growth targets, to provide for greater educational choice to facilitate improvement in skills, and to assist in tackling disadvantage. Car dependency is a significant mode of school transport in the County. In addition to factoring sustainable access as a condition for new schools and educational infrastructure, a programme of settlement retrofit will be encouraged to facilitate safe walking, cycling or ease of access to public transport alternatives. Optimally, schools need to be located along sustainable transport corridors (i.e. walking, cycling, public transport). Co-ordinated decision making on school locations with the Department of Education and Skills will be carried out, with a planned approach to education provision to locate new school facilities within access to public transport and active travel modes. CPO 7.37 CPO 7.38 CPO 7.40 CPO 7.39 CPO 7.41 Education – County Policy Objectives It is the County Policy Objective to: Work collaboratively with the Department of Education and Skills and Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to ensure a planned approach to education provision and to the location of school facilities within access to public transport and sustainable travel modes (i.e., walking, cycling). Ensure in areas where significant new housing is proposed, an assessment of need regarding schools’ provision is carried out in collaboration with the Department of Education and Skills and Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. Ensure Local Area Plans prepared over the lifetime of the Development Plan, designate new school sites at accessible, pedestrian, cycle and public transport friendly locations. Develop a programme for existing schools to facilitate safe walking, cycling or ease of access to public transport alternatives. To support the intensification of development (for educational purposes) on existing school sites. 215County Development Plan 2021–2027
- Quality placemaking should integrate the principles of universal access in the design of buildings, housing, public realm, amenities and transport services to create places that are safe, easy to move around and accessible to all Royal Canal, Ballymahon 216Longford County Council
- 7.4.7 Recreation and Open Space Provision In terms of placemaking, the focus on compact growth and increased densities in urban areas will require a greater alignment between the development of communities and the provision and planning of open space to provide for the recreational and amenity needs of communities. Recreation infrastructure and green spaces which are attractive, rich in biodiversity and well connected are shown to contribute to improved physical and mental health. It is important to consider green space within a holistic framework, as it can be enhanced through other means in the built environment, including the quality of the surrounding environment, density of residences, land-use mix, connectedness and walkability. Green spaces also reduce air pollution, mitigate floods, protect wildlife and improve building energy performance. Accordingly, the preparation of open space and park strategies and the importance for enhanced cross boundary collaboration to provide for a hierarchy of open space provision, including regional scale open space and recreational facilities is recognised. Also, the importance of planning for recreation and open space in accordance with the EMRA RSES Recreation and Open Space Guiding Principles, and the relevant parts of the previously cited Guiding Principles for Healthy Placemaking are recognised in the County Policy Objectives contained in this Development Plan. CPO 7.42 CPO 7.43 CPO 7.44 CPO 7.45 CPO 7.46 CPO 7.47 Recreation and Open Space Provision – County Policy Objectives It is the County Policy Objective to: Support the development of recreation and open space in accordance with the EMRA RSES Recreation and Open Space Guiding Principles and Guiding Principles for Healthy Placemaking. Promote the development of a wide variety of high quality accessible open space areas, for both active and passive use, and formal and informal activities in accordance with the Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy. Provide multifunctional open spaces at locations deemed appropriate providing for both passive and active uses. Assess the existing parks and open space assets in the County over the life of the Development Plan to identify opportunities for improvements where necessary to increase their usefulness as recreational spaces. Resist the loss of existing public open space, unless alternative recreational facilities are provided in a suitable location. Ensure public open space is accessible and designed so that passive surveillance is provided. 217County Development Plan 2021–2027
- 7.4.8 Sports Facilities: Sporting, leisure and recreational facilities are essential to promoting good health, social cohesion, a sense of community and enhancing quality of life and well-being. The provision of facilities for sports and recreation to serve our growing communities is key in supporting healthy and sustainable communities. The County is well served by traditional facilities including sports clubs and leisure centres and the County is developing additional facilities such as greenways, blueways, peatways, cycle routes and walking trails. CPO 7.48 CPO 7.49 CPO 7.51 CPO 7.50 CPO 7.52 Sports Facilities – County Policy Objectives It is the County Policy Objective to: Support the provision of multi-purpose sports halls, all-weather playing pitches and associated facilities in appropriate locations and promote the provision, improvement and expansion of sports facilities within the County subject to normal planning criteria and the proper planning and sustainable development of the County. Support local sports groups, community groups and other groups in the development of facilities through the reservation of suitable land, the provision and development of outdoor and indoor sporting and community facilities, and the provision of funding where available and appropriate. Ensure that new leisure facilities, where possible, are located in proximity to public transportation routes and where they can best meet the needs of the community that the facilities are intended to serve. Facilitate the development of children’s play areas and playgrounds in proximity to existing and proposed neighborhoods, where feasible. Support the development of sport and recreational facilities and community-related projects through the Council’s Capital Programme. 218Longford County Council
- 7.4.9 Libraries The library service plays a very important community, information, cultural and outreach facility role within the County. The public library service provides an important means of access to information and to leisure reading facilities, while playing a major role in the advancement of the arts, education and local history throughout the County. Libraries have also become an important venue for cultural activities. The Council manages and operates the County’s public library service from its headquarters in Longford, with 6 no. additional libraries in main settlements in the County. The most recent of these is Edgeworthstown where a new build facility is under construction. CPO 7.53 CPO 7.54 Libraries – County Policy Objectives It is the County Policy Objective to: Continue to expand and improve the library service to meet the needs of the community, subject to finance and in line with the objectives and priorities of Our Public Libraries 2022: Inspiring, Connecting and Empowering Communities. Enhance and improve library facilities in County Longford, and to retain and develop the library headquarters for the County. Edgeworthstown Library 219County Development Plan 2021–2027
- 7.4.10 Fire Services The Council is responsible for the provision of the Fire Service in the County, which includes for the provision and maintenance of the network of 5 no. fire stations; Longford Town, Granard, Ballymahon, Edgeworthstown and Lanesborough. The Council aims to ensure that the Fire Stations in the County are adequate to meet the needs of the Fire Service and to provide an appropriate level of Fire Service cover in the County. In Ballymahon the current facility is not considered fit for purpose, and a submission has been made seeking departmental approval to construct a new Fire Station. The remaining network of fire stations are deemed at present to be appropriate having regard to the size of the county and the dispersal of those living in the County. The Council has a role to play with regard to ensuring that Fire Service vehicles can access locations where fires or other incidents occur. In this regard the views and requirements of the Fire Service will be taken into account when decisions are being made in relation to proposed developments. The Council also seeks to ensure that Fire Safety Standards are maintained on an ongoing basis. The Fire Service carries out inspections of many premises on an annual basis and in certain circumstances the requirement to undertake particular works or other measures may be identified as part of the inspection process. CPO 7.55 CPO 7.56 CPO 7.58 CPO 7.57 CPO 7.59 Fire Services – County Policy Objectives It is the County Policy Objective to: Acquire and provide an appropriate site for a new fire station in Ballymahon Town. Support the upgrade and extension of fire stations as appropriate to cater for the needs of the County. Ensure communities are adequately serviced by a modern and effective Fire Service and to facilitate the accommodation of fire service facilities in locations that allow ease of access and safe functioning with respect to the road network. Continue to assess and evaluate applications for fire safety certificates through the Chief Fire Officer and pursue its fire prevention programme. Provide advice and guidance with regard to proposed developments in order to ensure that appropriate provision is incorporated in the design of developments that reduce the likelihood of injury or damage to property. 220Longford County Council
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