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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- It requires that planning for rural areas must provide a balance between managing demand in the most accessible rural areas in proximity to larger towns, whilst supporting the sustainable growth of rural economics and rural communities. It also highlights the fundamental importance of planning the distribution of activity (for example where people live and work) in a manner which reduces the need to travel and achieves a move towards a low carbon society having regard to the impact which transport has on carbon emissions. 9.2.3 Realising our Rural Potential: Action Plan for Rural Development (2017) This government strategy introduced in 2017 (Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs) is aimed at delivering real change for people living and working in rural Ireland. The objective of the Action Plan for Rural Development is to ‘unlock the potential of rural Ireland 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, and access to public services and social networks’. 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 (referenced below) and sets out a clear roadmap for its implementation. 9.2.4 Energising Ireland’s Rural Economy (2014) The Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA) was established in 2012 following the severe impact of the economic downturn on rural areas. The REDZ (Rural Economic Development Zone) initiative was a recommendation contained within the CEDRA and is intended to complement the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and cater for projects between the towns and surrounding hinterland that maximise local assets in areas such as tourism, culture, heritage and other areas that support rural economic activity. CEDRA’s task was to identify strategic initiatives that would ensure rural areas contribute to sustained and sustainable national economic growth and development into the future. The process confirmed that there is an abundance of natural, physical, human and capital resources and a wide variety of high quality, (including dormant assets) in many rural communities that could be leveraged to support national economic growth and the development of these communities. The need for higher speed broadband is supported. CEDRA recommendations relate to building of community capacity, integrated rural town planning, development of the social economy and supporting the growth of indigenous renewable energy businesses and relate to specific actions within both the Longford Local Development Strategy and the County Longford Local and Economic Community Plan (LECP). The National Planning Framework (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’.County Development Plan 2021–2027 261
- 9.2.5 Food Wise 2015-2025 The national strategy for the development of the Agri-Food Sector outlines the key actions required to ensure it maximises its contribution to economic growth and exports in an environmentally sustainable manner over the coming decade. It identifies 4 elements to deliver growth: ■ Human Capital ■ Competitiveness ■ Market Development ■ Innovation Food Wise 2025 identifies growth projections for the sector including: ■ 85% increase in the value of agri-food exports to €19 billion; ■ 70% increase in value added in the agri-food, fisheries and wood products sector to in excess of €13 billion; ■ 65% increase in the value of Primary Production to almost €10 billion; ■ 23,000 additional direct jobs in the agri-food sector all along the supply chain from primary production to high valued added product development. Sustainability is key to the strategy, which states that ‘environmental protection and economic competitiveness are equal and complementary – one cannot be achieved at the expense of the other’. Food Wise 2025 also supports technology and processes that result in a more efficient use of resources. Richmount Cordial Company, CarrickboyLongford County Council 262
- 9.2.6 Delivering a Connected Society – A National Broadband Plan for Ireland (2012) The National Broadband Plan (NBP), together with its intervention strategy document, ‘Connecting Communities’ (2015), is the government’s initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland. This will be delivered through investment by commercial enterprises coupled with intervention by the State in those parts of the country where private companies have no plans to invest. The State Intervention area includes: ■ 537,596 premises ■ 1.1 million people ■ Over 54,000 farms ■ 44,000 non-farm businesses ■ 695 schools The NBP is a key aspect of government strategy across a number of key areas including climate, agriculture, education, transport, tourism, sustainable growth, jobs and health. A key principle of the NBP is to support and stimulate commercial investment. Since the publication of the NBP in 2012, the commercial telecommunications sector has invested over €2.75 billion. This was spent primarily on upgrading and modernising networks which support the provision of high speed broadband and mobile telecommunications services. Significant additional investment is expected over the coming years. Today over 1.78m or 75% of premises in Ireland can access commercially available high speed broadband services. The roll out of highspeed broadband access, to be completed by 2026, represents the largest investment in rural Ireland since rural electrification. 9.3 County Longford Rural Economic Development Strategy In devising this Rural Economic Development Strategy, the Council recognises the importance of supporting sustainable sources of income and enterprises such as rural tourism, farm diversification, silviculture, rural based enterprise to complement the agri-food sector and an increasing potential for the growth of the renewable energy sector. In terms of rural settlement, the Longford countryside is a living and lived-in landscape with supporting rural economies and rural communities. There is a continuing need to balance housing need for people to live and work in the countryside, while at the same time avoiding unsustainable patterns of development and protecting the environmental and ecological integrity of our landscapes. Encouragement and support for restoration and refurbishment of the existing built fabric in rural areas is essential to retain its core identity. This Rural Development Economic Strategy sets out the policies and objectives required for the sustainable development of rural Longford, in a manner that is consistent with the guidance, strategies and policies at national and regional levels based on the following principles: ■ A focus on supporting vibrant rural communities focused around a network of rural towns and villages. ■ Facilitating the transition towards a low carbon and climate resilient society and encouraging a spatial pattern of development which reduces and discourages unnecessary trip generation.County Development Plan 2021–2027 263
- ■ Supporting sustainable agriculture and food production practices that safeguard the environmental and ecological elements of our rural setting, with a particular focus on encouraging less intensive farming practices and catering for localised food markets in a bid to reduce our over-reliance on overseas food producers. ■ Supporting the continued development of eco-tourism in Longford, including the ongoing development of a connected networks of greenways, blueways and peatways, and associated trails and trackways. ■ Protecting the integrity of key environmental and ecological assets and landscapes from any significantly adverse impacts arising from rural development. ■ Recognising the need to provide for a resilient rural economy that is flexible to changes in typical rural development industries and open to emerging, non-traditional sectors which can be adequately accommodated in a rural setting without giving rise to any significant adverse impacts. ■ Enhancement of the competitiveness of rural areas by supporting innovation in rural economic development and enterprise through the diversification of the rural economy into new sectors and services. 9.3.1 Rural Enterprise and Economy The rural economy of County Longford has undergone significant change characterised by an increase in the diversification of traditional rural economy sectors such as agriculture. The Council is committed to promoting balanced and inclusive rural communities, to achieving an appropriate scale of development supporting farming and other rural-based economic activity such as equine development, agri-food, forestry, energy production and carbon reduction, tourism, recreation, mineral extraction and/or other new and emerging rural based enterprises. These enterprise fields represent viable sources of income, while also fostering sustainable economic diversification and development in rural areas. In accordance with the Economic Strategy for the overall county (see Chapter 8: Economic Development), employment servicing the rural areas should, in general, be directed to local employment centres, small towns and villages catering for local investment and small-scale industry. Within the rural settlements and countryside, agriculture, horticulture, forestry, tourism and rural resources-based enterprise should be facilitated. The promotion and facilitation of micro enterprises is a key area for sustainable employment opportunities in rural areas. The Council will seek to facilitate the development of this sector by ensuring that incubator units for micro enterprises are provided in lower tier centres (Towns and Villages and Rural Service Settlements). Moreover, the Council will seek to facilitate the provision of serviced or serviceable sites in similar lower tier centres and edge of village and town centre locations, with the aim of encouraging new enterprise development to further sustain these rural communities. In particular, the reuse of redundant agricultural buildings and the development of new buildings to accommodate such diversification/enterprise within an overall farmyard complex will be considered on their individual merits. It is acknowledged that some enterprise and employment uses may not always be appropriately located on Enterprise and Employment Zoned lands. In this regard, some new enterprise and employment projects may require sites outside settlements because of their size, type or specific site requirements. Such developments, as with all rural-based developments and enterprises, will be subject to the policy objectives contained in Chapter 5 of this Plan with particular emphasis on those policy objectives contained in Section 5.2.3 in relation to development accessing national roads, in the context of traffic safety and the protection of the national road network. Key considerations for rural enterprise will be: ■ Existing commercial or industrial activities in towns or villages, unencumbered by their location and nature of their business, will be generally discouraged in relocating to unserviced rural areas. ■ Horticulture, forestry, tourism, energy production and rural resource-based enterprises will be facilitated in the rural areas, subject to proper planning considerations. ■ Where established authorised rural based enterprises seek to expand beyond their existing capacity and, in the opinion of the Planning Authority, the expansion proposed would seriously affect the rural nature or amenity of the rural areas and surroundingLongford County Council 264
- CPO 9.1 CPO 9.2 CPO 9.3 CPO 9.4 CPO 9.5 CPO 9.6 CPO 9.7 CPO 9.8 Rural Enterprise and Economy County Policy Objectives It is the County Policy Objective to: Liaise and co-operate with statutory, local development, sectoral community / voluntary agencies and groups to develop economic, social and cultural benefits for the rural community. Support and facilitate the work of Teagasc and other farming / local bodies within the county in the promotion of the rural economy, including agriculture development, rural diversification and in the development of initiatives to support farming, create inclusive rural communities and improve access and services in rural areas. Support the provision of a high-quality rural environment, encourage diversification and improved competitiveness of the rural economy, sustain the livelihood of rural communities and promote the development of the wider rural economy, all within the context of the sustainable management of land and resources. Promote social inclusion, poverty reduction and economic development in rural areas. Support farm diversification, where a proposed business initiative is subordinate to the primary agricultural use of the site, subject to traffic and environmental safeguards. Protect agriculture and traditional rural enterprises from unplanned and/or incompatible urban development. Promote resource efficiency and support the shift toward a low-carbon and climate resilient economy in the agriculture, food and forestry sectors. Enhance the competitiveness of rural areas by supporting innovation in rural economic development and enterprise through the diversification of the rural economy into new sectors and services, including ICT-based industries and those addressing climate change and sustainability. countryside, they will generally be encouraged to locate in serviced zoned lands. ■ One-off enterprises in the rural area may be located in the open countryside only where the Council is satisfied that: - the enterprise is suitable for that location in the first place; - it will enhance the local rural economy; - there is a social and economic benefit to being located within a rural area; - the proposal will not adversely affect the character and appearance of the landscape or the amenity of neighbouring properties; - the local road network and other essential infrastructure can accommodate extra demand generated by the proposal; and - all advertising should be kept to a minimum and be suitable in design and scale to serve the business. ■ Commercial / industrial developments in rural areas may be acceptable subject to proper planning considerations, where the Council is satisfied that the proposed development is required to be located in the rural area, due to its dependence on an existing local resource or source material that is required for the carrying out of the industrial process / commercial activity / service. The local resource or source of material shall be in close proximity to the location of the proposed development. ■ Where an area is not within an identifiable settlement and is not otherwise zoned as part of this Plan, the use of such land shall be deemed to be primarily agricultural. However apart from rural housing, there are other land-uses which may be considered in the rural countryside subject to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.County Development Plan 2021–2027 265
- 9.3.2 Agriculture Given the rural predominance of Longford in terms of its population settlement and land use, agriculture remains a vital sector to the economy of Longford and its social fabric. In recent years the rural economy of County Longford has experienced rapid change. While traditionally, agriculture sustained much of the rural economy, the restructuring of this sector has resulted in a diversification of traditional farm practices, an increase in part time farming / off-farm employment and a decrease in the number of individual farmsteads. This is evident in the full-time employment statistics for the working population engaged in the agriculture, forestry and fishing broad industrial group presented in Table 9.1 below which depicts numbers of the labour force engaged in this sector between 2002-2016. While the 2011 Census recorded an increase in the numbers of people employed in the sector from the preceding 2006 Census, the 2016 Census reverted to the historical decline in employment within the sector. Table 9.1: Persons Employed in Farming, Fishing and Forestry and Total Labour Force (Source: CSO Census 2002, 2006, 2011 and 2016) Census Year Total Persons in Labour Force Farming, Fishing and Forestry % of Farming, Fishing and Forestry in Labour Force 2016 18,873 1,159 6.14% 2011 18,433 1,300 7.05% 2006 16,400 1,176 7.17% 2002 13,233 1,415 10.69% Notwithstanding this decline in direct employment, agriculture remains a significant sector and catalyst for a number of indirect, agri-food related jobs in the County and the wider region, in relation to the provision of feedstores, livestock marts, meat and dairy processing plants, agriculture machinery sales and maintenance and animal welfare amongst many other indirect employment sources. CPO 9.9 CPO 9.10 CPO 9.11 CPO 9.12 Prioritise the regeneration of rural towns and villages through identification of significant regeneration projects for rural villages and rural areas which could harness untapped assets with community and wider private and public sector support and investment, including the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. Explore mechanisms for the emergence of a diversified sectoral mix in rural areas. This includes the identification of appropriate locations to drive regeneration of rural towns and villages for example by the provision of serviced sites for housing and co-working/ incubator space. The development and expansion of appropriate new businesses in rural areas will normally be encouraged where: ■ The scale and nature of the proposed new business are appropriate to the rural area and are in areas of low environmental sensitivity. ■ The development will enhance the strength and diversification of the rural economy. ■ The development involves the use of redundant or underused buildings that are of value to the rural area. Have regard to the County Policy Objectives contained in Section 5.2.3 of this Plan when assessing proposals for rural economic or employment generating development and their potential impact on the road network, where the protection of routes of strategic importance within the County from further access creation and intensification of existing accesses and development on national routes is a key consideration. Development on the National and Regional Routes outlined in CPO 5.19 shall be carefully considered to preserve their strategic role and safeguard the strategic function of the national road network, in accordance with the provisions of the DoECLG Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines (2012).Longford County Council 266
- The gradual decline in agricultural employment is replicated in the historical decline in the numbers of farm holdings, with a trend towards the amalgamation of larger farm holdings and more intensive farming practices driven principally by EU subsidies which encouraged such practices since the 1990s. More recently, significant focus has been placed on reducing the environmental impacts of such intensive practices with a focus on steering subsidies towards less intensive agricultural measures, cultivating higher biodiversity values within landholdings and compensatory measures to offset more carbon intensive agriculture measures. Traditional farming practices, such as beef and dairy production, are and will be central to agriculture development. However, the sector faces a number of immediate challenges, not least of which is the low profitability of some farming activities, which leaves the sector exposed to potential negative shocks such as Brexit, future reductions in subsidies through reform of the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and climate change. Considering these challenges, there is a need to promote farm diversification and new employment opportunities to ensure the viability and sustain existing rural communities. The Council will support diversification of the rural economy and in particular will seek to develop the potential of the agri-food sector, forestry, the sustainable exploitation of natural resources and consideration of alternative on-farm and off-farm activities. These measures coincide with a cultural shift in agricultural practice across the EU and in Ireland where rural diversification and specialised agricultural practices are gaining popularity and providing more sustainable forms of agricultural employment, whether as standalone businesses or complimenting existing traditional farming practices. These include non-traditional farming practices relating to aquaculture, rural tourism, horticulture, organic farming, herb cultivation, renewable energy generation and the cultivation of biomass energy crops. Such diversification is also occurring in the postindustrial peat harvested landscapes, with Bord na Móna investing significantly in its vast lands banks to provide sustainable employment for its employees in the midlands, with its model underpinned by the ethos of Just Transition towards a low carbon economy. Investments in established renewable energy projects as well as its portfolio of proposed solar and wind energy projects, highlight the progress the company has made in this area. In a further illustration of the scale of its diversification, Bord na Móna plans to establish an aquaculture and herb growing facility in its County Longford bogs, developing fish and herb farms within previously harvested peat lands.County Development Plan 2021–2027 267
- CPO 9.13 CPO 9.17 CPO 9.21 CPO 9.15 CPO 9.19 CPO 9.14 CPO 9.18 CPO 9.22 CPO 9.16 CPO 9.20 Agriculture - County Policy Objectives It is the County Policy Objective to: Maintain a vibrant and healthy agricultural sector based on the principles of sustainable development, whilst at the same time finding alternative employment in or close to rural areas to sustain rural communities. Support agricultural development as a contributory means of maintaining population and sustaining the rural economy, whilst maintaining and enhancing the standing of the rural environment through application of the EU Water Framework Directive and EU Habitats Directive. Encourage and facilitate agricultural diversification into agri-businesses such as organic foods, rural tourism and small to medium sized enterprises, subject to the retention of the holding for primarily agricultural use and the proper planning and sustainable development of the area Support the rural economy and initiatives in relation to diversification, agri business, rural tourism and renewable energy so as to sustain employment opportunities in rural areas Facilitate the development of environmentally sustainable agricultural activities, whereby natural waters and watercourses, wildlife habitats, conservation areas and areas of ecological importance and other environmental assets are protected from the threat of pollution, and where development does not impinge on the visual amenity of the countryside. Ensure that agricultural-related development proposals do not give rise to any adverse negative impacts to archaeological and cultural heritage features of importance. Support local employment and training opportunities, particularly where existing farm income is in decline and requires alternative skills and enterprises. Support those who live and work in rural areas and who wish to remain on the landholding. Favourable consideration will be given to on-farm based diversification, which is complementary to existing agricultural practices, is operated as part of the farm holding and is intended to supplement existing farm income such as: ■ Specialist farming practices e.g. horticulture, equine facilities, poultry, mushroom growing, specialised animal breeding and bee keeping and honey production; ■ Farm enterprises such as processing, coops, farm supply stores and agri-business; ■ Production of organic and speciality foods to meet the increase in demand for such products; ■ Conversion of redundant farm buildings of vernacular importance for appropriate ownerrun enterprises, such as agri-tourism. Encourage proposals for farm shops where it can be clearly demonstrated that: ■ the products to be sold are primarily produce grown on the farm holding; ■ the scale and scope of the retailing proposed will not harm the viability or retail facilities in any nearby town or village; and ■ the proposed shop is operated by the owner of the farm and is ancillary to the main use of the property for agricultural activities. Ensure that agriculture development is in compliance with the EU “A Farm to Fork Strategy” 2020 and parallel to the 14 point EU Nature Restoration Plan in the EU “Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 - Bringing nature back into our lives”.Longford County Council 268
- Traditional farming practices, such as beef and dairy production, are and will be central to agriculture development. However, the sector faces a number of immediate challenges 269 County Development Plan 2021–2027
- Longford Ballymahon Granard Lanesborough Edgeworthstown Keenagh Newtown Forbes Ardagh Drumlish Cloondara Killashee Longford Forest Cover 2017 Forest Ownership Private Public Ordnance Survey Ireland Licence No. EN 0076413. © Ordnance Survey Ireland/Government of Ireland 9.3.3 Forestry Forests and woodlands play an important role in terms of supporting rural employment and rural diversity, climate change management and carbon sequestration, biodiversity and as a source of renewable/alternative energy sources. Figure 9.1: Forestry Cover and Ownership in County Longford based on 2017 National Forest Inventory Results (DAFM, 2017) Longford Forest Cover 2017 Forests and woodlands also have a significant recreational and amenity value. Based on the 2017 National Forest Inventory Results from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), forestry accounted for 9,160 ha. or 8.4% of total land cover in County Longford, with 69.6% of forestry privately owned in the county.Longford County Council 270
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.