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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- CPO 12.99 CPO 12.100 CPO 12.101 CPO 12.102 CPO 12.103 Protect ground and surface water resources from pollution by ensuring the appropriate control of development in areas of high groundwater vulnerability, the recognition of ground water resources and abstraction points and any identified major catchment areas of surface water bodies capable of use as a potable water resource and ensuring that such sources, their zones of contribution, and areas of aquifer vulnerability are protected. Development of a potentially pollutant nature in these areas and any future areas identified shall be prohibited. Seek to control and manage any potential point and/or diffuse sources of pollution with a view towards improving and maintaining ‘good’ water quality. Such activities include, but are not restricted to, wastewater and industrial discharges, landfills, quarries, mines, contaminated land, agricultural activities, wastewater from unsewered properties, forestry activities and the use and discharge of dangerous substances. Consider development proposals that involve the physical modification of water bodies, including abstraction of water, having regard to the potential effect on habitats and plant and animal species, with particular consideration given to European Sites and specific actions proposed where negative impacts are anticipated. Incorporate water protection measures into initial site selection and design and produce a Water Protection Plan for all planning applications. Water Protection Plans should aim to prevent contamination of storm water, minimise soiled and waste waters, install proper containment for material storage, install appropriate treatment and disposal arrangement for soiled and waste waters and take account of legal requirements for discharges to ground and surface waters. Support, where possible, the development and implementation of a Groundwater Protection Scheme in tandem with the Geological Survey Ireland (GSI). 12.17 Surface Water Management The management of surface and storm water is important in order to avoid increased flood or pollution risk in the storm water network, rivers and streams in the County’s towns, villages and rural areas. Traditionally, rain falling on impervious surfaces was directed into a receiving watercourse through surface water drainage systems. While such drainage systems are effective at transferring surface water quickly, they provide only limited attenuation causing the volume of water in the receiving watercourse to increase more rapidly, thereby increasing flood risk. The Council will require compliance with best practice guidance for the collection, reuse, treatment and disposal of surface waters for all future development proposals (see Chapter 5 Infrastructure, section 5.4 for County Policy Objectives. 12.18 Air Quality Poor air quality in urban and rural environments can give rise to significant adverse environmental impacts on human health and local flora and fauna ecosystems. The most pronounced areas in relation to air pollution are built-up urban areas and major transport routes with air pollution arising as a result of: ■ Emissions from traffic; ■ Power generation and emissions from industry and agricultural practices; ■ Burning of fossil fuels. County Longford currently enjoys a high standard of air quality, with the Air Quality Index for Health (AQIH) rating the air quality as ‘Good’. However, increased vehicle usage and other industrial and commercial activities are a threat to damaging the quality of the environment. Accordingly, the Council will encourage any future transport initiatives and the provision of walking and cycling facilities in an attempt to reduce the number of private car trips and promote better air quality.County Development Plan 2021–2027 361
- CPO 12.104 CPO 12.105 CPO 12.106 CPO 12.107 CPO 12.108 Air Quality - County Policy Objectives It is the County Policy Objective to: Promote the preservation of best ambient air quality compatible with sustainable development in accordance with the EU Ambient Air Quality and Cleaner Air for Europe (CAFE) Directive (2008/5/0/EC) and ensure that all air emissions associated with new developments are within Environmental Quality Standards as out in the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2011 (SI No. 180 of 201) (or any updated/superseding documents). Support the collation of air quality and greenhouse gas monitoring data in support of a regional air quality and greenhouse gas emission inventory. Seek to ensure in tandem with the EPA, that all developments are operated in a manner that does not contribute to deterioration in air quality. Promote alternative and sustainable transport methods in order to maintain good air quality and support the introduction of charging points for electric vehicles (EVs) throughout the county and will seek to replace its fleet with EVs where feasible. Promote the retention of trees, in-particular broad leaf-species, hedgerows and other vegetation where possible, and encourage afforestation and tree planting as a means of air purification and filtering. 12.19 Noise and Light Pollution The Environmental Noise Regulations 2006 give effect to EU Directive 2002/49/EC relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise. The impact of noise pollution is an important consideration in assessing all new development proposals as it can impact on people’s quality of life and health. The Council will seek through the Development Management process to reduce noise and/or vibration at site boundaries or within adjacent sensitive areas, especially residential areas, by measures such as layout, design and/or attenuation mechanisms. The Council will require the submission of Noise Impact Assessments where it is proposed to introduce noise creating uses in proximity to noise sensitive uses, such as residential areas, and if permission is being granted may impose conditions mitigating impact. Similarly, where noise sensitive uses are proposed within proximity to a noise source, such as national roads, rail lines, etc., proposals shall include noise and/or vibration attenuation measures in any planning application. In respect of light pollution, it is acknowledged that artificial light is necessary for the operation of industry, recreational amenities and for illumination within our homes. However, inappropriate or excessive light can be harmful to wildlife and human health, due to sleep patterns being disrupted. With increased development comes increased light pollution and therefore measures to minimise the harmful impacts of light pollution must be introduced to ensure that new developments are appropriately illuminated, while environmentally sensitive areas are protected. Quinn’s Bridge, Royal CanalLongford County Council 362
- CPO 12.109 CPO 12.110 CPO 12.111 CPO 12.112 CPO 12.113 CPO 12.114 Noise and Light Pollution County Policy Objectives It is the County Policy Objective to: Support the implementation of the Noise Directive 2002/49/EC and associated Environmental Noise Regulations 2006 and any subsequent revision of these regulations. Support the Implementation of the Longford Noise Action Plan 2018-2023 (and any revision made thereto) Require all developments to be designed and operated in a manner that will minimise and contain noise levels, including the use of noise / vibration attenuation measures as appropriate. Require the submission of a Noise Impact Assessment for all developments likely to introduce noise generating uses in proximity to noise sensitive uses. Control lighting in urban and rural areas and in particular in sensitive locations, in order to minimise impacts on residential amenity, habitats and species of importance. (a) Require the use of energy efficient public lighting in all new development proposals. (b) New/Replacement LED luminaries with warmer colours (i.e. CCT values at or below 2700K) be specified for future installations to avoid environmental impacts associated with blue-rich LED light. Cairn Hill, DernacrossCounty Development Plan 2021–2027 363
- 12.20 Soil Protection Soils represent an important and non-renewable natural resource. Soil types have an extensive influence on the environment of the County, dictating the land cover and land use and the extent and intensity of both. Accordingly, all aspects of life are influenced either directly or indirectly by soil types; including agricultural practices, settlement patterns, transport routes, communications infrastructure, location of archaeological deposits and economic activity. The soil types within the County are mapped and contained within Appendix 7: Natural Heritage and Environment. CPO 12.115 CPO 12.116 CPO 12.117 CPO 12.118 CPO 12.119 CPO 12.120 CPO 12.121 CPO 12.122 CPO 12.123 Soil Protection – County Policy Objectives It is the County Policy Objective to: Recognise and protect fertile agricultural soils in the County as an important non-renewable natural resource and protect soils identified as agriculturally important in the Landscape Assessment through the prevention of inappropriate use in the development management process. Identify areas of poorer soil in the County and respect their limitations, particularly in terms of their assimilative properties to prevent pollution Prevent pollution in areas of poor soils through the implementation of relevant EPA and Department of Agriculture guidance and regulations in the percolation and/or spreading of domestic and agricultural effluent to land. Investigate the potential uses of cutaway bogs in the County for re-naturing and amenity and particularly consider the development of sustainable and renewable energy projects. Ensure that adequate soil protection measures are undertaken where appropriate. Adequate and appropriate investigations shall be carried out into the nature and extent of any soil and groundwater contamination and the risks associated with site development work, where brownfield development is proposed. Require that the EPA’s publication Code of Practice: Environmental Risk Assessment for Unregulated Waste Disposal Sites (2007) shall be taken into account as relevant by proposals for development within or adjacent to old landfill sites. Ensure all undeveloped, contaminated sites shall be remediated to internationally accepted standards prior to redevelopment. All applications shall be accompanied by a report from a qualified, expert consultant remediation incorporating international best practice and expertise on innovative ecological restoration techniques including specialist planting and green initiatives that create aesthetically improved sites, healthy environments and contribute to the provision of new green open spaces as integral parts of newly created areas. Require that the treatment/management of any contaminated material shall comply as appropriate with the Waste Management Act 1996 (waste licence, waste facility permit), as amended, and under the EPA Act 1992 (Industrial Emissions licensing, in particular the First Schedule, Class 11 Waste), as amended. These measures will ensure that contaminated material will be managed in a manner that removes any risk to human health and ensures that the end use will be compatible with any risk. Require that prior to the grant of approval on contaminated sites, developers will carry out a full contaminated land risk assessment to demonstrate: ■ How the proposed land uses will be compatible with the protection of health and safety (including the durability of structures and services) - during both construction and occupation; and ■ How any contaminated soil or water encountered will be appropriately dealt with.Longford County Council 364
- 12.21 Natural Heritage and the Environment Climate Context and Associated Climate Actions In accordance with the format set out in Chapter 3: Climate Change of this Plan the following is an assessment of the content of this chapter in a climate context and associated actions. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) the greatest environmental risk to health is ambient air pollution, causing more than three million premature deaths worldwide every year. In Ireland, this figure is an estimated at 1,180 persons, aided by above average levels of air pollutants, despite the country meeting EU air quality standards. A response from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment has been to extend the Smokey Coal Ban to include Longford Town amongst others from September 2020. Ireland’s 2020 target is to achieve a 20% reduction of non-Emission Trading Scheme (non- ETS) sector emissions (i.e. agriculture, transport, built environment, waste and non-energy intensive industry) against 2005 levels. Worldwide, peatlands account for 3% of all land cover, and 21% in Ireland alone80, and stores twice as much carbon as all standing forests, aided by the ability of a 15cm, thick layer storing more carbon per hectare than tropical rainforests81. Yet these habitats are extremely vulnerable to climate change and Ireland is set to lose 31% by 2055 of this asset if immediate rewetting action is not taken82. Healthy, intact ecosystems trap and sequester carbon, retain water, prevent soil erosion and provide protection from extreme weather. Habitats such as wetlands, woodlands and peatlands are particularly high in biodiversity value and are key for both climate mitigation and adaptation measures, providing important carbon sinks, water attenuation and flooding protection, and pollinators for crops. The National Biodiversity Data Centre has calculated that approximately 20% of all species, and one in every three bee species are threatened with extinction as a direct result of our eroding biodiversity. From the food we eat, water we drink, raw materials we use for fuel, construction and medicine, to the creation of space for our leisure, these biodiverse ecosystems help to regulate our climate. In early May 2019, Ireland became only the second country in the world to declare a climate and biodiversity emergency. Biodiversity is, essentially, the foundation of all plant and animal life, so this declaration is an important, formal recognition by the State of the seriousness of the threat that exists. 80 Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (2015), ‘National Peatlands Strategy 2015 – Managing Ireland’s Peatlands’, National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/NationalPeatlandsStrategy2015EnglishVers.pdf 81 Ramsar (2015), ‘Guidelines for inventories of tropical peatlands to facilitate their designation as Ramsar Sites’, Ramsar Briefing Note 9, Ramsar – Convention on Wetlands. https://www.ramsar.org/sites/default/files/documents/library/bn9_peatland_inventory_e.pdf 82 Sweeney, J. (et. Al) (2008), ‘Climate Change – Refining the Impact for Ireland: Streive Report’, Strive Programme 2007-2013, Environmental Protection Agency, University of Ireland, Maynooth. https://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/research/climate/sweeney-report-strive-12-for-web-low-res.pdfCounty Development Plan 2021–2027 365
- A12.1 A12.4 A12.7 A12.3 A12.6 A12.9 A12.2 A12.5 A12.8 Natural Heritage and the Environment - Climate Change Actions Longford County Council shall: Within the lifetime of the plan, undertake a survey and vector mapping exercise to identify exemplar individual trees and/or stands of trees and/or woodlands throughout the county worthy of their protection and preservation. Encourage the potential community woodlands areas in urban/urban fringe areas and the development of community woodlands throughout rural Longford. Discourage and ban the use of glyphosate weed killers in public spaces in favour of hot water, foam stream, flame weeding and concentrated vinegar. Prepare a Peatland Strategy that shall encourage the rewilding, restoration and protection of peat bogs after turf cutting and/or peat extraction has ceased. Support the National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme 2017 – 2022. Promote the roll-out of renewables and stringent protection and enhancement of carbon pools such as forests, peatlands and permanent grasslands. Fracking and the industrial extraction of fossil fuels will not be encouraged within Longford’s functional area. Engage the services of a full-time Ecologist on a shared amongst neighbouring Local Authorities. Install and promote the installation of bird, bat, and owl boxes, and bee bricks and insect hotels or equivalent, at all relevant locations and developments, where possible. Walking trek, ArdaghLongford County Council 366
- Green Infrastructure CHAPTER 13 White’s Bridge, Newcastle Wood, Ballymahon
- 368 13.1 Introduction Green Infrastructure can be broadly defined as a strategically planned network of high quality natural and semi-natural areas with other environmental features, which is designed and managed to deliver a wide range of ecosystem services and protect biodiversity in both rural and urban settings. Green infrastructure is a multi-functional and strategically planned network of natural and designed systems that facilitates environmental, economic and social benefits through natural solutions that supports ecological processes. The provision of green (land) networks and blue (water) spaces in our urban environments not only provide for more visually pleasing design solutions; but can also improve environmental conditions thus improving residents’ health and quality of life. Developing an interlinked network of Green Infrastructure, open spaces and heritage assets can greatly benefit urban and rural communities. Green Infrastructure should be developed, designed and managed as a multifunctional resource capable of delivering a wide range of economic, environmental and quality of life benefits for local communities. Green Infrastructure is not only key to human health and wellbeing, but also provides multiple benefits which are recognised in national and regional policy documents. 13.2 Statutory Context 13.2.1 Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) Development Plans must include mandatory objectives for the conservation of the natural heritage and for the conservation of European sites and any other sites which may be prescribed. Furthermore, the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) requires that the County Development Plan indicates locations on a map and to preserve public rights of way, which give access to seashore, mountain, lakeshore, riverbank or other place of natural beauty or recreational utility. 13.3 Policy Context 13.3.1 EU Green Infrastructure Strategy 2013 This EU-wide strategy set out to promote investments in green infrastructure, to restore the health of ecosystems, ensure that natural areas remain connected together, and allow species to thrive across their entire natural habitat, so that nature keeps on delivering its many benefits to us. The strategy promotes the deployment of green infrastructure across Europe as well as the development of a Trans-European Network for Green Infrastructure in Europe, a so-called TEN-G, equivalent to the existing networks for transport, energy and ICT. This can also help enhance the health and wellbeing of EU citizens, provide jobs, and boost our economy. 13.3.2 EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy Developing green infrastructure is a key step towards the success of the EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy. The Strategy’s target 2 requires that ‘by 2020, ecosystems and their services are maintained and enhanced by establishing green infrastructure and restoring at least 15% of degraded ecosystems’. Green infrastructure contributes to all 6 targets of the Strategy - in particular the full implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directive (target 1) and to maintaining and enhancing biodiversity in the wider countryside and the marine environment (targets 3 and 4). 13.3.3 Strategy for the Future Development of National and Regional Greenways The strategy sets out to develop and maintain a Strategic Greenway network of national and regional routes which can link with local Greenways and other cycling, walking and green infrastructure. The Strategy identifies the importance of greenways providing important biodiversity/ecological corridors in addition to providing opportunities for people to experience green infrastructure. The Section also emphasises the potential of greenways and associated green infrastructure to provide pollination enhancement measures in accordance with the All Ireland Pollinator Plan 2015-2020. 13.3.4 National Biodiversity Plan 2017-2020 The Plan identifies the important role of Green Infrastructure in helping to achieve biodiversity targets and developing ecological corridors that allow the movement of species through their entire natural habitat.Longford County Council 368
- Royal Canal towpathCounty Development Plan 2021–2027 369 The Section also emphasises the potential of greenways and associated green infrastructure to provide pollination enhancement measures in accordance with the All Ireland Pollinator Plan 2015-2020.
- 13.3.5 CEDRA 2012 ‘Energising Ireland’s Rural Economy’ Recommendation 27: The Commission recommends that national State-owned infrastructure that can support national, regional and local tourism initiatives should be prioritised for development. The Commission believes that this is essential to build on the success of initiatives such as the Great Western Greenway in Mayo, and the O’Sullivan Beara Way from West Cork to Leitrim. 13.3.6 Inland Fisheries Ireland (2020) on “Planning for watercourses in the Urban Environment”. It outlines an integrated watercourse protection strategy that has been developed by Inland Fisheries Ireland through consultation with a wide range of experts in the area. Watercourses including rivers, lakes and streams are an integral part of our environment and if managed appropriately can significantly improve the quality of life for people living in urban areas. 13.3.7 Action Plan for Rural Development – Realising our Rural Potential - 2017 Key Objectives: ■ Increase tourist numbers to rural Ireland. ■ Support sustainable jobs through targeted rural tourism initiatives, including through the support of key marketing initiatives such as Ireland’s Ancient East and the Wild Atlantic Way, as well as developing the potential of Ireland’s Lakelands. ■ Develop and promote Activity Tourism in rural areas through the development of blueways, greenways and other recreational opportunities. ■ Develop and promote our natural and built heritage through investment and development of our Gaeltacht areas, enhanced promotion of our National Parks and Nature Reserves and other natural and built resources. Action 200 aims to enhance animation and interpretation at key heritage sites and augment existing networks and trails with additional sites and materials to create new visitor experiences. 13.3.8 Project Ireland 2040 – National Planning Framework (NPF) The National Planning Framework (NPF) identifies our environment as an asset worthy of protection, which if planned for in the same way as for other forms of infrastructure, can provide long term benefits. An attractive environment is important for tourism and a vibrant, well planned urban area with good amenities will contribute to attracting skilled employees and investment to underpin long-term development. Our natural assets are also valuable for carbon capture, which will assist in meeting climate mitigation and adaptation goals and national biodiversity targets. National Policy Objective NPO58 stipulates that integrated planning for Green Infrastructure and ecosystem services will be incorporated into the preparation of statutory land use plans. The NPF identifies 4 no. key priorities to achieve this: ■ Assisting in accommodating growth and expansion, while retaining the intrinsic value of natural places and natural assets; ■ Providing increased certainty in planning by proactively addressing relevant environmental issues; ■ Encouraging more collaborative approaches to plan-making by enabling examination of the interactions between future development requirements and the capacity of receiving areas; and ■ Ensuring that sufficient and well-planned green spaces, commensurate in scale to long-term development requirements, are designated in statutory plans. 13.3.9 Eastern and Midlands Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) 2019-2031 The RSES places significant weight to the importance of Green Infrastructure and Regional Policy Objectives. It requires the Council to identify, protect, enhance and manage Green Infrastructure in an integrated and coherent manner (RPO 7.22); and to support the further development of Green Infrastructure policies and to coordinate the mapping of strategic Green Infrastructure in the Region (RPO 7.23)Longford County Council 370
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.