Longford County Development Plan 2021–2027

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   2.5.5 Affluence and Deprivation The Pobal HP deprivation Index provides a method of measuring the relative affluence or disadvantage of a particular geographical area using data compiled from various censuses. It is a recognised resource for identifying affluence and disadvantage, by providing local analysis of relevant metrics such as unemployment, educational attainment and population change. Figure 2.14 illustrates deprivation levels from the Pobal Index (by Electoral Divisions) within County Longford and indicates that the affluence and deprivation is variable throughout the different parts of the county. Overall, the majority of County Longford is marginally below average, with few areas disadvantaged and a few others marginally above average. St. Mel’s Cathedral, Longford town, Co. Longford 41 County Development Plan 2021–2027

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   Figure 2.14: Pobal HP Deprivation Index Score across County Longford by ED (Source: Pobal) 42Longford County Council

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   2.6 Development Profile 2.6.1 Infrastructure and Investment Trends There are various towns and villages distributed throughout the county, as well as important national, regional and local infrastructure, including the Royal Canal, the N4 (between Sligo and Dublin) and the N5 (between Castlebar/Westport and Longford). Significant public and private investment to support development and improve infrastructure has been evident in recent years, including the following major projects: ■ N4/M4 Mullingar to Longford (Roosky) upgrade – Longford County Council is working in association with Westmeath County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to upgrade 52km of this single carriageway road. The N4/M4 national primary route is 198km in length and connects Dublin (M50) to Sligo. The portion of road which will be upgraded passes through the settlements of Ballinalack, Rathowen, Edgeworthstown, Longford and Newtownforbes. ■ Derryadd Windfarm – in June 2020, Bord an Móna Powergen Ltd were granted consent by An Bord Pleanála for a windfarm comprising of 24 no. turbines, 110kV substation and associated infrastructure works. ■ The Royal Canal Way – the 16.5km Cloondara Greenway forms part of the extended Royal Canal Way which provides an off-road trackway between Longford – Killashee and along the Royal Canal towards Cloondara Harbour. This provides a multi-purpose active transport route that connects to the ongoing improvements to the Royal Canal Way, which extends to Dublin. ■ Center Parcs, Longford Forest – following an estimated investment of over €230million, the Longford Forest resort was opened in the Newcastle Forest adjacent to Ballymahon in July 2019. This holiday village represents a significant contributor to local employment (with an estimated 700-1,000 employees) and provides accommodation for up to 2,500 guests as well as a dedicated tropical pool, spa facilities and indoor and outdoor guest activities. Ancillary works including local road improvements and upgrade to the gas supply infrastructure also occurred to accommodate the development. ■ Ballymahon Gas Pipeline – an extension to the Gas Networks Ireland infrastructure (gas pipeline) from Athlone to Ballymahon town centre and the nearby Center Parcs resort. This extension was delivered in 2 no. phases (Rathmore to Center Parcs and Ories to Rathmore) during 2018-2019. This infrastructure facilitates the provision of natural gas to the area to ensure a more resilient and robust energy supply for the local community as well as Center Parcs. ■ ‘Just Transition’ - the ‘Just Transition’ for the Midlands continues to have an important and central relevance to all stakeholders across the counties affected, including County Longford Lanesborough town, Co. Longford 43County Development Plan 2021–2027

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   which will be severely impacted by the closure of ESB Power Station in Lanesborough and cessation of Bord na Móna peat harvesting operations. In October 2018, Bord na Móna initiated plans to decarbonise and shift from traditional peat harvesting operations. In response a Transition Team was established by Offaly County Council to address the challenges and opportunities presented by the acceleration of Bord na Móna’s ‘Brown to Green’ Decarbonisation Strategy. Other impacted local authorities also joined the Midlands Regional Transition Team, with representation from Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath, Roscommon and Kildare and regional stakeholders. This Team aims to pursue funding opportunities and actions to mitigate the impact of Bord na Móna job losses on the individuals concerned, and on the local and regional economy. Additionally, the ESB’s peatfired power station in Lanesborough (also known as the Lough Ree Power Station) will also close and be demolished at the end of 2020. ■ In May 2020, the Government launched the first call for proposals for funding from the €11m ‘Just Transition’ Fund which has five key priorities, including retraining workers and proposals to generate sustainable employment in green enterprise in the region. The ‘Just Transition’ Fund will be of particular relevance to the community of Lanesborough as they examine existing natural and economic assets to determine possible employment creating opportunities associated with the closure of the power plant and shift in local industry. For example, Longford County Council have been working with Bord na Móna, Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development, amongst others, to plan the shape and structure of a wetlands habitat that may facilitate economic based projects based around renewable technologies, recreation and amenity in particular. 2.6.2 Retail Analysis of development in trends in retail indicate that 25 no. planning applications have been granted for commercial properties in County Longford over the last 5 years. These were mostly associated with smaller mixed use or retail units, minor extensions, or change of use applications within the larger settlements, along with a notable trend towards petrol and service stations along the main transport routes. As illustrated in Figure 2.15, these are mostly located within the settlements, particularly in and around Longford town, where a high proportion of these are service station and minor retail type establishments such as coffee shops. Further information is provided within the Retail Strategy prepared as part of this Plan (Volume 3: Annexes – Annex 9: County Longford Retail Strategy). Additionally, analysis on the vacancy rate of commercial units has also been undertaken through review of the Geodirectory data from the first quarter of 2019. Figure 2.16 indicates that the majority of these properties are in the settlements, with particularly high concentrations of vacant properties in and around Longford town. 2.6.3 Housing Analysis of historic information (2006 – 2019) on granted planning applications (by number of units) in County Longford has been undertaken. This helps understand the proportion of housing units that are single rural dwellings which have been approved during that period and provides an indication of the dynamics between the urban and rural housing market within the county. 44Longford County Council

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   Figure 2.15: Location of commercial applications submitted to Longford County Council (Source: MyPlan) 45County Development Plan 2021–2027

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   Figure 2.16: Vacant commercial properties in Co. Longford in 2019 (Source: Geodirectory) 46Longford County Council

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   Of the 3,283 housing units that have been granted, approximately 65.17% were for single rural dwellings, whilst 34.83% were for houses or apartments. There was however peaks and troughs in terms of the quantum of applications that were granted (and applied for), as well as the proportional change between those that were single rural dwellings and those that were not. An overview is provided in Table 2.10 and Figure 2.17. Further information is provided within the Housing Strategy which has been prepared as part of this Plan (Volume 3: Annexes - Annex 4: Housing Strategy). Year 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 % Houses and Apartments 66% 68% 54% 78% 2% 5% 5% 41% 10% 15% 19% 21% 45% 58% % Houses and Apartments 34% 32% 46% 22% 98% 95% 95% 959% 90% 85% 81% 79% 55% 42% Total Granted 778 967 452 395 58 37 43 41 21 41 67 96 97 190 Table 2.10: Granted Planning Applications for Residential Units in County Longford during 2006 – 2019 (Source: CSO) 47County Development Plan 2021–2027

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   Year 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 - Single Rural Dwelling % of Total 34% 32% 46% 22% 98% 95% 95% 59% 90% 85% 81% 79% 55% 42% Figure 2.17: Overview of granted applications for single rural dwellings as proportion of total granted applications in Co. Longford 2006 - 2019 120% 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 34% 32% 46% 98% 95% 95% 90% 85% 59% 81% 75% 55% 42% y = 0.021x + 0.4942 R3 = 0.1069 22% 48Longford County Council

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   Climate Change CHAPTER 3 The former Lanesborough Power Station

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    50 3.2 Statutory Context 3.2.1 Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) The Planning and Development Acts 2000 (as amended) require development plans to include various types of objectives, including those relating to climate mitigation and adaptation. Provisions for climate change are set out within Section 10 (2) (n). This include requirements to: ■ reduce energy demand in response to the likelihood of increases in energy; and other costs due to long-term decline in nonrenewable resources; ■ reduce anthropogenic (manmade) greenhouse gas emissions, and; ■ address the necessity of adaptation to climate change; in particular, having regard to location, layout and design of new development. It is also a statutory requirement for local authorities to incorporate the promotion of sustainable settlement and transportation strategies in urban and rural areas. 3.3 Policy Context 3.3.1 European ‘Green Deal’ 2019 It is recognised that climate change and environmental degradation are a threat and that Europe needs a new growth strategy. The EU will be climate neutral in 2050. Reaching this target will require action by all sectors of the economy, including: ■ investing in environmentally-friendly technologies; ■ rolling out cleaner, cheaper and healthier forms of private and public transport; ■ decarbonising the energy sector; ■ ensuring buildings are more energy efficient; ■ working with international partners to improve global environmental standards. The European ‘Green Deal’ is the roadmap for making the EU’s economy sustainable by turning climate and environmental challenges into opportunities across all policy areas. The ‘Green Deal’ sets out key policy areas to deliver a more environmentally sustainable EU economy in terms of the following: ■ Biodiversity - Measures to protect our fragile ecosystem. ■ From Farm to Fork - Ways to ensure more sustainable food systems. ■ Sustainable Agriculture - Sustainability in EU agriculture and rural areas as a result of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). ■ Clean Energy - Opportunities for alternative, cleaner sources of energy. 3.1 Introduction Climate change can be described as a change in “the usual weather found in a place”3 (e.g. temperature, rainfall, wind, etc), that is a direct result of increased levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the majority of which are caused by humans.4 Climate change extremes experienced today are caused by ‘global warming’, a phenomenon of rising air temperatures near the earth’s surface. Global warming is caused by the ‘greenhouse effect’ whereby greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere trap in too much of the sun’s heat. Climate change has been identified as the greatest threat to human health, security and our environment and is one of the most pressing global policy challenges facing today’s governments.5 It requires an immediate commitment to collective action. This Longford County Development Plan in accordance with the EMRA RSES contains a Climate Strategy, which in conjunction with the Longford County Council Climate Adaptation Strategy 2019 sets out a vision for the future and key actions towards climate change and sustainable development. 3 NASA https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/stories/nasa-knows/what-is-climate-change-k4.html 4 UN IPCC 5th Report https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/syr/ 5 World Health Organisation WHO: https://www.who.int/globalchange/global-campaign/cop21/en/Longford County Council 50

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