Louth County Development Plan 2021–2027

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   2021-2027 Consolidated Louth County Development Plan Volume 1 Written Statement This consolidated version includes amendments associated with Variation No. 1, No. 2 and No.3

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   i Chapter 1 – Introduction 1.1 Development Plan – A New Approach .................................................................. 1-1 1.2 Regional Growth Centres ...................................................................................... 1-2 1.3 Overview of County Louth .................................................................................... 1-7 1.4 Challenging / Changing Environment.................................................................. 1-10 1.5 A Positive Outlook............................................................................................... 1-11 1.6 Strategic Vision ................................................................................................... 1-11 1.7 The Development Plan Review Process .............................................................. 1-15 1.8 National Policy .................................................................................................... 1-18 1.9 Regional Policy .................................................................................................... 1-20 1.10 National and Regional Alignment ....................................................................... 1-20 1.11 Local Policy .......................................................................................................... 1-22 1.12 Format of the Plan .............................................................................................. 1-25 2.1 Statutory Context.................................................................................................... 2-1 2.2 National Planning Policy ......................................................................................... 2-1 2.3 Regional Planning Policy ......................................................................................... 2-5 2.4 Core Strategy Approach ........................................................................................ 2-10 2.5 Population Trends ................................................................................................. 2-14 2.6 Housing ................................................................................................................. 2-21 2.7 Economic Development ........................................................................................ 2-27 2.8 Retail Development .............................................................................................. 2-27 2.9 Climate Action....................................................................................................... 2-27 2.10 Core Strategy and Strategic Flood Risk Assessment ............................................. 2-28 2.11 Core Strategy and SEA/AA .................................................................................... 2-28 2.12 Settlement Hierarchy and Growth Strategy ......................................................... 2-33 2.13 Drogheda............................................................................................................... 2-33 Table of Contents Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy

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   ii Chapter 3 – Housing 2.14 Dundalk ................................................................................................................. 2-41 2.15 Self Sustaining Growth Towns............................................................................... 2-47 2.16 Self Sustaining Towns............................................................................................ 2-52 2.17 Small Towns and Villages ...................................................................................... 2-54 2.18 Rural Nodes........................................................................................................... 2-55 3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 3-1 3.2 Recent Trends in Housing ....................................................................................... 3-1 3.3 Housing Supply in Louth ......................................................................................... 3-3 3.4 Housing Strategy ..................................................................................................... 3-3 3.5 Vacant Site Levy ...................................................................................................... 3-5 3.6 Sustainable Neighbourhoods and Communities..................................................... 3-7 3.7 Town Centre Living ................................................................................................. 3-8 3.8 Housing for Older Persons ....................................................................................... 3-9 3.9 Specialist Housing ................................................................................................. 3-10 3.10 Traveller Accommodation ..................................................................................... 3-10 3.11 Densities................................................................................................................ 3-11 3.12 Buildings of Height ................................................................................................ 3-12 3.13 Principles for Quality Design and Layout .............................................................. 3-13 3.14 Creating a Well Designed Place ............................................................................ 3-14 3.15 Dwelling Mix and Adaptable Homes..................................................................... 3-16 3.16 Other Residential Developments in Urban Areas ................................................. 3-17 3.17 Housing in the Open Countryside ......................................................................... 3-18 3.18 Vernacular Dwellings / Buildings .......................................................................... 3-31 3.19 Replacement Dwellings......................................................................................... 3-32

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   iii 4.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 4-1 4.2 Social Inclusion ........................................................................................................ 4-1 4.3 Community Participation ........................................................................................ 4-2 4.4 Louth Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP)................................................ 4-2 4.5 Community Facilities and Social Infrastructure ...................................................... 4-5 4.6 Social Infrastructure Assessment ............................................................................ 4-6 4.7 Outdoor Recreation ................................................................................................ 4-7 4.8 Arts and Cultural Facilities ...................................................................................... 4-9 4.9 Louth Library Service............................................................................................. 4-11 4.10 Education .............................................................................................................. 4-11 4.11 Childcare Facilities................................................................................................. 4-15 4.12 Healthcare Facilities .............................................................................................. 4-16 4.13 Emergency Services .............................................................................................. 4-18 4.14 Community Funding .............................................................................................. 4-18 4.15 Places of Worship ................................................................................................. 4-19 4.16 Burial Grounds ...................................................................................................... 4-19 4.17 Community Allotments ......................................................................................... 4-20 5.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 5-1 5.2 Economic Profile of Louth ....................................................................................... 5-1 5.3 Employment Profile ................................................................................................ 5-5 5.4 Economic Strategy .................................................................................................. 5-5 5.5 Policy Context ......................................................................................................... 5-6 5.6 Recent Economic Trends......................................................................................... 5-9 5.7 Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor......................................................................... 5-11 5.8 Education and Training ......................................................................................... 5-12 5.9 Co-working Facilities and Homes Based Activities ................................................ 5-13 5.10 Marine Opportunities including Ports................................................................... 5-17 5.11 Areas to be Identified for Growth......................................................................... 5-19 Chapter 5 - Economy and Employment Chapter 4 - Social and Community

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   iv 5.12 Drogheda............................................................................................................... 5-21 5.13 Dundalk ................................................................................................................. 5-24 5.14 Ardee ..................................................................................................................... 5-27 5.15 Dunleer.................................................................................................................. 5-28 5.16 Self-Sustaining Towns ........................................................................................... 5-29 5.17 Small Towns .......................................................................................................... 5-29 5.18 Rural Nodes........................................................................................................... 5-29 5.19 Rural Economy ...................................................................................................... 5-30 5.20 Retail ..................................................................................................................... 5-33 5.21 Louth Retail Strategy............................................................................................. 5-35 5.22 Louth County Retail Hierarchy .............................................................................. 5-36 5.23 Regional Growth Centres ...................................................................................... 5-37 5.24 Town Centre First Approach ................................................................................. 5-40 5.25 Assessment of Retail Development Proposals ...................................................... 5-41 6.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 6-1 6.2 Policy Context...................................................................................................................... 6-2 6.3 Tourism Attractions within County Louth ........................................................................... 6-6 6.4 Fáilte Ireland Strategies..................................................................................................... 6-12 6.5 Tourist Accommodation .................................................................................................... 6-14 6.6 Visitor and Habitat Management ...................................................................................... 6-18 7.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 7-1 7.2 Oversight and Responsibility for Transport Policy, Infrastructure and Services..... 7-1 7.3 Policy Context ......................................................................................................... 7-2 7.4 Transportation and Climate Change ....................................................................... 7-5 7.5 Integration of Land Use and Transport Planning .................................................... 7-6 7.6 Sustainable Transport ............................................................................................. 7-8 7.7 Public Realm Improvements ................................................................................. 7-22 Chapter 7 - Movement Chapter 6 - Tourism

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   v 7.8 Road Infrastructure ............................................................................................... 7-23 7.9 Strategic Road Projects ......................................................................................... 7-27 7.10 Protected National and Regional Routes .............................................................. 7-31 7.11 Roadside Signage .................................................................................................. 7-33 7.12 Public Rights of Way.............................................................................................. 7-34 8.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 8-1 8.2 Natural Heritage and Biodiversity ........................................................................... 8-1 8.3 European Sites in County Louth .............................................................................. 8-3 8.4 Protected Plant and Animal Species ....................................................................... 8-8 8.5 Protecting Biodiversity Value in Non-Designated Sites .......................................... 8-9 8.6 Invasive Species .................................................................................................... 8-10 8.7 Natural Heritage Areas ......................................................................................... 8-10 8.8 Sites of Geological Interest ................................................................................... 8-13 8.9 Wetlands ............................................................................................................... 8-16 8.10 Landscape ............................................................................................................. 8-17 8.11 Trees, Woodlands and Hedgerows ....................................................................... 8-21 8.12 Environment and Amenities ................................................................................. 8-39 8.13 Scenic Routes ........................................................................................................ 8-49 8.14 Green Infrastructure ............................................................................................. 8-52 9.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 9-1 9.2 Policy Context ......................................................................................................... 9-1 9.3 Archaeological Heritage .......................................................................................... 9-2 9.4 Exempted Development ....................................................................................... 9-15 9.5 Tentative World Heritage Sites ............................................................................. 9-16 9.6 Architectural Heritage........................................................................................... 9-17 9.7 Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes ......................................................... 9-22 9.8 Vernacular Heritage .............................................................................................. 9-28 Chapter 9– Built Heritage and Culture Chapter 8 – Natural Heritage, Biodiversity and Green Infrastructure

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   vi 9.9 Historic Building Stock........................................................................................... 9-29 9.10 Linguistic Cultural Heritage ................................................................................... 9-29 10.1 Irish Water .............................................................................................................10-1 10.2 Water Conservation ...............................................................................................10-5 10.3 Flood Risk Management ......................................................................................10-10 10.4 Communications ..................................................................................................10-15 10.5 Energy ..................................................................................................................10-20 10.6 Wind Energy .........................................................................................................10-25 10.7 Solar Energy .........................................................................................................10-28 10.8 Bioenergy .............................................................................................................10-29 10.9 Hydro Energy .......................................................................................................10-31 10.10 Small Scale Renewable Electricity Generation.....................................................10-32 10.11 Sustainable Design and Energy Efficiency in Buildings ........................................10-35 11.1 Environment ...................................................................................................................... 11-1 11.2 Major Accidents – SEVESO Sites ...................................................................................... 11-11 11.3 Veterinary Services.......................................................................................................... 11-12 11.4 Natural Resources ........................................................................................................... 11-12 11.5 The Coast......................................................................................................................... 11-20 12.1 Introduction ...........................................................................................................12-1 12.2 What is Climate Change? .......................................................................................12-1 12.3 Statutory Context...................................................................................................12-2 12.4 International Legislation and Policy Context .........................................................12-2 12.5 National, Regional and Local Policy Context..........................................................12-5 12.6 Climate Action Strategic Objectives .....................................................................12-10 12.7 Climate Action Mitigation and Adaptation ..........................................................12-12 Chapter 12– Climate Action Chapter 11– Environment, Natural Resources and The Coast Chapter 10– Utilities

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   vii 13.1 Introduction ...........................................................................................................13-1 13.2 Pre-planning ...........................................................................................................13-1 13.3 Environmental Assessments ..................................................................................13-1 13.4 Cross-Cutting Themes ............................................................................................13-2 13.5 Masterplans ...........................................................................................................13-3 13.6 Spot Objectives ......................................................................................................13-7 13.7 Management of Construction Sites .................................................................... 13-10 13.8 Housing in Urban Areas ...................................................................................... 13-10 13.9 Housing in the Open Countryside ........................................................................13-24 13.10 Temporary Residential Structures .......................................................................13-32 13.11 Pigeon Lofts......................................................................................................... 13-33 13.12 Social and Community .........................................................................................13-33 13.13 Employment. ........................................................................................................13-35 13.14 Retail ....................................................................................................................13-40 13.15 Tourism Development .........................................................................................13-42 13.16 Transport..............................................................................................................13-44 13.17 Environment.........................................................................................................13-55 13.18 Energy and Telecommunications ........................................................................ 13-56 13.19 Heritage............................................................................................................... 13-58 13.20 Water Services .....................................................................................................13-63 13.21 Land Use Zoning Objectives .................................................................................13-64 14.1 Introduction ...........................................................................................................14-1 14.2 Legislative Background ..........................................................................................14-1 14.3 Sources of Funding.................................................................................................14-2 14.4 Monitoring and Implementation ...........................................................................14-3 14.5 Statutory Two Year Review ....................................................................................14-4 Chapter 14– Implementation and Monitoring Chapter 13– Development Management Guidelines

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   viii Chapter 1 – Introduction Table 1.1 Alignment of DLCDP with Three Key Principles and Regional Strategic Outcomes ........................................................................................................ 21 Table 1.2 Economic and Community Goals of the LECP ................................................. 23 Table 2.1 Targeted Pattern of Growth in the Eastern and Midland Region 2040 ............ 3 Table 2.2 Transitional Population Projections for Louth .................................................. 4 Table 2.3 Transitional Population Projections for Louth with Additional Headroom of 25% ........................................................................................................................ 5 Table 2.4 Settlement Hierarchy for County Louth ............................................................ 9 Table 2.5 Population Growth in Louth 2002-2016 ......................................................... 15 Table 2.6 Population Distribution by Settlement Category CSO 2016 County Louth..... 15 Table 2.7 Settlement with a Population Increase of 100+ Persons 2011-2016.............. 17 Table 2.8 Population Projections for Louth 2016-2027.................................................. 18 Table 2.9 NPF Projected Population Growth 2027, County Louth ................................. 18 Table 2.10 Existing and Projected Growth 2006-2027, County Louth.............................. 18 Table 2.11 Population Projections and Distribution by Settlement Category, County Louth................................................................................................... 20 Table 2.12 Housing Stock and Vacancy Rate, County Louth 1991-2016 .......................... 22 Table 2.13 Housing Demand in Louth 2017 - Q3 2027 .................................................... 24 Table 2.14 Potential Residential Capacity of Lands Zoned for Town Centre and Mixed Use Development in the Higher Tier Settlements .................................................................... 25 Table 2.15 Core Strategy Table ........................................................................................ 26 Table 2.16 Overview of Key Statistics for Drogheda ........................................................ 35 Table 2.17 Overview of Key Statistics for Dundalk........................................................... 41 Table 2.18 Buildings of Increased Height ......................................................................... 43 Table 2.19 Overview of Key Statistics for Ardee .............................................................. 47 Table 2.20 Overview of Key Statistics for Dunleer ........................................................... 50 Table 2.21 Overview of Key Statistics for Self-Sustaining Towns..................................... 53 List of Tables Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy

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    ix Table 3.1 Lands/Areas Identified for Regeneration in Louth......................................... 6-7 Table 3.2 Recommended Densities in Higher Tier Settlements ..................................... 12 Table 3.3 Rural Policy Zones ........................................................................................... 23 Table 3.4 Local Housing Need Qualifying Criteria in Rural Policy Zone 1 .................. 26-27 Table 3.5 Local Housing Need Qualifying Criteria in Rural Policy Zone 2 .................. 28-29 Table 5.1 Ongoing Cross-Border Projects in County Louth ............................................ 12 Table 5.2 Table 6.1 of the RSES ...................................................................................... 34 Table 5.3 County Louth Retail Hierarchy ........................................................................ 36 Table 5.4 Indicative Floorspace Requirements for County Louth .................................. 39 Table 5.5 Indicative Floorspace Potential by Settlement – 2027 ................................... 39 Table 5.6 Indicative Floorspace Potential by Settlement – 2030 ................................... 39 Table 7.1 Modal Share for Students and Workers in Higher Tier Settlements, 2016 ............................................................................................. 9 Table 7.2 Modal Share for Students and Workers in Self-Sustaining Towns, 2016........ 10 Table 7.3 Modal Share for Students and Workers in Smaller Towns and Villages, 2016 ............................................................................................. 9 Table 7.4 Modal Share for Students and Workers in Smaller Towns and Villages, 2016 ........................................................................................... 11 Table 7.5 Public Realm Projects to be Progressed During this Draft Plan ...................... 22 Table 7.6 Local Road, Sustainable Transport and Environmental Improvement Projects .................................................................................... 26 Table 7.7 National Road Projects.................................................................................... 27 Table 7.8 Key Road and Bridge Projects ......................................................................... 28 Table 7.9 Restrictions and Exemptions to Access on National Roads ............................ 31 Table 7.10 Restrictions and Exemptions to Access on Regional Roads ............................ 32 Chapter 7 - Movement Chapter 5 - Economy and Employment

Source Louth County Council: Louth 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.