Development plan · Louth County Council
Louth County Development Plan 2021–2027
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards.
Louth County Council · 2021–2027 · 548 pages
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- Chapter 4 – Social & Community Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 4-1 4 Social and Community 4.1 Introduction Building healthy, strong and socially inclusive communities is a key element in achieving sustainable communities and is a cross cutting theme of the Plan. The Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), requires that development plans include objectives for the integration of the planning and sustainable development of the area with the social, community and cultural requirements of the area and its population. The Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) highlights the importance of the physical and social environment and place in which we live or work, and its impact on the physical and mental health and well-being of people. It sets out that the focus on compact growth and increased densities in urban areas will require a greater alignment between the development of communities and the provision and planning of open spaces, to provide for the recreational and amenity needs of communities. The guiding ‘Quality of Life’ principles set out in the RSES have informed the policy objectives in this chapter. In this regard the Council, will facilitate the delivery of sustainable community, social and cultural infrastructure which will contribute to the quality of life, promote County Louth as a place to live and work and meet the needs of the existing and future populations of the County. Community infrastructure delivery is central to building healthy and sustainable communities and delivering successful places. Access to education, health and community support services, amenities, recreation, leisure facilities, including the provision of disability facilities such as those outlined by 'Changing Places Ireland' and an attractive, good quality built environment is a prerequisite for the creation of healthy sustainable communities. The identification and provision of community facilities on an on-going basis, ensuring appropriate facilities are provided where necessary, requires a collaborative approach by all stakeholders namely, state, local authority, community groups and the private sector. The Council plays an integral role in facilitating and supporting these identified needs. 4.2 Social Inclusion Social Inclusion is a key objective at National, Regional and Local level. It refers to the way in which everyone in a community is integrated in an equal manner by reducing barriers to participation. It affects the wellbeing of individuals, families, social groups and communities. Creating a more socially inclusive society by alleviating social exclusion, poverty and deprivation is a major challenge, but is essential to ensure that those at risk have the opportunities and resources to participate fully in economic, social and cultural life, enjoying a standard of living and wellbeing considered normal in today’s society. Steps towards achieving a more socially inclusive society include the provision of good quality affordable housing, community infrastructure and improving access to information and resources.
- Chapter 4- Social & Community Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 4-2 It is therefore important that our living, working and leisure environments are designed and maintained in a manner accessible to all. The Plan policy objectives, which advocate and promote the development of sustainable communities with good quality public realm, access to housing, education, community facilities, social infrastructure and public transport are central to the promotion of social inclusion in the County. The Council is fully committed to developing a more socially inclusive society and promoting participation and access for all. 4.3 Community Participation The community and voluntary sector of County Louth has played an important role in promoting community development and increasing service provision in the County. The value of this sector cannot be underestimated in terms of its resources and service provision and resultant overall benefits to the County. Indeed the successful implementation of the Council’s social, community, recreational and cultural policies benefits from a collaborative approach between the Council, other statutory bodies, private developers and the community and voluntary sector. Louth Public Participation Network (PPN) is a means whereby communities can connect to and engage with the Council, through the environmental, social inclusion, community and voluntary organisations. It aims to ensure communities in Louth have a say in local democracy. The PPN ensures access to information on funding, training events, networking, information gathering on decisions of Council, and input to policy. The Council will continue to support and facilitate community and voluntary organisations across the County. It is important that our living, working and leisure environments are designed and maintained in a manner that is accessible for all. The Plan policy objectives, which advocate the development of sustainable communities in conjunction with good quality public realm, access to housing, community facilities, education, employment and public transport are central to the promotion of social inclusion in the County. The Council is fully committed to developing a more socially inclusive society and promoting participation and access for all. 4.4 Louth Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) The Local Government Act 2014 required all local authorities to prepare an integrated LECP, which identifies objectives and actions for strengthening economic and community development in the County. Louth County Council adopted the Louth Local Economic and Community Plan 2016 -2022, in March 2016. It is a central component of the local authority’s role in developing the economic and local community dimensions of the Council over the 6 year period. Importantly, the LECP is informed by and contributes to the wider suite of National, Regional and Local strategies and plans and to which its high level goals and objectives must be consistent, including with the RSES and the County Development Plan.
- Chapter 4 – Social & Community Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 4-3 It is the County Development Plan, which provides the spatial strategy for the realisation of the objectives and actions of the LECP, in a sustainable and planned manner. The high level goals of the LECP in relation to community are as follows: Goal 1: Enable wellbeing and quality of life to support safe, resilient, independent and engaged communities; Goal 2: Ensure that everyone can access and participate in education, skills development and lifelong learning; Goal 3: Create equality of opportunity for those experiencing poverty, isolation and social exclusion; Goal 4: Provide environments and conditions that support healthy, selfdirected, fulfilled and purposeful lives; Goal 5: Nurture and develop our children and young people from early childhood to young adulthood; Goal 6: Embrace and foster the rich contribution our older persons make to our communities; Goal 7: Empower community innovation, entrepreneurship and enterprise to support urban and rural economic development; and Goal 8: Value and sustain our built heritage and natural environment to enhance the lives of those who live, work and visit in the county. Policy Objective SC 1 To engage with the Local Community and Development Committee, development agencies, community groups and various stakeholders in supporting the implementation of the Local Economic and Community Development Plan 2016-2021 and any subsequent plans. 4.4.1 Healthy Ireland for Louth Plan 2018-2022 Healthy Ireland is a government-led initiative aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of everyone living in Ireland, with four high level goals and associated actions. These have been incorporated for delivery at local level into the Louth LECP. Louth LECP Healthy Ireland for Louth Plan Age Friendly Plan Realising Our Rural Potential Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery Disability Action Plan
- Chapter 4- Social & Community Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 4-4 The Council has produced a Healthy Ireland for Louth Plan 2018-2022 which fully integrates with the Louth LECP and supports the overall vision which is: “Louth will be a prosperous, proud, safe and inclusive County where people want to live, work, visit and invest and where there is equal opportunity for all”. A further series of associated Plans have been developed including Louth - Disability Inclusion Plan 2017-2022, Louth -Age Friendly County Plan 2017-2022, Louth - Realising Our Rural Potential and Louth - Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery. Policy Objective SC 2 To assist the implementation of the Healthy Ireland for Louth Plan 2018-2022 and any subsequent Plan prepared during the lifetime of the Development Plan. Policy Objective SC 3 To support the objectives of public health policy including Healthy Ireland and the National Physical Activity Plan, through integrating such policies, where appropriate and of an applicable scale. 4.4.2 People with Disabilities The objective of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2022 is to provide a whole of Government approach to improving the lives of people with disabilities. With links to the LECP and the Healthy Ireland for Louth Plan, the Louth Disability Inclusion Plan 2017-2022 was developed. Herein there are 10 goals, which include inter alia for: Safe and Accessible Space, Everyday Community Life and Activities, Independent Living and Accessible Transport. Policy Objective SC 4 To assist the implementation of the Louth Disability Inclusion Plan 2017-2022 and any subsequent Plan prepared during the lifetime of the Development Plan. 4.4.3 Age Friendly Louth County Council has pioneered the Age Friendly County Programme informing both National strategies and plans. The National Positive Ageing Strategy seeks to ensure that Ireland will be a society for all ages, which celebrates and prepares properly for individual and population ageing, enabling all to enjoy physical and mental health, and wellbeing. Louth Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) decided to embed the Age Friendly County Programme as a priority into the LECP. From this, developed the Louth Age Friendly County Plan 2017-2022 wherein there are 5 goals focusing on a Connected Sustainable Environment, Health & Well-Being, Inclusive Communities, Innovation and Enterprise and Support.
- Chapter 4 – Social & Community Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 4-5 Policy Objective SC 5 To assist the implementation of the Louth Age Friendly County Plan 2017-2022 and any subsequent Plan prepared during the lifetime of the Development Plan. Policy Objective SC 6 To ensure the integration of age friendly and family friendly strategies in all new neighbourhoods including the provision for flexible housing typologies, buildings and open spaces that are designed so that everyone, including older persons, people with disabilities, and people with younger children can move about with ease, avoiding separation or segregation. 4.5 Community Facilities and Social Infrastructure The provision of community and social infrastructure of a high standard, in appropriate locations, and in tandem with housing and other development is important for all ages and abilities and is an essential component of building sustainable, properly planned, healthy communities. Facilities including community centres, sports centres, libraries, childcare facilities and playgrounds can serve as a focal point for the communities they serve and provide venues for local sporting, cultural, community, education and social events. Louth is well serviced by a wide range of community and social infrastructure. However, with the increased population projections for the County as identified in the Settlement Hierarchy, and with the primary focus of this growth directed to the two Regional Growth Centres of Drogheda and Dundalk, there will be a need to accommodate and provide for, in a timely manner, additional community facilities and social infrastructure. The RSES sets out an asset-based approach to the strategic location of new residential development. This Plan seeks to target significant growth to the Regional Growth Centres of Drogheda and Dundalk and consequently recognises that the provision of good quality community facilities, in existing and developing areas, is a key element in developing sustainable communities and fostering social inclusion and positive health outcomes. National and regional policy highlights the need to phase development in line with the availability of essential social and community infrastructure such as schools, amenities and other facilities and locate the facilities so as to maximise their efficiency. This includes promoting accessibility by public transport, walking and cycling, facilitating ease of access for users of all ages and abilities and capacity for adaptation.
- Chapter 4- Social & Community Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 4-6 Many community groups share facilities which can cater for a diverse range of activities. The Council will encourage the provision of multi-functional facilities that can be shared by community groups as will the clustering of facilities at appropriate locations, which will improve their viability and accessibility. This Plan seeks to ensure that an appropriate range of community facilities is provided in all communities, taking account of growth targets and population profiles identified in the Core Strategy. 4.6 Social Infrastructure Assessment Planning applications on zoned lands for residential development on sites of 1 ha or greater, or for 100 residential units or more, shall be accompanied by a Social Infrastructure Assessment, to determine if facilities in the area are sufficient to provide for the needs of all future residents. Where deficiencies are identified, the assessment should demonstrate how these will be addressed, either through direct provision on site, or such other means and in a manner, which is deemed acceptable to the Council. Policy Objective SC 7 To reserve lands for social and community facilities and encourage the provision of facilities suitable for intergenerational activities accessible to all members of the community in appropriate locations. Policy Objective SC 8 To support the planning provision of easily accessible social, community, cultural and recreational facilities and ensure that all communities and all ages have access to a range of facilities that meet the needs of the communities they serve, are physically integrated with residential and employment areas and are provided concurrently with new residential development. Policy Objective SC 9 To support the sharing and clustering of social and community facilities at appropriate locations to improve viability of and accessibility to these facilities. Policy Objective SC 10 To resist the loss of existing social and community facilities, or any sports facilities including playing fields unless satisfactory alternatives in suitable locations are available. Policy Objective SC 11 To require that all new residential development applications on lands greater than 1ha or for 100 units or more are accompanied by a Community, Social and Cultural Infrastructure Audit to determine if community facilities in the area are sufficient to provide for all future residents. Where deficiencies are identified proposals will be required to accompany the planning application to address the deficiency, either through direct provision on site or such other means, and in a manner acceptable to the Council.
- Chapter 4 – Social & Community Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 4-7 Policy Objective SC 12 To consider the cultural diversity and ethnic minorities in planning for the needs of communities and ensure community facilities and social services provided are accessible for all individuals, communities and sectors of society. 4.7 Outdoor Recreation Outdoor recreational spaces and facilities are essential for the health and wellbeing of people living in County Louth. The provision of facilities that cater for the demands of an increasing population and which are accessible to all sectors and age groups, are a key component in the creation of successful sustainable communities. The natural environment and recreational spaces and amenities available in Louth such as beaches, rivers, mountains, forests and trails make an ideal location for outdoor sport and recreation, both active and passive. These natural amenities need to be augmented by parks, playing fields, playgrounds and green networks for walking and cycling which should be easily accessible to all the County’s communities, both rural and urban. The provision of accessible open space is an integral part of the provision of high quality green infrastructure for communities and forms an important element in the Green Infrastructure Strategy for the County. Open spaces, both public and private fulfil a range of functions in addition to recreation, such as protecting habitats and biodiversity, drainage management and providing visual amenity. Playing fields and other open spaces are an important resource for sport, making a significant contribution to both active and passive recreation. In order to cater for an increasing population and meeting the needs of existing and future populations, the Council will resist the loss of existing playing pitches, fields and other recreational open spaces.
- Chapter 4- Social & Community Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 4-8 The Council will ensure adequate lands are zoned for the development of outdoor recreational and sporting facilities, which should be equally accessible to all individuals including people with disabilities, people with special needs, older persons, youth, marginalised and disadvantaged groups. 4.7.1 Open Space and Parks The provision of public open spaces for people of all ages and levels of fitness is vital in creating successful and healthy sustainable communities. Open spaces also play a key role in enhancing the distinctiveness of a neighbourhood and in contributing to the quality of life of both residents and visitors alike. The provision of open spaces and associated recreational facilities will be required as part of the design of new development. The Council will also adopt a more proactive hierarchical approach to achieve a balanced provision of parks and open spaces of differing sizes and functions distributed throughout the County, which will benefit all communities. Policy Objective SC 13 To ensure that sufficient land is identified for the provision of a variety of public open spaces on a hierarchical basis throughout the County in order to achieve a choice of active and passive open space, recreational and amenity areas to suit all individuals. Policy Objective SC 14 To resist the loss of existing public open space, unless satisfactory alternatives in suitable locations are available. Policy Objective SC 15 To facilitate and encourage open space areas and greenway corridors to be planned for on a multi-functional basis incorporating measures to promote and protect ecosystems, climate change measures and to incorporate key landscape features including archaeological considerations into their design. 4.7.2 Play Facilities for Children The Council recognises the need to maximize opportunities for play facilities for children. ‘Ready, Steady, Play! A National Play Policy’ (2019) seeks to raise awareness of the importance of play and contribute to the expansion of play facilities. This National Play Policy is about creating better play opportunities for children. The Council will support the provision of playgrounds in a variety of land use zoning categories where appropriate. Policy Objective SC 16 To support the provision of playgrounds in a variety of land use zoning categories where appropriate. Policy Objective SC 17 To require the provision of play features that can be used for recreational purposes in all new housing developments exceeding 100 residential units or more.
- Chapter 4 – Social & Community Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 4-9 Policy Objective SC 18 To maximize the range of public play opportunities available to all children. 4.7.3 Sports Facilities Louth boasts a wide and diverse range of natural recreational spaces, sporting infrastructure and physical activity opportunities, at the disposal of potential participants across all sections of society. The Louth Local Sports Partnership (LLSP) aims to be at the forefront of the promotion and development of these activities, supporting sustainable participation for everyone, at a level of their choosing and from every age and from all social backgrounds. Working with others, it identifies the sports participation needs of the County and seeks to realise programmes, which meet these needs, primarily targeting the development of recreational or participatory sport in the County. The LLSP has produced the ‘Louth Local Sports Partnership Strategic Plan 2018- 2022’, which emphasises the need for collaboration coupled with the importance of networking and sharing of facilities. The strategic role of the LLSP is to assist others, such as clubs, communities, the commercial sports sector and individuals, to operate in line with governance standards and respond to local sports needs and sport development opportunities. Policy Objective SC 19 To support the objectives of Louth Local Sports Partnership Strategic Plan 2018-2022 and any subsequent Plan prepared during the lifetime of the Development Plan. Policy Objective SC 20 To support and facilitate the provision, improvement and expansion of sports and recreational facilities, in particular through land use zoning, where appropriate. 4.8 Arts and Cultural Facilities Louth has a rich and varied cultural heritage and it is important for the identity of the County that this is protected and promoted. The provision and enhancement of arts and cultural infrastructure is crucial for continued socio-economic development and fundamental to the health, well-being and prosperity of the County. Louth County Council supports and promotes opportunities for everyone to participate in the cultural life of the County by facilitating the provision of well-managed, sustainable arts and cultural infrastructure, suitable for all ages and by adopting a positive approach to the development of cultural facilities. In recognition of the value of culture, the Council has prepared a Culture and Creativity Strategy 2018-2022 to strengthen the cultural and creative life of its citizens for the period.
- Chapter 4- Social & Community Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 4-10 The existing arts and cultural infrastructure in Louth includes a wide range of theatres, museums, music venues, performance, arts and exhibition spaces, galleries and workshops. The Council supports the continued development of Arts at a local level and actively seeks promotion of opportunities for all who live, work and visit the County, to engage in the Arts as creators, participants and spectators. The Arts Service of Louth County Council in collaboration with its strategic partners, works towards a society, which values the arts and recognises their positive contribution to individuals and communities. By supporting those who create art, the quality of life and the richness of cultures in Louth will be enhanced. Louth County Council is committed to developing arts services which strengthen, and give voice to the stories and experiences of every corner of Louth. The Arts Service works across five main areas: • Developmental and Community Arts, Programming; • Funding and Partnership; • Planning; • Information; and • Advice. The Arts Service alongside the Creative Ireland Programme (2018 – 2022), supports creativity at community level, through initiating projects where art is made outside formal venues, such as arts in education projects and residencies. In terms of financially supporting artists and communities, the Arts Office provides an annual range of tailored funding opportunities including the Grants under the Arts Act, Drama League of Ireland Award, School Musical Instrument Bursary and the Tyrone Guthrie Centre Bursary. The Arts Service supports artists, arts initiatives and the arts infrastructure in County Louth, working towards a situation where access to and participation in the Arts is a real and valuable choice for all citizens in the County. The importance of Arts and Culture and access thereto is acknowledged and supported in the RSES and the associated Regional Policy Objectives. The Plan in the formulation of its Policy Objectives has been in accordance with the RSES. 4.8.1 Public Art Public Art can assist in developing a sense of place and provides an identity and character to a community that is distinctive. The Council will continue to identify and implement new ‘Per Cent for Art Schemes’ attaching to publicly funded capital, infrastructural and building development, as appropriate. The Council should be consulted on opportunities for permanent art to reflect the area’s heritage and to enhance focal points within towns, villages and developments. Policy Objective SC 21 To support and facilitate the provision, development and sustainability of arts and cultural infrastructure at appropriate locations throughout the County and which are accessible to all members of the community.
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.