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 1 - Introduction Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 1-3 1.2.1 DROGHEDA With regard to the RSES, a key priority of the Plan is to promote the continued sustainable and compact growth of the town as a regional driver of city scale with a target population of 50,000 by 2031. This will be supported by objectives to regenerate the town centre, promote compact growth in the town’s hinterlands and enhance the role of Drogheda as a self-sustaining strategic employment centre on the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor. The development of a joint Urban Area Plan (UAP) / Local Area Plan (LAP) between Louth County Council and Meath County Council will provide a co-ordinated planning framework to deliver strategic sites and regeneration areas. The preparation of the Joint Local Area Plan for Drogheda will commence within 6 months of the adoption of the County Development Plan. Regeneration: Revitalising and redeveloping the town centre will be a priority. This includes the regeneration of opportunity sites. Integrated physical, economic and social regeneration will be promoted to capitalise on existing infrastructure. Areas identified include the Heritage Quarter and the Westgate Area, which received funding under the Urban Regeneration Development Fund (URDF). Other opportunity sites include the Docklands. This approach is supported by the RSES over and above the development of greenfield sites. Residential Development: The success of Drogheda as a self-sustaining Regional Growth Centre (RGC) will be dependent on the delivery of a minimum 30% compact growth, through regeneration and redevelopment of vacant, infill and/or brownfield sites in the town centre, which will contribute to place-making.
- Chapter 1 - Introduction Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 1-4 Recent rapid residential development needs to be balanced with employment growth to reverse commuting patterns. The sustainable development of lands in the northern and southern environs of the town will be supported. Tourism: Drogheda is recognised as the gateway to the Boyne Valley Region and has significant tourism potential both within and beyond the town. The importance of the River Boyne is acknowledged as being central to any future strategy for the town and its regeneration. In conjunction with the adjoining parks and open spaces it provides a link to the Brú na Bóinne and beyond, as a recreational use. Economic Development: Development of the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor with improved accessibility for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and indigenous business will enhance Drogheda’s role as a key regional economic driver. Cross-border collaboration is necessary for economic growth and to realise the potential of the Economic Corridor. The town has a broad employment base but there is a need to further grow this base and provide additional employment opportunities. The importance of start-up companies is recognised, as well as the strengthening of educational offerings from Drogheda Institute of Further Education (DIFE). Retaining indigenous talent is recognised, as is the importance of the Lourdes Hospital as a significant employer in the area. Enabling Infrastructure: The goal of achieving compact growth will require improved accessibility, sustainable mobility and the requisite infrastructure to enable Drogheda to grow as a Regional Growth Centre (RGC). The town will benefit from the extension of the DART service and improvements will be required to McBride station relating to accessibility. The importance of protecting the national rail and road infrastructure in supporting economic growth and competitiveness is acknowledged, as is the need for improvements to greenways, walking and cycling routes. The RSES supports the Drogheda Flood Relief Scheme, Drogheda Port and the proposed Port Access Northern Cross Route (PANCR).
- Chapter 1 - Introduction Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 1-5 Urban Area Plan (UAP) / Local Area Plan (LAP): A statutory joint UAP/LAP will be prepared for Drogheda between Louth County Council and Meath County Council during the lifetime of this Plan which will facilitate its future development as a Regional Growth Centre and economic driver in the Region. Other Regional Objectives seek to: • Support the Drogheda Docklands and Drogheda Port including the relocation of the port and Port Access Northern Cross Route provision; • Promote cross border interactions to realise the growth potential of Drogheda-Dundalk-Newry as a cross border network for regional development; • Promote self-sustaining economic and employment based development opportunities to reverse commuting patterns; • Promote Drogheda as an urban tourism destination capitalising on its role as gateway to the Boyne Valley, Brú na Bóinne, Boyne River and Irelands Ancient East designation; • Support varied social inclusion measures; • Support the Drogheda Flood Relief Scheme; • Enhance its role as a strategic employment centre on Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor.
- Chapter 1 - Introduction Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 1-6 1.2.2 DUNDALK In accordance with the RSES, a key priority of the Plan is to promote the continued sustainable and compact growth of Dundalk as a regional driver of city scale with a target population of 50,000 by 2031. This will be supported by objectives to regenerate the town centre, promote compact growth in the town’s hinterlands, and enhance the role of Dundalk as an employment centre on the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor. Capitalising on its proximity to Newry and strengthening cross border synergy in functions and services will also be promoted. The RSES identified a strategic development framework to help Dundalk reach sufficient scale to be a driver of economic growth under topics identified hereunder: Regeneration: Revitalising Dundalk’s town centre will be prioritised through regeneration of opportunity sites and underutilised areas. Integrated physical, economic and social regeneration will capitalise on existing infrastructure, help combat social exclusion and improve permeability. Specific sites benefitting from regeneration will be identified throughout the town centre, building on the success of already completed regeneration schemes. Residential Development: The success of Dundalk as a self-sustaining Regional Growth Centre will be dependent on the delivery of a minimum 30% compact growth, through regeneration and redevelopment of vacant, infill/brownfield sites in the town centre, other character areas and in Mount Avenue. Development of these lands will therefore be a central tenet of the Urban Area Plan (UAP) / Local Area Plan (LAP). Economic Development: Development of the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor with improved accessibility for FDI and indigenous business will enhance Dundalk’s role as a key regional economic driver, with a strong, modern economic and employment base located in high quality business parks, and supported by the Dundalk Institute of Technology serving as a driver for enterprise development in the Region.
- Chapter 1 - Introduction Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 1-7 Continued cross border collaboration is necessary for economic growth and to realise the potential of the Economic Corridor. Indigenous employment opportunities will retain talent in the locality. Support for the expansion and development of the economic, employment and educational base will be provided for in the UAP / LAP. Enabling Infrastructure: Compact growth will require improved accessibility, sustainable mobility and the requisite infrastructure to enable Dundalk grow as a Regional Growth Centre, all of which will be supported by the UAP/LAP. The importance of protecting the national rail and road infrastructure in supporting economic growth and competitiveness is acknowledged. Urban Area Plan (UAP) / Local Area Plan (LAP): A statutory UAP/LAP will be prepared for Dundalk during the lifetime of this Plan and facilitate its future development as a RGC and economic driver in the Region. The preparation of the Local Area Plan for Dundalk will commence within 6 months of the adoption of the County Development Plan. Other Regional Objectives seek to: • Promote cross border interactions to realise the growth potential of Drogheda-Dundalk-Newry as a cross border network for regional development; • Enhance its role as a strategic employment centre on Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor; • Support the role of DKIT; • Enhance potential for regeneration /redevelopment of the Port Harbour; • Support varied social inclusion measures; • Support the Dundalk Flood Relief Scheme. 1.3 OVERVIEW OF COUNTY LOUTH Geographically, County Louth is located on the eastern seaboard midway between Ireland’s two largest cities of Dublin and Belfast and strategically located on the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor. It shares land borders with Counties Meath and Monaghan to the west and Counties Down and Armagh in Northern Ireland. The County has a population of 128,884 (Census 2016). This represents a 4.9% increase on the previous 2011 Census and notably higher than the national average growth rate of 3.8%. Albeit the smallest County in the State with an area of 827 km2 (Census 2016), it is the most densely populated County in Ireland, outside of Dublin, with a population density of 156 persons per km2, compared to the national average of 70 persons per km2. It is also home to two of the three largest towns in the country, namely, Drogheda and Dundalk. The presence of two such substantial towns within a single County, both of which are primary centres of employment and targeted to grow to city scale, is very unique in the country.
- Chapter 1 - Introduction Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 1-8 The scale of these towns combined with a number of additional substantial towns and villages dispersed throughout the County, results in the majority of the population living in urban areas - circa 66.1% (85,224). As a result of its location, combined with high quality road and rail infrastructure, accessibility to ports and airports both north and south of the border, high speed broadband and a skilled and educated workforce, County Louth is well placed to continue to grow and prosper in terms of population and economic terms, into the future. County Louth possesses a network of attractive and inviting towns and villages, interspersed with a diverse range of landscapes and natural environment, home to its rich and varied natural and built heritage, which collectively contribute substantially to the County’s character, identity and sense of place. These valuable resources must be carefully managed to develop our society, economy and people in a sustainable manner.
- Chapter 1 - Introduction Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 1-9
- Chapter 1 - Introduction Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 1-10 1.4 CHALLENGING/CHANGING ENVIRONMENT When preparation of the Plan commenced in 2019, it was during a period of economic and social optimism. The economic downturn of 2008 and the resultant collapse of the economy for a period extending beyond 6 years had major implications for the country. The construction industry, which had been experiencing unprecedented growth, suddenly experienced a dramatic contraction, a consequence of which was a collapse in the property market, evidenced in the almost complete stagnation in housing construction. From approximately 2014 the Irish economy was beginning to experience a form of economic recovery, albeit at a much reduced rate to previously. The gradual but continued economic growth was evidenced by reduced unemployment rates, increased wages and improved consumer confidence. This growth was particularly evident in the construction sector which tends to serve as a barometer of economic activity. In June 2016, the UK voted to leave the European Union. This is commonly referred to as Brexit. The future partnership between the UK and the EU following the UK departure is uncertain at this time. It will undoubtedly impact not just nationally but also on those counties, including Louth, located along the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland which are particularly exposed to these uncertainties. Notwithstanding this period of flux and uncertainty, in 2018 the Government published the National Planning Framework (NPF) and National Development Plan (NDP), as a disruptive shift from the planning status quo. Together they constitute Project Ireland 2040 the purpose of which is to guide development and investment in the country through a shared set of national objectives and principles. The alignment of strategic planning documents with the capital investment plan is regarded as a radical break with the past. The NDP sets out the investment priorities that will underpin the implementation of the NPF through a total investment of approximately €116 billion. This level of capital spending will facilitate ongoing employment retention and creation with appropriate regional development while allowing the construction industry to provide the capacity and capability required to deliver the Government’s long term investment plans. Refining these two documents into more detailed plans is the responsibility of the three Regional Assemblies through the publication of the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies for each Region. The first quarter of 2020 witnessed a global economic shock as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. In order to manage this virus, countries throughout the world have responded in a manner which has had major implications from both an economic and social perspective. At this stage, it is impossible to fully estimate or measure the implications or their timeframe. However, the pandemic is undoubtedly the greatest threat to the Irish economy since the global financial crisis. Recovery is anticipated to be slow and opportunities for economic growth and investment will be limited.
- Chapter 1 - Introduction Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 1-11 1.5 A POSITIVE OUTLOOK As a result of this extended period of flux with economic highs and lows and subsequent volatilities, Louth, like the rest of the country has had to adapt and adjust to the changes experienced and future proof for those changes yet to materialise. But Louth is a resilient County, and whilst there will be challenges to be faced, there will conversely be opportunities available from which the County can benefit and grow. Louth is located along the border with excellent connectivity to Dublin and Belfast via the M1 Motorway, which forms part of the EU TEN-T Core Network and the inter-city rail link. It is an attractive location for UK business that requires access to the EU market and simultaneously Irish, European and International business requiring access to the UK market. The designation of the two Regional Growth Centres of Drogheda and Dundalk in the County demonstrates their important roles and status within the region, to better manage the growth of Dublin and as two towns targeted to be regional economic drivers of city scale. This Plan is acutely aware of the importance of Louth within the Eastern and Midland Region, the designated Regional Growth Centres and their role in driving regional development in accordance with national and regional strategies. The Plan is an opportunity to shape the future growth of Louth while planning for and supporting its sustainable long term development. In an ever evolving economic and social environment this Plan will provide a positive vision for Louth. It will strive to create a prosperous and thriving County, where growth is prioritised in the Regional Growth Centres of Drogheda and Dundalk, supported by the sustainable development of smaller towns and villages while meeting the needs of the entire County. 1.6 STRATEGIC VISION The Strategic Vision for County Louth enshrined in the Plan seeks to deliver a prosperous and thriving County, and in particular, the RGCs of Drogheda and Dundalk where no individual or social group is excluded, which enshrines the three principles of environmental, social and economic sustainability including protection of the County’s resources, heritage and the natural and built environment while transitioning to a low carbon society. Strategic Vision “Promote County Louth, in particular the Regional Growth Centres of Drogheda and Dundalk, as uniquely attractive places in which to live, work, visit and do business and where the quality of employment and educational opportunities, natural and built environment, cultural experiences and provision of inclusive communities are all to the highest standards, while transitioning to a low carbon and climate resilient society.”
- Chapter 1 - Introduction Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 1-12 1.6.1 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES The vision for County Louth will be achieved through the realisation of the following Strategic Objectives: Strategic Objective SO 1 Realise the potential and promote the development and growth of County Louth through harnessing the economic and employment potential of the competitive advantages of the County. This includes its strategic location, connectivity and accessibility to external markets and having regard in particular to the role of Drogheda and Dundalk as Regional Growth Centres located on the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor. Strategic Objective SO 2 Support and promote the role of Drogheda and Dundalk as key designated Regional Growth Centres with high levels of self-sustaining employment and services, to act as regional economic drivers, playing a significant role for a wide catchment area and to help achieve a more coordinated and sustainable settlement and travel pattern across the region. Strategic Objective SO 3 Direct new development in accordance with the Core and Settlement Strategies, which will provide for the sustainable development of the County for the period 2021-2027 and beyond and in accordance with the principles of compact growth, consolidation and regeneration. Strategic Objective SO 4 Transition to a low carbon and climate resilient County supporting energy efficiency and reducing energy demand, through a combination of mitigation and adaptation responses to climate change. This includes for increased usage of renewable energy through developing indigenous energy resources, supporting the transition to a low carbon economy by 2050, and ensuring flood risk management. The Council will work with other bodies and organisations as appropriate, to identify and help protect critical infrastructure. Strategic Objective SO 5 Ensure a more sustainable and integrated concept of development with regard to land use, transportation, water services, energy supply and waste management over the lifetime of the Plan. Strategic Objective SO 6 Conserve and enhance the County’s Green Infrastructure and ecosystem services supporting the sustainable management of natural assets and the biodiversity of the County’s protected habitats and species to provide a wide range of environmental, social and economic benefits to communities.
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.