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 7 - Movement Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 7-33 Policy Objective MOV 58 To safeguard the capacity and safety of the National and Regional Road network by restricting further access onto National Primary, National Secondary, and Protected Regional Roads in accordance with the details set out in Tables 7.9 and 7.10. Policy Objective MOV 59 To restrict development proposals for residential or other use within 100 metres of either the M1 Motorway or N1/A1 National route in all but exceptional circumstances. The exceptional circumstances are where the development is an infill development and located along an established building line. Any development shall be required to comply with the requirements of the Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines (2012) and Policy Objectives ENV 6 and ENV 7 and the costs of implementing any mitigation measures concerned shall be borne by the developer. 7.11 ROADSIDE SIGNAGE The primary purpose of signage along roads (other than road traffic and directional signs erected by the Road Authority) is to advertise a business or product or provide directions to a particular location. Directional signs provide the public with directions to a particular location and can be associated with a business, service, tourist facility or sports club. These signs are intended to complement, but not replace, pre-planning of a journey and the use of verbal instructions, maps and road atlases. Advertising signs are designed to market a particular business, product or service. Whilst it is acknowledged that advertising is a necessary part of operating a business, the Council has a responsibility in protecting visual amenities and avoiding the creation of any traffic hazards associated with signage. Depending on the location, there are 2 consent processes for advertising and signage as follows: • Planning permission is required for any signage or advertisement located on private property. It should be noted certain advertisements are exempted under Schedule 2 Part 2 of the Planning & Development Regulations 2001 (as amended); and • The erection of advertising signs on, over or along a public road is licensable under section 254 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). These licences are granted on a temporary basis. The nature and extent of signage allowable will be determined by its scale, requirement, location and the classification of the road on which it would be located. Signage on National Roads will be strictly controlled and will generally be only permitted in accordance with the provisions set out in section 3.8 of the 'Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines' (2012) and the TII Policy on the 'Provision of Tourism and Leisure Signage on National Roads' (2011).
- Chapter 7 - Movement Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 7-34 Further details in relation to Road Signage can be found on the Louth Policy on Non- Regulatory Road Signage, which can be accessed by clicking on this link. Policy Objective MOV 60 Signage on National Roads will be strictly controlled and will generally only be permitted in accordance with the provisions set out in the 'Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines' (2012) and the TII Policy on the 'Provision of Tourism and Leisure Signage on National Roads' (2011). Policy Objective MOV 61 To strictly control advertising along or adjacent to public roads in accordance with the Louth Local Authorities Policy on Non-Regulatory Road Signage in order to ensure traffic safety, avoid clutter, and preserve visual amenity. 7.12 PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY A Public Right of Way is a person’s right of passage along a road or path, even if the road or path isn’t in public ownership. They facilitate enjoyment of the landscape and are important for tourism and recreation. Section 10(2)(o) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) requires development plans to include an objective for the preservation of public rights of way that provide access to the seashore, mountains, lakeshores, river banks or other places of natural beauty or recreational utility. The Council is not aware of any existing Public Rights of Way but will review this during the course of the Plan and it will be an objective to prepare a map identifying the Public Rights of Way in the County where they exist. Policy Objective MOV 62 To identify and preserve existing accesses and public rights of way to recreational areas including the coast, mountains, riverbanks and other places of natural beauty and recreational utility. Policy Objective MOV 63 To commence the process of mapping and listing public rights of way in the County during the lifetime of this Plan under the provisions of Section 14 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).
- Chapter 8 – Natural Heritage, Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Chapter 8 Natural Heritage, Biodiversity and Green Infrastructure “Protect and enhance the County’s unique heritage and biodiversity including sites designated at national and EU level, protected species and habitats outside of designated sites while recognising the potential for sustainable green infrastructure development within the County. Protection, management and enhancement of the landscape of the County is promoted to ensure the proper planning and sustainable development of the County.”
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- Chapter 8 – Natural Heritage, Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 8-1 8 - Natural Heritage, Biodiversity and Green Infrastructure 8.1 INTRODUCTION County Louth boasts a rich natural heritage, which contributes substantially to the County’s character, identity and sense of place, in addition to the well-being and the quality of life of those living in and visiting the County. Our heritage includes all that we have inherited from our ancestors and comprises valuable resources that can be used wisely to develop our society, environment, economy and people and to create a better future. In preparing the Plan and developing policy objectives the Council followed the principles of the Ecosystem Services Approach, to deliver sustainable and ecologically sound outcomes. Details of this approach are provided in Section 1.7.5.1 of the Plan and supported in Strategic Objective SO 6. These seek to 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. 8.2 NATURAL HERITAGE AND BIODIVERSITY Natural heritage comprises the biological and geological underpinnings of our existence, our biodiversity and geodiversity, expressed through various mediums including farming, wildlife and landscapes. Biodiversity refers to the whole variety of life on earth including habitats and ecosystems, covering all plants, animals and micro-organisms both on land and in water. County Louth is rich in biodiversity, due to its extensive coastline (stretching from Carlingford Lough to the Boyne Estuary), marine environments, wetlands, woodlands, rivers and upland habitats. Together, these habitats support a rich variety of plant and animal species. The County of Louth is an internationally important destination for migratory wildlife, with Dundalk Bay being Ireland’s top location for wintering wading birds.
- Chapter 8 – Natural Heritage, Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 8-2 An area equivalent to more than one seventh of the County is designated under Irish and European legislation for wildlife protection, (including marine and inter-tidal areas). Some of the upland areas in the Cooley Peninsula are recognised as being amongst the most unspoilt in the country. Much of Louth’s biodiversity and natural heritage exists outside these formally designated areas and may be at risk of erosion or diminution. Louth County Council is committed to conserving and enhancing our natural heritage and recognising the role it plays along with green infrastructure and biodiversity, in enhancing the quality of life for citizens by creating a sense of identity and well-being and promoting active and healthy living for those living in and visiting the County. 8.2.1 Heritage Plan The National Heritage Plan 2002, was the first integrated plan that sought to conserve and protect all aspects of our national heritage, a key objective of which was for local authorities to prepare and adopt local heritage plans in consultation with the public. The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media is currently in the process of finalising ‘Heritage Ireland 2030’ which will replace the current National Heritage Plan. It is anticipated that it will inter alia; increase the value afforded to and the protection of heritage, raise awareness of its vital role in all aspects of society, provide guidance and enshrine shared responsibility. The first Louth Heritage Plan 2007-2011 was a strategic framework plan with the aim of co-ordinating the conservation, management and sympathetic development of the County’s heritage. This has been reviewed and it is anticipated that the draft Louth Heritage Plan 2021- 2026 will be endorsed in the near future. It comprises a five year joint work plan devised by many individuals and organisations with an involvement and interest in Louth’s heritage. Policy Objective NBG 1 To promote the implementation of the draft Louth Heritage Plan 2021-2026 and any subsequent Louth Heritage Plan endorsed during the life of this Plan. 8.2.2 International, EU and Irish Policy on Biodiversity The European Union’s (EU) first wildlife conservation legislation was the Birds Directive (79/409/EEC), supplemented by the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), both of which have been updated periodically. Since then, the EU has built up a network of protected areas including marine sites, across all Member States. This vast array of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs), known as the Natura 2000 Network of European Sites, - the largest coherent network of protected areas in the world, is a testament to the importance that the EU attaches to biodiversity. The Convention on Biological Diversity, which Ireland signed and ratified and the National Biodiversity Plan, aims to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2020. The National Biodiversity Action Plan 2017- 2021 is the third such plan for Ireland, whose objectives, targets and actions seek to achieve Ireland’s vision for biodiversity through the implementation of specified strategic objectives. All local authorities are required to prepare Biodiversity Plans. Louth adopted its first Biodiversity Action plan in 2008. This was reviewed and the Local Biodiversity Action Plan for County Louth 2021-2026 was endorsed in January 2021. It provides a framework for the conservation and sustainable management
- Chapter 8 – Natural Heritage, Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 8-3 of biodiversity and natural heritage at a local level and aims to conserve and enhance the biodiversity of County Louth. Policy Objective NBG2 To promote and implement the objectives of the Local Biodiversity Action Plan for County Louth 2021 -2026 and any subsequent Louth Biodiversity Action Plan published during the life of this Plan. 8.3 EUROPEAN SITES IN COUNTY LOUTH In total, there are 11 designated European Sites, located wholly or partly in County Louth, which form part of the Natura 2000 Network of European Sites. This network includes both Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs), representing the prime wildlife conservation areas in the County which are considered to be of significant importance at both European and Irish levels. The boundaries of the protected areas may alter during the lifetime of the Plan and additional areas may be designated. iSuch projects include but are not limited to those relating to: agriculture; amenity and recreation; contaminated sites; electricity transmission; flood alleviation and “Appropriate Assessment of Plans and Projects in Ireland; Guidance for Planning Authorities” (Department Environment Heritage and Local Government 2010), is intended to assist and guide local and planning authorities in the functions of undertaking Appropriate Assessment (AA) of plans and projects. These guidelines highlight the responsibilities of all the agencies of the State including planning authorities, to act diligently, to ensure that their decisions in the exercise of their functions, as well as their actions, comply fully with the objectives of the Habitats Directive (1992). County Louth’s 6 SACs and 5 SPAs are listed in Tables 8.1 and 8.2 and illustrated on Map 8.1 and Map 8.2 respectively. All projects and plans arising from this Plani will be screened for the need to undertake Appropriate Assessment under Article 6 of the Habitats Directive. prevention; forestry; mineral extraction; renewable energy projects; roads; telecommunications; tourism; wastewater and discharges; and water supply and abstraction.
- Chapter 8 – Natural Heritage, Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 8-4 A plan or project will only be authorised after the competent authority has ascertained, based on scientific evidence, screening for Appropriate Assessment, and subsequent Appropriate Assessment where necessary, that: • The plan or project will not give rise to significant adverse direct, indirect or secondary effects on the integrity of any European Site (either individually or in combination with other plans or projects); or • The plan or project will have significant adverse effects on the integrity of any European Site (that does not host a priority natural habitat type/and or a priority species) but there are no alternative solutions and the plan or project must, nevertheless, be carried out for imperative reasons of overriding public interest, including those of a social or economic nature. In this case, it will be a requirement to follow procedures set out in legislation and agree and undertake all compensatory measures necessary to ensure the protection of the overall coherence of Natura 2000; or • The plan or project will have a significant adverse effect on the integrity of any European Site (that hosts a natural habitat type and/or a priority species) but there are no alternative solutions and the plan or project must nevertheless be carried out for imperative reasons for overriding public interest, restricted to reasons of human health or public safety, to beneficial consequences of primary importance for the environment or, further to an opinion from the Commission, to other imperative reasons of overriding public interest. In this case, it will be a requirement to follow procedures set out in legislation and agree and undertake all compensatory measures necessary to ensure the protection of the overall coherence of Natura 2000. Table 8.1: Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Co. Louth Reference Number Name / Location 002306 Carlingford Shore 000453 Carlingford Mountain 000455 Dundalk Bay 001459 Clogherhead 001957 Boyne Coast and Estuary – Shared with County Meath 002299 River Boyne and Blackwater – Shared with County Meath Table 8.2: Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Co. Louth Reference Number Name / Location 004078 Carlingford Lough 004026 Dundalk Bay 004091 Stabannon and Braganstown 004080 Boyne Estuary - Shared with County Meath 004232 River Boyne and River Blackwater – Shared with County Meath
- Chapter 8 – Natural Heritage, Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 8-5 Map 8.1: Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)
- Chapter 8 – Natural Heritage, Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 8-6 Map 8.2: Special Protection Areas (SPAs)
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.