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 10 –Infrastructure & Public Utilities Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 10-36 The Building Regulations requirements for new dwellings also prescribe that a reasonable proportion of the energy consumption to meet the energy performance of a dwelling is provided by renewable energy sources, limiting heat loss, availing of heat gain through the fabric of the dwelling and energy efficiency space and water heating systems. Energy efficient buildings will generate savings and is a cost effective way of mitigating climate change and improving energy security. The primary focus is to design buildings that create a thermally efficient building envelope. The use of on-site micro renewable or district heating systems also offers significant opportunities. The BER label (Building Energy Rating), allows for dwellings to be assessed on their energy performance. This in turn allows individuals to make informed decisions regarding energy efficiency of a building. Exemptions for Protected Structures (proposed protected structures) and buildings protected under National Monuments Legislation apply. The Council promotes energy efficient design and recommends consideration of energy design at the earliest stage in the design process. However, careful consideration should also be given to the adaptability of buildings over time to enable the building stock to be retrofitted to meet higher efficiency standards into the future. The upgrading and refurbishment of homes and business premises can make a significant contribution in reducing energy demands and costs. The energy performance of existing buildings is one of the foremost considerations in responding to the energy challenges in the County. Details in relation to Guidelines for Sustainable Design and Energy Efficiency in Buildings, is provided for in Section 10.11.1 of this chapter. Policy Objective IU 85 To support the implementation of National and County initiatives for limiting emissions of greenhouse gases by incorporating energy efficiency measures into the design of new buildings and retrofitting of existing buildings. Policy Objective IU 86 To ensure that all new buildings in the County achieve the Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (NZEB) standard in line with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and having regard to the Guidelines for Sustainable Design and Energy Efficiency in Buildings. Policy Objective IU 87 To promote the use of district heating systems in large scale development and master planned areas and encourage the integration of micro renewable energy sources into the design and construction of single and multiple housing developments.
- Chapter 10 – Infrastructure & Public Utilities Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 10-3710-37 Policy Objective IU 88 To promote innovative new building design and retrofitting of existing buildings where possible, and encourage the design and construction of buildings that are functionally adaptable, to improve building energy efficiency, energy conservation and the use of renewable energy sources, in accordance with national policy and guidance. Policy Objective IU 89 To encourage and facilitate the reuse of existing vacant buildings particularly in town centres. Policy Objective IU 90 To support the recycling of building materials on development sites subject to compliance with environmental and building control legislation. Policy Objective IU 91 To support and promote structural materials in the construction industry that have low to zero embodied energy and CO2 emissions as assessed across the whole life of the building. Policy Objective IU 92 To encourage and support the utilisation of siting and landscape design features to minimise energy requirements. 10.11.1 Guidelines for Sustainable Design and Energy Efficiency in Buildings This section sets out guidelines for the sustainable design, siting and construction of buildings, particularly with regard to energy efficiency and energy conservation, as well as waste management, waste disposal and sustainable urban drainage systems. These standards need to be read and adhered to in conjunction with Part L of the Building Regulations (1997-2019). Measures that promote energy conservation and efficiency in buildings include air tightness, appropriate use of glazing, high insulation standards and more efficient heating. Alternative forms of electricity and heat generation should also be considered. The various elements in relation to energy conservation and ecological building design are further outlined in this section. 10.11.2 Passive Solar Design Passive Solar Design (PSD) techniques relate to the siting, layout, built form and the landscaping of a development. The use of PSD techniques are cost effective, as it requires little or no cost to the developer and can amount to substantial savings on behalf of the owner/occupier. It also reduces the long-term use of fossil fuels and thereby reduces CO2 production.
- Chapter 10 –Infrastructure & Public Utilities Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 10-38 The main elements for the application of PSD with regards to design, siting and layout are as follows: • Orientation - To maximise solar access and its benefits, the principle façade of a building should be orientated to be within 30 degrees of the south, where feasible. A southerly orientation maximises solar gain in winter. • Wind - Buildings should be designed and located to reduce the impact of wind chill and suitable shelter belts should be incorporated. • Openings - Large glazed surfaces should be located on the southern face of the building. These surfaces must be highly insulated through high performance glazing to prevent the loss of heat. • Internal planning - The internal layout of buildings should be designed by setting occupied spaces to the south and service spaces to the cooler north. • Avoidance of overshadowing – Where feasible, buildings should be carefully spaced to minimise the loss of solar gain due to overshadowing. 10.11.3 Passive Housing A Passive House is an energy efficient building with year round comfort and good indoor environmental conditions without the use of active space heating or cooling systems. The concept is based on minimising heat losses and maximising heat gains (i.e. orientation), thus enabling the use of simple building services. The construction of Passive Houses should have regard to the ‘Guidelines for the Design and Construction of Passive House Dwellings in Ireland (SEAI)’. 10.11.4 Nearly Zero Energy Performance Buildings All new buildings should be designed to comply with Nearly Zero Energy Performance in accordance with the Building Regulations 1997 - 2019. These regulations cover a range of conservation of fuel and energy measures together with the requirement that for new dwellings, a reasonable proportion of the energy consumption of the dwelling is provided by renewable energy sources. It will be a prerequisite of all development in the Plan area that there is compliance with the provisions of the amended building regulations. 10.11.5 Active Solar Design Active solar systems can work in unison with passive systems and provide an alternative mechanism for harnessing solar energy. This system does not rely on site orientation or layout but can be incorporated into any building design to maximise energy efficiency. Active solar technology involves the installation of a solar collector device; this device absorbs the sun’s heat to provide space or water heating. A correctly sized unit can provide around half of a household’s water needs over a year; large buildings can introduce several systems to increase solar absorption. 10.11.6 Alternative Heating Systems Energy efficient heating systems such as mixed fuel and wood pellet stoves, boilers and heat pump systems can greatly help to reduce energy consumption. Heat pumps are very economical. For every unit of electricity used to power the heat pump, 3 to 4 units of heat are generated.
- Chapter 10 – Infrastructure & Public Utilities Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 10-3910-39 They work best in conjunction with low temperature heat distribution systems e.g. under floor heating. Wood burning systems do emit carbon dioxide. However, as the wood fuel is cultivated, it absorbs the exact same amount of carbon dioxide as is released when burnt. As such, it does not add to the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. An eligible system can be used for heating a single room, hot water or a whole house. 10.11.7 Reduction in Water Consumption Fresh water resources are increasingly becoming an issue of environmental and economic importance. According to Uisce Éireann, the average daily consumption for all household purposes is about 150 litres per person. On this basis, the average water consumption per person in Ireland comes to 55,000 litres per person per year. 10.11.8 Rain Water Harvesting Rain water recovery systems harvest rain water which can then be used for the flushing of toilets, washing machines and general outside use. A rainwater holding tank is installed below the ground that gathers water from the roof of buildings. This water is pumped into a tank within the building’s roof space where it is stored until required. This water would otherwise have to be treated and pumped by Uisce Éireann representing a substantial saving. The system filters and collects between 20% and 30% of total water consumption used by a family of four. The system is isolated from the mains water system to eliminate any possibilities of contamination. In the event of using all of the rainwater reserve, an automatic change over system switches over to using mains water until the rainwater tank starts to refill. The rainwater system generally has three separate filters, which reduce particles down to 130 microns. These systems should have the British Board of Agrément approval to meet the Building Regulations. 10.11.9 Wind Energy The use of wind turbines to provide a selfsufficient power source or to supply power in combination with other energy sources merits investigation for any large scale development. A series of Planning & Development Regulations exempts from planning permission certain types of renewable energy structures including small scale wind turbines in relation to dwelling houses, agricultural buildings and industrial buildings. The use of these technologies should be incorporated into the design of buildings from the outset. Proposals for the provision of small and medium size wind turbines, which fall outside the exempted development categories, will be favourably considered by the Council provided that they do not significantly impact on visual or residential amenities of the area. 10.11.10 Micro-Hydro Generation The development of micro-hydro generation facilities does not constitute exempted development and as such will require applicants to apply for planning permission. Considerations will include: • The visual impact of the development must be considered and therefore matters such as turbine siting, cables, channels will be required to be addressed; • Any potential impact upon residential amenity will also be a consideration in any determination; • Is the proposed development located in a designated area e.g. Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and / or Special Protection Area (SPA); and
- Chapter 10 –Infrastructure & Public Utilities Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 10-40 • Where a proposed development occurs within or near a designated site, there is an obligation on the Planning Authority to inform a number of statutory bodies including the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), the Department Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) among others. These bodies may recommend a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIS) and/or Appropriate Assessment (AA), which may add considerable cost to the total project cost. 10.11.11 Construction Methods Consideration should be given to the use of renewable building materials such as wood from sustainably managed forests and locally sourced building materials for development projects. Other features of construction should also be considered such as off-site construction and prefabrication to minimise the impact of building on the site, reductions in levels of on-site waste and also minimising cost. The re-use of construction waste such as excavated material and topsoil should also be considered. Any materials used in the construction of new buildings are to be in compliance with the minimum standards as set out in the Building Regulations (1997-2019). 10.11.12 Waste Management and Disposal All future developments should seek to minimise waste through reduction, re-use and recycling. Waste management and disposal should be considered as part of the construction process and in the operation of the development when completed. 10.11.13 Construction Waste Construction related waste accounts for a significant proportion of total land filled waste in Ireland. Therefore, developers and builders should minimise construction waste generated in development projects. During the construction process measures should be implemented to minimise soil removal (as part of the scheme design process), properly manage construction waste and encourage off-site prefabrication where feasible. 10.11.14 Domestic Waste Everyday domestic waste produced by future residents and businesses shall be minimised through reduction, reuse and recycling. All new developments should provide for occupants to comply with the Louth County Council Segregation, Storage and Presentation of Household and Commercial Waste Bye-laws, 2019, whereby people must segregate their waste into dry recyclables, food waste and residual domestic waste. New developments should facilitate a three bin system in each unit. 10.11.15 Precipitation and Climate Change Buildings should, as far as is practical, be future proofed against increased precipitation and storm frequency likely to result from climate change. The following check-list should be applied: • Check existing water table and natural patterns of drainage; • Calculate rainwater guttering and pipe work on the basis of up to 30% increase in precipitation; • Use soft landscaping to reduce storm water runoff and help the rain to percolate naturally into the water table;
- Chapter 10 – Infrastructure & Public Utilities Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 10-4110-41 • Use porous paving schemes to allow water to flow down through hard landscaping directly into the water table to minimise drainage requirements and relieve pressure on existing drainage; • Retain robust roofing details including sarking in preference to battens; and • Preserve and increase planting of trees to absorb CO2 to help reduce global climate change. 10.11.16 Micro Climate Enhancement Trees and shrubs can make a significant contribution to energy conservation by providing shelter and modifying climate at the micro level. Designers and developers should plant deciduous trees and use hard landscaping on the south side of buildings to enhance the micro climate and minimise energy use.
- Chapter 11 Environment, Natural Resources & the Coast “Harness the County’s natural and coastal resources in a manner that is compatible with the sensitivity of rural areas, the existing quality of life, and the protection and enhancement of the County’s natural environment”
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- Chapter 11 – Environment, Natural Resources & The Coast Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 11-1 11 ENVIRONMENT, NATURAL RESOURCES & THE COAST 11.1 ENVIRONMENT The quality of our natural environment provides the fundamental components for sustaining human life and the society and economy in which we live. The physical landscapes form our surroundings and everything we see from trees, coastlines, water bodies and countryside forms part of the biodiversity network. A changing environment demands changing and adapting policies and programmes to meet the challenges posed by the environment at a local, national and international level. The need to maintain water quality is key to conservation of biodiversity and water dependant habitats and species. Biodiversity loss is a serious threat as habitat degradation and species loss are often irreversible. There is an underlying challenge to preserve, enhance and protect the quality of the environment whilst facilitating and encouraging development. A high-quality environment is not only of inherent value in itself but is also crucial for economic development and the health and well-being of our communities. This Chapter details policy objectives, which will facilitate development in appropriate locations while ensuring the conservation of the natural environment for generations. 11.1.1 Policy Context The European Environment Agency (EEA) ‘2020 State of the Environment Report for Europe’ concludes that Europe faces environmental challenges of unprecedented scale and urgency. The Report states that achieving the goals of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development and the Paris Agreement will require urgent action in key areas during the next 10 years. The Report concludes that Europe will not achieve its sustainability vision of ‘living well, within the limits of our planet’ simply by promoting economic growth and seeking to manage harmful side-effects with environmental and social policy tools. Instead, sustainability needs to become the guiding principle for ambitious and coherent policies and actions across society. At a national level, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has produced ‘Ireland’s Environment – An Assessment 2016’. This Report is the latest in the EPA ‘State of the Environment’ series, which is published every 4 years. The Report outlines at a strategic level the current state of Ireland’s environment. It provides an update on environmental challenges that we face both nationally and globally. The Report concludes that there are many positive aspects associated with Ireland’s environment: Air quality is generally classified as good, good-quality water in many rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters and excellent progress has been made in meeting EU waste recycling, recovery and diversion targets.
- Chapter 11 – Environment, Natural Resources & The Coast Louth County Development Plan 2021-202711-2 However, the Report acknowledges that there are challenges and necessary actions, which are important for the delivery of environmental protection and sustainable development. The seven key environmental actions identified in the report are: • Recognition of the benefits of a good quality environment to health and wellbeing; • Implement measures that achieve ongoing improvements in the environmental status of water bodies from source to the sea; • Accelerate mitigation actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and implement adaptation measures to increase our resilience in dealing with adverse climate impacts; • Integrate resource efficiency and environmental sustainability ideas and performance accounting across all economic sectors; • Inform, engage and support communities in the protection and improvement of the environment; • Protect pristine and wild places that act as biodiversity hubs, contribute to health and wellbeing and provide sustainable tourism opportunities, and • Improve the tracking of plans and policies and the implementation and enforcement of environmental legislation to protect the environment. Policy Objective ENV 1 To implement European, National and Regional policy in relation to the protection of the environment, climate action and the pursuance of sustainable development principles in respect of the Council’s policies and procedures. Policy Objective ENV 2 To pursue the precautionary and the polluter pays principles in relation to permitted development in the County. Policy Objective ENV 3 To seek to achieve European and National standards in relation to air, noise and water quality in the County and apply BAT standard (Best Available Techniques). 11.1.2 Climate Action Climate Change is one of the most important and urgent issues at an International, National and Local level. Addressing the issue of climate action requires co-ordinated action at various levels in addition to behavioural changes. The Plan will play an important role in this regard. Climate change adaptation and mitigation measures are required by local authorities as part of their development plan review process and commitments under the Climate Action Charter, Louth County Council’s Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2019-2024 and the National Climate Action Plan 2019. The National Climate Change Adaptation Framework – Building Resilience to Climate Change DECLG 2012 and the National Adaptation Framework provide guidance on adaptation measures. Chapter 12 of the Plan specifically addresses Climate Action and adaptation measures.
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.