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 11 – Environment, Natural Resources & The Coast Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 11-23 Hard engineering typically involves the construction of sea walls and/or groins. Sea walls act as a physically resistant barrier to wave and storm action and can greatly reduce the threat to coastal areas. However, sea walls are expensive to construct and are usually only put in places where the cost of construction is less than that of any potential property damage or losses. Sea walls also have the potential to create long-term issues, such as the reduction of accretion in other coastal areas by depriving them of sediments that would previously have been products of erosion. Louth County Council intends to carry out coastal protection works at two locations within the Dundalk Bay area, at Seabank, approximately 2km east of Castlebellingham village and at Salterstown, approximately 2km southeast of Annagassan village. These works will involve the placement of rock armour to form a sloped wall of interlocking rock armour as a form of sea defence. Coastal erosion is intrinsically linked with coastal flooding as the loss of natural coastal defences due to erosion can increase the risk of flooding in coastal areas. Areas of County Louth are vulnerable to flooding and this vulnerability can be exacerbated by changes associated with global warming such as increased occurrences of severe rainfall events, sea level rise, increased storm frequency and associated flooding (Refer to the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Maps in Volume 5). Local conditions such as low-lying lands and slow surface water drainage increase the risk of flooding. This risk can also be increased by human actions including clearing of natural vegetation to make way for agriculture, draining/ rehabilitation of bog and wetland areas, the development of settlements in the flood plains of rivers and low lying or eroding coastlines as well as by changing weather patterns. Inadequately planned infrastructural development, forestry operations and urban development in the floodplain, for example, can also give rise to flooding hazards, coastal erosion/ flooding and loss of habitats. The County Louth SFRA (Stage 1 SFRA including flood maps) contained within the supporting documents of this Plan, provides information on various flood risk indicators that occur within the County.
- Chapter 11 – Environment, Natural Resources & The Coast Louth County Development Plan 2021-202711-24 Figure 11.3: Coastal Erosion along the Louth Coastline Source: European Atlas of the Seas (2019) Policy Objective ENV 50 To require, on a case-by-case basis to be determined by the Planning Authority at either the pre-planning or planning application stage, the preparation of a Coastal Erosion Assessment Report for development within 100 metres of the coastline. New development will be prohibited unless it can be established based on the best scientific information at the time of the application, that the likelihood of erosion at a specific location is minimal taking into account, inter alia, any impacts. Policy Objective ENV 51 To recognise the concept of coastal evolution and fluvial flooding as part of our dynamic physical environment and adopt an adaptive approach to working with these natural processes. The focus of a flood management strategy should not solely be driven by conservation of existing lands. It should recognise that marshes, mud flats and other associated eco-systems evolve and degenerate and appropriate consideration should be given to the realignment of defences and use of managed retreat and sacrificial flood protection lands to maintain such habitats as part of an overall strategy. Policy Objective ENV 52 To ensure the County’s natural coastal defences (beaches, sand dunes, salt marshes and estuary lands) are protected and to ensure they are not put at risk by inappropriate works or development.
- Chapter 11 – Environment, Natural Resources & The Coast Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 11-25 Policy Objective ENV 53 To explore, where coastal erosion is considered a threat to existing properties, the technical, environmental and economic feasibility of coastal adaptation and coastal retreat management options. Policy Objective ENV 54 To employ soft engineering techniques as an alternative to hard coastal defence works, wherever possible. Policy Objective ENV 55 To identify, prioritise and implement necessary coastal protection works subject to the availability of resources, whilst ensuring a high level of protection for natural habitats and features, and ensure due regard is paid to visual and other environmental considerations in the design of any such coastal protection works. 11.5.4 Ports and Harbours The National Ports Policy 2013 prepared by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) provides a strategic reform policy and roadmap for the development of Irish ports. Drogheda Port is one of five Ports of Regional Significance, which are state owned and the policy notes that Drogheda Port Company retains an important role in regional freight distribution. Drogheda is the largest of the three commercial ports in County Louth. Greenore is second largest port in the County. Greenore Port is privately owned. The port handles cargo and is also the terminus for the Carlingford Ferry which provides a connection to Greencastle in Northern Ireland. Dundalk Port is a general cargo port and forms part of the Dublin Port Company. Clogherhead is a fishing port owned by Louth County Council. It is an important fishing port and the value of landings at Clogherhead amounted to €8 million in 2018. Further information and policy in relation to Ports and Harbours can be found within Chapter 5, Economy and Employment. 11.5.5 Development in Coastal Areas Development proposals within coastal areas must take cognisance of the changing and dynamic nature of the coast. The Council acknowledges that hard engineering solutions are the most resource intensive and involve the highest level of interference with natural processes. Consequently, such solutions can only be used in exceptional circumstances. As a general principle, development in coastal areas should be accommodated wherever possible in previously developed areas before consideration is given to development in greenfield sites.
- Chapter 11 – Environment, Natural Resources & The Coast Louth County Development Plan 2021-202711-26 Policy Objective ENV 56 To protect the special character of the coast by preventing inappropriate development, particularly on the seaward side of coastal roads. New development, wherever possible, shall be accommodated within existing developed areas and be climate resilient in their design. 11.5.6 Coastal Tourism and Recreation Louth’s coastline is a major asset in terms of tourism, recreation and marine leisure activities. Marine leisure facilities should be sited, designed and managed to avoid the visual intrusion, pollution, and conflicts with other uses with which they can otherwise be associated. It is the policy of Council to maintain its beaches to a high standard and develop their recreational potential as publicly accessible seaside amenity facilities. Designated bathing areas, Blue Flag beaches and other high quality beaches within the County, are significant local amenities and are also important from a tourism and economic development perspective. As noted earlier, Port/Lurganboy, Clogherhead, and Shellinghill/Templetown are high value beaches which have considerable tourism potential. Each of these beaches was awarded Blue Flag status in 2020 while Seapoint beach achieved a Green Coast award in 2020 in recognition of its high environmental quality. Identified bathing waters within the County at all of the aforementioned locations have achieved ‘Excellent’ water quality status for each of the last 4 years. The EPA Bathing Water Quality in Ireland report commented that ‘bathing waters in Co. Louth continue to be of a very high quality with few pollution sources having been identified’. Policy Objective ENV 57 To strictly control the nature and pattern of development within coastal areas and ensure that it is designed and landscaped to the highest standards, and sited appropriately so as not to detract from the visual amenity of the area. Development shall be prohibited where the development poses a significant or potential threat to coastal habitats or features, and/or where the development is likely to result in altered patterns of erosion or deposition elsewhere along the coast. Policy Objective ENV 58 To prohibit development along the coast outside existing urban areas where such development is not adequately safeguarded over the lifetime of the development without the need to construct additional coastal defences.
- Chapter 11 – Environment, Natural Resources & The Coast Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 11-27 The coast is a natural amenity for leisure and recreation. The coastal areas of County Louth have significant potential for the tourist sector and help to generate sustainable local employment within coastal communities. At a regional level, the tourism value of the coast is acknowledged in the emerging initiative of the ‘Irish Sea Way’. It is considered that this initiative will further enhance the tourism value of Louth’s coastline and the Council will work with the relevant stakeholders to support this initiative once it is launched. Carlingford is an example of an area within the County, which has seen great benefits from its coastal amenities. These include land based activities such as walking and cycling on the Carlingford Greenway and water based activities such as bathing, canoeing, paddle boarding, surfing and angling. There is potential for such activities right along the Louth coast. The infrastructure associated with such activities can often conflict with the sensitive nature of the coast, the various environmental designations and the built heritage along the coastline. It will be necessary to identify locations on the coast where these activities can be catered for without being in conflict with other objectives or contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. The Council recognises that these activities require a coastal location, but need to be controlled and directed appropriately in view of the sensitive nature of the coast. Policy Objective ENV 59 To protect the excellent status classification of identified bathing water areas within County Louth. Policy Objective ENV 60 To encourage proposals that promote sustainable development of water-based sports and marine recreation in coastal areas and on river systems across the County providing there is no cause of significant adverse impacts on the environment, visual amenity and heritage. Policy Objective ENV 61 To support proposals that improve access to marine and coastal resources for tourism activities and sport and recreation, where appropriate, at the applicable scale. Policy Objective ENV 62 To facilitate sustainable tourism and recreation activities where appropriate, particularly where this creates diversification or additional utilisation of related facilities beyond typical usage patterns.
- Chapter 11 – Environment, Natural Resources & The Coast Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 11- 11-28 Policy Objective ENV 63 To require that new developments take into account the potential for impact on tourism in the area and demonstrate how potential negative impacts to tourism in communities have been minimised. This must include assessment of how the benefits of what is proposed are not outweighed by potential negative impacts identified. Policy Objective ENV 64 To support proposals for sustainable tourism development that seek to optimise facilities and use space whilst minimising environmental impact by taking a crosssectoral development approach that provides for multiple activities. Policy Objective ENV 65 To resist development along the coast which would detract from its visual appearance or conflict with its recreational and leisure functions. 11.5.7 Shellfish Waters There are two areas along the County Louth coastline that are identified as Designated Shellfish Waters: • Carlingford Lough and • Dundalk Bay. In order to protect existing shellfish waters and to ensure the future protection of these areas, the European Union introduced the Shellfish Waters Directive (2006/113/EC). The purpose of this Directive is to put in place concrete measures to protect waters, including shellfish waters, against pollution and to safeguard certain shellfish populations from harmful consequences, resulting from the discharge of pollutants into the sea. The Directive applies to the aquatic habitat of bivalve and gastropod molluscs only (includes oysters, mussels, cockles, scallops and clams). Policy Objective ENV 66 To continue to work with local communities, relevant stakeholders and with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine to ensure the proper and successful implementation of the Shellfish Waters Directive along County Louth’s coastline. Policy Objective ENV 67 To protect the quality of designated shellfish waters off the Louth coast. 11.5.8 Aquaculture Aquaculture includes the culture or farming of fish, aquatic invertebrates, aquatic plants or any aquatic form of food suitable for the nutrition of fish. The vast majority of aquaculture activity takes place in the marine environment on the foreshore. The latest BIM Aquaculture Survey indicates that Irish Aquaculture directly employs 87 people within the County with a production value of over €5.3m annually.
- Chapter 11 – Environment, Natural Resources & The Coast Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 11-29 The survey also confirms that there are 7 production units within County Louth, largely comprising of mussel and oyster aquaculture activity. Commercial fishing and aquaculture represent an important economic activity in rural coastal areas. This Plan supports the provision of appropriate harbour infrastructure that facilitates a modern and innovative fishing industry. The Council recognises and will continue to support the sustainable development of the aquaculture industry in order to maximise its contribution to employment and the economy. This Plan also recognises the important role aquaculture can play in the diversification of rural areas. Policy Objective ENV 68 To support the use of existing port facilities for the catching and processing of fish as an economic activity that contributes to the food industry in the County. Policy Objective ENV 69 To ensure that proposals for economic development associated with the marine sector reflect the environmental sensitivities of the Louth coastline and are considered accordingly. Policy Objective ENV 70 To seek that non-aquaculture proposals in aquaculture production areas demonstrate consideration of and compatibility with aquaculture production and the environment.
- Chapter 12 Climate Action “To promote, support and direct effective climate action policies and objectives that seek to improve climate outcomes across the settlement areas and communities of County Louth helping to successfully contribute and deliver on the obligations of the State to transition to low carbon and climate resilient society through the encouragement and integration of appropriate mitigation and adaptation considerations and measures into all development.”
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- Chapter 12 – Climate Action 12-1 12 CLIMATE ACTION 12.1 INTRODUCTION This chapter outlines the approach to climate adaptation and mitigation which has been taken in this Plan. One of the strategic objectives of the Plan is to transition to a low carbon and climate resilient County through a combination of mitigation and adaptation measures in response to climate change. Section 10(2)(n) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 Act (as amended) requires Plans to include objectives that promote measures to reduce the overall quantity of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and to address the necessity of adaptation to climate change. 12.2 WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE? Climate Change is a long-term shift in global or regional climate patterns and may also be referred to as ‘global warming’. Climate is described as the average weather prevailing in an area over a period of time. Climate Change is a significant change in weather patterns such as rainfall, temperature, and / or wind, which continue over an extended period of time (i.e. over decades or longer). The Earth’s climate is constantly changing. Climatic fluctuations are known to occur from natural causes including the Earth’s orbit and tilt, volcanic eruptions and variations in solar energy. However, in more recent times, there are growing concerns that natural fluctuations in climate are being overtaken by rapid human-related activities which are negatively influencing climate variability and giving rise to serious implications for the rate of global warming. The scale of the challenge presented by climate change is evident across the globe through the devastating, destructive and extreme weather events linked as effects to global warming. Ireland’s climate is changing in line with global trends and the impacts of this change are expected to continue and intensify into the near future. Climate Change Mitigation is defined as ‘a human intervention to reduce the sources or enhance the sinks of greenhouse gases’ (IPCC, 2014), i.e. tackling the cause of climate change. Climate Change Adaptation is defined as ‘the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate and its effects. In human systems, adaptation seeks to moderate or avoid harm or exploit beneficial opportunities. In some natural systems, human intervention may facilitate adjustment to expected climate and its effects’ (IPCC, 2014) i.e. dealing with the inevitable effects and impacts of climate change. Louth County Council acknowledges the global understanding that the lives we currently live are not sustainable. The catastrophic cost the world is suffering as a result of climate change is jeopardising future generations. There is a strong level of awareness and understanding of the need to take urgent and radical climate action through a combination of mitigation 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.