Louth County Development Plan 2021–2027

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   Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 2-3 One of the underlying principles of the NPF Strategy is to rebalance growth in the country, which historically has disproportionately taken place in the Eastern and Midland Region. It enables all parts of the country whether urban or rural, to successfully accommodate growth and change whilst simultaneously recognising Dublin’s ongoing key role as the principal economic driver of the country. It promotes ‘Regional parity’ rather than the ‘business as usual’ approach, seeking a 50:50 distribution of growth between the Eastern and Midland Region with that of the Southern and Northern and Western Regions combined. Of the national projected population growth, 25% is planned for Dublin, 25% for the four cities of Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford and the remaining 50% growth for the key regional centres, towns, villages and rural areas as identified in the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies. The targeted population growth for the Eastern and Midland Region is for an additional 490,000-540,000 people living in the Region. The Strategy focuses on building ‘centres of scale’ and addressing peripherality, wherein Dublin will continue to develop as an international city of scale. In building ‘centres of scale’ outside Dublin, the four cities of Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford have ambitious growth targets and, below these cities, the regional roles of Athlone in the Midlands, Sligo and Letterkenny in the North-West and Drogheda-Dundalk- Newry cross border networks are also identified. The NPF acknowledges significant cross-border interactions focused on key settlement networks, specifically Drogheda-Dundalk-Newry in the context of the Dublin-Belfast economic corridor, recognising the growth potential of the network as important for regional development and in strengthening Ireland’s overall urban structure. An important element of the growth strategy, intrinsic to the NPF, is securing compact and sustainable growth as it offers the best prospects for unlocking Regional potential. The preferred approach for compact development is one which focuses on reusing previously developed ‘brownfield’ lands and development of infill sites and buildings. To this end the NPF requires at least 30% delivery of all new homes in settlements (outside of the 5 cities) to be within the existing built up footprint (NPO 3(c)). The targeted pattern of growth in the Eastern and Midlands Region up to 2040 is detailed in Table 2.1. Table 2.1: Targeted Pattern of Growth in the Eastern and Midland Region 2040 Eastern and Midland Region Growing Our Region Building Stronger Regions: Accessible Centres of Scale Compact, Smart, Sustainable Growth +490,000 - 540,000 people Dublin City & Suburbs: +235,000 - 290,000 people 30% of all new housing within existing urban footprints+320,000 in employment RSES sets a strategic development framework for the Region leading with the key role of Drogheda- Dundalk-Newry cross border network. Source: National Planning Framework

2. Page 52

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   Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 2-4 In relation to place making one of the primary challenges faced by the Eastern and Midland Region is the delivery of future development that both enhances and reinforces the urban and rural structure, with a move to self-sustaining activity and remote working rather than commuter driven activity. This allows the Region’s various city, town, village and rural components to play to their strengths, while moving away from a sprawl-led development model, where rapid growth was driven by housing, rather than employment. The NPF recognises that the Dublin- Belfast cross-border network is the key driver in the North-East regional area. To achieve leveraged employment and sustainable population growth, development must be supported by enhanced connectivity, quality of life and a focused approach to the compact, sequential and sustainable development of the larger urban areas such as Drogheda and Dundalk. 2.2.2 Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework The Implementation Roadmap highlights the Government’s focus on achieving alignment between National, Regional and Local planning policy and practice. However, translating long-term national projections and targets to the local plan making level requires a step change in both the short to medium transitional term and long term context. Aligning Plans at all levels in conjunction with a shift to compact growth requires a period of transition, whereby both existing planning permissions and zoned lands must be considered. The Roadmap provides for the operation of a ‘transition period’ until 2026. Herein, it provides a transitional set of population projections to inform Regional and Local plans to 2026 and 2031. The transitional population projections for Louth are listed in Table 2.2. For those Counties where population growth is projected to be at or above the national average baseline, which includes County Louth, the Roadmap provides scope for headroom, not exceeding 25% up to 2026. This additional headroom is only applicable in the 2026 projection and not beyond to 2031. The population projections with the additional 25% headroom are illustrated in Table 2.3. Having regard to the designation of Drogheda and Dundalk as Regional Growth Centres and regional drivers, supported by the Self Sustaining Growth Centres of Ardee and Dunleer and the remaining strong urban settlement structure which typifies County Louth, it is appropriate that the additional 25% headroom available to the County is utilised in order to allow flexibility in approach and to help realise the objectives of the NPF and RSES. The years 2026/2027 will see the first full assessment of Development Plans prepared in accordance with the NPF and the RSES and establish the success in implementation of both the National and Regional policy objectives. Table 2.2: Transitional Population Projections for Louth Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly Region and Counties 2016 2026 2031 Mid-East Louth 129,000 139,000-144,500 144,000-151,500 Source: Appendix 2 of the Implementation Roadmap

3. Page 53

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   Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 2-5 Table 2.3: Transitional Population Projections for Louth with additional 25% Headroom Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly Region and Counties 2016 2026 2026 (incl.25% Headroom)1 2031 Mid-East Louth 129,000 139,000-144,500 141,500-148,375 144,000-151,500 1 This Plan runs until 2027, which is factored into the population figures later in this Chapter 2.3 REGIONAL PLANNING POLICY 2.3.1 Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy Following on from the enactment of the Local Government Reform Act 2014, three new Regional Assemblies came into effect in January 2015, replacing the eight previous Regional Authorities. Louth is now part of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) which adopted its first Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) in June 2019. The objective of the RSES is to support implementation of Project Ireland 2040 – which links planning and investment through the NPF and the ten year National Development Plan (NDP) and the economic and climate policies of the government, by providing a long term strategic planning and economic framework for the Region. Reflecting the NPF, the RSES emphasises sustainable development patterns and seeks to focus growth in regional growth centres such as Drogheda and Dundalk and within the footprint of existing urban areas. At a Regional level, the RSES seeks to determine how best to achieve the goals of the NPF as identified in the National Strategic Outcomes (NSOs). To this end, the Strategy identifies 16 Regional Strategic Outcomes (RSOs) which are aligned with national policy and which set a framework for delivery of county development plans. Chapter One identifies how this Plan closely aligns with the identified 16 Regional Strategic Outcomes and subsequently with both national and regional policy. Of the three Regions, the Eastern and Midland Region has the largest population, which was in excess of 2.3 million people in 2016. It is a young and diverse growing region where Dublin, its main settlement, is supported by a network of Regional and County towns and an extensive rural hinterland. It is the primary economic engine of the state, being home to the capital city, almost half of the country’s population and in excess of one million jobs. It is comprised of three Strategic Planning Areas (SPAs) which provide for a subregional planning remit, namely; the Dublin Region, the Eastern Region (which Louth is part of) and the Midland Region (Figure 2.2).

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   Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 2-6 Figure 2.2: Strategic Planning Areas (SPA) Eastern and Midland Region In addition to the spatial development of the Region, the RSES seeks to plan for its economic development, with opportunities for enterprise development based on local strengths, assets and resources, all underpinned by the quality of living offering. Its natural, cultural and green infrastructure assets support the tourism and leisure industry and are essential to creating places that are attractive in which to live, work, visit and invest. The spatial and economic framework set out in the RSES underpins the strategic policy objectives set out in this Plan. A key priority for the Region is to address long distance commuting and subsequent poor quality of life issues. The RSES utilised ‘Functional Urban Areas’ (FUAs) which consider where people live and work to better plan for the future provision and improved alignment of transport, housing and infrastructure in the Region. The FUAs augment the Strategic Planning Areas (SPAs) by recognising spatial, social and economic similarities and differences within each SPA. The three identified FUAs are: • Dublin City & Metropolitan Area: o Dublin city and suburbs and the metropolitan area which includes major settlements with strong connections to the city (Louth not included). • Core Region: o Peri-urban ‘hinterlands’ within the commuter catchment around Dublin, including south Louth and the Regional Growth Centre of Drogheda. • Gateway Region: o Remaining area beyond the Metropolitan and Core Areas and includes North Louth and the Regional Growth Centre of Dundalk. The three FUAs are identified in Figure 2.3.

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   Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 2-7 Figure 2.3: Map of the Settlement Hierarchy in the Eastern and Midland Region Source: RSES

6. Page 56

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   Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 2-8 2.3.2 RSES and Louth’s Settlement Hierarchy Consistency and alignment between National, Regional and Local plans is a requirement of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). Louth’s framework for growth is therefore guided and directed by both the NPF and the RSES. The NPF and RSES set policy parameters for the Region, to manage the growth of Dublin as a city of international scale, supported by the growth of the designated Regional Growth Centres and further supported by the development and regeneration of selected Key Towns. The RSES growth strategy employs a robust evidence based approach, to derive a settlement hierarchy which identifies locations for population and employment growth with matched infrastructure and service investment, to satisfy and accommodate future growth needs. This influences the future growth of Louth in the following manner: Regional Growth Centres (RGC’s) support the direction of significant population and economic growth to ensure these centres reach sufficient scale, to serve as economic drivers for the Region and implement effective regional development. Drogheda and Dundalk are designated as Regional Growth Centres. Key Towns Louth has no key towns. The remaining settlement typologies identified in the RSES are defined by the development plan using an evidence based approach. Self-Sustaining Growth Towns are regionally important local drivers serving their resident population and surrounding catchments and with a reasonable level of jobs and services. Ardee and Dunleer are designated as such. Self-Sustaining Towns require investment in services, employment and infrastructure whilst balancing housing delivery. These include; Carlingford, Castlebellingham/Kilsaran, Clogherhead, Termonfeckin and Tullyallen. Small Towns and Villages support local growth across the County and range in size and function. Future growth will focus on localised sustainable growth meeting the needs of the local population. Rural Nodes and the Wider Rural Area These are characterised by residential development with limited services and facilities with an emphasis on strengthening their fabric and creating sustainable rural communities, suitable to meet rural generated housing needs. The Settlement Hierarchy in this Plan has been updated to reflect the terminology and settlement categories set out in the RSES. The Settlement Hierarchy for Louth is as outlined in Table 2.4.

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   Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 2-9 Table 2.4: Settlement Hierarchy for County Louth Settlement Level Settlement Category Description Settlement 1 Regional Growth Centres Regional Growth Centres are large towns with a high level of self-sustaining employment and services that act as regional economic drivers and play a significant role for a wide catchment area. Drogheda Dundalk 2 Self-Sustaining Growth Towns Self-Sustaining Growth Towns with a moderate level of jobs and services – includes sub-county market towns and commuter towns with good transport links and capacity for continued commensurate growth to become more self-sustaining. Ardee Dunleer 3 Self-Sustaining Towns Self-sustaining towns with high levels of population growth and a weak employment base which are reliant on other areas for employment and/or services and which require targeted ‘catch up’ investment to become more self-sustaining. Carlingford, Clogherhead, Castlebellingham/Kilsaran, Termonfeckin, Tullyallen 4 Small Towns and Villages Towns and villages with local service and employment functions. Annagassan, Baltray, Collon, Dromiskin, Knockbridge, Louth Village, Omeath, Tallanstown, 5 Rural Nodes Rural Nodes. Ballagan, Ballapousta, Bellurgan, Darver, Dromin, Faughart, Glenmore, Grange, Grangebellew, Greenore, Gyles Quay, Kilcurry, Kilkerley, Lordship, Mountbagnal, Muchgrange, Philipstown (Collon), Ravensdale, Reaghstown, Sandpit, Sheelagh, Stabannon, Tinure, Willville

8. Page 58

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   Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 2-10 2.4 CORE STRATEGY APPROACH This Plan sets out an evidence based Core Strategy for the future development of County Louth, having regard to the NPF population projections, the settlement hierarchy of the RSES and consideration for the phasing of development lands to ensure Towns grow at a sustainable and appropriate level to their position in the hierarchy. The Core Strategy shall also be developed having regard to the infill/brownfield targets provided for in the NPF. 2.4.1 Strategic Objectives of the Core Strategy The Strategic Objectives of the Louth Core Strategy are to: • Ensure development and growth in Louth occurs in line with both National and Regional objectives as provided for in the NPF and the RSES and other national guidelines and policies; • Provide a framework to enable the delivery of the vision and objectives of the Plan; • Support the population growth of County Louth in accordance with the population projections as specified in the NPF Implementation Roadmap of 148,375 (increased to 149,966 to reflect the life of the Plan) and in accordance with the Settlement Hierarchy and Core Strategy Tables; • Ensure alignment of infrastructural investment with those settlements identified for growth in the Settlement Hierarchy to ensure capacity of services is matched by demand for services and delivered in a timely, cost effective and sustainable manner; • Ensure the growth of towns is at a sustainable and appropriate level, with a rationale for lands zoned for residential, employment and mixed use development; and • Provide clarity for developers and others investing in the County. 2.4.2 Content of the Core Strategy The Core Strategy delivers the following: • Settlement hierarchy/Population and household distribution; • Population targets; and • Future Household targets and land zoning requirements. 2.4.3 Guiding Principles for Core Strategy The RSES recognises that a disconnect may exist between the quantum of land zoned in current plans and the National and Regional development parameters set out in the NPF. The options available to address issues of surplus residential lands are: • Prioritisation measures that provide for the sequential release of lands which may be suitable for housing delivery but not likely to be forthcoming during the period of the Plan; and • De-zoning land. Where there are sites with long term development potential not being brought forward for development, the RSES acknowledges that local authorities should consider other suitable, alternative sites capable of being delivered in the short term. With regard to any surplus of residential lands, the prioritisation of lands will be considered. This may include the phasing of lands and/or the introduction of a strategic reserve, or the de-zoning of land.

9. Page 59

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   Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 2-11 Any lands placed in a strategic reserve will not be available for development during the lifetime of the Plan. This will be dependent on the settlement category in which the lands are located and other localised factors including but not limited to; recent patterns of development, extant permissions and infrastructure constraints. 2.4.4 Louth’s Growth Strategy Louth’s growth strategy has been informed by the principle elements of the RSES growth strategy in conjunction with the environmental sensitivities of the County. It is based on strengthening its strong urban settlements, whilst simultaneously protecting and supporting rural areas, which provide valuable natural resources, biodiversity, environmental quality and landscape features. It will seek to respond to the needs of the entire County. Population and economic growth will be focused primarily in the RGCs of Drogheda and Dundalk with recognition of the potential for the smaller towns and villages to develop at a sustainable rate. The focus of the growth strategy for County Louth is as outlined hereunder: • Prioritise targeted population and economic growth to the designated RGCs of Drogheda and Dundalk. Promote their continued sustainable and compact growth as regional drivers to city scale, with a target population of 50,000 by 2031 supported by improvements to sustainable transport links and the requisite infrastructure to enable the towns grow to their full potential by becoming more attractive to live and invest in; • Capitalise on the strategic location of both Drogheda and Dundalk along the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor, to drive linkages and synergies between the north and south of Ireland; • Contribution of urban regeneration lands and development of infill sites to the revitalisation of settlements and sustainable compact urban growth (in Louth a minimum 30% of new homes to be in the built up footprint of the urban area) facilitated by investment in services, transport, infrastructure etc.; • Support the Self-Sustaining Growth Towns of Ardee and Dunleer, which are regionally important local drivers providing a moderate level of jobs and services for the resident population and surrounding catchments. Growth will be balanced and at sustainable levels including brownfield and infill development with a focus on the commensurate delivery of employment and services and improving the quality of life for all in these towns; • Support Self Sustaining Towns requiring contained growth, focusing on investment in services, employment and infrastructure whilst balancing housing delivery; • Having regard to the viability and vibrancy of small towns and villages, promotion of regeneration and support for local employment whilst offering a viable alternative to single housing in the open countryside; and

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    Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 2-12 • Management of urban generated growth in Rural Areas under urban influence, by ensuring single houses in the open countryside is based on the core consideration of demonstrable economic or social need to live in a rural area in addition to compliance with statutory guidelines, plans and having regard to ensuring the viability of the aforementioned small towns and villages. The Settlement Strategy for future growth in the County is further detailed in Section 2.12 of this Chapter. 2.4.5 Core Strategy Map The Core Strategy Map (Map 2.1) is a diagrammatic representation of the spatial planning strategy for County Louth.

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.