Louth County Development Plan 2021–2027

1. Page 71

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   Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 2-23 2.6.3 Projecting Housing Demand to 2027 In December 2020 the Department (DHLGH) published Section 28 Guidelines to assist Local Authorities in projecting housing demand as part of the preparation of a Development Plan. These Guidelines ‘Housing Supply Target Methodology for Development Planning’ include a projected housing demand for each Local Authority between 2017-2031. This projection is derived from research carried out by the ESRI1, which involved a range of variables being inputted into an econometric and demographic projection model. As part of the ESRI research four development scenarios were considered as follows: • Baseline – projecting a ‘business as usual’ scenario which is based on current trends and medium-term projections for the Irish economy; • NPF 50:50 City – consistent with the NPF strategy; • High Migration – incorporating assumptions around high international migration flows into Ireland based on higher economic growth than the baseline; • Low Migration – incorporating assumptions around lower international migration flows into Ireland based on lower economic growth than the baseline. 1 ESRI Research Series No.111 ‘Regional Demographics and Structural Housing Demand at a County Level, December 2020 Under each of these scenarios, housing demand levels for each year from 2017- 2031 was provided and are available for use by planning authorities in the preparation of a Housing Strategy/Housing Need Demand Assessment (HNDA). The Guidelines recommend that the NPF 50:50 City Scenario is followed in order to plan for the provision of housing that will meet the projected demand in accordance with the NPF Strategy. Table 2.13 below provides details of the housing demand in Louth up to the end of 2027 based on the ESRI NPF demand scenario. The projected housing demand during the plan period (Q3 2021-Q3 2027) is 6,691 residential units. When accounting for the completion of 167 units in the County in Q4 of 2021 as detailed in the CSO Housing Completions data the demand for the remainder of the plan period i.e. Q12022-Q32027 is 6,524 units. 2 2 The County Development Plan came into effect on the 11th November 2021. When preparing Variation 1 of the CDP consideration was given to the number of household completions in Louth in Q4 of 2021, which was 167 units. This figure was subtracted from 6,691 to give a housing target of 6,524 units for the remainder of the plan period i.e. Q12022- Q32027.

2. Page 72

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   Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 2-24 This projection is considered to be consistent with national and regional policy and has taken into account the projected population increase in the County between 2016-2027, which is based on the high growth scenario in the NPF Implementation Roadmap, inclusive of the 25% headroom, in addition to the designation of Drogheda and Dundalk as Regional Growth Centres in the NPF and RSES, which acknowledges the potential of these settlements to act as a counter balance to Dublin and become drivers of regional growth and development along the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor. The distribution of the housing allocation is aligned with the population projection for each settlement and has also taken account of the position of the settlement in the settlement hierarchy for the County. Full details are set out in the Core Strategy Table (Table 2.15). Table 2.13: Housing Demand in Louth 2017 - Q3 2027 Louth Total Households Number of Relevant Years Annual Average Households A ESRI NPF scenario projected new household demand 2017 to end Q3 2027 9,214 10.75 857 B Actual new housing supply 2017 to end Q3 2021 2,756 4.75 580 C Homeless households (latest data), and unmet demand as at most recent Census 233 - - D Plan Housing Demand = Total (A-B+C), (Projected ESRI NPF demand - new completions) = Unmet demand 6,6912 6 1,115

3. Page 73

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   Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 2-25 2.6.4 Compact Growth An overriding objective of both the NPF and the RSES is the need to achieve ambitious targets for compact growth in urban areas. Louth is required to deliver at least 30% of all new homes within existing built up footprints (NPO 3c). Achieving this target can be realised through urban regeneration and infill/brownfield site development, which will contribute to sequential, sustainable and compact growth, revitalisation of existing settlements of all scales and transition to a low carbon, climate resilient society. In satisfying this target for compact growth, an analysis of appropriate brownfield and infill sites with potential capacity to deliver new homes was completed for Dundalk, Drogheda, Ardee and Dunleer and the remaining Level 3 settlements. This compact growth will be delivered in central locations of these settlements and along key transport corridors on lands zoned for town centre, residential, or mixed uses. Details of the potential capacity of infill and brownfield lands are set out in Table 2.17. Included within the figures of infill and brownfield development are the potential residential capacity of lands zoned for town centre and mixed use development. These are set out in Table 2.14. Table 2.14: Potential Residential Capacity of Lands Zoned for Town Centre and Mixed Use Development in the Higher Tier Settlements Settlement Category Settlement Potential number of units that can be delivered on lands zoned for Town Centre and Mixed Use development Regional Growth Centre Drogheda 500 Dundalk 570 Self-Sustaining Growth Town Ardee 30 Dunleer 40

4. Page 74

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   Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 2-26 Table 2.15: Core Strategy Table Column A Column B Column C Column D Column E Column F Column G Column H Column I Column J Settlement Category Settlement Population 2016 Projected Population Increase to 2027 Projected Population 2027 Housing Allocation 2021-2027 Lands with potential to deliver Infill or Brownfield Development (ha) Potential units to be delivered on Infill/ Brownfield Lands Total Lands Zoned New Residential Phase 1 (ha) Total lands zoned New Residential (Phase 1 and Phase 2) (ha) County Louth 128,884 21,082 149,966 6,524 110.4 4,302 506.1 597.1 Regional Growth Centre Drogheda 34,199 6,914 41,113 2,447 34.8 1,725 270 270 Dundalk 39,004 7,660 46,664 2,447 30 1,743 151.03 228.71 Self-Sustaining Growth Towns Ardee 4,928 1,655 6,583 440 8.5 298 35.9 51.5 Dunleer 1,822 935 2,757 146 3.1 109 8.4 8.4 Self-Sustaining Towns Carlingford 1,445 200 1,645 50 2.6 31 2.0 2.0 Castlebellingham / Kilsaran 1,126 110 1,236 65 1.1 27 10.9 10.9 Clogherhead 2,145 300 2,445 75 1.6 39 3.2 3.2 Termonfeckin 1,579 250 1,829 70 3.4 40 4.5 4.5 Tullyallen 1,547 220 1,767 65 1.2 29 0 0 Small Towns & Villages Level 4 Settlements 5,103 785 5,888 230 24.1 260 20.8 20.8 Rural Nodes Level 5 Settlements 35,986 300 38,039 489 N/A N/A N/A N/A Rural Area Rural Area 1,753

5. Page 75

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   Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 2-27 2.7 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Louth is unrivalled in terms of its strategic and central location on the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor, wherein are located the two RGC’s of Drogheda and Dundalk, both of which are underpinned by strong transport infrastructure connecting the two main cities of scale on the Island. In line with the growth and settlement strategies, the Plan seeks to ensure that there is a convergence of where people live and work, improve the job ratio, reduce commuting patterns thereby improving the quality of life for people and promoting a transition to a low carbon and climate resilient society. In accordance with the principles of the NPF and the RSES, and in recognition of the critical importance of the Dublin- Belfast Economic Corridor, this Plan promotes economic growth in those locations identified in the RSES capable of accommodating significant economic growth, primarily the RGC’s of Drogheda and Dundalk. RGC’s will serve as focal points to gain critical mass and deliver positive impacts to the surrounding area whilst enhancing overall Regional and National growth. A coordinated approach to infrastructure investment for the sustainable development and growth of the urban settlements and interconnections will be necessary to build greater levels of critical mass and facilitate the effective movement of people and goods. The Joint LAP to be prepared for Drogheda with Meath County Council and the LAP to be prepared for Dundalk will provide greater detail on the policy framework for these settlements that will assist in co-ordinating infrastructure investment. Whilst the majority of economic growth will be directed to Drogheda and Dundalk, there is recognition that economic opportunities exist elsewhere in the County particularly in the Self Sustaining Growth Towns of Ardee and Dunleer but also in some of the smaller settlements dispersed throughout the County. 2.8 RETAIL DEVELOPMENT The Council aims to ensure that all retail development permitted within the County is in accordance with the Retail Planning Guidelines for Planning Authorities, 2012 (DECLG), the Retail Design Manual – A Good Practice Guide, 2012 (DECLG) and the Louth Retail Strategy, which has been prepared as part of this Plan. The Retail Strategy sets out the indicative potential for additional convenience, comparison and bulky household goods floorspace in Drogheda, Dundalk and Ardee. The potential floorspace capacity for these settlements has been informed by the settlement and retail hierarchy and projected population growth. Full details of the Retail Strategy are available in Appendix 4, Volume 3. 2.9 CLIMATE ACTION Louth County Council prepared a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy as part of the requirements of the National Adaptation Framework (NAF), which was published in response to the provisions of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015. The role of this strategy is to ensure an understanding of the risks of climate change, advance planned climate resilient actions and ensure climate adaptation considerations inform all Plan policies.

6. Page 76

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   Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 2-28 The National Climate Action Plan 2019 is designed to enable Ireland to meet its EU climate change commitments through carbon proofing government policies and establishing carbon budgets. It provides 183 individual policy actions over 12 sectors to tackle climate change along with timelines for delivery to reduce carbon emissions by 30% between 2021 and 2030 and towards achieving zero emissions by 2050. This key document also places Ireland at the forefront of international efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 13 – the need to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Several key measures identified in the National Climate Action Plan have already been delivered including the signing up of all 31 Local Authorities in Ireland to the Climate Action Charter. The Climate Action Charter for Louth was signed in 2019. The Charter acknowledges that climate change is happening and that actions must be taken to mitigate and adapt to our changing climate. Climate action is intrinsic in all of the chapters of this Plan and is specifically addressed in Chapter 12. 2.10 CORE STRATEGY AND STRATEGIC FLOOD RISK ASSESSMENT The Plan is informed and guided by robust policies and objectives in relation to Flood Risk Management, designed to ensure that future development, in areas at risk of flooding shall conform to ‘The Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines for Planning Authorities’ (2009). A Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) has been prepared as part of this Plan and is available in Volume 5. Its baseline data has been derived from the Office of Public Works (OPW) catchment and Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) data, the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment and Management (PFRAM) data and the Areas of Further Assessment (AFAs). 2.11 CORE STRATEGY AND SEA/AA The Core Strategy has been prepared in tandem with a Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment and has had regard to both assessments with any changes/recommendations incorporated into the strategy. 2.11.1 Overarching Strategic Policy Objectives for the County Policy Objective CS 1 To secure the implementation of the Core Strategy and the Settlement Strategy in so far as practicable, by directing sustainable growth towards the designated settlements, subject to the availability of infrastructure and services. Policy Objective CS 2 To achieve compact growth through the delivery of at least 30% of all new homes in urban areas within the existing built up footprint of settlements, by developing infill, brownfield and regeneration sites and redeveloping underutilised land in preference to greenfield sites.

7. Page 77

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   Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 2-29 Policy Objective CS 3 To support and manage the self-sufficient sustainable development of all settlements in a planned manner, with population growth occurring in tandem with the provision of economic, physical and social infrastructure. Policy Objective CS 4 To apply phasing to the delivery of new residential development as indicated on the zoning maps for the applicable settlements, whereby residential development, other than infill, brownfield or mixed use development will generally only be permitted on Phase 1 lands. Where lands zoned ‘New Residential Phase 1’ are not being brought forward for development in particular areas and this is impeding the achievement of Core Strategy projections and restricting the growth of the settlement as envisaged in national and regional policy, consideration may be given to releasing during the lifetime of this Plan appropriately located ‘New Residential Phase 2’ lands, subject to the lands contributing to compact and consolidated patterns of development. Policy Objective CS 5 To support the progression and delivery of projects that would facilitate the creation of vibrant, sustainable communities and the rejuvenation of towns and villages, including any project to be funded by the Urban or Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. Policy Objective CS 6 To support the implementation of the EU Green Deal, National Climate Action Plan 2019, Programme for Government 2020, Louth Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2019-2024 and the Climate Action Charter through the Plan and to consider, if appropriate, a variation of the development plan to ensure the consistency with the approach to climate action recommended in any revised Development Plan Guidelines as adopted. Policy Objective CS 7 To ensure a plan-led and evidence based approach is taken to the preparation of the Local Area Plans for Drogheda, Dundalk, Ardee and Dunleer whereby the respective Plans are informed by the Local Transport Plans (for Drogheda and Dundalk), the Infrastructure Assessment and Land Use Evaluation for the respective settlement, and any other relevant information available from statutory bodies, government agencies, or infrastructure providers.

8. Page 78

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   Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 2-30 Policy Objective CS 8 In order to ensure consistency with the Core Strategy housing allocation as set out in the County Development Plan, as part of the preparation of the Joint Local Area Plan for Drogheda a review of lands zoned A2 New Residential in the Northern Environs area will be carried out and a phasing strategy will be set out. This will take account of the designation of Drogheda as a Regional Growth Centre in national and regional policy, the housing allocation for Drogheda in the Core Strategy, the availability of transport infrastructure and water services, and ensuring the Northern Environs retains its potential to function as a counter balance to the Southern Environs of the town. Policy Objective CS 9 To review the Infrastructure Assessment and Land Use Evaluation for Drogheda, Dundalk, Ardee, and Dunleer as part of the preparation of the Local Area Plans for these settlements and to ensure that any land use zoning is aligned to infrastructure availability. In line with the population and economic strategy of this Plan of targeting population and economic growth to key urban centres, in particular the RGC’s of Drogheda and Dundalk, the Core Strategy policy objectives are set out in accordance with the core and settlement hierarchy as follows: 2.11.2 Regional Growth Centres Policy Objective CS 10 Direct and consolidate the majority of the County’s future population growth into the strong and dynamic Regional Growth Centres of Drogheda and Dundalk in line with the objectives of the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy and in accordance with the Core and Settlement Strategies of the Development Plan. Policy Objective CS 11 Support the Regional Growth Centres of Drogheda and Dundalk as regional economic drivers targeted to grow to city scale with a population of 50,000 by 2031 and capitalise on their strategic location on the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor. Policy Objective CS 12 To promote and support the sustainable development of the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor, safeguarding and improving accessibility and service by road, rail and communication and enhancing cross border interactions to realise the growth potential of Drogheda-Dundalk-Newry as an important cross-border network for regional development.

9. Page 79

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   Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 2-31 Policy Objective CS 13 To prioritise the preparation of a Joint Urban Area Plan (UAP/LAP) for Drogheda in partnership with Meath County Council, which will incorporate the existing local area plan areas affecting the wider town environs into one overall planning framework for the Regional Growth Centre of Drogheda. The preparation of the UAP/LAP will be informed by a local transport plan, in accordance with the requirements of Regional Policy Objective 4.11 of the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy. Policy Objective CS 14 To prioritise the preparation of an Urban Area Plan (UAP/LAP) for Dundalk, which will incorporate the existing local area plan and framework plan areas affecting the wider town environs into one overall planning framework for the Regional Growth Centre of Dundalk. The preparation of the UAP/LAP will be informed by a local transport plan, in accordance with the requirements of Regional Policy Objective 4.19 of the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy. 2.11.3 Self-Sustaining Growth Towns Policy Objective CS 15 To prepare a new Local Area Plan for Ardee in line with the Core Strategy and in recognition of Ardee’s role as a regionally important local driver and Self Sustaining Growth Town in the Settlement Strategy. Policy Objective CS 16 To prepare a new Local Area Plan for Dunleer in line with the Core Strategy and in recognition of Dunleer’s role as a regionally important local driver and Self Sustaining Growth Town in the Settlement Strategy. Policy Objective CS 17 To ensure proportionate, contained and compact growth within the Self Sustaining Towns identified in the Settlement Hierarchy, with focused investment in green industry, services, infrastructure and employment whilst balancing housing delivery. 2.11.4 Small Towns and Villages Policy Objective CS 18 To ensure localised sustainable growth within the small towns and villages identified in the Settlement Strategy, is proportionate to the size of the settlement, prioritised on infill/brownfield sites and that economic related development is supported. Policy Objective CS 19 To strengthen and rejuvenate the fabric of rural villages and create sustainable rural communities to meet rural generated housing needs and alleviate the need for one off rural housing in the open countryside.

10. Page 80

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    Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy Louth County Development Plan 2021-20272-32 Policy Objective CS 20 To direct rural generated housing demand to rural villages and rural nodes in the first instance and ensure that one off housing in the open countryside is only permitted where there is demonstrable compliance with the criteria for rural housing as provided for in the Development Plan. Policy Objective CS 21 To facilitate rural generated housing demand in identified Rural Nodes commensurate with the prevailing scale, pattern of development and services available. Policy Objective CS 22 To promote, support and facilitate the re-use of under-utilised or vacant lands, or lands identified for regeneration, through a co-ordinated approach to active land management between the Council and stakeholders.

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