Louth County Development Plan 2021–2027

1. Page 81

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   Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 2-33 2.12 SETTLEMENT HIERARCHY AND GROWTH STRATEGY The Settlement Hierarchy of this Plan has been developed to take account of the function and role of each of the identified settlements in accordance and close alignment with the identified settlement hierarchy in the RSES. It has been informed by a range of factors including population, employment base, facilities and service provision, recent growth levels and capacity to accommodate future growth. The Louth Settlement Hierarchy is set out in Table 2.4. In accordance with the principles of sustainable development, growth will be prioritised in the RGC’s of Drogheda and Dundalk, close to employment, services, and local amenities. The potential for smaller towns and villages to develop at a sustainable rate is also recognised. 2.12.1 Regional Growth Centres: Drogheda and Dundalk This Section will provide an overview of the growth strategy for Drogheda and Dundalk during the lifetime of this Plan. Land use zoning maps have been prepared for these settlements and can be viewed in Volume 1A of this Plan. 2.13 DROGHEDA With a total population of almost 41,000, Drogheda was the largest town in Ireland in 2016. Supporting this population, is a wide range of services and amenities including an extensive convenience and comparison retail portfolio in town centre and edge of centre locations, a regional hospital at Our Lady of Lourdes, primary and secondary schools, an adult education facility, community centres, play parks, and open spaces, as well as a range of local and international businesses, production, and manufacturing facilities located in the business and enterprise parks in the town. Drogheda is located within the administrative areas of Louth and Meath County Council. The town centre and urban core is located in Louth with the southern fringes extending into Meath. In 2016 approximately 84% of the population (34,199 people) lived within the administrative area of Louth. 2.13.1 Joint Urban Area Plan In order for Drogheda to fulfil its economic potential it is acknowledged that a coordinated approach needs to be taken with regard to the future growth strategy and infrastructure investment. The Council therefore welcomes the requirement in the RSES to prepare a Joint Urban Area Plan for Drogheda between Louth and Meath County Councils. The UAP/LAP will be informed by the strategic objectives set out in this Plan and will provide for specific objectives and key actions to unlock the full potential of Drogheda as a Regional Growth Centre.

2. Page 82

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   Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 2-34 2.13.2 Growth Strategy The growth strategy for Drogheda will focus on building on the competitive advantage of the town and in particular its location along the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor and accessibility to Dublin Airport and City Centre. It will support significant population and economic growth that will ensure the town continues to function as a regional driver for economic growth and to strengthen the economic base of the town. The trajectory of population growth is based on the population increasing to 50,000 in 2031 as set out in the RSES. There will be a significant focus on promoting the regeneration of the town centre through the identification of specific areas and land for regeneration uses and the progression of regeneration projects such as the Westgate Vision. The development of the employment and residential lands in the Northern Environs and the delivery of the Port Access Northern Cross Route (PANCR) are also a fundamental element of the immediate and long-term growth strategy for the town. The delivery of the PANCR is critical to the removal of port related traffic from the town centre and the facilitation of the regeneration of town centre lands. 2.13.3 Regeneration Areas There is significant potential for the town to deliver compact growth, with a number of vacant and under-utilised buildings and land situated within its core. This includes the Westgate area, where a development strategy, the ‘Westgate Vision’ has been published, and funding to commence its implementation provided through the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund. The Westgate area has the capacity to accommodate commercial, office, and residential uses in a part of the town that has experienced high levels of vacancy and dereliction. The Docklands area of the town is another location with regeneration potential. This includes lands on the North and South Inner Quays. The Docklands Area Plan 2007, provides a framework for the redevelopment of this part of the town. This includes for the creation of a new urban quarter on both sides of the River Boyne. Port activities have ceased on the South Inner Quays with docking still taking place on the North Inner Quays. In the immediate term the South Inner Quays have therefore more potential for redevelopment however with proposals to consolidate Drogheda Port at the deep water facility at Tom Roe’s Point the North Inner Quays may also become available in the future. The regeneration of the Docklands area would act as a stimulus for further redevelopment in the town centre and support the creation of an attractive, compact, and vibrant living space in the centre of the town.

3. Page 83

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   Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 2-35 Table 2.16: Overview of Key Statistics for Drogheda DROGHEDA Population 2016 34,199 Projected Population 2027 41,113 Projected population increase 6,914 Housing Stock 13,741 Projected Housing Stock increase 2021-2027 2,447 Residents Workers 2016 16,108 Total Jobs 2016 12,361 Job: Workforce Ratio 20165 0.76 Resident workforce working in Dublin City and suburbs 2016 2,662 (16.5%) 5 The Total Jobs, Resident Workers, and Job:Workforce ratio for Drogheda includes the Southern Environs of the town which is in the administrative area of Meath. In 2016 the population of Drogheda within the administrative area of Louth was 34,199. There were 12,408 resident workers in the Louth area of the town and 11,145 jobs resulting in a Job:Workforce ratio of 0.90. 2.13.4 Buildings of Increased Height As part of the compact growth strategy the Local Authority will actively promote and support proposals to develop buildings of increased height on suitably located and configured lands. These lands will normally be centrally located, in proximity to public transport or in strategic locations in the town where such buildings could function as a landmark or focal point for development. A more detailed analysis of the preferred location for taller buildings will be carried out as part of the Joint UAP/LAP for Drogheda. In the interim the development of taller buildings, which are supported by appropriate design briefs and which are consistent with the provisions of the Specific Planning Policy Requirements set out in the Urban Development and Building Heights, Guidelines for Planning Authorities, 2018, will be considered.

4. Page 84

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   Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 2-36 2.13.5 Urban Design Framework Plan for the Heritage Quarter In 2013 an Urban Design Framework Plan for The Heritage Quarter, was published with the vision of building on the unique qualities of the Heritage Quarter of the town and its medieval walls and make it a focal point for cultural and business activities in the town. One of the main challenges facing the area is addressing the high levels of vacancy. The Framework Plan provides a strategy that aims to enhance and protect the qualities of the Heritage Quarter and guiding and enabling development in a changed and managed way. This Plan will continue to support the principles and implementation of this Urban Design Framework Plan. 2.13.6 Northern Environs of Drogheda In addition to the regeneration of the town centre area there is an extensive land bank of employment, residential, and community zoned lands in the Northern Environs of the Town. This land bank will form part of the UAP/LAP and will ensure the town has the capacity to deliver the population and economic growth envisaged in the NPF and RSES and will act as a counter balance to the level of growth that has taken place in the Southern Environs of the town. The Port Access Northern Cross Route (PANCR) is a critical piece of infrastructure in the Northern Environs that will ensure the comprehensive and cohesive development of this area while also facilitating the regeneration of key sites within the town centre. It is important that the build out of these lands is coordinated so that the necessary social, community, and recreational infrastructure is provided in tandem with residential development. In this regard there will be a requirement for a phased approach to be taken to the development of the Northern Environs. This shall be informed by the phasing arrangements set out in the 2006 Masterplan (which can be viewed by clicking on this link) or any subsequent Masterplan prepared for the area. In addition an emphasis shall also be placed on consolidation between areas developed or under construction and the existing built up area of Drogheda rather than a continuation of a dispersed pattern of development in the Northern Environs area. Whilst it is acknowledged there is an extensive quantum of lands in the Northern Environs zoned for residential use these lands are a fundamental part of the long term growth strategy of the town that will be developed over a number of development plans. The development of these lands is closely linked to the provision of roads, new streetscapes, pedestrian and cycle networks and water services infrastructure which will allow the Council to manage the phased release of the lands.

5. Page 85

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   Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 2-37 2.13.7 Economy and Employment There are a range of local and international businesses located in the business and enterprise parks in the town. This Plan will continue to support the provision of a wide range of employment uses in Drogheda to assist in improving employment opportunities in the town and to reduce commuting for work elsewhere. The Council will continue to work closely with businesses and stakeholders including the Local Enterprise Office and Enterprise Ireland in promoting and attracting further economic investment and employment generating development to the town. Further details on the economic profile and retail opportunity sites for Drogheda are set out in Chapter 5 ‘Economy and Employment’. 2.13.8 Movement The PANCR is a critical piece of enabling infrastructure for Drogheda that would provide a direct link from the Motorway to the Port. This enabling infrastructural project is important to both the Local and Regional economy as it would improve connectivity between Drogheda Port and the wider Region whilst also removing port related traffic from the town centre, providing opportunities for investment in the public realm that would give greater priority to more sustainable modes of transport in the town centre area. The importance of the project is recognised in Regional Policy Objective 4.12 of the RSES, which supports the delivery of the road. The DART Expansion Programme proposes to expand DART Services on the northern line to Drogheda. This is an important growth enabler for Drogheda as it would improve the connectivity to Dublin due to the increased frequency of services, making the town more accessible and attractive for economic investment and employment generating development. The regeneration of McBride Rail Station and the integration of bus and rail services in the Town through the creation of an Integrated Public Transport Hub would significantly improve public transport provision and accessibility in the town, making public transport a viable alternative to the private car.

6. Page 86

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   Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 2-38 Figure 2.6: Extent of Heritage Area Identified in Framework Plan 2.13.9 Strategic Settlement Strategy Policy Objectives for Drogheda Policy Objective SS 1 To support the role of Drogheda as a Regional Growth Centre and a driver of growth along the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor and to facilitate the continued expansion and growth of the town based on the principles of balanced, sustainable development that enables the creation of employment, supports economic investment, and creates an attractive living and working environment. Policy Objective SS 2 To continue to support and promote the economic role of Drogheda as a regional centre of employment along the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor and to facilitate any infrastructural investment or employment generating sustainable development that will strengthen the role of the town and maintain its competitiveness. Policy Objective SS 3 To support the preparation of a Joint Urban Area Plan for Drogheda in conjunction with Meath County Council in accordance with the requirements of Regional Policy Objective 4.11 in the RSES. Policy Objective SS 4 To support high density sustainable development, particularly in centrally located areas and along public transport corridors and require a minimum density of 50 units/ha in these locations.

7. Page 87

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   Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 2-39 Policy Objective SS 5 To support increased building heights at appropriate locations in Drogheda, subject to the design and scale of any building making a positive contribution to its surrounding environment and streetscape. Policy Objective SS 6 To support the sustainable development of the regeneration sites identified on the land use zoning map for appropriate uses compatible with the surrounding neighbourhood. Policy Objective SS 7 To support the progression and implementation of any projects in Drogheda funded by the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund including the Westgate Vision. Policy Objective SS 8 To support the implementation of the Urban Design Framework Plan for the Heritage Quarter in Drogheda. Policy Objective SS 9 To support and protect the role of Drogheda Port as a Port of regional significance and to facilitate any investment, upgrade, or maintenance works to the Port, subject to appropriate environmental considerations. Policy Objective SS 10 To manage the growth of Drogheda in a manner that will achieve the creation of a compact settlement with attractive and inclusive sustainable neighbourhoods where there is a choice of affordable homes for all. Policy Objective SS 11 To support the coordinated development of the Northern Environs of Drogheda with the provision and delivery of sustainable social and community facilities and infrastructure in tandem with residential development. Policy Objective SS 12 To recognise the importance of the Port Access Northern Cross Route (PANCR) as a critical piece of enabling infrastructure in the strategic growth of Drogheda and to seek to secure funding to progress the delivery of this project as a priority during the life of the Plan. Policy Objective SS 13 To support investment in public and sustainable transport infrastructure and services in Drogheda including the progression of the DART Expansion Programme which includes the electrification of the rail line and the extension of DART services to Drogheda.

8. Page 88

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   Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 2-40 Policy Objective SS 14 To enhance the established role of Drogheda town centre and position it as a destination of choice for both visitors and residents alike with a special emphasis on the role played by the town walls. Policy Objective SS 15 To work closely with business groups and stakeholders to revitalise and reduce vacancy in the town centre area. Policy Objective SS 16 To promote and facilitate the sustainable development of key opportunity sites within the town centre. Policy Objective SS 17 To work with the NTA, local landowners, and developers to implement an integrated pedestrian and cycle path network throughout Drogheda, recognising the highest priority to be given to cycling and walking over other modes of transport. Policy Objective SS 18 To develop a network of green areas throughout the town including the delivery of a greenway along the north and southern banks of the River Boyne stretching from Townley Hall to Baltray and Oldbridge to Mornington in County Meath while maintaining the integrity of the Boyne Natura 2000 sites.

9. Page 89

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   Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 2-41 2.14 DUNDALK Dundalk is the County town and administrative centre for Louth. It is a multi-modal settlement that benefits from its strategic location along the Dublin- Belfast Economic Corridor and excellent connectivity with Dublin and Belfast. With over 14,000 jobs in the town, it is the primary employment centre in the County. A more detailed Urban Area Plan will be prepared for Dundalk during the life of this Plan. 2.14.1 Development Strategy The development strategy for Dundalk will be based on the town reaching a population of 50,000 by 2031, as set out in the RSES. It will seek to continue to broaden and strengthen the employment base of the town and facilitate population and economic growth that would allow the town to fulfil its function as a Regional Growth Centre. The creation of a vibrant town centre where people want to live and visit is also a priority. 2.14.2 Town Centre Area The Dundalk Local Area Plan 2025-2031 provides a strategy for the future growth and development of Dundalk and identifies five distinctive character areas which are within or in the vicinity of the urban core of the town and are based on their own unique and distinct character. Potential opportunities for small scale redevelopment or infill projects, public realm improvements and active travel measures are provided for in each of the character areas. The character areas are listed below, and further information on the Character Areas can be found at Appendix 18 and can also be viewed in the Dundalk Local Area Plan 2025-2031 by clicking here. 1. St. Nicholas Quarter; 2. Park Street/Francis Street and St. Patrick’s Church; 3. Seatown; 4. The Station Quarter; and 5. The Marshes. Recent investments in the public realm around Clanbrassil Street and St. Nicholas’ Quarter by the Council have created an attractive and vibrant space for businesses to operate and people to shop and socialise. The Longwalk Quarter Project, which received funding through the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund and which will create a new living and working quarter in the town centre, is also being progressed. Continued support will be provided for this project and any public realm and regeneration projects that will revitalise the town centre area and support the implementation of the policy of compact growth. Table 2.17: Overview of Key Statistics for Dundalk DUNDALK Population 39,004 Projected population 2027 46,664 Projected population increase 7,660 Housing Stock 16,351 Projected Housing Stock increase 2021-2027 2,447 Residents Workers 14,178 Total Jobs 14,163 Job: Workforce Ratio 0.99 Resident workforce working in Dublin City and suburbs 2016 1,004 (7.1%)

10. Page 90

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    Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 2-42 2.14.3 Regeneration Areas In order to promote regeneration in the town, specific areas and lands have been identified with a regeneration zoning. This zoning has been directed to specific locations in the town where it is considered a regeneration project or development would act as a stimulus for further redevelopment activities. The sites/locations identified are: • Carroll Village; • Longwalk Shopping Centre; • St. Nicholas Quarter; and • Port/Harbour Area. The former Carroll Village Shopping Centre includes the footprint of the existing building and a large surface car park. The site is strategically located on a corner site along The Long Walk and is suitable for a mixed use development including commercial, retail, and residential uses. The existing Longwalk Shopping Centre is located immediately south of the former Carroll Village Shopping Centre. Whilst Tesco is the anchor tenant, the centre is experiencing high levels of vacancy with an occupancy rate of approximately 50%. The former Toymaster building to the north-east of the centre is included in this regeneration area. The aim of this designation is to assist in stimulating the redevelopment of this centre where there is an opportunity for retail and an associated mix of uses. St. Nicholas’ Quarter is an area of the town that has experienced high levels of vacancy, ad-hoc development, and dereliction. The area has the potential to create a rejuvenated urban quarter along Bridge Street, Northgate Street, and Linenhall Street with opportunities for backland and infill development. The existing harbour area of the town is another area of Dundalk that is presently under-utilised. Whilst part of the lands are used for port related activities, there is a large area of land currently vacant (c.1.6 hectares). Taking account of the proximity of these lands to the town centre there is potential for these lands to be developed for a range of uses that would complement the town centre and revitalise this part of the town. RPO 4.23 of the RSES supports the regeneration of the harbour/port area in the town and recognises its potential as a location for economic development. The strategic location of the lands means the lands may be suitable to accommodate taller buildings that would maximise its riverside location and proximity to the town centre whilst also providing a landmark/gateway to the Port. This Plan has also identified Retail Opportunity Sites, details of which can be found in the Retail Strategy in Volume 3, Appendix 4.

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.