Development plan · Monaghan County Council
Monaghan County Development Plan 2025–2031
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards.
Monaghan County Council · 2025–2031 · 376 pages
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- 219 8.5 MONAGHAN TOWN DECARBONISING ZONE (DZ) A Decarbonisation Zone (DZ) is a spatial area, identified by each Local Authority in Ireland, in which a range of measures are selected to increase energy efficiency, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance climate resilience and biodiversity to contribute to reaching wider national climate action targets. Monaghan Town has been selected as the DZ for County Monaghan as it offers the Local Authority the opportunity to maximise its impact across the town through the delivery of actions across its own assets and staff and due to the wide range of stakeholder groups and potential opportunities associated with decarbonisation. The town area contains many buildings, properties and infrastructure that are under the ownership/control of the Local Authority and other Government departments and agencies providing substantial opportunities for decarbonising initiatives. The DZ also provides opportunities to identify carbon saving initiatives across a wide spectrum of activity including industry, retail, leisure, residential, education and health. Additionally, the area provides a range of opportunities for active travel initiatives, greenways, urban cycleways, and footpaths. DZ’s are a demonstration and testbed of what is possible for decarbonisation and climate action at a local and community level. Through a feedback loop of experimentation and evaluation, the DZ enables a flexible, incremental, and community-driven approach to ensure that its objectives are delivered. FIGURE 8.4 MONAGHAN TOWN DECARBONISING ZONE AREA FEATURES Source: Monaghan County Council Climate Action Plan 2024-2029. The Monaghan Town DZ has a total land area of approximately 16.6 km2. It includes three Electoral Divisions as shown in the blue line boundary in Figure 8.5. Environment, Energy and Climate ActionEnvironment, Energy and Climate Actionintroductionchapter 01Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031Environment, energy and climate actionchapter 08
- 220 Source: Monaghan County Council Climate Action Plan 2024-2029. Source: Monaghan County Council Climate Action Plan 2024-2029. SECTOR OPPORTUNITIES PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL Improving BER of all private residential housing units to a B2 minimum. Installing Solar PV on as many properties as possible. SOCIAL HOUSING Improving the BER of social housing units under Monaghan County Council’s control to a minimum B2. Installing Solar PV on all suitable properties. COMMERCIAL AND PUBLIC SECTOR Improving energy efficiency of all buildings and swapping fossil fuel consumption to zero/low carbon options. TRANSPORT Active travel opportunities and enhanced zero emissions public transport which will decrease the total km travelled by private car in the DZ. Electrification of private cars and HVO used by freight carriers. MUNICIPAL (ELECTRICITY SUPPLY) Electricity supply for all local authority buildings in the DZ procured via renewable sources. AGRICULTURE Support and enable diversification options for farmers to reduce livestock emissions. Alternative fuel sources for farm machinery will help reduce agricultural related emissions. WASTE Improved composting rates to reduce waste emissions. TABLE 8.7 DECARBONISING ZONE REGISTER OF OPPORTUNITIES (HIGH LEVEL) Within the Council’s adopted Climate Action Plan, a register of opportunities has been developed for Monaghan Town. These opportunities identify and compile a portfolio of projects, actions, technologies, and interventions including mitigation, adaptation, and biodiversity measures, to deliver the targets set for energy and emission reductions across the DZ. FIGURE 8.5 MAP OF MONAGHAN TOWN DECARBONISING ZONE AREA Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031
- 221 Source: Eastern and Midland Climate Action Regional Office. 8.6 INTEGRATING CLIMATE ACTION INTO THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN Land use planning is one of the most effective processes to facilitate local adaptation to climate change. Tools such as land use zoning, policies in relation to compact growth and sustainable transport all can assist in minimising the development risks from increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Development should also be prevented from occurring in inappropriate locations, such as areas of flood risk, or areas at risk due to the adverse impacts of changing climate. A range of policies and objectives are required to address these issues. Key measures include: k Facilitating population and employment growth that delivers more compact growth in appropriate locations. k Reduced car dependency and transitioning to more sustainable modes of transport. k Enhanced energy efficiency and security through developments in renewable energy. k Protection of our natural resources, including water supply and utilising blue – green Infrastructure, urban greening and nature-based solutions to minimise the risk of flooding and address surface water disposal. Progressing climate action is a priority for this County Development Plan which will be done through a Climate Strategy which incorporates national and regional policy through an approach which includes mitigation and adaptation. One of the key issues for land-use planning in the context of climate adaptation is the consideration of flood risk. The Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) undertaken to inform this Development Plan facilitates the appropriate zoning of areas that are at an elevated risk of flooding and the integration of flood risk management provisions into this Development Plan. FIGURE 8.6 MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION MEASURES Environment, Energy and Climate ActionEnvironment, Energy and Climate Actionintroductionchapter 01Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031Environment, energy and climate actionchapter 08
- The list of measures and adaptions set out in Table 8.8 and Table 8.9 seek to mitigate and reduce the severity of future climate change and seek to manage the risks and impacts associated with existing or anticipated impacts of climate change. 222 k Support energy-efficient building design and emission reduction measures. k Promote building of energy efficient homes, density appropriate to demographics and in areas with greatest infrastructure provision. k Promote renewable and low carbon energy. k Create or enhance carbon sinks. BUILDINGS CLIMATE MITIGATION MEASURESTOPIC k Support construction of green routes, cycleways and pedestrian routes, subject to normal environmental considerations. k Support low-car use developments in suitable locations and car sharing. k Strengthen public transportation linkages and encourage their use. k Support localisation of jobs/shops/services to minimise needs for most common travel patterns. k Support electric vehicle charging points and electrification of Council fleet. TRANPORT k Promote energy-efficient building design. k Promote links between developments and renewable energy resources, for instance by sourcing energy on-site (renewable or from low-carbon fuel sources). k Consider public lighting upgrades. k Facilitate building retrofits. ENERGY PRODUCTION k Locate developments strategically to minimise need to travel, subject to health aspects and business needs. MINERALS k Support waste prevention and water conservation measures.RESOURCE MANAGEMENT TABLE 8.8 CLIMATE MITIGATION MEASURES k Encourage the agriculture sector and our farming communities to adapt and change to produce more of our food locally to facilitate us all to shop local. k Encourage local food markets and shops to stock and sell local food produce. This will increase local employment and wealth generation as opposed to exporting it abroad. k Establish new community woodlands in urban/urban fringe areas. k Support production of sustainable energy including farm contributions to localised energy supplies through biofuels and wind energy production. k Implement higher level plan recommendations, objectives and policies. AGRICULTURE, LAND MANAGEMENT, AND FORESTRY Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031
- 223 k Land use zoning to be informed by flood risk. k Promote the use of green roofs and natural ventilation. k Enhance flood resilience of buildings, such as elevated work surfaces and storage facilities, raised sockets and electrical infrastructure, enhanced flood boards. k Promote the use of permeable surfaces to decrease runoff rates. k Institute grey-water recycling schemes to decrease abstraction of potable surface water resources, thus reducing water stress during periods of low rainfall. k Maximise water conservation. k Plant drought-resistant plants/trees in public amenity areas to provide shade and increase green infrastructure linkages. k Integrate climate adaptation measures for Protected Structures at risk directly or indirectly because of climate change. BUILDINGS CLIMATE ADAPTION MEASURESTOPIC k Increase resilience to flooding through Sustainable Drainage Systems. k Harvest rainwater/grey water. k Ensure adequate/appropriate water supply and drainage. k Support Water Conservation Strategies. WATER MANAGEMENT k Ensure critical infrastructure and services (particularly emergency services) are resilient to new climatic conditions. k Facilitate flood defences and flood resilient urban design. k Coordinate emergency response plans. INFRASTRUCTURE INCLUDING FLOOD DEFENCES k Create/enhance ecological linkages and buffer zones from development. k Create/protect ecologically resilient and varied landscapes to help support a wide range of species. k Carry out a review of the Wetland Survey undertaken in 2008 to include measures for climate adaptation. WILDLIFE AND BIODIVERSITY k Support opportunities for increased tourism as a result of warmer summers, within the limits of existing infrastructure and sensitive habitats. ECONOMY AND TOURISM k Provide green infrastructure to provide shade in urban areas. k Provide building methods and materials to reduce the impacts of heat stress. k Ensure appropriate maintenance of surface water drainage infrastructure to avoid flood risk. k Land use zoning to be informed by flood risk. HUMAN HEALTH, RISK AND INSURANCE TABLE 8.9 CLIMATE ADAPTION MEASURES k Support diversification of rural economy to promote crop viability options, etc. k Encourage afforestation (where environmentally appropriate) to enhance interception and infiltration of precipitation. k Support restoration of peat bogs when turf cutting has ceased. k Support the recommendations of the National Peatlands Strategy. AGRICULTURE, LAND MANAGEMENT, AND FORESTRY Environment, Energy and Climate ActionEnvironment, Energy and Climate Actionintroductionchapter 01Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031Environment, energy and climate actionchapter 08
- 224 CAO 1 To support and encourage the implementation of the National Climate Action Plan 2024, the National Adaptation Framework, Preparing for a Climate Resilient Ireland 2024 and the National Energy and Climate Plan for Ireland 2021–2030 and any new or updated/subsequent versions during the lifetime of this Development Plan. CLIMATE ACTION OBJECTIVES CAO 2 To promote a settlement strategy which provides for the re-use of brownfield lands, the consolidation of existing settlements and integration of land use and transportation. CAO 3 To support and assist a shift to a low carbon society and a reduction in the dependence on fossil fuels in County Monaghan by implementing measures to deliver reduced energy use, energy efficiency, compact urban forms and sustainable transport patterns. CAO 4 To support diversification and innovation in the local economy by endorsing investment in emerging products, services and technologies that assist in the delivery of a low carbon future for County Monaghan. CAO 5 To encourage the integration of positive climate change mitigation and adaptation measures into the design, planning and construction of development projects. CAO 6 To support the implementation of the Monaghan County Council Climate Action Plan 2024-2029 in consultation and partnership with stakeholders including the Eastern and Midlands Climate Action Regional Office (CARO). CAO 8 To encourage those measures which address climate change by way of both effective mitigation and adaptation having regard to the measures listed in Tables 8.8 and 8.9 within Chapter 8 of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031. CAO 9 To promote the connection of new developments to district heating networks where such systems exist or can be developed. CAO 10 To support the ongoing efforts and future development of Sustainable Energy Communities in Monaghan through the SEAI ‘Sustainable Energy Communities’ Initiative’. CAO 7 To encourage the implementation of the measures for the Monaghan Town Decarbonisation Zone over the lifetime of the Development Plan including: k Increase pedestrianised space in Monaghan Town. k Pilot a scheme for Car Free Zones around schools. k Complete a local transport plan for Monaghan Town and investigate the feasibility of free public transport options to increase the number of journeys made by public transport. k Complete Urban Mobility Plan for Monaghan Town. k Develop a green infrastructure Masterplan for Monaghan Town to coordinate planning for the enhancement of the natural environment and to connect public green space and greenways within the DZ. Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031
- 225 CAO 11 To ensure that sufficient charging points and rapid charging infrastructure are provided on existing streets where such infrastructure does not impede persons with mobility issues and in new developments subject to appropriate design, siting and built heritage considerations. CAO 12 To encourage and promote the retrofitting and reuse of existing buildings rather than their demolition and reconstruction, where possible. CAO 13 To encourage the submission of a Climate Action Energy Statement with large scale development proposals as part of the overall Design Statement. This should demonstrate how low carbon energy and heating solutions, have been considered as part of the overall design and planning of the proposed development. CAO 14 Promote the use of construction materials that have low to zero embodied energy and CO2 emissions. CAO 15 To encourage innovation in architecture to ensure that developments deliver highquality, climate-resilient urban design contributing to place-making and urban regeneration and enhance the Plan Area's existing character and distinctiveness. CAO 16 To promote water conservation and demand management measures among all water users, and to support Uisce Éireann in implementing water conservation measures such as leakage reduction and network improvements, including innovative solutions in specific situations. 8.7 FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT Flooding is a natural occurrence, however its effect can be exacerbated by built development and will become more common in the future due to the effects of climate change. While it is acknowledged that flooding cannot be fully prevented, its impact can be minimised by proper management. Accordingly, it is necessary to restrict and manage development in certain areas to reduce the risk of exposure to flooding. Managing flood risk is becoming increasingly important as the impacts of climate change are being felt throughout the Country. In 2011 the Office of Public Works (OPW) carried out a national screening exercise in order to assess and measure flood risk nationally. This study identified areas exposed to significant flood risk. These areas and associated sources of flood risk were identified through the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA). The final report of the PFRA was published in March 2012 along with the designation of Areas for Further Assessment (AFA). The OPW designated 300 AFAs at potentially significant risk from flooding, which include in the order of 80% of properties at risk in Ireland from rivers and seas, the primary source of flooding in Ireland. AFAs were considered at greater detail as part of the National Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The CFRAM Programme, Ireland’s largest study of flood risk, undertaken by the OPW in consultation with the Local Authorities and supported by external engineering consultants was completed in 2018. This studied the flood risk for two-thirds of the population against risk of flooding from rivers and the sea. County Monaghan is covered by the Neagh Bann CFRAM and the Northern and Western CFRAM. Four AFAs were identified in County Monaghan: k Monaghan k Carrickmacross k Ballybay k Inniskeen Environment, Energy and Climate ActionEnvironment, Energy and Climate Actionintroductionchapter 01Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031Environment, energy and climate actionchapter 08
- 226 An output of the CFRAM Programme was the Government’s Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMP) which were produced by the OPW in April 2018. The FRMPs and associated flood maps set out flood relief schemes that have already been constructed and provide the outline for 118 new proposed schemes. FRMPs have been produced for Monaghan Town, Ballybay and Inniskeen and set out recommendations for works that will alleviate the flood risk in these settlements. FRMPs provide the evidence for a proactive approach for designing and constructing flood relief schemes for the most at risk communities. The delivery of these plans is supported by €1.3 billion through the National Development Plan 2021–2030 (NDP). Further information is available at www.floodinfo.ie National policy in relation to flood management is set out in the document, ‘The Planning System and Flood Risk Management - Guidelines for Planning Authorities’ (DECLG and OPW, 2009). The document sets out fundamental principles to guide Regional Authorities, Local Authorities, developers and their representatives when evaluating flood risk. These are: k Risk Avoidance. k Substitution to alternative locations where avoidance is not feasible. k Mitigate/Manage risk where avoidance and substitution cannot be achieved. The Flood Risk Management Guidelines define flood zones on the basis of three tiers. These tiers are physical areas where the likelihood of flooding occurring is within a specified range. The identification of flood zones can inform flood risk management in the planning system and can assist emergency planning for flood events. The flood risk zones identified in the guidelines are: k Flood Zone A - highest probability of flooding (greater than 1% or 1 in 100 for river flooding or 0.5% or 1/200 for coastal flooding). k Flood Zone B - moderate probability of flooding (between 0.1% and 1 in 1000 and 1% or 1 in 100 for river flooding between 0.1% or 1 in 1000 and 0.5% to 1 in 200 for coastal flooding). k Flood Zone C - low probability of flooding (less than 0.1% or 1 in 1000 for both river and coastal flooding). A Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) has been prepared for the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 - 2031 (Appendix 19). The document has been prepared on the basis of the best available current data and is subject to change over the plan period as new data and maps become available. The SFRA identifies and maps the locations that flooding is most likely to occur within the Tier 1, 2, 3 and 4 settlements of County Monaghan. Therein flood risk is categorised under two strands - Flood Risk A and Flood Risk B. Any development proposals located in such areas shall be required to prepare a site-specific Flood Risk Assessment in accordance with the methodology set out in ‘The Planning System and Flood Risk Management - Guidelines for Planning Authorities’. FRMO 1 To fully implement and support, in conjunction with the Office of Public Works, the provisions of the EU Flood Risk Directive, The Flood Risk Regulations, The Planning System and Flood Risk Management - Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2009) and any new or updated/subsequent versions issued during this plan period. FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES FRMO 2 To seek to obtain the required funding for the implementation of the measures set out in the Flood Risk Management Plans for Monaghan Town, Ballybay and Inniskeen. FRMO 3 To have regard to the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment for County Monaghan and any new or updated/subsequent versions during the lifetime of this plan. FRMO 4 To protect rivers, streams, riparian corridors, flood plains and wetlands from inappropriate development which will contribute to increased flood risk. FRMO 5 To support the development of long and short-term flood remediation works and flood relief schemes throughout the County subject to environmental considerations, ensuring that development proposals support and do not impede or prevent the progression of these schemes. Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031
- 227 8.8 SURFACE WATER DRAINAGE New development and its associated roads, yards and parking areas increase impervious surfaces which result in an increase in surface water runoff. This has the potential to cause localised flooding and pollution from contaminated surface waters. Surface water runoff is normally dealt with in two ways, either through natural drainage to watercourses such as drains, streams, and rivers, or through artificial drainage systems. Monaghan County Council will require that all developments incorporate ‘Sustainable Drainage Systems’ (SuDS) as part of the development proposals. SuDS offers a total solution to rainwater management and is applicable in both urban and rural situations. SuDS are effective technologies which aim to reduce flood risk, improve water quality and enhance biodiversity and amenity. By using SuDS techniques, water is either infiltrated or conveyed more slowly to the drainage system and ultimately to water courses via permeable paving, swales, green roofs, filter drains, rainwater harvesting, detention basins, ponds, and wetlands. Ponds, artificial wetlands, and water features can make a positive contribution to the provision of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and to the amenity of an area. The systems should aim to mimic the natural drainage of a site to minimise the effect of a development on flooding and pollution of existing waterways. Properly designed and located SuDS features can be incorporated within and can complement the amenity and aesthetic value of open spaces. SuDS areas do not form part of the public open space provision, except where they contribute in a significant way to the design and quality of open space as defined by the Planning Authority. The advantages of incorporating natural water retention measures within both public and private development proposals is recognised as important in limiting flooding and water pollution. In 2022 the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DoHLGH) published the best practice guidance Nature-based Solutions to the Management of Rainwater and Surface Water Runoff in Urban Areas which demonstrates how through appropriate changes to the way urban areas are planned and designed, these issues can be addressed. It promotes the use of long-term and plan-led approaches that combine nature-based solutions with spatial planning, particularly at the level of the individual urban settlement, large or small. Climate change, and the need to adapt our urban areas to a changed climate in terms of rainfall patterns is the unifying concept in terms of the scope of this document. Monaghan County Council encourages and promotes the use of green solutions such as swales, tree pits, green roofs, downpipe planters, ponds, and wetlands for drainage. Green solutions minimise negative environmental impacts resulting from development. FRMP 1 Applications for development, as required on previously developed lands within Flood Zones A or B, shall be subject to site specific flood risk assessment and shall provide details of structural and non-structural flood risk management measures, such as those relating to floor levels, internal layout, flood-resistant construction, flood-resilient construction, emergency response planning and access and egress during flood events. FRMP 2 Where a Justification Test applies, it must be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the planning authority that the flood risk can be adequately managed, and that the use and the development of the lands will not cause unacceptable impacts elsewhere. FRMP 3 Extensions of existing uses or minor development within flood risk areas will be supported, provided they do not: obstruct important flow paths; introduce a number of people into flood risk areas; entail the storage of hazardous substances; have adverse impacts or impede access to a watercourse, floodplain or flood protection and management facilities; or increase the risk of flooding elsewhere. FRMP 4 Where only a small proportion of a site is at risk of flooding, the sequential approach shall be applied in site planning, in order to seek to ensure that no encroachment onto or loss of the flood plain occurs and/or that only water compatible development such as open space would be permitted for the lands which are identified as being at risk of flooding within that site. FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT POLICIES Environment, Energy and Climate ActionEnvironment, Energy and Climate Actionintroductionchapter 01Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031Environment, energy and climate actionchapter 08
- Above ground drainage solutions maximise the benefits in terms of water quality, flooding, biodiversity, amenity, climate change and maintenance amongst others. These measures can provide a cost effective and sustainable means of managing stormwater and water pollution at source, keeping surface water out of combined sewers (thus increasing capacity for foul drainage from new developments), while providing multiple benefits e.g. improved air quality, amenity, noise reduction. The use of green solutions is underpinned in the National Planning Framework (NPF) and Monaghan County Council’s recently adopted Climate Action Plan and is a key cornerstone of achieving flooding and Water Framework Directive objectives. The Greater Dublin Strategic Drainage Study (GDSDS) provides best practice guidance on SuDS. Development proposals will be required to meet the design criteria (adjusted to reflect local conditions) and material designs therein. Guidance is also available in Monaghan County Council’s Storm Water Technical Guidance Document (2017). 228 SWDO 1 To require the use of Sustainable Drainage Systems and Green-Blue Infrastructure in new developments including the public realm and retrofitted in existing developed areas, in line with National Policy Objective 57 of the National Planning Framework. SURFACE WATER DRAINAGE OBJECTIVES SWDO 3 To ensure that the Local Authority provides adequate storm water infrastructure in order to accommodate the planned levels of growth within the plan area and to ensure that appropriate flood management measures are implemented to protect property and infrastructure. SWDO 4 To require all new development to provide a separate foul and surface water drainage system and to incorporate sustainable urban drainage systems where appropriate in new development and the public realm. SWDO 5 To prohibit the discharge of additional surface water to combined (foul and surface water) sewers in order to maximise the capacity of existing collection systems for foul water. SWDO 2 All development proposals, as required shall carry out a surface water and drainage assessment and shall be compliant with the following to ensure that drainage from the site is managed sustainably: k Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) ‘Nature based Solutions to the Management of Rainwater and Surface Water Runoff in Urban Areas – Water Sensitive Urban Design’ (March 2022) k CIRIA SuDS Manual C753 (2015) It is noted that updates to the above documents and / or new published documents during the lifetime of the SFRA are to be implemented as part of Development Management where appropriate. Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031
Source Monaghan County Council: Monaghan County Development Plan 2025–2031 (2025–2031) · 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.