National Planning Framework
Project Ireland 2040: National Planning Framework
The original framework, replaced by the 2025 revision. Development plans adopted before 2025 were made under it.
Government of Ireland · February 2018 · 182 pages
Superseded Replaced by National Planning Framework: First Revision. It is kept because plans made while it was in force refer to it.
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- Appendix 1 National Policy Objectives Chapter 2: A New Way Forward National Policy Objective 1a The projected level of population and employment growth in the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly area will be at least matched by that of the Northern and Western and Southern Regional Assembly areas combined. National Policy Objective 1b Eastern and Midland Region: 490,000 - 540,000 additional people, i.e. a population of around 2.85 million; Northern and Western Region: 160,000 - 180,000 additional people, i.e. a population of just over 1 million; Southern Region: 340,000 - 380,000 additional people, i.e. a population of almost 2 million. National Policy Objective 1c Eastern and Midland Region: around 320,000 additional people in employment, i.e. 1.34 million in total; The Northern and Western Region: around 115,000 additional people in employment, i.e. 450,000 (0.45m) in total; The Southern Region: around 225,000 additional people in employment, i.e. 880,000 (0.875m) in total. National Policy Objective 2a A target of half (50%) of future population and employment growth will be focused in the existing five Cities and their suburbs15. National Policy Objective 2b The regional roles of Athlone in the Midlands, Sligo and Letterkenny in the North-West and the Letterkenny-Derry and Drogheda-Dundalk-Newry cross-border networks will be identified and supported in the relevant Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy. National Policy Objective 2c Accessibility from the north-west of Ireland and between centres of scale separate from Dublin will be significantly improved, focused on cities and larger regionally distributed centres and on key east-west and north-south routes. National Policy Objective 3a Deliver at least 40% of all new homes nationally, within the built-up footprint of existing settlements17. National Policy Objective 3b Deliver at least half (50%) of all new homes that are targeted in the five Cities and suburbs of Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford, within their existing built-up footprints18. National Policy Objective 3c Deliver at least 30% of all new homes that are targeted in settlements other than the five Cities and their suburbs, within their existing built-up footprints19. 159Project Ireland 2040 | Building Ireland’s Future | National Planning Framework
- Chapter 4: Making Stronger Urban Places National Policy Objective 4 Ensure the creation of attractive, liveable, well designed, high quality urban places that are home to diverse and integrated communities that enjoy a high quality of life and well-being. National Policy Objective 5 Develop cities and towns of sufficient scale and quality to compete internationally and to be drivers of national and regional growth, investment and prosperity. National Policy Objective 6 Regenerate and rejuvenate cities, towns and villages of all types and scale as environmental assets, that can accommodate changing roles and functions, increased residential population and employment activity and enhanced levels of amenity and design quality, in order to sustainably influence and support their surrounding area. National Policy Objective 7 Apply a tailored approach to urban development, that will be linked to the Rural and Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, with a particular focus on:- Dublin; the four Cities of Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford; Strengthening Ireland’s overall urban structure, particularly in the Northern and Western and Midland Regions, to include the regional centres of Sligo and Letterkenny in the North-West, Athlone in the Midlands and cross-border networks focused on the Letterkenny-Derry North-West Gateway Initiative and Drogheda-Dundalk-Newry on the Dublin-Belfast corridor; Encouraging population growth in strong employment and service centres of all sizes, supported by employment growth; Reversing the stagnation or decline of many smaller urban centres, by identifying and establishing new roles and functions and enhancement of local infrastructure and amenities; Addressing the legacy of rapid unplanned growth, by facilitating amenities and services catch-up, jobs and/or improved sustainable transport links to the cities, together with a slower rate of population growth in recently expanded commuter settlements of all sizes; In more self-contained settlements of all sizes, supporting a continuation of balanced population and employment growth. National Policy Objective 8 To ensure that the targeted pattern of population growth of Ireland’s cities to 2040 is in accordance with the targets set out in Table 4.1. National Policy Objective 9 In each Regional Assembly area, settlements not identified in Policy 2a or 2b of this Framework, may be identified for significant (i.e. 30% or more above 2016 population levels) rates of population growth at regional and local planning stages, provided this is subject to: Agreement (regional assembly, metropolitan area and/or local authority as appropriate); Balance with strategies for other urban and rural areas (regional assembly, metropolitan area and/or local authority as appropriate), which means that the totality of planned population growth has to be in line with the overall growth target.; and A co-ordinated strategy that ensures alignment with investment in infrastructure and the provision of employment, together with supporting amenities and services.Project Ireland 2040 | Building Ireland’s Future | National Planning Framework 160
- National Policy Objective 10a Regional and Local Authorities to identify and quantify locations for strategic employment development in the cities identified in Table 4.1. National Policy Objective 10b Regional and Local Authorities to identify and quantify locations for strategic employment development, where suitable, in urban and rural areas generally. National Policy Objective 11 In meeting urban development requirements, there will be a presumption in favour of development that can encourage more people and generate more jobs and activity within existing cities, towns and villages, subject to development meeting appropriate planning standards and achieving targeted growth. National Policy Objective 12 The Government will establish a National Regeneration and Development Agency to work with local authorities, other public bodies and capital spending departments and agencies to co-ordinate and secure the best use of public lands, investment required within the capital envelopes provided in the National Development Plan and to drive the renewal of strategic areas not being utilised to their full potential. The Government will consider how best to make State lands available to such a body to kick-start its development role and to legislate for enhanced compulsory purchase powers to ensure that the necessary transformation of the places most in need of regeneration can take place more swiftly and effectively. National Policy Objective 13 In urban areas, planning and related standards, including in particular building height and car parking will be based on performance criteria that seek to achieve well-designed high quality outcomes in order to achieve targeted growth. These standards will be subject to a range of tolerance that enables alternative solutions to be proposed to achieve stated outcomes, provided public safety is not compromised and the environment is suitably protected. Chapter 5: Planning for Diverse Rural Places National Policy Objective 14 Protect and promote the sense of place and culture and the quality, character and distinctiveness of the Irish rural landscape that make Ireland’s rural areas authentic and attractive as places to live, work and visit. The Action Plan for Rural Development will support this objective up to 2020; thereafter a review of the Action Plan will be undertaken to ensure continued alignment and consistency with the National Policy Objectives of this Framework. National Policy Objective 15 Support the sustainable development of rural areas by encouraging growth and arresting decline in areas that have experienced low population growth or decline in recent decades and by managing the growth of areas that are under strong urban influence to avoid over-development, while sustaining vibrant rural communities. National Policy Objective 16 Target the reversal of rural decline in the core of small towns and villages through sustainable targeted measures that address vacant premises and deliver sustainable reuse and regeneration outcomes. 161Project Ireland 2040 | Building Ireland’s Future | National Planning Framework
- National Policy Objective 17 Enhance, integrate and protect the special physical, social, economic and cultural value of built heritage assets through appropriate and sensitive use now and for future generations. National Policy Objective 18a To support the proportionate growth of and appropriately designed development in rural towns that will contribute to their regeneration and renewal, including interventions in the public realm, the provision of amenities, the acquisition of sites and the provision of services. National Policy Objective 18b Develop a programme for ‘new homes in small towns and villages’ with local authorities, public infrastructure agencies such as Irish Water and local communities to provide serviced sites with appropriate infrastructure to attract people to build their own homes and live in small towns and villages. National Policy Objective 19 Ensure, in providing for the development of rural housing, that a distinction is made between areas under urban influence, i.e. within the commuter catchment of cities and large towns and centres of employment, and elsewhere: In rural areas under urban influence, facilitate the provision of single housing in the countryside based on the core consideration of demonstrable economic or social need to live in a rural area and siting and design criteria for rural housing in statutory guidelines and plans, having regard to the viability of smaller towns and rural settlements; In rural areas elsewhere, facilitate the provision of single housing in the countryside based on siting and design criteria for rural housing in statutory guidelines and plans, having regard to the viability of smaller towns and rural settlements. National Policy Objective 20 Project the need for single housing in the countryside through the local authority’s overall Housing Need Demand Assessment (HNDA) tool and county development plan core strategy processes. National Policy Objective 21 Enhance the competitiveness of rural areas by supporting innovation in rural economic development and enterprise through the diversification of the rural economy into new sectors and services, including ICT- based industries and those addressing climate change and sustainability. National Policy Objective 22 Facilitate tourism development and in particular a National Greenways, Blueways and Peatways Strategy, which prioritises projects on the basis of achieving maximum impact and connectivity at national and regional level. National Policy Objective 23 Facilitate the development of the rural economy through supporting a sustainable and economically efficient agricultural and food sector, together with forestry, fishing and aquaculture, energy and extractive industries, the bio-economy and diversification into alternative on-farm and off-farm activities, while at the same time noting the importance of maintaining and protecting the natural landscape and built heritage which are vital to rural tourism. National Policy Objective 24 Support and facilitate delivery of the National Broadband Plan as a means of developing further opportunities for enterprise, employment, education, innovation and skills development for those who live and work in rural areas.Project Ireland 2040 | Building Ireland’s Future | National Planning Framework 162
- National Policy Objective 25 The Department of Rural and Community Development, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and other relevant Departments and Agencies will continue to invest in rural Ireland, including through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, and will work together to establish a mechanism to co-ordinate structures for funding rural development to align with other national strategies. Chapter 6: People, Homes and Communities National Policy Objective 26 Support the objectives of public health policy including Healthy Ireland and the National Physical Activity Plan, though integrating such policies, where appropriate and at the applicable scale, with planning policy. National Policy Objective 27 Ensure the integration of safe and convenient alternatives to the car into the design of our communities, by prioritising walking and cycling accessibility to both existing and proposed developments, and integrating physical activity facilities for all ages. National Policy Objective 28 Plan for a more diverse and socially inclusive society that targets equality of opportunity and a better quality of life for all citizens, through improved integration and greater accessibility in the delivery of sustainable communities and the provision of associated services. National Policy Objective 29 Support the implementation of language plans in Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas, Gaeltacht Service Towns and Irish Language Networks. National Policy Objective 30 Local planning, housing, transport/accessibility and leisure policies will be developed with a focus on meeting the needs and opportunities of an ageing population along with the inclusion of specific projections, supported by clear proposals in respect of ageing communities as part of the core strategy of city and county development plans. National Policy Objective 31 Prioritise the alignment of targeted and planned population and employment growth with investment in:- A childcare/ECCE planning function, for monitoring, analysis and forecasting of investment needs, including identification of regional priorities; The provision of childcare facilities and new and refurbished schools on well-located sites within or close to existing built-up areas, that meet the diverse needs of local populations; The expansion and consolidation of Higher Education facilities, particularly where this will contribute to wider regional development, and Programmes for life-long learning, especially in areas of higher education and further education and training where skills gaps are identified. National Policy Objective 32 To target the delivery of 550,000 additional households to 2040 National Policy Objective 33 Prioritise the provision of new homes at locations that can support sustainable development and at an appropriate scale of provision relative to location. 163Project Ireland 2040 | Building Ireland’s Future | National Planning Framework
- National Policy Objective 34 Support the provision of lifetime adaptable homes that can accommodate the changing needs of a household over time. National Policy Objective 35 Increase residential density in settlements, through a range of measures including reductions in vacancy, reuse of existing buildings, infill development schemes, area or site-based regeneration and increased building heights. National Policy Objective 36 New statutory guidelines, supported by wider methodologies and data sources, will be put in place under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act to improve the evidence base, effectiveness and consistency of the planning process for housing provision at regional, metropolitan and local authority levels. This will be supported by the provision of standardised requirements by regulation for the recording of planning and housing data by the local authorities in order to provide a consistent and robust evidence base for housing policy formulation. National Policy Objective 37 A ‘Housing Need Demand Assessment’ (HNDA) is to be undertaken for each Local Authority Area in order to correlate and accurately align future housing requirements. The HNDA is: to be undertaken by Local Authorities with coordination assistance to be provided by the Regional Assemblies, and at a Metropolitan scale, particularly where inter-county and inter-regional settlement interactions are to be planned for and managed; to primarily inform housing policies, housing strategies and associated land use zoning policies as well as assisting in determining where new policy areas or investment programmes are to be developed; and to be supported, through the establishment of a coordination and monitoring unit to assist Local Authorities and Regional Assemblies in the development of the HNDA (DHPLG, Regional Assemblies and the Local Authorities). This will involve developing and coordinating a centralised spatial database for Local Authority Housing data that supports the HNDA being undertaken by Local Authorities. Chapter 7: Realising Our Island and Marine Potential National Policy Objective 38 Regional, metropolitan and local development plans will take account of and integrate relevant maritime spatial planning issues. National Policy Objective 39 Support the sustainable growth and development of the maritime economy and continue to invest in the seafood sector and our Fishery Harbour Centres, particularly in remote rural coastal communities and islands. National Policy Objective 40 Ensure that the strategic development requirements of Tier 1 and Tier 2 Ports, ports of regional significance and smaller harbours are addressed as part of Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies, metropolitan area and city/county development plans, to ensure the effective growth and sustainable development of the city regions and regional and rural areas. National Policy Objective 41a Ensure that Ireland’s coastal resource is managed to sustain its physical character and environmental quality.Project Ireland 2040 | Building Ireland’s Future | National Planning Framework 164
- National Policy Objective 41b In line with the collective aims of national policy regarding climate adaptation, to address the effects of sea level changes and coastal flooding and erosion and to support the implementation of adaptation responses in vulnerable areas. National Policy Objective 42 To support, within the context of the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP)39 and its successors, the progressive development of Ireland’s offshore renewable energy potential, including domestic and international grid connectivity enhancements. Chapter 8 Working with Our Neighbours National Policy Objective 43 Work with the relevant Departments in Northern Ireland for mutual advantage in areas such as spatial planning, economic development and promotion, co-ordination of social and physical infrastructure provision and environmental protection and management. National Policy Objective 44 In co-operation with relevant Departments in Northern Ireland, to further support and develop the economic potential of the Dublin-Belfast Corridor and in particular the core Drogheda-Dundalk-Newry network and to promote and enhance its international visibility. National Policy Objective 45 In co-operation with relevant Departments in Northern Ireland, support and promote the development of the North West City Region as interlinked areas of strategic importance in the North-West of Ireland, through collaborative structures and a joined-up approach to spatial planning. National Policy Objective 46 In co-operation with relevant Departments in Northern Ireland, enhanced transport connectivity between Ireland and Northern Ireland, to include cross-border road and rail, cycling and walking routes, as well as blueways, greenways and peatways. National Policy Objective 47 In co-operation with relevant Departments in Northern Ireland, strengthen all-island energy infrastructure and interconnection capacity, including distribution and transmission networks to enhance security of electricity supply. National Policy Objective 48 In co-operation with relevant Departments in Northern Ireland, develop a stable, innovative and secure digital communications and services infrastructure on an all-island basis. National Policy Objective 49 Support the coordination and promotion of all-island tourism initiatives through continued co-operation between the relevant tourism agencies and Tourism Ireland. National Policy Objective 50 In co-operation with relevant Departments in Northern Ireland, ensuring effective management of shared landscapes, heritage, water catchments, habitats, species and trans-boundary issues in relation to environmental policy. 165Project Ireland 2040 | Building Ireland’s Future | National Planning Framework
- National Policy Objective 51 In co-operation with the United Kingdom Government and devolved Governments of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, Ireland will support mutually beneficial policy development and activity in the areas of spatial and infrastructure planning and other related spheres. Chapter 9: Realising Our Sustainable Future National Policy Objective 52 The planning system will be responsive to our national environmental challenges and ensure that development occurs within environmental limits, having regard to the requirements of all relevant environmental legislation and the sustainable management of our natural capital. National Policy Objective 53 Support the circular and bio economy including in particular through greater efficiency in land management, greater use of renewable resources and by reducing the rate of land use change from urban sprawl and new development. National Planning Objective 54 Reduce our carbon footprint by integrating climate action into the planning system in support of national targets for climate policy mitigation and adaptation objectives, as well as targets for greenhouse gas emissions reductions. National Policy Objective 55 Promote renewable energy use and generation at appropriate locations within the built and natural environment to meet national objectives towards achieving a low carbon economy by 2050. National Policy Objective 56 Sustainably manage waste generation, invest in different types of waste treatment and support circular economy principles, prioritising prevention, reuse, recycling and recovery, to support a healthy environment, economy and society. National Policy Objective 57 Enhance water quality and resource management by: Ensuring flood risk management informs place-making by avoiding inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding in accordance with The Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines for Planning Authorities; Ensuring that River Basin Management Plan objectives are fully considered throughout the physical planning process; Integrating sustainable water management solutions, such as Sustainable Urban Drainage (SUDS), nonporous surfacing and green roofs, to create safe places. National Policy Objective 58 Integrated planning for Green Infrastructure and ecosystem services will be incorporated into the preparation of statutory land use plans.Project Ireland 2040 | Building Ireland’s Future | National Planning Framework 166
- National Policy Objective 59 Enhance the conservation status and improve the management of protected areas and protected species by: Implementing relevant EU Directives to protect Ireland’s environment and wildlife; Integrating policies and objectives for the protection and restoration of biodiversity in statutory development plans; Developing and utilising licensing and consent systems to facilitate sustainable activities within Natura 2000 sites; Continued research, survey programmes and monitoring of habitats and species. National Policy Objective 60 Conserve and enhance the rich qualities of natural and cultural heritage of Ireland in a manner appropriate to their significance. National Policy Objective 61 Facilitate landscape protection, management and change through the preparation of a National Landscape Character Map and development of guidance on local landscape character assessments, (including historic landscape characterisation) to ensure a consistent approach to landscape character assessment, particularly across planning and administrative boundaries. National Policy Objective 62 Identify and strengthen the value of greenbelts and green spaces at a regional and city scale, to enable enhanced connectivity to wider strategic networks, prevent coalescence of settlements and to allow for the long-term strategic expansion of urban areas. National Policy Objective 63 Ensure the efficient and sustainable use and development of water resources and water services infrastructure in order to manage and conserve water resources in a manner that supports a healthy society, economic development requirements and a cleaner environment. National Policy Objective 64 Improve air quality and help prevent people being exposed to unacceptable levels of pollution in our urban and rural areas through integrated land use and spatial planning that supports public transport, walking and cycling as more favourable modes of transport to the private car, the promotion of energy efficient buildings and homes, heating systems with zero local emissions, green infrastructure planning and innovative design solutions. National Policy Objective 65 Promote the pro-active management of noise where it is likely to have significant adverse impacts on health and quality of life and support the aims of the Environmental Noise Regulations through national planning guidance and Noise Action Plans. Chapter 10: Implementing the National Planning Framework National Policy Objective 66 A more effective strategic and centrally managed approach will be taken to realise the development potential of the overall portfolio of state owned and/or influenced lands in the five main cities other major urban areas and in rural towns and villages as a priority, particularly through the establishment of a National Regeneration and Development Agency. 167Project Ireland 2040 | Building Ireland’s Future | National Planning Framework
- National Policy Objective 67 Provision will be made for Metropolitan Area Strategic Plans to be prepared for the Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford Metropolitan areas and in the case of Dublin and Cork, to also address the wider city region, by the appropriate authorities in tandem with and as part of the relevant Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies. National Policy Objective 68 A Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan may enable up to 20% of the phased population growth targeted in the principal city and suburban area, to be accommodated in the wider metropolitan area i.e. outside the city and suburbs or contiguous zoned area, in addition to growth identified for the Metropolitan area. This will be subject to: any relocated growth being in the form of compact development, such as infill or a sustainable urban extension; any relocated growth being served by high capacity public transport and/or related to significant employment provision; and National Policy Objective 9, as set out in Chapter 4. National Policy Objective 69 Statutory arrangements between spatial and transport planning in the Greater Dublin Area will be extended to other cities. National Policy Objective 70 Provision will be made for urban area plans, based on current local area plan provisions, and joint urban area plans and local area plans will be prepared where a town and environs lie within the combined functional area of more than one local authority. National Policy Objective 71 City/county development plan core strategies will be further developed and standardised methodologies introduced to ensure a co-ordinated and balanced approach to future population and housing requirements across urban and rural areas. National Policy Objective 72a Planning authorities will be required to apply a standardised, tiered approach to differentiate between i) zoned land that is serviced and ii) zoned land that is serviceable within the life of the plan. National Policy Objective 72b When considering zoning lands for development purposes that require investment in service infrastructure, planning authorities will make a reasonable estimate of the full cost of delivery of the specified services and prepare a report, detailing the estimated cost at draft and final plan stages. National Policy Objective 72c When considering zoning land for development purposes that cannot be serviced within the life of the relevant plan, such lands should not be zoned for development. National Policy Objective 73a Guidance will be developed to enable planning authorities to apply an order of priority for development of land, taking account of proper planning and sustainable development, particularly in the case of adjoining interdependent landholdings.Project Ireland 2040 | Building Ireland’s Future | National Planning Framework 168
Source Government of Ireland: Project Ireland 2040: National Planning Framework (February 2018) · 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.