Offaly County Development Plan 2021–2027 (as varied) — Chapter 2: Core Strategy

1. Page 41

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 2 Core Strategy, Settlement Strategy and Housing Strategy Page 60 2.6 Topic 3: Housing Strategy 2.6.1 Aim To ensure that there is sufficient land zoned to cater for the projected housing demands within the county. 2.6.2 Context In accordance with Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended, this Plan includes a Housing Strategy including a Housing Need Demand Assessment in the form of a separate document. Its purpose is to ensure that the overall supply of housing is sufficient to meet the needs of the existing and future population of County Offaly. It further considers the potential need for single one-off dwellings in the open countryside over the plan period, through the application of the Housing Need Demand Assessment. There is a need now for accelerated delivery of housing, particularly in the growth settlements in the county. The Council has a role in formulating policies offering a range of options regarding direct housing provision and assistance to persons unable to house themselves from their own resources. Further particulars relating to housing provision are to be found in: • the Development Management Standards Chapter which includes standards in relation to housing, and • the Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy which includes policies and sets out the extent of housing provision to serve the county’s existing and future population in locations that comply with the Settlement Hierarchy. The proposed population increase in County Offaly during the Plan period is 9,239 persons for which a wide range of differing housing needs will be required to be met. There is sufficient and suitable land zoned residential or a mixture of residential and other uses in this plan to meet the requirements of the Housing Strategy and to ensure that a scarcity of such land does not occur at any time during the period of the Development Plan. Rebuilding Ireland, Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, (July 2016) encourages an acceleration in the supply of housing to help address the current pent-up demand. It comprises five pillars of concerted actions right across Government addressing; Pillar 1 – Address Homelessness Pillar 2 – Accelerate Social Housing Pillar 3 – Build More Homes Pillar 4 – Improve the Rental Sector Pillar 5 – Utilise Existing Housing

2. Page 42

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 2 Core Strategy, Settlement Strategy and Housing Strategy Page 61 Vision as per the National Planning Framework The vision for our housing future aims to balance the provision of good quality housing that meets the needs of a diverse population, in a way that makes our towns, villages and rural areas good places to live now and in the future. Priorities and Principles for Future Housing as per the National Planning Framework • Building resilience into our housing stock through: Reuse, energy efficiency, lifetime adaptability, sustainable accessibility, and integration to ensure vibrant sustainable communities. • Develop a Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA). • Consistently excellent design and place-making. • Allow for choice in housing location (within the context of the Core Strategy), type, tenure and accommodation. • Prioritise the location of housing in existing settlements and in accordance with the Core Strategy as a means to maximising a better quality of life for people through accessing services, ensuring a more efficient use of land and allowing for greater integration with existing infrastructure. • Tailor the scale and nature of future housing provision to the size and type of settlement. • Sufficient supply and affordability. • Ensure there is a mixture of house types and sizes developed to reasonably match the requirements of the different categories of households. 2.6.3 Specific Needs Housing Social Housing The provision by Government of housing supports for those unable to provide for accommodation from within their own resources is a key social policy. It is essential to ensure that all members of society have access to accommodation that is suitable for their needs. Diverse neighbourhoods with a balance of public and private housing create the healthiest communities.

3. Page 43

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 2 Core Strategy, Settlement Strategy and Housing Strategy Page 62 Student Accommodation Regional Policy Objective 4.70 in the RSES (2019) states that the potential for complementary third level outreach educational facilities at Tullamore, particularly with regard to support for Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore and where appropriate its continued development as a Teaching / University Hospital need to be examined. In the eventuality of a university or out-reach campus being developed in Tullamore, the location of purpose-built student accommodation will need to be as proximate as possible to the centre of education by foot, bicycle and / or public transport. Affordable Homes Affordable homes need to be built for sale or rent, particularly in towns and villages, enabling people to choose to live within their communities and closer to where they work. This can be facilitated through more proactive land management and coordinated and efficient provision of enabling infrastructure. Housing Needs of Older People, People with Disabilities and/or Learning Disabilities The Council continues to address particular identified needs through the provision of residential units built on the principles of universal design and lifelong adaptability. In an effort to ensure social inclusion the preferred locations are within settlements and with easy access to public transport, community facilities, retail and other amenities. For older people, the following housing types should be addressed considering our aging population; smaller residential units for those who wish to downsize (which releases larger houses on to the market for young families), sheltered housing, nursing homes and other residential facilities. The Travelling Community Offaly County Council recognises the needs of the Travelling Community within the county. These are addressed and delivered within the context of an adopted Traveller Accommodation Programme 2019-2024 and subsequent programmes, subject to funding. The Local Authority options and resources on the provision of accommodation will include: a) Standard Social Housing (Local Authority and Approved Housing Bodies) b) Group Housing Scheme c) Halting Site d) Leasing Scheme and Rental Accommodation Scheme e) Private Rented Accommodation supported via Housing Assistance Payment f) Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan g) Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme h) Housing Adaptation Grants i) Improvement Works in Lieu of Housing

4. Page 44

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 2 Core Strategy, Settlement Strategy and Housing Strategy Page 63 j) Special Traveller Grant k) Housing Transfers Homelessness The Council will continue to work in conjunction with voluntary groups and other agencies in the provision of emergency accommodation for the homeless and for those in need of crisis facilities. 2.6.4 Part V Provision Part V housing refers to social and affordable housing. Section 94 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) provides that a specified percentage, not being more than 10% of land zoned for residential use, or for a mixture of residential and other uses, shall be reserved for the provision of social and affordable housing, in an effort to address housing segregation. This shall be provided through a Part V Agreement, through one of the specified options in accordance with Section 96 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) unless deemed exempted under Section 97. The Housing Strategy addresses the following key issues: • The identification of housing need within County Offaly; • The identification of social and specialist housing needs within County Offaly; • The identification of supply side requirements to satisfy identified needs; and • The consideration of specific policy responses to the above.

5. Page 45

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 2 Core Strategy, Settlement Strategy and Housing Strategy Page 64 2.7 Housing Policies HP-01 It is Council policy to facilitate the housing needs of the existing and future population of County Offaly through the management of housing development in the county in accordance with the Housing Need Demand Assessment, Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy. HP-02 It is Council policy to seek to ensure that groups with special housing needs, such as older people (in accordance with the Age Friendly Strategy for Offaly 2018-2021 and any subsequent editions), single person households, persons with physical and / or learning disabilities, the homeless, the travelling community, asylum seekers and refugees, and those in emergency accommodation are accompanied in a way suitable to their specific needs. HP-03 It is Council policy to encourage the reuse of upper floors above commercial premises for residential accommodation. HP-04 It is Council policy to promote the retention of town centre residential units and to discourage their conversion into non-residential uses. HP-05 It is Council policy to promote social integration and to counteract undue segregation in housing between persons of different social backgrounds. HP-06 It is Council policy to ensure that new social and affordable housing developments are designed and constructed on the principles of universal design and life-long adaptability, are energy efficient, and of excellent design and contribute to healthy place-making. HP-07 It is Council policy to ensure that a mixture of house types, tenures and sizes is developed to reasonably match the requirements of different categories of households, and ensure that the special requirements of older persons, persons with disabilities and persons with learning difficulties are developed in convenient, easily accessible and permeable locations. HP-08 It is Council policy as required under Section 95 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) that 10% of all land zoned for residential or for a mixture of residential and other uses shall be reserved for the provision of housing for the purposes of meeting social and affordable housing need arising in the county. HP-09 It is Council policy to promote social inclusion by ensuring that new social and affordable housing developments are strongly integrated into the structure of existing settlements at locations with access to public transport services and community facilities, to ensure that settlements grow in a manner that is self-sustaining with sufficient social and economic infrastructure. HP-10 It is Council policy to support the work of voluntary and cooperative housing associations in County Offaly. HP-11 It is Council policy to ensure that there is a balanced supply of private, social and affordable housing such that no settlement in the county experiences an over-concentration of any one type of accommodation. HP-12 It is Council policy to work with all relevant stakeholders to implement the Midland Housing First Initiative 2020, and any subsequent initiatives to address the accommodation needs of homeless persons.

6. Page 46

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 2 Core Strategy, Settlement Strategy and Housing Strategy Page 65 HP-13 It is Council policy to work with all relevant stakeholders to secure the satisfactory completion of unfinished housing developments in the county. HP-14 It is Council policy to encourage purpose-built student accommodation proximate to any third level educational facility in County Offaly by foot, bicycle and / or public transport. HP-15 It is Council policy to reserve sufficient lands to facilitate and implement the Housing Strategy and its policies, as informed by the Housing Need Demand Assessment undertaken as part of this Plan. HP-16 It is Council policy to provide social housing through a combination of mechanisms including through Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), through direct build subject to funding, turnkey developments and the acquisition of second-hand housing in accordance with the county’s settlement hierarchy to meet the identified social housing needs outlined in the Council’s Housing Strategy. HP-17 It is Council policy to encourage the compact growth of settlements; to promote healthy placemaking; to increase the liveability factor of a place; to encourage the most efficient use of land; to ensure a mixture of residential unit types that are designed and constructed on the principles of universal design, life-long adaptability and energy efficiency; to support permeability and sustainable mobility with priority for pedestrians and cyclists; and in general to support the transition to a low carbon economy by way of reduction of greenhouse gases.

7. Page 47

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 2 Core Strategy, Settlement Strategy and Housing Strategy Page 66 2.8 Housing Objectives HO-01 It is an objective of the Council to procure vacant homes to ensure their continued use for residential purposes into the future, and develop housing in infill and brownfield sites within town and village centres for social and affordable housing provision. HO-02 It is an objective of the Council to monitor the effectiveness of the Housing Strategy in meeting and resolving identified housing needs, and to review and revise the Housing Strategy as necessary should a variation to this Plan be made or if Part V planning legislation is amended during the lifetime of this plan. HO-03 It is an objective of the Council to support the ongoing monitoring and review of the Housing Need Demand Assessment (HNDA) in accordance with a forthcoming HNDA methodology to be issued by Central Government. Furthermore, it is an objective of the Council to monitor and maintain a record of residential development permitted in the open countryside, sráids and individual settlements in accordance with forthcoming Departmental guidance around the establishment of a Housing Need Demand Assessment Coordination and Monitoring Unit and related implementation of a centralised spatial database for local authority housing. HO-04 It is an objective of the Council to increase and effectively manage the stock of social housing within the county in order to meet the long-term housing needs of those households on the local authority housing list. HO-05 It is an objective of the Council to provide suitable housing accommodation and living conditions for the Traveller community in accordance with the Offaly Traveller Accommodation Programme 2019 – 2024, and any subsequent programme adopted by the Council. HO-06 It is an objective of the Council to secure implementation of the Part V Housing Strategy in accordance with Section 95(1) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), in particular, through the reservation of 10% of all land zoned solely for residential use, or for a mixture of residential or other uses, to be made available for the provision of social and affordable housing referred to in Section 94(4)(c) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and shall be provided in accordance with an Agreement referred to in Section 96 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and in accordance with Part V Ministerial Guidance or any future revised Guidance.

Source Offaly County Council: Offaly County Development Plan 2021–2027 (as varied) — Chapter 2: Core Strategy (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.