Offaly County Development Plan 2021–2027 (as varied) — Chapter 3: Climate Action Energy

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 3 Climate Action and Energy Page 87 Transition to a Low Carbon and Climate Resilient Society Cessation of peat fired electricity generation and support the transition of existing units to run on sustainable biomass. 1. Management, rewetting, rewilding and restoration of tracts of cutaway bog across the county. 2. EU LIFE fund supported raised bog restoration project in restoring Special Areas of Conservation sites in the county to favourable conservation status. Support the restoration of peat bogs and other climate mitigation actions when turf cutting has ceased. Create or enhance delivery of carbon sinks, for example, wetlands, bogs, forestry, permanent grassland in conjunction with other climate mitigation actions. Flood risk management, avoid development on flood plains and only facilitate the appropriate management and sustainable use of flood risk areas, and support the enhancement of flood resilience of buildings Renewable and low carbon energy, Circular Bio- Economy 1. Development of Rhode Green Energy Park. 2. Feasibility assessment for district heating in County Offaly and identify local waste heat sources or renewable energy sources. 3. Ongoing programme of upgrading public lighting to LEDs in Offaly. Promote links between developments and renewable energy resources, for instance by sourcing energy on-site renewably or from low carbon fuel sources Green Technology and Jobs Develop a Decarbonising Zone within County Offaly Identify a spatial area to be designated a Decarbonising Zone and develop an implementation plan in which a range of climate mitigation, adaptation and biodiversity measures and actions are identified and potentially co-located to address local low carbon energy,

2. Page 22

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 3 Climate Action and Energy Page 88 greenhouse gas emissions and climate needs to contribute to national climate action targets. Green Infrastructure, for example, green walls, green roofs, parks, waterways, wetlands, greenways, peatways, woodlands, plant drought-resistant plants / trees in public amenity areas to provide shade Progression of Green Infrastructure provision as outlined in specific objectives in Town and Village Plans contained in Volume 2 of this Plan. Promote sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDs), for example, permeable surfaces to decrease run-off rates Afforestation where environmentally appropriate; contributes to renewable fuels and acts as a carbon sink, and can enhance interception and infiltration of precipitation with river basin catchments Energy efficient building design 1. Pilot schemes which promote innovative ways to incorporate energy efficiency amongst social housing. 2. Development of an Energy Efficient Building Centre of Excellence in East Offaly. Support efforts to maximise water conservation, support grey-water recycling schemes Abatement of Greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural sector Green procurement Implementation of Offaly Climate Change Adaptation Strategy Applicable projects as outlined in Chapter 5 Adaptation Goals, Objectives and Actions of the Strategy.

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 3 Climate Action and Energy Page 89 Climate proof major projects Sustainable food production Development of Ferbane Food Campus.

4. Page 24

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 3 Climate Action and Energy Page 90 3.8 Climate Action and Energy Policies Electricity Transmission and Distribution CAEP-01 It is Council policy to support and facilitate the development, reinforcement, renewal and expansion of the electricity transmission and distribution grid, including the development of new lines, pylons and substations as required to provide for the future physical and economic development of Offaly. CAEP-02 It is Council policy to require that, in all new developments, local services such as medium and low voltage electricity cables shall be undergrounded, with multiple services accommodated in shared strips underground and that access covers are shared, whenever possible. CAEP-03 It is Council policy that proposals for new electricity distribution lines 38 kV or above along with transmission lines 110 kV or above will be considered subject to the protection of Designated and Non Designated Sites as outlined in Objectives BLO-02 to BLO-06 and landscape considerations as outlined in objectives BLO-22 Areas of High Amenity, BLO-24 Landscape and BLO 26 and BLO-27 Protection of Key Scenic Views, Prospects and Key Amenity Routes. CAEP-04 It is Council policy to support EirGrid’s Implementation Plan 2017 – 2022 and Transmission Development Plan 2019 and any subsequent plans prepared during the plan period that facilitate the timely delivery of major investment projects subject to appropriate environmental assessment and the outcome of the planning process. CAEP-05 It is Council policy to support the reinforcement and strengthening of the electricity transmission and distribution network to facilitate planned growth and transmission/ distribution of a renewable energy focused generation across the major demand centres. This includes: • Facilitating trans-boundary networks into and through the County and Region to ensure the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy can be delivered in a sustainable and timely manner; • Facilitate the delivery of the necessary integration of transmission network requirements to allow linkages of renewable energy proposals to the electricity transmission grid in a sustainable and timely manner; and • Support the safeguarding of strategic energy corridors from encroachment by other developments that could compromise the delivery of energy networks. Energy Storage CAEP-06 It is Council policy to promote the use of efficient energy storage systems and infrastructure that supports energy efficiency and reusable energy system optimization, in accordance with proper planning and sustainable development. Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation CAEP-07 It is Council policy to support and facilitate European and national objectives for climate adaptation and mitigation as detailed in the following documents, taking into account other provisions

5. Page 25

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 3 Climate Action and Energy Page 91 of the Plan (including those relating to land use planning, energy, sustainable mobility, flood risk management and drainage); • Climate Action Plan (2019 and any subsequent versions); • National Mitigation Plan 2017 (or subsequent editions); • National Climate Change Adaptation Framework (2018 and any subsequent versions); • Relevant provisions of any Sectoral Adaptation Plans prepared to comply with the requirements of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, including those seeking to contribute towards the National Transition Objective, to pursue, and achieve, the transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by the end of the year 2050; and • Offaly Climate Change Adaptation Strategy. CAEP-08 It is Council policy to support the implementation and provision of the decarbonisation projects listed in Table 3.2 of the County Development Plan. CAEP-09 It is Council policy to raise general awareness of issues associated with climate action and climate change mitigation and adaptation. CAEP-10 It is Council policy to support local, regional, national and international initiatives for climate adaptation and mitigation and to limit emissions of greenhouse gases through energy efficiency and the development of renewable energy sources which make use of all natural resources, including publicly owned lands, in an environmentally acceptable manner. CAEP-11 It is Council policy to support the transition to a competitive, low carbon, climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by 2050, by way of reducing greenhouse gases, increasing renewable energy, and improving energy efficiency. CAEP-12 It is Council policy to support the National Dialogue on Climate Action in an effort to increase awareness of climate change, behavioural change and adaptation actions and in doing so provide an ongoing platform for planning climate resilience with a focus on personal responsibility at all levels. CAEP-13 It is Council policy to support the creation of a Sustainable Development Trust, through Green Offaly, a Public Participation Network Initiative, which facilitates, creates and assists in the delivery of Green Projects and Programmes by working in partnership with all sectors of the local community. CAEP-14 It is Council policy to cooperate with the Climate Action Regional Office (CARO) in respect of adaptation and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, and future climate change adaptation strategies. CAEP-15 It is Council policy to support the enhancement of carbon sinks such as peatlands, forestry, and permanent grasslands, with consideration of in conjunction with other climate mitigation actions such as the re-wetting and restoration of cut away peatlands, where appropriate.

6. Page 26

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 3 Climate Action and Energy Page 92 Peatlands CAEP-16 It is Council policy to support the preparation of a comprehensive after use framework plan for the industrial peatlands and associated workshops, office buildings and industrial sites in the midlands and adjacent parts of the north west and southern regions, which meets the environmental, economic and social needs of communities in these areas, and also demonstrating leadership in climate change mitigation and land stewardship. The Council recognises that the industrial peatlands in the midlands are a significant resource will transition to after uses ranging from amenity, tourism, biodiversity services, ‘wild areas’, flood management, climate mitigation, energy development, industry, education, conservation and many more. CAEP-17 It is Council policy to investigate the potential for a Green Energy Hub on peatlands in the county and facilitate it if possible. CAEP-18 It is Council policy to investigate the feasibility of an energy park with educational and amenity facilities relating to any future development of renewable energy projects of significant scale that comes forward over the lifetime of this Plan. Any development of renewable energy on cutaway bog will be required to provide increased opportunities for amenity access and educational facilities. CAEP-19 It is Council policy that planning applications for development on or immediately adjacent to peatlands shall be accompanied by assessments considering the following issues where relevant; peatland stability, hydrology, carbon emissions balance and ecological impact assessment. CAEP-20 It is Council policy to support the implementation of any relevant recommendations contained in the National Peatlands Strategy 2015 and any subsequent revisions. Compact Growth, Sustainable Mobility and Integrated Transport and Landuse Planning CAEP-21 It is Council policy to proactively encourage decarbonisation of local journeys by focusing on compact growth and reduced sprawl by targeting infill and brownfield lands in the existing built-up footprint of settlements. CAEP-22 It is Council policy to improve walking and cycling connectivity within settlements and in particular with schools, town centres and employment areas, and to work with the National Trails Office, Coillte, the Department of Planning, Housing and Local Government, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, and other relevant stakeholders, to improve on the existing level of infrastructure and facilities for walking and cycling in this regard. Reasonable Alternatives and Existing Infrastructural Assets CAEP-23 It is Council policy to require that environmental assessments should address reasonable alternatives for the location of new energy developments, and where existing infrastructural assets such as sub-stations, power lines and roads already exist within the proposed development areas, then such assets should be considered for sustainable use by the proposed development where the assets have capacity to absorb the new development.

7. Page 27

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 3 Climate Action and Energy Page 93 Renewable Energy CAEP-24 Offaly County Council recognises the significant economic and social impact of the cessation of peat harvesting in parts of County Offaly and the added impact of the closure of associated power stations in some areas. The Council also recognises that it is imperative that these impacts be mitigated to the greatest extent possible. The re-casting of the economic role of those areas most affected is a crucial element of this mitigation and it is the Council policy to lead a collaborative approach between all relevant organisations and the affected communities to implement appropriate responses. In that context, it is Council policy to support the application of the ‘Just Transition’ concept in the affected areas and in particular to ensure that National Programmes and the EU Programme for Coal Regions in Transition are leveraged to the maximum possible extent to support the regeneration of those communities in County Offaly which have been dependent on the peat industry and the electrical power generation industry using fossil fuels for over 8 decades. In pursuing the implementation of this policy, the Council will seek to ensure that the national and European funding streams focus on those areas of activity which are likely to be most effective in mitigating the negative impacts referred to. These focuses will include but will not necessarily be limited to - • The provision of funding to support projects which will contribute to the social and economic resilience of those towns, villages and rural areas of County Offaly which have suffered loss of employment due to the cessation of peat harvesting, the knock-on impacts on associated industries such as briquette manufacture and horticulture and the cessation of peat as a fuel for power stations. • Delivery of the ‘Midlands Cycling Destination – Offaly’ which is essentially a c.300km network of cycling and walking paths overlain on rehabilitated peatlands, waterways and other primarily publicly-owned lands, with key links to adjoining counties and National and Regional Greenways. • Appropriate re-use of some, (where identified within an overall strategic framework) former industrial peatlands and associated infrastructure / works sites with a focus on sustainable employment generation, renewable energy projects community resilience, tourism facilities and amenities. • Provision of technical support to affected communities in the form of project management, community planning, community resource activation and similar to enable them to play a full partnership role in their regeneration. In considering which projects and/or programmes to prioritise, the Council will have regard, amongst other matters, to the level of impact of the closures involved on a particular settlement or community and will give priority, other things being equal, to those projects or programmes which will benefit those communities most affected. CAEP-25 It is Council policy to encourage and facilitate the production of energy from renewable sources, such as from bioenergy, waste material, solar, hydro, geothermal and wind energy, subject to proper planning and environmental considerations.

8. Page 28

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 3 Climate Action and Energy Page 94 CAEP-26 It is Council policy to encourage developers of proposed large scale renewable energy projects to carry out community consultation in accordance with best practice and to commence the consultation at the commencement of project planning. CAEP-27 It is Council policy to ensure that whenever possible, community benefits are derived from all renewable energy development in the county such as near-neighbour benefit funds and general community benefit funds, which may take the form of contributions in kind to local projects, assets and facilities such as public amenities on the renewable energy site, measures to promote energy efficiency or a local energy discount scheme. CAEP-28 It is Council policy to co-operate if required with the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly in identifying Strategic Energy Zones as areas suitable for larger energy generating projects, community and micro energy production, whilst ensuring environmental constraints and a regional landscape strategy are considered. Circular Economy CAEP-29 It is Council policy to support the circular economy and within that the 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, resulting in optimal socioeconomic and environmental impacts such as resource efficiency and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Geothermal CAEP-30 It is Council policy to facilitate large and smaller scale geothermal energy generating developments both standalone and in conjunction with other renewable energy projects, subject to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area and consideration of environmental and ecological sensitivities. CAEP-31 It is Council policy to promote the use of geothermal heat pumps for space heating and cooling as well as water heating in domestic, commercial and recreational buildings subject to the protection of water quality and any other relevant considerations. Hydro Energy CAEP-32 It is Council policy to facilitate the development of new river based hydroelectricity plans subject to due consideration of the free passage of fish, any protected structures, maintenance of biodiversity corridors, protected species and any designated nature conservation area such as Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas and National Heritage Areas etc. CAEP-33 It is Council policy to ensure that any proposed projects do not conflict with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive. Solar Energy CAEP-34 It is Council policy to promote the development of solar energy infrastructure for on-site energy use, including solar PV, solar thermal and seasonal storage technologies subject to

9. Page 29

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 3 Climate Action and Energy Page 95 environmental safeguards and the protection of natural or built heritage features, biodiversity views and prospects. CAEP-35 It is Council policy to ensure that the assessment of solar farm proposals will have regard to: • site selection, by focusing in the first instance on developing solar farms on previously developed and non-agricultural land, provided that it is not of high environmental value. • where a proposal involves greenfield land, whether (i) the proposed use of any agricultural land has been shown to be necessary and poorer quality land has been used in preference to higher quality land; and (ii) the proposal allows for continued agricultural use where applicable and/or encourages biodiversity improvements around arrays. Decommissioning and site rehabilitation plans will be required providing for the land to be restored to its previous use. Biomass CAEP-36 It is Council policy to facilitate and support the development of projects that convert biomass to gas or electricity subject to national and regional policy, normal siting, design, environmental and planning considerations. Wind Energy CAEP-37 It is Council policy to recognise the importance of wind energy as a renewable energy source which can play a vital role in achieving national targets in relation to reductions in fossil fuel dependency and therefore greenhouse gas emissions. CAEP-38 It is Council policy that in assessing planning applications for wind farms, the Council shall: (a) have regard to the provisions of the Wind Energy Development Guidelines 2006 and the Draft revised Wind Energy Guidelines 2019 which are expected to be finalised in the near future; (b) have regard to ‘Areas Open for Consideration for Wind Energy Developments’ in the Wind Energy Strategy Designations Map from the County Wind Energy Strategy; (c) stringently assess the impact of the proposed wind farm development on the ‘Peatland and Nature Corridors’ as detailed in Objective BLO-28 of Chapter 4; (d) have regard to Development Management Standard 109 on wind farms contained in Chapter 13 of this Plan; and (e) have regard to existing and future international, European, national and regional policy, directives and legislation. CAEP-39 It is Council policy to consider the repowering and renewal of existing windfarm development on a case by case basis where the proposal does not result in a net increase in the number of turbines and it is demonstrated that there is no adverse impact on the receiving environment, landscape, designated sites or residences in the area.

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    Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 3 Climate Action and Energy Page 96 CAEP-40 It is Council policy to consider on-site wind energy development by auto producers/micro producers where energy generated is primarily required to meet the needs of the development; community, agricultural or small enterprise. Data Centres CAEP-41 It is Council policy to consider applications for proposed data centres in County Offaly in line with the following criteria; • Accessibility/ease of connection to power; • Availability of renewable energy to power proposed data centre; • Availability of high powered fibre optic infrastructure; • Transport/road accessibility; • Compatibility of surrounding land uses/zoning; • Avoidance of designated sites; and • Availability of significant landbanks. CAEP-42 It is Council policy that any application for a data centre shall take account of the cumulative impact of the proposed connections of the data centre with electricity transmission, renewable energy and broadband infrastructure in the area. Energy Efficiency in Buildings CAEP-43 It is Council policy to encourage development proposals that are low carbon, well adapted to the impacts of climate change and which include energy saving measures and which maximise energy efficiency through siting, layout and design. CAEP-44 It is Council policy to support and encourage pilot schemes which promote innovative ways to incorporate energy efficiency. CAEP-45 It is Council policy to consider the adaptability of buildings over time and seek to improve the efficiency of existing building stock, promote energy efficiency and high levels of energy conservation and the use of renewable energy sources in the design and development of all new buildings in the county. CAEP-46 It is Council policy to support and promote structural materials in the construction industry that have low to zero embodied energy and carbon dioxide emissions. CAEP-47 It is Council policy to support and facilitate the development of an Energy Efficient Building Centre of Excellence in East Offaly.

Source Offaly County Council: Offaly County Development Plan 2021–2027 (as varied) — Chapter 3: Climate Action Energy (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.