Offaly County Development Plan 2021–2027 (as varied) — Chapter 13: Development Management Standards

1. Page 41

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 13 Development Management Standards Page 415 • Adequate provision shall be made on the site for parking of vehicles, turning and circulation of vehicles, storage and stacking space. Storage and stacking areas shall be located to the rear of the building or, where such facilities are located at the side, provision for screening shall be made; • Any industrial or warehouse development shall not be injurious to the residential amenity of adjoining properties; • Incorporation of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS); and • Waste and recycling areas shall be covered, screened or enclosed from public view. Provision for future access to adjoining third party lands will be required where significant areas of land are being developed. This list is not exhaustive and the Council may consider other requirements contained in the chapter on a case by case basis with planning applications should the need arise. DMS-72 New Business and Technology Parks, Strategic Employment Zones and Rhode Green Energy Park Planning applications for new Business and Technology Parks and Strategic Employment Zones shall be brought forward in the context of a masterplan for the subject lands. The masterplan shall be consistent with the policies and objectives of the County Development Plan and shall include the following: • A Design Statement that ensures a strong visual presence for the park via high quality design and siting of buildings and which has regard to the sites location and neighbouring uses; • A comprehensive landscaping and boundary treatment plan for the overall site, with particular attention placed on boundaries facing public realm and roads; • A Green Infrastructure Plan which:  Retains and enhances where possible existing wetland habitat, hedgerow, woodlands, meadows and habitats of species protected under European legislation and National Wildlife Acts;  Creates new green infrastructure assets such as public open space, green roofs, green walls, tree planting and natural pollination zones;  Increases and improves ecological corridor connectivity and pedestrian and cycle path linkages with existing green infrastructure assets in the area. Where a large site adjoins a

2. Page 42

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 13 Development Management Standards Page 416 green corridor, a public open space or an area of high ecological value, any new public open space on the site should be contiguous to same to encourage visual continuity and expansion of biodiversity which can assist in expanding the green infrastructure network; and  Incorporates Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) such as ponds, bio-retention areas, detention basins, infiltration basins, filter strips, wetlands, swales and rain gardens. In addition, the following details shall be submitted with any planning application for new Business and Technology Parks and Strategic Employment Zones; • Full details of the proposed uses(s), including industrial processes (where applicable) and hours of operation; • Details of suitable access arrangements, internal roads layout, including details of footpaths, turning areas and loading bays. • Permeability and pedestrian and/ or cyclist friendly environments with the overall site in accordance the NTA’s Permeability Best Practice Guide (2015); • Traffic Assessment as detailed in DMS-105; • Vehicle and cycle parking provision in accordance which DMS-99 and DMS-102, in a discreet, landscaped and well-screened environment with a view to minimising its visual impact, particularly when viewed from approach roads; • A Green Roof covering a minimum of 60% of the roof area shall be provided for roof areas greater than 300 m² unless a suite of complimentary or alternative “soft” SuDS measures as detailed above are proposed. A proposal that relies solely on attenuation storage systems and/ or permeable paving as an alternative to the provision of a Green Roof will not be acceptable). The minimum soil thickness shall be 2 to 4cm for a Moss/Sedum type of Extensive Green Roof and 10 to 15 cm for a grassed type of Extensive Green Roof. Provision for future access to adjoining third party lands will be required where significant areas of land are being developed. This list is not exhaustive and the Council may consider other requirements contained in the chapter on a case by case basis with planning applications should the need arise.

3. Page 43

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 13 Development Management Standards Page 417 DMS-73 Individual units in Business and Technology Parks, Strategic Employment Zones and Rhode Green Energy Park The design and siting of individual units in Business and Technology Parks and Strategic Employment Zones shall comply with the principles of any Design Statement prepared as part as part of the masterplan for the overall site. In general, • Individual buildings should exhibit a high quality contemporary design and finish, within an agreed scheme; • Car and bicycle parking shall be provided in a discreet, landscaped and well-screened environment with a view to minimising its visual impact, particularly when viewed from approach roads; and • The building line on all principle road frontages should generally be not less than 15 metres from the road and there should be a minimum planted strip of a width of 5 metres on all principle road frontages. DMS-74 Energy Efficiency and Climate Change Adaptation Design Statement (Industrial, Warehousing, Business Technology Park and Rhode Green Energy Park>1,000 m²). Development proposals for Industrial, Warehousing, Business and Technology Park developments in excess of 1,000 m² of commercial floor space should be accompanied by an Energy Efficiency and Climate Change Adaptation Design Statement. The statement should detail how any on-site demolition, construction and long-term management of the development will be catered for and how energy and climate change adaptation considerations have been inherently addressed in the design and planning of the scheme. Such developments shall have regard to; • the requirements of the current Building Regulations Part L – Conservation of Fuel and Energy (2008 and 2011), and any other supplementary or superseding Regulations or guidance documents. • the DECLG guidance document ‘Towards nearly Zero Energy Buildings in Ireland - Planning for 2020 and Beyond’, which promotes the increase of near Zero Energy Buildings (nZEB). New development proposals shall show energy efficiency is achieved through siting, layout, design and incorporate best practice in energy technologies, conservation and smart technology. The author of an Energy Efficiency and Climate Change Adaptation Design Statement should be appropriately qualified or competent and shall provide details of their qualifications and experience along with the statement. DMS-75 Deposit/temporary storage units, All applications of this nature will be assessed on a case by case basis having regard to the following;

4. Page 44

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 13 Development Management Standards Page 418 clothes banks and commercial washing machines • Proximity to residential areas; • The provision of an area of at least 10 metres by 4 metres; • Truck access and clearance heights; • A hard standing area and safe pedestrian walkway; • A vehicle set down area only with no permanent parking provision; • Suitable lighting and CCTV monitoring; and • Noise mitigation, screening and/or landscaping as considered necessary by the council. Community Infrastructure, Facilities and Services DMS-76 Community Facilities and Amenities In assessing planning applications for leisure facilities, sports grounds, playing fields, play areas, community halls, organisational meeting facilities, medical facilities, childcare facilities and other community orientated developments, regard will be taken of considerations such as: • Overall need in terms of necessity, deficiency and opportunity to enhance or develop local facilities; • Practicalities of site location in terms of relating to uses, impact on local amenities and ensuring safe access for pedestrians, cyclists, vehicles and safe public parking for cars and buses. • The potential multifunctional use of community facilities, including daytime and night-time usage; • Cater for all levels of disability; • Conformity with the requirements of appropriate legislative guidelines, for example, childcare facilities. DMS-77 Education Facilities Applications for educational provision shall comply with the requirements of technical guidance documents published by the Department of Education and Skills (see www.education.ie) and the Local Authority including ‘Provision of Schools and the Planning System: A Code of Practice for Planning Authorities (DES, DEHLG, 2008). In the design of education facilities consideration should be given to provision of multi-campus and multi-use element with a flexible approach

5. Page 45

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 13 Development Management Standards Page 419 demonstrated to allow for different users at different times of the day and throughout the calendar year. This list is not exhaustive and the Council may consider other requirements contained in the chapter on a case by case basis with planning applications should the need arise. DMS-78 Places of Worship Planning applications shall contain details in relation to the seating capacity of the facility, hours of operation and a traffic assessment (including details of proposed parking provision). New or enlarged places of worship shall be located in places where they do not (i) create unacceptable traffic congestion, (ii) create car parking difficulties, (iii) cause a nuisance or detract from the amenities of existing residents or businesses. DMS-79 Health Centres/Services, Primary Health Centres, Medical Consultants and Veterinary Surgeries Planning applications should include details of proposed professional medical activities, proposed number of practitioners and support staff, parking provision and intended hours of operation. The location of New Health Centres/services, Primary Health Centres, Medical Consultants and Veterinary Surgeries is favoured in towns, villages and local centres, with good accessibility, however new facilities in other locations or a change of use from residential to health facilities will be considered where the privacy and amenity of adjacent occupiers is preserved and the proposal does not have a detrimental effect on local amenity by way of traffic congestion or noise. Adequate car parking/set down areas must be identified in such proposals. DMS-80 Burial Grounds and Crematoriums Proposals will be required to demonstrate a need for the development and that the proposal will not (i) create unacceptable traffic congestion, (ii) create car parking difficulties, (iii) cause a nuisance or detract from the amenities of existing residents or businesses. All proposals pertaining to crematoriums and/or crematoria should demonstrate compliance with appropriate legislative guidelines and provide details in relation to landscaping, storage, waste and groundwater. Hydrogeological surveys and monitoring of the groundwater may be required for cemeteries. DMS-81 Residential Care Homes, Retirement Homes, Nursing Homes, Retirement Villages and Sheltered The location of residential care homes, retirement homes, nursing homes, retirement villages and sheltered accommodation is favoured in towns and villages for reasons of sustainability, accessibility, social inclusion, and proximity to the availability of services, except where a demonstrated need

6. Page 46

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 13 Development Management Standards Page 420 Accommodation to locate in the open countryside because of the nature of the care required can be clearly established. Applications for residential care homes, retirement homes, nursing homes, retirement villages and sheltered accommodation consider and demonstrate the following: • The potential impact on residential amenities of adjoining properties; • Adequate provision of open space; • Provision of adequate parking facilities; • High standard of design and external finishes; • The size and scale of the proposal must be appropriate to the area; • A location within close proximity of high quality public transport links and the site should be well served by good footpath links; and • Compliance with Standards no. 2-7 of ‘National Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland’ (2016, Health Information and Quality Authority). Tourism and Recreation DMS-82 Tourist Facilities Tourist and recreation facilities, in particular accommodation, shall be generally located within towns and villages unless; • A comprehensive justification of the need for the development by its nature and space requirements to be located outside towns and villages, for example, golf courses, swimming, angling, sailing/boating, pier/marina development, water sports, equestrian and pony trekking routes, adventure/interpretative centres and associated ancillary uses, tourist related leisure facilities including walking and cycling; • Evidence that the proposed development will not have an adverse impact upon the scenic value, heritage value and the environmental, ecological or conservation quality of primary tourism asset(s) and its their general environment; • Evidence that potential environmental effects of a likely increase in tourists/tourism-related traffic volumes in particular locations/along particular routes have been considered and mitigation measures proposed. Such a consideration should include potential impacts on

7. Page 47

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 13 Development Management Standards Page 421 existing infrastructure (including drinking water, wastewater, waste and transport) resulting from tourism proposals; • Compliance with development management standards set out in this chapter; and • Evidence that, where feasible, existing ruinous or disused buildings or existing heritage buildings have been re-used to maximum potential. This list is not exhaustive and the Council may consider other requirements contained in the chapter on a case by case basis with planning applications should the need arise. DMS-83 Caravan, Motorhomes, Glamping and Camping developments Caravan, motorhomes, glamping and camping developments shall address the following; • A high standard integrated design and layout linking pitches to welllocated communal areas and on site facilities and amenities; • Compliance with the Regulations for Caravan and Camping Parks (Bord Fáilte 2009); • A detailed hard and soft landscaping plan for the overall site; • Mitigation plans for noise and litter; and • Details of wastewater disposal for the site. DMS-84 Self- Catering Developments Self-Catering developments shall address the following; • The layout of the development shall be of a high standard, incorporating well laid out communal open spaces, significant and appropriate landscaping maintaining existing site features such as hedgerow and trees, car parking provision, segregated waste storage and public lighting. • The design of units should be high quality and respect the character of the area in which they are located. Suburban type developments will not be favoured. Courtyard type developments will be particularly encouraged. Signage DMS-85 Sign Licence A sign licence in accordance with Section 254 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) is required where the sign is on or along

8. Page 48

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 13 Development Management Standards Page 422 a public road, while planning permission is required where the sign is on a private road / structure/land. DMS-86 National Routes Applications for advertisement structures along national routes outside 50 kph speed limits will generally not be permitted except for tourist attractions of national or regional importance. Applications for advertisement structures shall comply with the “Policy on the Provision of Tourist and Leisure Signage on National Roads” published by the National Roads Authority (or any such other relevant standards and legislation that may be enacted), Traffic Signs Manual published by Dept. of Transport and Section 3.8 of the Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines. All lettering, logos and symbols are subject to the approval of Offaly County Council. In general, the use of the standard brown background and white lettering will be preferred. DMS-87 Approach Roads to Towns and Villages Applications for advertisement structures along approach roads to towns and villages shall be permitted in finger post form and shall include only the business / facility name and distance information. A combined sign at the main entrance(s) to a settlement, of a suitable size and design may be considered, particularly if a settlement is a tourist destination, where there are a number of accommodation, dining, or visitor facilities. Any such structures that would interfere with traffic signs, sight lines or distract driver attention will not be permitted. DMS-88 Roundabouts and Traffic Signalised Junctions In general, advertisement structures will not be permitted at roundabouts and at traffic signalised junctions, at locations where they obstruct sight lines, compete with other traffic signs, give rise to confusion for road users or endanger traffic safety. DMS-89 Outdoor Advertising Structures Outdoor advertising structures, including trailer type structures, will not generally be permitted within the county, whether freestanding or attached to buildings. In particular, the use of gables or sides of buildings for the exhibition of advertising structures will not be permitted. Billboards or similar types of advertisements may be permitted in limited circumstances for a specified time period, where it can be demonstrated that the development will enhance the area, for example, by screening an unsightly site or derelict structure. The use of freestanding signs / advertising boards on or over the public footpath will not be permitted. DMS-90 Finger Post Signage The erection of fingerpost signs may require a sign licence in accordance with Section 254 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) or

9. Page 49

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 13 Development Management Standards Page 423 planning permission from Offaly County Council and should comply with the following: • Directional signs for major tourist attractions and community purposes will be considered but product advertising will not be permitted; • Signs must have a standard size and colour; and • Signs which interfere with the Local Authority’s directional signs or which contribute to visual clutter will not be permitted. The Fáilte Ireland Guidelines for the Provision of Pedestrian Tourist Signage in Historic Towns are a useful guidance document in this regard. DMS-91 Commercial, business and industrial areas Advertising signs in commercial, business and industrial areas should meet the following criteria; • They are in character and harmony with their surroundings and if applicable buildings on which they are displayed – in terms of size, scale, materials, finishes, and colour; • The amenities of the area will not be impaired; • Traffic signs will not be obscured; • The safety and free flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic is not interfered with; • They do not project above the skyline; • They do not interfere with windows or other features of the building façade; • They do not detract from the special interest or visual amenity of Protected Structures; • They would not lead to a cluttered appearance. Advance signs at the entrance to industrial estates etc. are more acceptable than a proliferation of separate stand-alone signs at each premises. DMS-92 Electronic Variable Messaging signs The use of electronic variable messaging signs commonly known as “VMS signs” shall be reserved strictly for use in roadwork activities, hazard information and or as part of an approved event traffic management plan. Advanced written consent of Offaly Council will be required prior to installation and usage of such signage.

10. Page 50

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    Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 13 Development Management Standards Page 424 Built Heritage DMS-93 Protected Structures including development within view of or within the curtilage, attendant grounds and setting of Protected Structures In general, applications for development that incorporate a protected structure shall comply with the detailed advice provided in the Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines (2004, reissued by DAHG, 2011) and should be accompanied by the following documentation (unless amended by subsequent Guidelines or legislation); Public notices (i.e. newspaper notice and site notice) Where the application relates to development which would consist of or comprise the carrying out of works to a protected structure or proposed protected structure, an indication of that fact shall be included on the notices. Copies of Plans and Particulars Ten copies of all drawings, plans and accompanying documentation for an application relating to a Protected Structure or Proposed Protected Structure as copies of the application must be circulated to the prescribed authorities. Site plan A site plan showing the Protected Structure in its setting, the relationship of the structure to its curtilage, its urban or rural surroundings and the adjacent land in the ownership of the applicant. Drawings of the Existing Situation • Plans, sections, elevation and contextual drawings of the existing Protected Structure(s) and ancillary buildings, where relevant, at a sufficient scale to indicate the general arrangement of the structure. • Drawings as they exist of elaborate or detailed features like fireplaces, stairs, cornices or joinery at scales of 1:10 or 1:5 will be required where this will be directly impacted by the proposed works. Drawings of the Proposed Changes • Plans, sections, elevation and contextual drawings showing the proposed changes to the Protected Structure(s) and ancillary buildings, where relevant. Changes to be clearly hatched or highlighted. The preferred scale for such drawings is 1:50 or 1: 100. • Drawings of the proposed changes to elaborate or detailed features like fireplaces, stairs, cornices or joinery at an appropriate scale will be required where they will be directly impacted by the proposed works.

Source Offaly County Council: Offaly County Development Plan 2021–2027 (as varied) — Chapter 13: Development Management Standards (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.