Regional strategy (RSES) · Southern Region
Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Southern Region
The regional strategy for the Southern Region, including the Cork, Limerick–Shannon and Waterford metropolitan area strategic plans.
Southern Regional Assembly · January 2020 · 382 pages
Ask this document
Answers come only from the text of Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Southern Region, each claim linked to its page. They are not advice; check the page itself.
Free, with a daily limit.
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES211 RPO 208 Irish Water and Water Supply It is an objective to: a. Support the implementation of Irish Water Investment Plans (prepared in five-year cycles) and subsequent investment plans and seek such plans to align the supply of water services with the settlement strategy and objectives of the RSES and Metropolitan Area Strategic Plans for Cork, Limerick- Shannon and Waterford; b. Support the role of Irish Water Investment Plans in taking into account seasonal pressures on critical service infrastructure, climate change implications and leakage reduction in the design of all relevant projects; c. Deliver and phase services, subject to the required appraisal, planning and environmental assessment processes and shall avoid adverse impacts on the integrity of the Natura 2000 network; d. Local Authority Core Strategies shall demonstrate compliance with DHPLG Water Services Guidelines for Planning Authorities and demonstrate phased infrastructure led growth to meet demands on the water supply, suitability of new and/or existing drinking water sources (for example hydro morphological pressures) and prevent adverse impacts on the integrity of water dependent habitats and species within the Natura 2000 network. RPO 209 Strategic Water Supply Projects It is an objective to support investment and the sustainable development of strategic water supply projects by Irish Water and relevant local authorities, arising from initiatives including Investment Plans, 25 Year Water Supply Plans for our Region’s cities and metropolitan areas, leakage reduction programmes and initiatives through the National Water Resources Plan subject to appropriate environmental assessment and the planning process. RPO 210 Drinking Water Protection Plans It is an objective to support the development of Drinking Water Protection Plans in line with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive and the current and future cycles of the River Basin Management Plans. In this regard, the RSES supports the inclusion of objectives in County Development Plans relating to the provision of mitigation and protection measures for all protected areas, including Drinking Water Protected areas and associated Source Protection Plans. 8.1.2 | Waste Water Collection and Treatment There is an urgent need to eliminate point sources of pollution caused by untreated effluent across the Region. The Irish Water Services Strategic Plan (2015), identified 44 settlements discharging untreated effluent, 24 of which were in the Region. A number of these settlements are now provided with wastewater treatment and Irish Water is aiming to upgrade the remaining settlements by the end of 2021. Achieving compliance with the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment (UWWT) Directive is currently the focus of Irish Water’s investment in wastewater infrastructure and is likely to continue to be so in the medium-term. All such interventions incorporate an appropriate growth provision. Irish Water is investing in some 113 wastewater projects in the Region in its current Capital Investment Plan as well as additional projects, included under its Capital Programmes portfolio. Future investment to be included in the next investment plan will ensure Cork, Limerick- Shannon and Waterford Metropolitan Areas and Key Towns should have the capacity to accommodate future growth for the next 12 years. Upgrades of collection networks may be required to accommodate new development in specific localised areas. The upgrading of 64% of relevant treatment plants in the Region to meet UWWT Directive requirements are included in the current Capital Investment Plan 2017- 21, although a number will run into the next investment cycle 2020-24.
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES212 RPO 211 Irish Water and Wastewater It is an objective to support the implementation of Irish Water Investment Plans (prepared in fiveyear cycles) and subsequent investment plans, to align the supply of wastewater treatment facilities with the settlement strategy and objectives of the RSES and Metropolitan Area Strategic Plans for Cork, Limerick-Shannon and Waterford. Support the role of Irish Water Investment Plans in taking into account seasonal pressures on critical service infrastructure, climate change implications, and leakage reduction in the design of all relevant projects. RPO 213 Rural Wastewater Treatment Programmes It is an objective to support investment in the sustainable development of rural wastewater treatment programmes and supports the initiatives of Irish Water, local authorities, communities and developers in small rural settlements to identify sustainable solutions subject to available funding for such services including the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund of the NDP. Investment in Rural Wastewater and Treatment Programmes will be subject to settlement hierarchies and core strategies set out in development plans. RPO 214 Eliminating Untreated Discharges and Long-term Planning It is an objective to support Irish Water and the relevant local authorities in the Region to eliminate untreated discharges from settlements in the short-term, while planning strategically for the long-term in tandem with Project Ireland 2040 and the RSES and in increasing compliance with the requirements of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. RPO 215 Separation of Foul and Surface Water Networks Development Plans shall support strategic wastewater treatment infrastructure investment and facilitate the separation of foul and surface water networks to accommodate the future growth of the Region. RPO 216 Servicing of Rural Villages It is an objective to support the servicing of rural villages (serviced sites) to provide an alternative to one-off housing in the countryside. RPO 212 Strategic Wastewater Treatment Facilities a. It is an objective to support investment and the sustainable development of strategic wastewater treatment facilities by Irish Water in the Region arising from initiatives including Investment Plans, Strategic Drainage Area Plans subject to appropriate environmental assessment and the planning process. b. For the management of wastewater, increasing population growth should be planned on a phased basis in collaboration with Irish Water and the local authorities to ensure that the assimilative capacity of the receiving environment is not exceeded and that increased wastewater discharges from population growth does not contribute to degradation of water quality and to avoid adverse impacts on the integrity of the Natura 2000 network. Refer to Chapter 5 Green Infrastructure, Water Quality, River Basin Management Plans for further emphasis and objectives on water, drainage and Sustainable Drainage Systems.
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES213 8.1.3 | Surface Water RPO 217 Storm Water Infrastructure It is an objective to support the relevant local authorities (and Irish Water where appropriate) to improve storm water infrastructure to improve sustainable drainage and reduce the risk of flooding in the urban environment. RPO 218 Sustainable Urban Drainage and Rainwater Harvesting It is an objective to support the incorporation of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDs) in all public and private development in urban areas. The local authorities shall include objectives requiring the incorporation of SUDs in local authority development plans and Local Area Plans, and promoting greater rainwater harvesting by households and businesses for the diversion of storm water from combined sewers (where possible), so that within developments and in the wider public realm, opportunities for SUDs and rainwater harvesting maximise capacity to cater for infill, brownfield and new development in sewer networks and treatment plants. Refer to Chapter 5 Green Infrastructure, Water Quality, River Basin Management Plans for further emphasis and objectives on water, drainage and Sustainable Drainage Systems. Approaches to manage surface water that take account of water quantity (flooding), water quality (pollution), biodiversity (wildlife and plants) and amenity are collectively referred to as Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS). Storm water flows can have a significant detrimental impact on the available capacity of combined sewer networks and at treatment plants. SuDs and the diversion of surface water from combined sewers should be sought in infill/brownfield sites as appropriate. Early identification of potential brownfield and infill sites in each city by Local Authorities will allow assessment of existing capacity.
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES214 8.2 | Strategic Energy Grid The Region is particularly rich in renewable energy resources and contains significant energy generation infrastructure of national and regional importance, including hydro-generation, thermal generation at Moneypoint, Tarbert, Marina, Aghada, Whitegate and Great Island. Even with significant energy demand centres, the Region is currently generating more than demand at present Eirgrid’s Grid Development Strategy, Your Grid, Your Tomorrow addresses the overall need of the system and will increase transfer capacity from the south and southwest to the Eastern and Midland Region. This signifies the strategic role of the Region’s energy assets in national energy generation and transmission. The existing infrastructure, developed over many years, represents major and on-going capital and infrastructural investment in strategic national assets and is essential for the continued provision of a secure and reliable electricity supply. This is particularly the case within electricity generation stations including Ardnacrusha hydro-station (86MW) on the river Shannon, Inniscarra & Carrigadrohid hydrostations (27MW) on the river Lee and three thermal plants, one at Moneypoint (915MW) and two thermal stations at Aghada (270MW & 435MW). Investment in new renewable energy technologies at these locations will make it more feasible to transition to a low carbon future. Eirgrid and the French transmission system operator (RTÉ) are jointly developing an energy interconnector between France and Ireland at a location in our Region (the Celtic Interconnector project). There are significant benefits to this project, including an increased competition and increased security in supply. It will help facilitate Ireland’s transition to a low carbon energy future and host fibre optics, providing direct telecommunications link between Ireland and continental Europe. A safe, secure and reliable supply of energy is critical to a well-functioning Region. With projected increases in population and economic growth, the demand for energy is set to increase in the coming years. In moving towards a more energy efficient society and an increase in renewable sources, there is a need to set a policy approach which will meet national targets for renewable electricity generation, climate change and security of energy supplies. The RSES supports a safe, secure and reliable system of transmission and distribution of electricity and the successful implementation of the Ireland’s Grid Development Strategy, Your Grid, Your Tomorrow, prepared by EirGrid. The transmission grid is currently robust enough to service the growth strategy for the Region and demand locations. There is significant potential to use renewable energy across the Region to achieve climate change emission reduction targets. With costs actively driven down by innovation in solar, onshore and offshore wind in particular, the renewable industry is increasingly cost competitive. The RSES supports renewable industries and requirements for transmission and distribution infrastructure. Refer also to Chapter 5 for RPOs supporting renewable energy. Data Centres The Government statement on the role of Data Centres in Ireland’s Enterprise Strategy published June 2018, advises that a plan-led and strategic approach should ensure suitable locations throughout Ireland are promoted for investment in data centres to minimise the need for deep reinforcements on the energy grid. This policy is reflected for the Region in the objectives set out on the next page.
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES215 RPO 219 New Energy Infrastructure It is an objective to support the sustainable reinforcement and provision of new energy infrastructure by infrastructure providers (subject to appropriate environmental assessment and the planning process) to ensure the energy needs of future population and economic expansion within designated growth areas and across the Region can be delivered in a sustainable and timely manner and that capacity is available at local and regional scale to meet future needs. RPO 222 Electricity Infrastructure It is an objective to support the development of a safe, secure and reliable supply of electricity and to support and facilitate the development of enhanced electricity networks and facilitate new transmission infrastructure projects that might be brought forward in the lifetime of this plan under EirGrid’s (2017) Grid Development Strategy (subject to appropriate environmental assessment and the planning process) to serve the existing and future needs of the Region and strengthen all-island energy infrastructure and interconnection capacity. RPO 223 International Energy Interconnection Infrastructure It is an objective to support the sustainable development of international energy interconnection infrastructure and support the sustainable development (subject to appropriate environmental assessment and the planning process) of the Celtic Interconnector project between Ireland and France from a location in the Region. RPO 224 Delivery of Energy Networks Local Authorities shall work in partnership with existing service providers to facilitate required enhancement and upgrading of existing infrastructure and networks (subject to appropriate environmental assessment and the planning process) and support the safeguarding of strategic energy corridors from encroachment by other developments that could compromise the delivery of energy networks. RPO 220 Integrated Single Electricity Market (I-SEM) It is an objective to support the Integrated Single Electricity Market (I-SEM) as a key priority for the Region and seeks the sustainable development and reinforcement of the energy grid including grid connections, transboundary networks into and through the Region and between all adjacent Regions subject to appropriate environmental assessment and planning processes. RPO 221 Renewable Energy Generation and Transmission Network a. Local Authority City and County Development Plans shall support the sustainable development of renewable energy generation and demand centres such as data centres which can be serviced with a renewable energy source (subject to appropriate environmental assessment and the planning process) to spatially suitable locations to ensure efficient use of the existing transmission network; b. The RSES supports strengthened and sustainable local/community renewable energy networks, micro renewable generation, climate smart countryside projects and connections from such initiatives to the grid. The potential for sustainable local/community energy projects and micro generation to both mitigate climate change and to reduce fuel poverty is also supported; c. The RSES supports the Southern Region as a Carbon Neutral Energy Region. Refer to Chapter 5 for further references and objectives that support renewable energy and energy efficiency.
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES216 8.3 | Gas Networks Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) operates, builds and maintains the state-owned gas network (representing 30% of Ireland’s primary energy). They aim to move to a “carbon neutral” gas network by 2050. Renewable gas is an extremely flexible and efficient fuel that can be fully accommodated into the existing gas network. In urban areas, natural gas and renewable gas are economically beneficial routes to a decarbonised heat sector. The network currently include Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Kilkenny, the towns of Metropolitan Cork, Carlow, Tramore, Wexford, Clonmel, Carrick On Suir, Nenagh, Ennis, Shannon, Mallow, Bandon, Fermoy, Kinsale and Listowel. There are opportunities to extend the gas network to other settlements and to draw further upon the use of renewable gas supplies and support decarbonisation in the energy sector. The gas network also has the capacity to accommodate new loads as part of the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy. Increased use of the gas network can provide enhanced energy security at a relatively low cost. There is significant demand for renewable gas from industry as a heating and transport fuel. In addition, the circular economy benefits will also deliver a major decarbonisation benefit for agriculture and industry. GNI is committed to integrating indigenous renewable gas production (including biogas derived from waste) and grid injection, and is progressing a renewable gas injection facility project with Green Generation Ltd and the GRAZE Gas project in Mitchelstown. There is significant potential for the Region to lead in the integration of the biogas sector and biogas production as a core element of sustainable agriculture, developing a significant indigenous renewable energy industry. There are further proposals in assessing a potential Carbon Capture Storage Project, which has the potential to decarbonise gas-fired power plants in the Region, and thereby make a significant contribution to achieving a low carbon economy in Ireland. Chapter 5 contains related objectives on renewable biogas/biomethane sector, renewable energy and decarbonisation. Energy Hub Case Study: The Tarbert-Ballylongford lands in Co Kerry The Tarbert-Ballylongford lands in Co Kerry comprise of 390 hectares of lands zoned for marinerelated industry and compatible industries. Planning permission exists at the location to build a Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) importation and storage terminal on a portion of the site. The proposal included a 500 MW Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant, a 26km pipeline and permitted connection to the natural gas grid. It is anticipated that the project would position the area as a major National Centre for CHP and facilities requiring access to deep water with substantial requirements for electricity and natural gas. RPO 225 Gas Network Subject to appropriate environmental assessment and the planning process where required, it is an objective to: a. Promote renewable gas leading to carbon emission reduction in agriculture, industry, heating and transport as well as sustainable local employment opportunities. b. Support the transition of the gas network to a “carbon neutral” gas network by 2050, which will drive Ireland and the Region to becoming a low carbon society. c. Support investment in the sustainable development of agricultural biogas sector and regional gas supply projects which strengthen gas networks in the Region and assist integration of renewable gas to the grid network. d. Support investment in developing renewable gas and provision of CNG refuelling infrastructure which will help reduce the Green House Gas emissions in both the agriculture and transport sectors and support Carbon Capture and Storage initiatives, which has the potential to decarbonise power generation at scale e. Strengthen the gas network sustainably to service settlements and employment areas in the Region, support progress in developing the infrastructures to enable strategic energy projects in the Region. An example is the Tarbert/Ballylongford landbank in Co Kerry which is a strategic development site under the Strategic Integrated Framework Plan for the Shannon Estuary and support for the extension of the Gas Network from Listowel into the Kerry Hub and Knowledge Tri-Angle settlements of Tralee, Killarney and Killorglin.
No text on this page — it is probably a drawing, a map, a photograph or a scanned page. See it in the PDF.
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES218 9 9.1 | Introduction The primary objective of the RSES is to support the implementation of the National Planning Framework (NPF) and the economic policies and objectives of the Government by providing a long-term strategic planning and economic framework for the development of the Southern Region. The objectives of the RSES are set out in accordance with the principles of sustainable development and national economic, social, environment policies. The success of the RSES rests on policy coherence at national, regional and local level and the consequential programme of investments. The implementation plan for the RSES will have streamlined governance arrangements and focused public capital investment priorities, with a review within 6 years of its adoption. The RSES includes a development framework that sets out the context for the preparation of core strategies in local authority development plans to ensure consistency with the RSES. It will also directly influence the content of Local Area Plans (LAPs), Local Economic and Community Plans (LECPs) which must be formulated in accordance with the RSES framework. Key implementation mechanisms in the RSES include MASPs to facilitate improved coordination and delivery of strategic sites in the Cork, Limerick-Shannon and Waterford’s metropolitan areas. Implementation, Monitoring & Evaluation
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES219 9.2 | Legislative Background The preparation, review and monitoring of the RSES is underpinned by the Planning and Development Acts (as amended) and the Local Government Acts (as amended). Section 27 of the Planning and Development Act (as amended) provides that, local authorities ensure consistency between any development plans or LAPs and the RSES in force for its area. Regional Assemblies are obliged to prepare submissions or observations in relation to the making of, and variations to, local authority development plans, stating its opinion whether the plan and its core strategy is consistent with the RSES in force for the area. If a Regional Assembly is of the opinion that a development plan and its core strategy is not consistent with the RSES, its submission or observations and report will include recommendations on the required amendments to ensure consistency. Section 44 of the Local Government Reform Act (2014) requires that an LECP is consistent with any RSES as well as the core strategy and the objectives of the development plan of the local authority concerned. Local authorities are also required under this Act to submit a draft LECP to the relevant Regional Assembly for consideration which is then required to adopt a statement on the draft LECP.
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES220 9.3 | Implementation The implementation phase of delivering the RSES will focus on policies, actions and investment programmes to deliver the Regional Strategic Outcomes. The Regional Assembly will construct a full implementation plan for the RSES with clear timebound progress indicators and transparent reporting milestones with the involvement of key stakeholders from the Region. Review and Alignment of Local Authority Plans with the RSES There are ten local authority development plans in effect in the Region with varying review timeframes. The Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2016 provides for recently adopted plans, ordinarily lasting 6 years, to be brought forward for review or variation to align with the RSES. This means that most development plans will be subject to review during 2020-22, broadly aligned to address a 6-year period to 2026-27. All LAPs, including those to replace previously extended town plans, will be similarly brought into alignment during or immediately after the development plan review period. In the interim, any amendments or reviews of these plans, particularly in urban areas, will need to reflect the approach and direction of the NPF and RSES. Implementation of the RSES and MASPs The Southern Regional Assembly will put in place robust structures for the implementation of the RSES and the MASPs to ensure delivery is specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time bound, including action plans, progress indicators and transparent tracking. The MASPs were prepared with the constituent local authorities and key stakeholders, who will be critical agents in the delivery of the Regional Policy Objectives. In consultation with the local authorities and key stakeholders, implementation groups will be formed consisting of representatives of these organisations. These implementation groups will drive implementation, and have oversight, of their respective MASPs for the Region. Investment and Funding Investment is key to delivering the objectives of the RSES and this will be achieved through a variety of funding sources. Project Ireland 2040 Project Ireland 2040, includes (for the first time) an investment programme linked to a spatial plan. Project Ireland 2040 includes four new funds totalling €4bn to stimulate renewal and investment in rural and urban areas, climate action and innovation, a €22bn climate change programme, as well as major public transport investment. The RSES has aligned its Regional Policy Objectives with the National Strategic Objectives to improve the competitive advantage of the Region and maximise the investment opportunities. Urban Regeneration and Development Fund The Urban Regeneration and Development Fund supports compact growth and sustainable development in the five cities and other large urban centres. The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government has responsibility for the fund which has €2bn under the NDP to 2027. In line with the objectives of the NPF, the fund is designed to leverage a greater proportion of residential and commercial development, supported by infrastructure, services and amenities, within the existing built ‘footprint’ of our larger settlements. RPO 226 Implementation Mechanism for the Strategy and MASPs Within a year of the making of the RSES, the SRA will establish robust structures crosssectoral stakeholder and cross-boundary local authority steering group committees for the implementation phase to ensure the delivery of the RSES and the MASPs is specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound. The implementation phase will include action plans that include time-bound targets, progress indicators and a set project-tracking plan in consultation with relevant stakeholders to ensure the effective and efficient delivery.
Source Southern Regional Assembly: Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Southern Region (January 2020) · 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.