Waterford City and County Development Plan 2022–2028 — Chapter 2

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   Spatial Vision and Core Strategy Chapter 2 Sustainable Compact Growth Sustainable Tourism Climate Action Heritage Sustainable Places and Communities Accessibility and Connectivity Infrastructure Diverse Economy and Education Rural Economy

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 202821 Chapter 2: Spatial Vision and Core Strategy 2.0 Introduction Section 10 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, sets out that the written statement of a Development Plan must contain a Core Strategy which shows that the development objectives in the Development Plan are consistent, as far as practicable, with the objectives set out in the NPF & RSES while also demonstrating consistency with other national planning policy guidance issued under Section 28 of the Act. Based on the population targets set out in the NPF and RSES, and the assessment of existing services and infrastructure across the city and county, the Core Strategy identifies the quantum, location and phasing of development which can be facilitated over the plan period. It also identifies the investment priorities required to ensure development which takes place is led by the infrastructure required to service it. The Core Strategy seeks to ensure that Waterford continues to grow in a manner, and at a rate, which sustains and builds communities across all rural and urban locations. In addition to the population target for Waterford City as set out in the RSES and MASP, it is recognised1 that the influence of Waterford City extends to a wider hinterland which dominates a significant area of Waterford County, including Tramore, Dunmore East, Portlaw, Kill, Dunhill and Kilmacthomas, the southern portion of County Kilkenny including Piltown, Fiddown, Mooncoin, Kilmacow and Mullinavat, the hinterlands of Carrick on Suir, Kilsheelan and Clonmel in County Tipperary and New Ross in County Wexford. This weighted catchment had a pop of 290,073 persons in 2016 and is anticipated to increase to 339,531 persons by 2031. Therefore, Waterford City will have an important role in serving this population during the lifetime of the Development Plan. 1 Section 6.2 and 6.3 of the Waterford City & County Retail Strategy 2020 (Appendix 4 of the Development Plan) Waterford City & County Development Plan 2022 - 2028 Waterford City & Catchment Legend: WCCC Boundary CSO Settlements 2016 Figure 2.1 Waterford City & Catchment, Source CSO

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 202822 The Core Strategy demonstrates the Development Plan’s adherence with other strategic and EU Directive requirements, and has also been informed by a consideration of strategic options for Waterford as set out in the Strategic Environmental Assessment accompanying the Development Plan, along with the Stage 2 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment. Measures for protecting and enhancing water quality contained in the South East River Basin Management Plan are taken into account in compliance with the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC). The underlying principles of this Core Strategy are based upon achieving sustainable social and economic development across Waterford, along with compact growth for urban and rural settlements and a concentric city model for Waterford City, as envisaged in PLUTS, the NPF and RSES/MASP. These principles are founded upon the following: • EU/National/Regional Policy Context: EU Directives, NPF, RSES/MASP, South East River Basin Management Plan, • Section 28 Guidelines, • Local Policy and Strategy Context: PLUTS/WMATS, Retail Strategy, Housing Strategy, Settlement Strategy, Stage 2 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment, Landscape Character Assessment, Renewable Energy Strategy, operable Development Plans and local area plans, • Infrastructure led development and a sequential approach to zoning and development, • Principles of compact growth and regeneration where appropriate, • Appropriate Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment. 2.1 Core Strategy Strategic Aims The Strategic Aims of the Core Strategy are as follows: 1. Based on the population/employment targets and policy objectives of the NPF, RSES & MASP, provide a local policy framework to, support development where it is consistent with the principles of sustainable development, and which is applied through planning decisions which are clear, consistent, robust and risk adverse. 2. Identify investment priorities to deliver and support the settlement strategy and hierarchy, founded on the principle of infrastructure led development. 3. Counteract imbalances in housing type, tenure and location both within settlements, between settlements and across broader rural areas in order to meet the needs of the people of Waterford, mitigating current residential leakage and unsustainable travel patterns. 4. To require, where appropriate, all plans and projects to comply with the requirements of the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive, the Habitats Directive, Water Framework Directive and Floods Directive. Protect the integrity all Natura 2000 sites, (p) HNA’s and locally important Biodiversity Sites in Waterford. 5. To ensure the policies and objectives of the Development Plan demonstrate consistency with the national and regional policy objectives set out in the NPF, RSES and MASP. 6. To implement a tiered and infrastructure led approach to the development of new residential land and engage in active land management to bring forward opportunities for redevelopment where feasible. 7. Develop key infrastructure required to deliver the concentric city model for Waterford City, consistent with the NPF, RSES and MASP and founded on the assimilation of PLUTS and WMATS policy objectives.

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 202823 8. Implement the Waterford City and County Council Climate Adaptation Strategy 2019 (as amended) and promote a climate resilient pattern of development and land uses which assists in achieving national climate change mitigation and adaption targets. 9. To protect and strengthen the retail primacy of Waterford City within the Southern Region. 10. To protect and enhance the vibrancy and vitality of urban and rural centres and their mixed-use functions/capacity as community hubs. 11. To enhance the sense of place throughout settlements in Waterford and deliver 10-minute neighbourhoods through enhanced pedestrian and cycle permeability and mixed land use planning. 12. To protect existing employment and promote new employment areas at strategic locations and in district and local services centres across Waterford County. 13. To acknowledge the vital importance of the tourism sector to economic development and ccontinue to encourage and promote the sustainable development of a range of quality tourism facilities, attractions and accommodation types across Waterford. 2.2 Core Strategy Policy Context and Rationale The Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Southern Region (RSES) were made on the 31st January 2020 and cover the period 2020 - 2032. The RSES identifies employment and population targets which are consistent with the NPF for the region along with policy objectives to deliver such growth in a sustainable manner in both urban and rural locations. Through its vision statement the RSES seeks to: • Nurture all our places to realise their full potential. • Protect, and enhance our environment. • Work to achieve economic prosperity and improved quality of life for all our citizens. • Accommodate expanded growth and development in suitable locations; and • Promote the region’s international reputation as one of Europe’s most creative, innovative, greenest and liveable regions. In addition, the broad strategic concepts of the RSES as they relate to Waterford City and County are identified in Figure 2.2.

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 202824 While the RSES identifies the importance of collaboration between Metropolitan Areas (RPO 6) and their combined potential as a viable alternative to Dublin, of building critical mass in the three cities of Waterford, Limerick and Cork in order to deliver sustainable employment and population growth and thereby enhance the function of the cities as engines for broader economic growth across the region, the RSES also sets out a settlement typology, considering the role and function of all settlements, settlement networks and rural areas. The principle spatial expression envisaged in the core strategy is set out in Figure 2.3 for Waterford City and County. Figure 2.2 RSES Strategy Map (Source RSES)CarlowWexfordKilkennyTipperaryLimerickCorkWaterfordClareKerry M18 M8 M7 N20 M8 M9 M11 M7 M9 M8 N25 N24 N21 N22 N71 N69 N69 N71 N71 N72 N73 N11 N24 N25 N76 N80 N80 N21 N20 N68 N67 N67 Ennis Cork MASP* Mallow Clonakilty Tralee Killarney Limerick-Shannon MASP* Clonmel Nenagh Newcastle West Thurles Kilkenny Wexford Carlow Dungarvan Waterford MASP* Potential for a Cork Harbour Strategic Integrated Framework Plan Initiative Potential for a Waterford Estuary Integrated Framework Plan Initiative”. Strategic Integrated Framework Plan for the Shannon Estuary Gorey * Note: Refer to the MASP sections for further details Atlantic Economic Corridor Ireland’s Ancient East Eastern Corridor Economic interactions between the Corridors, Inter-regional Networking potential, Metropolitan Areas and Wider Region County Boundaries MASP Boundary Rural Innovation Land & Marine Frameworks Cities Key Towns Rail Network Strategic Road Network Port Tier 1 Port Tier 2 Regional Other Key Roads Airport

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 202825 Settlement Heirarchy 1 - City Metro Area 2 - Key Town 3A - Large Urban Town 3B - Urban Town 4A - Rural Towns 4B - Rural Villages 5 - Rural Nodes Hospital Education Port of Waterford Waterford Airport Regional Connectivity Shipping Lane Railway Green/Active Connectivity Retail Core Rural Economic Cluster Strategic Economic Growth Area North Quays SDZ Strategic Housing Areas Strategic Open Spaces Strategic Open Space Link Waterford MASP WCCC Boundary Waterford City & County Council Development Plan 2022 - 2028 Waterford Spatial Strategy Legend: Figure 2.3 Waterford Spatial Strategy 2.3 Settlement Typology The settlement typology identified in the RSES is committed to supporting diverse urban and rural communities and places throughout the Region. The settlement strategy and Table 2.1 identifies the relevant categories of settlements across Waterford and underpins the overall settlement hierarchy provided for in the Development Plan. In devising Core Strategies, the RSES requires the relevant local authority to have regard to the settlement typology and the following guiding principles: 1. Scale of population, and existing performance. 2. The extent to which a settlement is located inside or outside one of the three defined City Region catchments. 3. Scale of employment provision, number of jobs, jobs: resident workers ratio and net commuting flows. 4. Extent of local services and amenities provision i.e. administration, education – particularly higher education institutes, health, leisure and retail. 5. Extent to which trips may be made by sustainable modes of travel, i.e. walking, cycling or public transport. 6. Rate and pace of past development and the extent to which there are outstanding requirements for infrastructure and amenities. 7. Accessibility and influence in a regional or sub-regional context. 8. Sub-regional interdependencies, for example, where a settlement may be in relation to several nearby settlements and scope for collaboration including settlements closely adjoining Local Authority boundaries for cross boundary collaboration.

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 202826 9. Character of local geography and accessibility as a service centre for remote and long-distance rural hinterlands. 10. Track record of performance and delivery, as well as ambition and initiative and scope to leverage investment. 11. Environmental and Infrastructural constraints. 12. The appropriate density and scale of development relevant to the settlement scale and location including the differing rates and nature of development experienced. 13. The need to provide attractive alternative options to rural housing within smaller towns and villages. 2.4 Waterford City and County Population Target The RSES has identified population targets for Waterford City and County, based on the principles of regional growth set out in the NPF. Table 2.1 provides a summary of projected population growth during the period 2016 – 2031 (the life of the MASP), on which the Development Plan Core Strategy is based. Figures provided for areas of Waterford City located within the administrative area of County Kilkenny are excluded from the total population target for Waterford City and County. 2.5 Relationship with other Development Plans, Local area Plans and Strategies The Waterford City & County Development Plan 2022 – 2028 will be the first unitary Development Plan operable for the entire administrative area of Waterford City & County Council and is being prepared under Section 11 of the Act. It should be noted that the operable period, or life of the Waterford City Development Plan 2013 – 2019, the Waterford County Development Plan 2011 – 2017, and the Dungarvan Town Development Plan 2013 – 2019, have all be extended under Section 11 of the Act to take account of the amalgamation of Waterford City Council and Waterford County Council in 2014, the dissolution of Dungarvan Town Council, and the time needed to prepare the NPF and RSES. These plans remain in force until replaced by the new unitary City and County Development Plan. Table 2.1 Waterford City and County Population Targets, Source RSES Settlement 2016 2026 Uplift 2031 Uplift City & Suburbs (Kilkenny) +60% to 2040 5,288 6,608 1,320 7,268 660 Remainder Metro Area (Kilkenny) + 30% to 2040 2,952 3,321 370 3,506 185 City & Suburbs (Waterford) +60% to 2040 48,216 60,716 12,500 66,966 6,250 Remainder Metro Area (Waterford) +30% to 2040 3,399 3,819 420 4,029 210 Total Metro Area Pop (+34,007 to 93,861 in 2040) 59,854 74,464 14,610 81,769 7,305 Waterford City & County (excluding Kilkenny area of City & Metro) 116,000 132,000 to 135,000 16,000 to 19,000 137,000 to 144,000 21,000 to 28,000

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 202827 The three Local Area Plans for Tramore, Portlaw and Lismore form the lowest tier of statutory plans, having been made so as to be consistent with the Waterford County Development Plan 2011 – 2017 and its core strategy. Following the preparation of the new unitary Development Plan for the city and county, and the new core strategy which is consistent with the NPF and SRSES, it is intended to prepare new LAPs for areas in Waterford City, and the urban settlements of Dungarvan, Tramore, Dunmore East, Portlaw, and for the town of Lismore, having particular regard to its heritage. Furthermore, a LAP will be prepared for Gaeltacht na nDéise during the lifetime of the Development Plan. The making of such LAPs will be a function of the relevant Municipal District Council. It is important to stress however that while LAPs will be prepared in due course, their Core Strategies and associate land use zoning provisions will be consistent with the content of the unitary City and County Development Plan as made by the Plenary Council. 2.6 Housing Strategy Section 94(1A) of the Act requires that every Development Plan shall also provide for the housing of existing and future population of the area, by way of a Housing Strategy. While Section 10 (1A) of the Act requires that a Development Plan also includes a Core Strategy to be consistent with NPF & RSES. Both the Core and Housing strategies should thus be aligned in terms of population projections. A Housing Strategy must include (inter alia): • Analysis of demand and supply of different sectors of the housing market. • A forecast of future requirements. • Propose strategies to balance supply and demand in a sustainable manner. • Facilitate the provision of 10% social housing on all land zoned solely for residential use or for a mixture of residential and other uses. Furthermore, the Housing Strategy must inform a Neighbourhood/Settlement Strategy for the City and County respectively, and ensure it informs: • Adequate zoned and serviced land is available for residential purposes, at appropriate locations, to meet requirements for future housing demand (consistent with Core Strategy). • The availability of housing to people with different income levels. • A mix of house type/size to be developed to reasonably match the different categories of household i.e. Elderly, travellers, homeless and those with disabilities. [s 94(2) PDA requires consideration of housing needs assessment carried out by the Housing Authority pursuant to s 21(a) of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and consultation with approved bodies under s 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992] • Counteracts measures to prevent undue social segregation in housing. • The need for housing for purchase by intending owner-occupiers. The full Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA) and Housing Strategy are set out in Appendix 3, while detailed policies to facilitate implementation of the Strategy are set out in Chapter 7. These, among other things, identify a rationale for providing for a mix and range of residential density across our urban centres with a view to curtailing evidenced residential leakage and associated unsustainable travel patterns.

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 202828 2.7 Settlement Strategy and Hierarchy The function and importance of the city neighbourhoods and the towns across Waterford is identified in the neighbourhood and settlement strategy, in a manner which is consistent with national and regional policy, and the proposed strategy reflects an evolution of the existing strategies set out in the existing separate City and County Development Plans. Also identified, is the overall settlement hierarchy, which is similarly based on the NPF and RSES, but also reflects the overall importance of the various towns and settlements in terms of social, commercial and amenity functionality. 2.8 City Neighbourhoods As outlined in the PLUTS, the City Neighbourhood Strategy represents a sustainable development strategy, reflecting the development of a compact city supported by the consolidation of existing, and the establishment of new, neighbourhoods. This approach to neighbourhood planning is consistent with the neighbourhood concept criteria outlined in the S28 Guidelines ‘Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas, (2009), the NPF, RSES and Section 7.3 of the MASP. While greater detail of the regeneration lands and individual neighbourhoods is provided in Part 2, Chapter 3 of Volume 1 of this Development Plan, broadly speaking, outside of the regeneration capacity available in the city centre and its periphery, the neighbourhood strategy identifies two strategic areas for significant residential development south of the Suir: • City South West Neighbourhood (University/Ballybeg/Kilbarry/Lacken); and, • City North West Neighbourhood (Carrickphierish). The other existing but well-established neighbourhoods are: • Sacred Heart Neighbourhood comprising Ballytruckle and Kilcohan and Williamstown. • Dunmore Road – comprising Farronshoneen/ Ballinakill Neighbourhood and Knockboy/Blenheim Neighbourhood. • Larchville/Lisduggan/Lismore Neighbourhood; and, • Ferrybank Neighbourhood. While some weight has been given in a number of City Development Plans since 2000 on the development of the Gracedieu area, to date there has been no significant investment in infrastructure to service this particular area of the city. Having regard to this and the principles of infrastructure led development, 10 minute neighbourhoods and compact growth, it is now proposed to develop fully the principle strategy, policy and land use zoning objectives which will ensure the delivery of a sustainable neighbourhood for Waterford through the Local Area Plan process, and to focus new residential development in other areas of the city until such time as a Local Area Plan is prepared and infrastructure provided to support the genesis of the city north west neighbourhood and community.

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    WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 202829 Table 2.2 Settlement Hierarchy and Typology Class Category Place Attributes 1 City- Metropolitan Area Waterford City Metropolitan areas accessible with national and international connectivity, strong business core, innovation, education, retail, health and cultural role. 2 Key Town Dungarvan, including Ballinroad Clonmel Environs Strategically located urban centre with accessibility and significant influence in a sub-regional context. 3A Large Urban Town Tramore. Towns and villages of above 1,500 pop, which provide a housing employment and or service function. The category is broad and ranges from large commuter towns to more remote towns and villages.3B Urban Town Dunmore East, Portlaw and Lismore. 4A Rural Towns Cappoquin, Kilmacthomas, Tallow, Ardmore, Gaeltacht na nDéise (inc Sean Phobal), Passage East/Crooke, Stradbally, Rural towns and villages less than 1,500 pop and the wider rural region. While rural in scale these towns provide a range of employment along with commercial, cultural and community services. 4B Rural Villages Aglish, Ballyduff Upper, Ballymacarbry, Bonmahon/ Knockmahon, Cheekpoint, Clashmore, Clonea Power, Dunhill, Kill, Kilmeaden/ Ballyduff, Lemybrien/ Kilrossanty, Rathgormuck, Touraneena, Villierstown. Rural towns and villages less than 500 pop and their immediate rural areas. These have a primary residential function and generally have more limited employment availability and services than those evident in Class 4BA. 5 Rural Nodes Annestown, Ballylaneen, Ballymacaw, Butlerstown, Faithlegg, Fenor, Grange, Kilbrien, Knockanore, Mellary, Modeligo, Piltown, Whitechurch. Small clusters of development usually focussed on a community or commercial use and which have potential to function as a centre for a small number of additional housing units. 2.9 County Settlements Similarly, to the city neighbourhood strategy, the county settlement strategy reflects an evolution of the settlement strategy identified in the Waterford County Development Plan 2011 – 2017, having regard to the tailored approach to settlement typology set out in Section 3 of the RSES. Table 2.2 identifies the relevant baseline structure and hierarchy as envisaged by the RSES. While some settlement networks exist for the purposes of shared services and proximity, others are evolving in terms of economic development and shared amenity assets. These latter networks are explained further in Chapter 4.

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