Development plan · Waterford City and County Council
Waterford City and County Development Plan 2022–2028 — Chapter 4
One part of the council's development plan written statement, which the council publishes in parts. Variations adopted since are not in this text.
Waterford City and County Council · 2022–2028 · 41 pages
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- WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028105 Economic Policy Objectives ECON 03 Planning for Appropriate Economic Growth To encourage, promote and facilitate economic and employment growth, resilience, diversity, social enterprise and the regeneration of underutilised areas. Development proposals will be supported which demonstrate that: • The proposed development is of a high standard of design, layout, access, parking, and landscaping, and integrates and contributes positively to the built quality and amenity of the site and its surroundings. • The proposal contributes positively to the quality and amenity of the receiving environment, built or natural, and the amenity of any residential properties in the vicinity. • The proposal is readily accessible by public transport (where available), bicycle and foot, or contribute towards provision of new routes to serve the area. • The proposal, where likely to result in at least 50 employees commuting to the site, contains a Green Commuter/ Mobility Management Plan showing how at least 33% of the workforce will commute without driver-only occupancy of a private motor vehicle. • The proposal incorporates SuDS and other nature-based solutions to manage surface water and ensure that run-off rates do not exceed existing site or greenfield (in the case of undeveloped lands) rates, and/ or improve these where they may be problematic; and, • The proposal demonstrates clear compliance with Volume 3 Development Management Standards of the Development Plan. Note: For further details of the Council’s partnerships with private and public sector organisations to regenerate the city and county’s economy and employment, refer to the Waterford Cultural Quarter (WCQ) Strategy and other relevant strategies, e.g. The Rural Waterford Visitor Experience Development Plan; Waterford LEADER Local Development Strategy (LDS). For details of the MASP proposed public transport, cycle and pedestrian infrastructure, refer to the Chapter 3, 5 and Volume 2 Development Management Standards of this Development Plan.
- WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028106 Economic Policy Objectives ECON 04 City and Town Centre First Approach We will support national policy as stated in Town Centre First: A Policy Approach for Irish Towns (DHLG&H/ DRCD) 2022 across Waterford City and County. When considering advancing local authority initiatives, and submitted development proposals, we will adopt a city and town and city centre first approach in a manner consistent with the principles of compact growth and mixed-use development, as committed to in ‘Town Centre First’. We will support and enable vibrant and viable centres to accommodate a diverse range of commercial, community, heritage, riverside/ marine, amenity and residential uses to ensure they fulfil their role in supporting sustainable communities. Where proposals are not appropriate to, or cannot be accommodated in a settlement centre, we will adopt a sequential approach to identify the most appropriate location in line with the policies and development management standards of the Development Plan. To this end, the Council will promote, facilitate, and undertake works and initiatives aimed at: • An integrated and ‘whole of local government’ approach to packaging relevant funding schemes (e.g., TVRS; Outdoor Recreation; FLAG; CLAR; URDF; RRDF) towards town/ village renewal/ rejuvenation plans. • Encouraging and facilitating increased ‘living over shops’ and above-the-shop conversions to expand the availability of housing and contribute to greater vitality and vibrancy. • Enhancements to our streetscapes and public/ urban spaces, including those that support active transport. • Ensure ‘added value’ is included in all public works programs, for example in respect of include Green Infrastructure/ low carbon elements, and measures which include/ provide for increased social interactions and experiences. • Promoting a ‘Town Centre First Approach’ founded on the ‘Collaborative Town Centre Health Check Program’ as set out in the Guidelines, and utilising a cross departmental approach to address identified issues. • Supporting a transition from traditional villages to Smart Villages status (EU Action for SMART Villages Initiative), and the revitalisation of rural communities through social and digital innovation, and connectivity. • Incentivising the regeneration, upgrading and reuse of underused and vacant building stock. ECON 05 Collaboration We will continue to actively undertake a leadership role to progress and secure the economic strategy and policy objectives of the NPF and RSES/MASP, the South-East Regional Enterprise Plan, South East Regional Skills Forum, the Local Economic and Community Plan (or any subsequent revisions of these) and the Development Plan and its Core and Settlement Strategies. In providing this leadership role, the Council will foster a whole of local government collaborative approach to proactively, engage with communities, stakeholders, sectoral interests and adjoining authorities to achieve collective support and successful implementation of the Development Plan, in line with the policies and objectives set out in national, regional and local strategies. ECON 06 Regeneration We will facilitate and participate in regeneration projects so as to revitalise under-utilised business parks and industrial estates and promote the regeneration of obsolete and/or under-utilised buildings and lands that could yield economic benefits and/or social enterprise, with appropriate uses, subject to compliance with the policies and development management standards of the Development Plan.
- WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028107 Economic Policy Objectives ECON 07 Active Land Management To carry out the functions of the local authority in a co-ordinated manner in order to assist in the proactive targeting of underutilised, vacant and derelict lands and buildings, and general building stock, in pursuing the achievement of the policy objectives of this Development Plan), and in order to facilitate an Active Land Management approach to the sustainable growth and development of Waterford City and County. This will be achieved/ assisted by: • The establishment of ‘working team’ (or similar), consisting of a multidisciplinary team drawing from the existing established expertise of a number of different units within Waterford City and County Council. • The strategic management of public, local authority owned land, including planning and design. • Using the Planning and Infrastructural Assessment (Appendix 14 and 17) to identify the readiness of lands to accommodate development. • Facilitating the timely co-ordination of support infrastructure and utilities in order to foster and progress plan and infrastructure led development. • Measures to support the change of use from vacant commercial units to residential, using the Council’s statutory powers, where appropriate, under the Derelict Sites Act 1990 (as amended) and the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 (as amended). • Promote and facilitate a greater understanding of the exempted development provisions in relation to ‘Use Classes’, i.e. Part 4 of Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations, 2001 (as amended). • The acquisition by agreement or compulsory purchase, of vacant, derelict or underutilised sites or buildings, in order to address incidents of urban decay and vacancy, ensure revitalisation and conservation of our built heritage; regeneration of underutilised sites/ buildings, and bring about long-term economic and social/ community development and sustainability; • A co-ordinated focus on identifying appropriate and new funding streams and/ or initiatives aimed at supporting and facilitating the sustainable development of our City and County. • An integrated, ‘whole of local government’ approach to packaging relevant funding schemes (e.g. TVRS; Outdoor Recreation; CLAR; URDF; RRDF) aimed at town/ village renewal and rejuvenation initiatives. • Ensuring the successful management and progression of existing initiatives approved for grant funding under the URDF and RRDF • Proactive engagement and collaboration with stakeholders, including the LDA; Housing Agencies, and other bodies, and through the MASP Implementation. • Targeted collection and appropriate use of the vacant sites levy as a site activation measure to ensure the beneficial (re)use of vacant land. • Investigate options and opportunities for Joint Venture partnership approaches to the assembly, integration, development, and release of land to progress and ensure the realisation of the Development Plan objectives. • Driving strategic land assembly (i.e. such as being done by the LDA) working with landowners (public and private) to smooth out peaks and troughs of land supply, stabilising land values and delivering increased affordability
- WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028108 Economic Policy Objectives ECON 08 Creative Industries To work in conjunction with the Waterford Local Enterprise Office (LEO), LEADER and all relevant stakeholders to support and deliver the further development and expansion of new workspace for SMEs, the creative industries, film industry, artists, and the fashion and craft industries in Waterford, and particularly in new commercial and mixed-use developments, or where underutilised buildings are being brought back into use. Larger-scale commercial development proposals should consider the scope to incorporate a range of sizes of business units, including for SMEs. Flexible workspace can include a variety of types of space including serviced offices, co-working space and hybrid industrial space. What constitutes a reasonable proportion of workspace suitable for SMEs should be determined on the circumstances of each case, and strategies in place (such as the Waterford Cultural Quarter (WCQ) in the Viking Triangle Area of Waterford City). ECON 09 Fostering and Supporting Economic Collaborative Partnerships We recognise and support collaborative economic partnerships at a local, sub – regional and inter – urban scale and recognise its capacity to act as a multiplier delivering growth of scale. We will work with project proponents, neighbouring local authorities, state agencies and statutory providers to build and enhance our networks, our shared assets and specialism and identify and support strategic opportunities particularly through the provision of sustainable and shared infrastructure. 4.5 Waterford Regional Airport At a national level, as we are a peripheral country in Europe, air transport is essential for trade, inward investment and tourism. The UK’s exit from the EU in 2019 highlights the importance of NSO 6 (High Quality International Connectivity) and the importance of continuing investment to further improve the quality of airport and port3 facilities, given their role in maintaining transportation linkages with crucial EU markets. The requirements for increased connectivity, to proactively develop aviation enterprise and to maximise the aviation sector’s contribution to the economy have also been identified in national policy4 which “recognises the important role that regional airports play in their areas and in regional development”. In the context of the RSES, the return of scheduled passenger services to Waterford Airport and associated investment infrastructure is highlighted as one of the key elements in making the Waterford Metropolitan Area a successful enterprising economic engine thriving metropolitan and regional enterprise growth. Waterford Regional Airport has a central role to play in supporting and increasing the economic development, tourism and critical mass of Waterford, and in improving the connectivity of the South East Region. A Masterplan for the Airport and the Airport Business Park is included at Appendix 12. 3 €140m investment is planned for the region’s deep seaport – the annual value of goods through the Port has been estimated at €1.7 billion in 2017, with 1,000 jobs directly and indirectly supported. An estimated +4% per annum growth is projected to 2040 - with Belview Waterford Port and Rosslare being the closest Irish ports to mainland Europe, 4 A National Aviation Policy for Ireland, Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, August 2015
- WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028109 Airport Policy Objectives ECON 10 Waterford Airport In line with EU national and regional policy support in respect of air access from regional airports, we will, where it would contribute towards the proper planning and sustainable development of Waterford and comply with all environmental legislation and policies and objectives contained within this Plan and higher level planning documents, including the National Planning Framework and Southern Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy • Support the Airport’s mission statement and provide marketing support and identification of additional support mechanisms and potential route opportunities for tourism and cargo services. • Identify and assist in obtaining/ securing capital investment in order to advance and implement infrastructure, utility and facility improvements at Waterford Airport in order to unlock the local, regional and international economic potential of the airport. • Work towards promoting, facilitating and developing a cluster of business aviation companies with a focus on developing a Centre of Excellence for Business Aviation on the Business Park zoned lands at Waterford Airport. • Facilitate development proposals in the Business Park which are consistent with the Waterford Regional Airport Masterplan, as set out in Appendix 12 of this Development Plan; and • Have due regard to the operational and safety requirements of the Airport when considering development proposals in the vicinity.
- WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028110 Port Policy Objectives ECON 11 The Port of Waterford Waterford City and County Council will (in conjunction with Kilkenny County Council) support the development of the necessary port infrastructure and associated road and rail connectivity required to support the development of the Port of Waterford Belview and to support the role of the Port as an Economic Driver for the South-East. 4.6 The Port of Waterford The Port of Waterford is Ireland’s closest multi-modal port to Continental Europe with significant capacity for growth. A Port of National Significance (Tier 2) and a Comprehensive Port on the Ten-T Network, it currently handles 1 million tonnes of bulk product (primarily Agri-Related) and 100,000 tonnes of break bulk (timber, steel). The Port of Waterford Master Plan provides a framework to provide for future infrastructure investment requirements for enhanced capacity, which includes quay extensions, widening and deepening of shipping channels and installation of walling to reduce requirements for dredging, deeper berths at quays, and a larger turning basin. The RSES supports development of freight rail services and facilities at the Region’s ports. For the Port of Waterford, this will require improvements to the Waterford to Limerick rail line as a key strategic freight corridor to build the Region’s international connectivity. For the Port to function effectively for the State and support modal shift freight rail as part of wider climate action programmes, effective financial incentives should be provided. The Port has a significant industrial hinterland including the IDA’s 55 ha Strategic Industrial land bank and the port has identified the need for further additional land and facilities to support port activity in the Master Plan.
- WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028111 4.7 Rural and Marine Economy Achieving real and sustainable competitive advantage, diversity and resilience in our rural areas and economy, based largely around our local assets (i.e. community, geography; distinctiveness of character), and connectedness between the rural towns and villages and within clusters, is key to realising and boosting individual and collective innovation, diversity, efficiency and prosperity in the rural economy. The rural economic strategy of the Council is aimed at providing our rural areas with the necessary support, tools, and financing mechanisms (where available), to develop and execute an effective strategy for the individual rural areas and clusters. One of the ways in which the Council is seeking to support this, is through the formulation of a Waterford Rural Visitor Experience Development Plan (VEDP). The VEDP is intended to complement the work of ‘Visit Waterford’ in promoting Waterford as a destination and create and promote coherent rural visitor experiences throughout our County, based around our distinct rural clusters and their distinctive and unique collective offerings. The Council acknowledges that the development of rural enterprise and employment opportunities are vital to sustaining the rural economy and will continue its support of the sector through appropriate policy formulation and support for rural based enterprises and supporting infrastructure, including digital infrastructure. In accordance with the economic strategy for Waterford, appropriately scaled enterprises should be directed to small towns, villages and business/ industrial zoned lands in Waterford City and our larger towns, in accordance with the core and settlement strategies. Agriculture, horticulture, forestry, tourism, aggregates, renewable energy production and rural resourcebased enterprise will also be facilitated, as will appropriate on-farm agricultural diversification5. The Council recognises a balance between rural development, including diversification and protection of the rural environment, requires careful management. The Council will also support micro-enterprises and cottage style industries in rural areas, where they do not detract from the rural character of the area, or have a negative effect on the surrounding environment or land uses. The Council recognises that with appropriate care in initial site selection, process design and environmental monitoring, mineral extraction can be compatible with a wide range of appropriate adjacent land uses and habitats. Figure 4.2 identifies the location of significant aggregates across Waterford derived from the Geological Survey of Ireland aggregate potential mapping and exploration records. All new applications for quarries will be assessed having regard to DoEHLG Guidelines such as the “Quarries and Ancillary Activities, 2004” and Development Management DM 35, Volume 2 of the Development Plan. 5 Typical uses could include those such as defined as examples of farm-based diversification into non-agricultural activities in the CAP Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (p141).
- WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028112 Figure 4.2 Aggregate Potential Map It is also important that opportunities are afforded and maximised, where appropriate, for home-based working. Home working can contribute significantly to a local economy, and the general sustainability of local areas, as such working arrangements can benefit individuals, families and the local community in addition to contributing to more sustainable land use patterns by reducing the need for commuting. Advancements in technology mean that there is more scope for residents to work from home, either in a purpose built live-work unit, or by utilising an area in an existing dwelling. By supporting small-scale economic activity and an entrepreneurial culture, there is potential for some of these businesses to expand and take up conventional, larger business premises in our rural settlements, towns and villages, and contribute to the growth of the rural economy. In relation to our marine economy, the Port of Waterford is regarded as a main port for passenger and cruise ship visits, with potential for expansion. There are also strong location, functional, economic, social and administrative links between Belview Port and Port of Waterford. The future development of Rosslare Port and the Port of Waterford and various interrelated and integrated sectoral linkages, places increased demands on the existing transport road and rail) network, in particular the road network, with the potential for large freight transport. The need for improved accessibility and associated additional investment to achieve this is recognised, and the Council will support and promote the critical need and implementation of such infrastructure. Waterford City & County Development Plan 2022 - 2028 Aggregate Potential Map Legend: WCCC Boundary Metallic Deposits Non-Metallic Deposits Both
- WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028113 Rural and Marine Policy Objectives ECON 12 Rural Economy To support and facilitate the provision of enabling infrastructure and utilities in our smaller towns and villages so as to cater for appropriate and sustainable economic growth and development. Commercial development proposed within settlements should be at a scale which is appropriate to the settlement function as identified in the Settlement Hierarchy. Development proposals should be compliant with the policies and development management standards of this Development Plan and should underpin the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. ECON 13 Rural Resources To facilitate farm or rural resource related enterprises and diversification, including food production and processing on farm/ agricultural holdings, mineral and aggregate extractive industry, aquaculture and marine, the circular economy, and proposals which support rural tourism initiatives which are developed upon rural enterprise, social enterprise, natural/ cultural heritage assets and outdoor recreational activities, subject to the capacity of the site and the location to facilitate the proposal. Subject to environmental policies and the development management standards of this Development Plan, the nature and scale of any proposed development will be assessed having regard to a number of factors, including nature and scale of the existing operation, building, or tourist attractions, source of material (where appropriate), traffic movements, water and wastewater requirements, capacity to reuse existing and redundant buildings, and likely impacts on amenity and the environment and the Natura 2000 Network. ECON 14 Local Workspaces To engage in local partnerships with stakeholders/ community groups, and social enterprise, together with other funding organisations, to assist in identifying, facilitating and promoting smart working locations and economic enterprise and growth/ regeneration, by encouraging and facilitating the provision (subject to funding availability), of local workspaces, small business units, new Enterprise Centres /Co-working hubs, and/ or grouped ‘units’ or spaces which can provide a multi-functionality of purpose and use, adding vitality and vibrancy to an area. Social enterprises running repair, reuse and recycling initiatives will also be encouraged where considered appropriate. Marine and river-based fisheries support and sustain small coastal and rural communities across the County, and active fishery harbours in Waterford are located in Dunmore East, Dungarvan, Heilbhic (Helvick), Passage East and Tramore. Dunmore East (a National Fishery Harbour Centre) is particularly noteworthy as a primary landing port and main fishing harbour with regard to economic turnover and landing, whilst the Gaeltacht is a significant contributor to the national aquaculture industry.
- WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028114 Rural and Marine Policy Objectives ECON 15 An Gaeltacht To support the implementation of Plean Teanga na nDéise 2018 – 2024 in collaboration with Údarás na Gaeltachta, Comhlucht Forbartha an nDéise, and the broader community by: • Further developing the capacity of Dungarvan to function as a strategic Key Town and Gaeltacht Service Town to Gaeltacht na nDéise. • Facilitating cultural tourism and associated facilities, accessible to both tourists and the local community. • Providing a high standard of physical infrastructure within the Gaeltacht to encourage private investment in business through the medium of the Irish language. • Supporting delivery of the Údarás Business Park at Sean Phobal in order to attract new business activity. • Facilitating and supporting digital innovation through the 'Gteic' digital hub concept. • Facilitate increased connectivity between Gaeltacht settlements, Ardmore, Dungarvan, and areas of cultural interest through the delivery of a network of trails. • Supporting the delivery of social and cultural facilities in An Sean Phobal and Baile na nGall respectively; and • Facilitating a mix of social and affordable housing that supports the aim of the Language Plan. • The Council will require all proposals for commercial development in Gaeltacht na nDéise to be accompanied by a Language Impact Assessment which should demonstrate that the proposal will not have a negative impact on the linguistic viability of the area. ECON 16 Home-based Working To encourage and support the provision, where appropriate, of home-based economic activity6 (i.e. ‘working from home’) including the provision of small-scale individual enterprises. Proposals for such development will be required to demonstrate the following: • The dwelling remains as the main residence of the practitioner. • The nature and scale of the proposed development is appropriate to, and compatible with, the character and amenity of the surrounding/ adjoining area. • The proposed development will not be detrimental to surrounding amenity with particular regard to hours of operation, noise, smells and general disturbance. • The anticipated level of traffic generation (type and frequency) does not adversely impact on public and traffic safety. • The generation, storage and collection of waste; and • The proposed development will not materially impact on the integrity of any European Site. 6 Home based economic activity is defined as small scale commercial activity carried out by residents of a house which is subordinate or ancillary to the use of the dwelling as a place of residence.
Source Waterford City and County Council: Waterford City and County Development Plan 2022–2028 — Chapter 4 (2022–2028) · 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.