Waterford City and County Development Plan 2022–2028 — Chapter 10

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   Landscape, Coast/ Marine and Blue Green Infrastructure Chapter 10 Sustainable Compact Growth Climate Action Heritage Infrastructure Accessibility and Connectivity

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028268 Chapter 10: Landscape, Coast/ Marine and Blue Green Infrastructure Strategic Objectives Protect our sensitive landscapes and seascapes which contribute to the distinctiveness of Waterford as a place. Establish Blue Green Infrastructure as a key component in the planning process and promote the sustainable development of recreational trails that do not adversely impact landscapes and ecological integrity. 10.0 Landscape/ Seascape The European Landscape Convention (2000) promotes the protection, management and planning of all landscapes including, rural, peri-urban and degraded landscapes. Article 5 of the ELC urges recognition in law that landscape is an essential component of people’s surroundings, an expression of diversity of shared cultural and natural heritage, and a foundation of identity. The convention advocates the establishment and implementation of landscape policies aimed at landscape protection, management and planning, and urges the participation of the general public, and local and regional authorities in these policies. The management of Waterford’s landscape involves: • Ensuring adequate protection to our most sensitive and vulnerable landscapes through appropriate policies and objectives. • Providing for development that will enhance and benefit the receiving environment; and • Protecting the landscape from inappropriate and unsustainable development. A Landscape and Seascape Character Assessment was prepared for Waterford City and County in 2020 (Figure 10.1 and Appendix 8) and identified seven landscape types; coastal landscapes, river corridor and estuary landscapes, farmed lowland landscapes, foothill landscapes, upland landscapes and urbanising landscapes. These landscapes are subject to varying forces for change and in turn have varying capacity to accommodate development that can impact on that particular landscape character. Each unit of character is assigned an indicator of sensitivity, which indicates the extent to which the landscape will be vulnerable to change in its character. The categories (most sensitive, high sensitivity, low sensitivity and least sensitivity) reflect the criteria of the capacity to absorb new development as well as the potential to create disproportionate visual impacts.

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028269 Landscape Policy Objectives L 01 National Landscape Strategy We will support provisions of the 2014 National Landscape Strategy and provide for the sustainable management of all of County Waterford’s landscapes including archaeological landscapes, waterway corridors, coastal, upland, rural and peri-urban landscapes. L 02 Protecting our Landscape and Seascape We will protect the landscape and natural assets of the County by ensuring that proposed developments do not detrimentally impact on the character, integrity, distinctiveness or scenic value of their area and ensuring that such proposals are not unduly visually obtrusive in the landscape, in particular, in or adjacent to the uplands, along river corridors, coastal or other distinctive landscape character units. Figure 10.1 Waterford Landscape and Seascape Character Assessment All development proposals will be evaluated to assess their compliance with standards and legal requirements of the following where they apply. • 2014 National Landscape Strategy • 2020 Waterford Landscape Character Assessment Waterford City & County Development Plan 2022 - 2028 Landscape & Seascape Character Assessment Legend: WCCC Boundary Most Sensitive High Sensitive Low Sensitive Least Sensitive

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028270 Landscape Policy Objectives L 03 Landscape and Seascape Character Assessment We will assess all proposals for development outside of our settlements in terms of the 2020 Landscape and Seascape Character Assessment (Appendix 8) and the associated sensitivity of the particular location. We will require a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) for proposed developments with the potential to impact on significant landscape features within the City and County. Proposals for significant development (e.g. renewable energy projects, telecommunications and other infrastructure and the extractive industry) shall be accompanied by a LVIA which includes Zones of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) which indicate the landscape impact zone within which the proposed development may be seen. There will be a presumption against developments which are located on elevated and exposed sites and where the landscape cannot accommodate such development with reasonable and appropriate mitigation. L 04 Scenic Routes and Protected Views We will protect the scenic routes and specified protected views identified in our Landscape Character Assessment (Appendix 8), including views to and from the sea, rivers, landscape features, mountains, landmark structures and urban settlements from inappropriate development that by virtue of design, scale, character or cumulative impact would block or detract from such views. 10.1 Coastal Zone Management and Marine Spatial Planning Waterford’s coastline is a valuable natural resource providing a buffer for extreme weathers, an important wildlife area for a range of protected habitats and species, and a scenic landscape asset of tourism value. The coastal zone is generally taken as the area between Mean High-Water Mark (MHWM) and the nearest continuous road. A growing body of evidence illustrates that rising sea levels, increasing storm frequency and wave energy will increase the rate of erosion, loss of habitats and incidence of flood-related events in vulnerable areas of the Waterford coast. The impacts of climate change may have wide reaching implications for the heritage and tourism value of the coastline. It is necessary that future management and development of coastal areas is carried out in a manner that protects coastal functions and values including natural coastal defence, habitat value and landscape/seascape character. Useful resources in planning for coastal development includes the Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) and coastal vulnerability mapping produced by Geological Survey Ireland indicates the susceptibility of the Irish coast to adverse impacts of sea level rise. The Marine Area Planning Act (2021) established a new consent process for the maritime area and introduced a single consent principle i.e. one state consent (Maritime Area Consent) to enable occupation of the Maritime Area and one development consent (planning permission), with a single environmental assessment. In order to obtain authorisation for a proposed maritime usage a prospective developer will be required to apply to the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for Maritime Area Consent (MAC) (until such a time as a new agency, the Maritime Area Regularity Authority (MARA) is established . If such an application is successful, the prospective developer will be granted a MAC, conditional on securing planning permission from An Bord Pleanála. Requirements in respect of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and in respect of Appropriate Assessment (AA) under the Habitats Directive will be fulfilled in the processing of the application for planning permission. If a proposal does not require planning permission, the EIA and AA assessments/screening will be undertaken by An Bord Pleanála.

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028271 Coast and Marine Policy Objectives C&M 01 Protecting our Coast and Marine All development proposals will be required to comply with standards and legal requirements of the following where they apply; • National Seascape Character Assessment. • NMPF National Marine Planning Framework. • Marine Area Planning Act (2021). • Geological Survey Ireland Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI). C&M 02 Marine Assets We support the implementation of the National Marine Planning Framework including the identification of Marine Protection Areas in the future management and sustainable development of the Waterford coast and associate maritime area. C&M 03 Managing Marine and Coast Areas To incorporate the findings of the National Seascape Assessment with the Waterford Landscape Character Assessment to inform future management and sustainable development of the Waterford coast and maritime area.

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028272 Coast and Marine Policy Objectives C&M 04 Natural Coastal Defences To incorporate the findings of the National Seascape Assessment and the Geological Survey Ireland Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) with the Waterford Landscape Character Assessment to inform future management and sustainable development of the Waterford coast and maritime area. C&M 05 Scenic Coastal Areas To protect the scenic value of Waterford’s Coastal Zone including landward and seaward views and continuous views along the coastline and manage development so it will not materially detract from the visual amenity of the coast. C&M 06 Public Coastal Access We will facilitate appropriate public access to the coast and the sustainable development of coastal walkways subject to ecological, Habitats Directive and climate risk assessments. 10.2 Geological Heritage Geology is now recognised as an intrinsic component of natural heritage and it is appropriate that due regard is given to conservation of geological heritage features. Geological heritage is significant in County Waterford due to its interesting mining history along the Copper Coast which was designated a UNESCO European Geo-Park in 2004, one of only two Geoparks on the island of Ireland. The Geological Survey of Ireland established the Irish Geological Heritage (IGH) programme in 1998 with the objective of identifying and selecting sites that best represent the geological heritage of Ireland for designation as Natural Heritage Areas. The GSI identified 54 County Geological Sites of Interest in County Waterford. Some of these sites may merit National designation as Natural Heritage Areas. These sites are listed in Appendix 11.

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028273 Geology Policy Objectives G 01 Protecting our Geological Heritage We will contribute towards the appropriate protection and maintenance of the character, integrity and conservation value of features or areas of geological interest. We will protect from inappropriate development the scheduled list of Geological Heritage Sites detailed in Appendix 11. G 02 UNESCO Copper Coast Geopark We will protect and promote the geological heritage of the UNESCO Copper Coast Geopark and support the work of the Geopark to ensure it retains and adds value to its designation status as a UNESCO Geopark. BGI Policy Objectives BGI 01 Managing our BGI Assets To conserve, manage and enhance the natural heritage, biodiversity, landscape and environment of Waterford in recognition of its importance as a non-renewable resource and as a natural asset for health and well-being of our communities. BGI 02 Enhancing the role of BGI To establish BGI as a key component in the planning process and designing the future for Waterford so that environmental resilience is achieved through implementation of this plan. BGI 03 BGI Strategy We will develop a BGI Strategy for the City and County during the lifetime of this plan. 10.3 Blue Green Infrastructure (BGI) BGI is now recognised as an important concept in land use planning and environmental protection. It relates to the network of open spaces, parks, gardens, green corridors, woodlands, waterways, urban tree lines and open countryside. Green spaces provide environmental, social, economic and physical benefits and give added value where integrated in the development process. These include: • Climate change adaptation. • Biodiversity management and enhancement. • Water management including drainage and flood attenuation, filtration and pollution control. • Health and wellbeing. • Visual amenity and sense of place; and, • Sustainable mobility. The BGI approach provides an opportunity for all to live and work in proximity to connected areas of green space to enjoy the benefits of a healthy environment. The Development Plan will seek to ensure protection of these elements and strive to create new areas of open space which connect the urban fabric.

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028274 BGI Policy Objectives BGI 04 Development Proposals We will assess all proposals for development with the aim of no net loss of biodiversity and to achieve gain for BGI and ecosystem services. In particular we will: • Promote the retention and creation of open drainage ditches instead of underground pipes where appropriate as these provide additional habitats and water source for wetland species; and, • Promote the integration of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in design concept and layout. BGI 05 Maintaining and Enhancing Amenity through BGI We will continue to invest in the maintenance and enhancement of BGI and support the provision of new parks, green space corridors and other public open spaces across our urban and rural settlements. 10.3.1 Greenways The scenic and varied landscape of Waterford City and County lends itself exceptionally well for walking, cycling and water-based activities. Greenways are shared off-road routes designed to provide recreational opportunities for walking and cycling. Waterford City and County Council continues to support and promote the provision of infrastructure to facilitate outdoor recreation and shall continue to do so during the lifetime of this plan. The Waterford Greenway opened in 2017 and has recorded user numbers in the order of 250,000 per annum. The Greenway provides a central recreational asset that in turn promotes visitor numbers to other attractions such as Mahon Falls, Copper Coast Geopark, upland and coastal walking trails. The challenge is to maintain a high-quality standard of visitor attraction whilst avoiding over tourism and degradation of the natural environment consistent with the National Greenway Strategy. Along with the development and management of existing outdoor trails Waterford’s role is central in the expansion of regional and national Greenway networks including a Waterford Greenway to South East Greenway link and potential for further regional Greenway development. There is a number of strategic walking /amenity trails in Waterford that has the potential to be major tourism attractions including: St. Declan’s Way, River Suir and the Blackwater Blueway. A Recreational Trails Office is in place to co-ordinate the development, upgrade and promotion of trails in Waterford City and County.

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028275 10.3.2 Blueways Blueways are approved and branded multi-activity recreational trails and sites, based on and closely linked with waterways, where providers facilitate access to activities and experiences. Blueway development at a national level is coordinated by the Blueway Ireland Steering Group. As an activity tourism and outdoor recreation product Blueways facilitate healthier lifestyles, social interaction and economic development. The experience is enriched by promoting it within the context of local heritage and culture. Waterford has the benefit of two navigable rivers –the Blackwater and Suir and an extensive coastline with estuaries, bays, coves and beaches that provide a strong basis for activity-based tourism such as sailing, kayaking, angling and surfing. Whilst areas such as Ardmore, Dungarvan, Tramore and Dunmore East are well established in the waterway leisure industry there is potential for development of Blueway related activity on the River Blackwater and links to the River Suir Blueway and Greenway upstream in Co. Tipperary. Proposals for new Greenways and Blueways should have regard to the corridor and route selection process and mitigation referred to in Chapter 5 Transport and Mobility.

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    WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028276 10.4 Walking Trails and Public Rights of Way The Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) requires a County Development Plan to preserve public rights of way, which give access to seashore, mountain, lakeshore, riverbank or other place of natural beauty or recreational utility. Waterford has a county wide network of walking trails allowing access to a great range of scenic landscapes. The Council recognises the importance of maintaining established rights of way and supports initiatives for establishing new walking routes and enhanced accessibility. Greenways & Blueways Policy Objectives BGI 06 Enhancing Waterford Greenway To support the enhancement of the existing Waterford Greenway and expansion of the Greenway network in Waterford City and County by examining the feasibility of developing a Waterford to Tramore Greenway, a Waterford to Portlaw/Carrick-on-Suir Greenway and by extending the Waterford Greenway to the west of Dungarvan. BGI 07 Greenway Network To support the development of a South East Greenway network with Waterford City as its hub, linking Waterford City with South Kilkenny, New Ross and Rosslare. BGI 08 Cycle Network To support the maintenance, upgrade, development and promotion of Waterford’s Cycling Trail network including EuroVelo 1-Atlantic Coast Route. BGI 09 Developing our Blueways To support the sustainable environmental and economic development of Blueways on Waterford’s waterway corridors and coastline including the development of water-based sport activities, improvement of quays and slipways and enhanced interpretation and safety that do not cause landscape or environmental degradation and avoid adverse impacts on ecological integrity including the Natura 2000 Network and built heritage. The Council will also support the ‘The Irish Sea Way’ program or similar sustainable tourist attraction initiatives.

Source Waterford City and County Council: Waterford City and County Development Plan 2022–2028 — Chapter 10 (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.