Westmeath County Development Plan 2021–2027

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   TABLE OF CONTENTS Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 i Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 Table of Contents: Volume 1 Written Statement Chapter 1 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………………….1-17 Chapter 2 Core Strategy…………………………………………………………………………………………………….18-60 Chapter 3 Housing Strategy……………………………………………………………………………………………….61-80 Chapter 4 Sustainable Communities …………………………………………………………………………………81-98 Chapter 5 Economic Development and Employment ………………………………………………………99-142 Chapter 6 Tourism…………………………………………………………………………………………………………143-165 Chapter 7 Urban Centre and Placemaking …………………………………………………………….………166-187 Chapter 8 Settlement Plans……………………………………………………………………………………………188-264 Chapter 9 Rural Westmeath …………………………………………………………………………………….……265-288 Chapter 10 Transport, Infrastructure and Energy………………………………………………………….…289-353 Chapter 11 Climate Action…………………………………………………………………………………………….…354-378 Chapter 12 Natural Heritage and Green Infrastructure ……………………………………………………379-409 Chapter 13 Landscape and Lake Amenities…………………………………….………………....……………410-431 Chapter 14 Cultural Heritage ………………………………………………………………………………….….……432-446 Chapter 15 Landuse Zoning Objectives…………………………………………………………………………….447-456 Chapter 16 Development Management Standards ………………………………………………………….457-495 List of Appendices Appendix 1 Housing Strategy…………………………………………………………………………….……………… i - xliv Appendix 2 Development Plan Mandatory Objectives……………………………………………………xlv - xlvii Appendix 3 Strategic Policy Guidance and Legislation………………………………………..…………xlviii – liv Appendix 4 Westmeath County Retail Strategy…………………………………………………………………Iv - xc Appendix 5 List of Scenic Routes & Protected Views ………………………………………………………..xci-cvii

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   TABLE OF CONTENTS Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 ii Appendix 6 List of Public Rights of Way …………………………………………………………………………………cviii Appendix 7 Trees and Woodlands subject to Tree Preservation Orders……………………………………cix Appendix 8 Native Woodlands………………………………………………………………………………………………….cx List of Volumes Volume 1 Written Statement Volume 2 Book of Maps Volume 3 SEA Environmental Report Volume 4 SEA Statement Volume 5 Natura Impact Report Volume 6 AA Conclusion Statement Volume 7 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Volume 8 Record of Protected Structures

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   INTRODUCTION 1 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 1 Table of Contents 1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 2 1.2 Strategic Context..................................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Synopsis of Process undertaken in the Preparation of the CDP 2021-2027 ........................... 6 1.4 Structure of the County Development Plan 2021-2027 ......................................................... 8 1.5 Legislative Context ................................................................................................................ 10 1.6 Profile of County Westmeath ............................................................................................... 13 1.7 Strategic Vision ..................................................................................................................... 15 1.8 Strategic Aims ....................................................................................................................... 15 1.9 Cross Cutting Themes ........................................................................................................... 17

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   INTRODUCTION 1 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 2 1.1 Introduction The Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 sets out the Council’s proposed policies (CPO’s) and objectives for the development of the County over the Plan period. In this regard the CPO’s listed in the Plan constitute the policies and objectives of the Plan. The Development Plan seeks to develop and improve, in a sustainable manner, the social, economic, environmental and cultural assets of the County. Located in the heart of Ireland, County Westmeath covers an area of 1,756 square kilometers and is historically known as the ‘Lake County’, rich in arts, culture, heritage and natural amenities. These many natural amenities include the Hill of Uisneach, the mythological and sacred centre of Ireland, the River Shannon and Lough Ree, adjacent to Athlone, the River Brosna, Lough Owel and Lough Ennell, adjacent to Mullingar, with Lough Derravaragh, Lough Lene and Lough Sheelin in the north of the County. In terms of national and international tourism promotion, Westmeath’s appeal is recognised and benefits from the dual promotion of Fáilte Ireland’s ‘Ancient East’ brand proposition to the east of the County and ‘Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands’ to the west. Westmeath has an array of attractive towns and villages ranging from the thriving Regional Centre of Athlone, the County town of Mullingar, to the strong market towns of Moate and Kinnegad and the quaint and historical village’s such as Multyfarnham, Glasson and Tyrrellspass. The M4/N4 which traverses the County in a north-westerly direction offers the County ease of access to the greater Dublin area, with Dublin Airport and Dublin Port just one hour’s drive from Mullingar. The M6 from Kinnegad, through Athlone provides further connection to Galway and the West. The N52, an important national secondary route traversing the County, further connects the north east with the Munster region. Significant rail infrastructure enhances this connectivity, with the Dublin- Sligo railway line serving Mullingar and the Dublin-Westport/Dublin-Galway line serving Athlone. Westmeath is also home to a strategic section of the Galway to Dublin National Cycle Network (NCN). Extending across the County from the Meath County boundary along the existing Royal Canal Greenway to Mullingar before connecting to ‘The Old Rail Trail’ for 42km to the town of Athlone. There are four electoral areas in the County, Mullingar, Kinnegad, Moate and Athlone which in turn form the Mullingar-Kinnegad and Athlone-Moate Municipal Districts through which many of the local services are delivered by the Council.

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   INTRODUCTION 1 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 3 Figure 1.1 Map of Municipal Districts in Westmeath

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   INTRODUCTION 1 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 4 1.2 Strategic Context Under the Planning & Development Act 2000 (as amended) each Planning Authority is obliged to prepare a development plan for its functional area every six years. The Development Plan is designed to set out the key policy context for the development of the county and is set within a hierarchy of national and regional spatial plans and guidelines and provides a detailed strategic landuse framework for each Local Authority. The current plan was adopted on 21st January 2014 and came into effect on the 18th February 2014. The Planning & Development Act 2000 as amended, requires a planning authority to review its existing Development Plan and prepare a new one for its area not later than 4 years after the making of a Development Plan. In accordance with Section 11 (1)(a) of the Planning & Development Act 2000 (as amended), the review of the existing Development Plan and preparation of a new Development Plan by the planning authority is required to be strategic in nature for the purposes of developing— (a) the objectives and policies to deliver an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area of the Development Plan, and (b) the Core Strategy, and (c) shall take account of the statutory obligations of any local authority in the area and any relevant policies or objectives for the time being of the Government or of any Minister of the Government. In accordance with Section 10 (2) of this Act, a development plan is required to include the following objectives (please note this list is not exhaustive): • Zoning of land for the use solely or primarily of particular areas for particular purposes; • Transport, energy and communication facilities; • Water supplies and waste water services; • The promotion of sustainable settlement and transportation strategies; • Address the necessity of adaptation to climate change; in particular, having regard to location, layout and design of new development; • Reduce energy demand and reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions; • Conservation and protection of the environment. The Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 is in accordance with the requirements of the Planning & Development Act 2000 (as amended). • The zoning of land for the use solely or primarily of particular areas for particular purposes. • The provision or facilitation of the provision of infrastructure including transport, energy and communication facilities. • Water supplies, and waste water services.

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   INTRODUCTION 1 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 5 • The conservation and protection of the environment including, in particular, the archaeological and natural heritage. • The encouragement, pursuant to Article 10 of the Habitats Directive, of the management of features of the landscape, such as traditional field boundaries, important for the ecological coherence of the Natura 2000 network and essential for the migration, dispersal and genetic exchange of wild species. • The integration of the planning and sustainable development of the area with the social, community and cultural requirements of the area and its population. • The preservation of the character of the landscape. • The protection of structures, or parts of structures, which are of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest. • The preservation of the character of architectural conservation areas. • The development and renewal of areas identified having regard to the Core Strategy, that are in need of regeneration. • The promotion of sustainable settlement and transportation strategies in urban and rural areas including the promotion of measures to: (i) Reduce energy demand in response to the likelihood of increases in energy and other costs due to long-term decline in non-renewable resources. (ii) Reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. (iii) Address the necessity of adaptation to climate change; in particular, having regard to location, layout and design of new development. The Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 is in accordance with the requirements of Section 10 (2) the Planning & Development Act 2000 (as amended).

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    INTRODUCTION 1 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 6 1.3 Synopsis of Process undertaken in the Preparation of the CDP 2021-2027 Westmeath County Council commenced the County Development Plan review process on 16th February 2018 with a public submission period up until the 20th April 2018. In accordance with Section 11 (1)(b)(ii) of the Planning & Development Act 2000 (as amended), the development plan review was suspended until after the making of the regional spatial and economic strategy (RSES). The RSES for the Eastern and Midland Region was subsequently adopted and effective from 28th June 2019, further to which Westmeath County Council recommenced the review of the existing Westmeath County Development Plan 2014 – 2020 with the preparation of the draft County Development Plan 2021-2027. The submission date for the preliminary public consultation was extended until 20th April 2018. A Consultation Issues Paper was prepared in advance of the consultation period and featured the following topics for consideration:  Strategic Planning  Settlement Strategy & Housing  Urban Design, Placemaking & Sustainable Communities  Economic Development  Transport & Movement  Infrastructure  Green Infrastructure  Natural, Built & Cultural Heritage  Rural Development  Tourism  Environment- AA, SEA, SFRA Ninety-three submissions were received during the pre-Draft consultation period. The opinions, views and ideas set out in the written submissions and of those expressed and recorded at the public consultation events/stakeholder meetings, were considered in the preparation of the Draft Plan. Three Public Consultation evenings were hosted in the Council Offices of Mullingar, Athlone and Castlepollard in April 2018. In addition to the above meetings, Council officials also met with the following stakeholders/groups during the consultation period: • Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) • Westmeath Community Childcare • Youth Work Ireland, Midlands • Age Friendly Alliance • Waterways Ireland • Comhairle Na Nog • Westmeath branch of Irish Farmers Association • Dept of Education & Skills

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