Development plan · Westmeath County Council
Westmeath County Development Plan 2021–2027
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards.
Westmeath County Council · 2021–2027 · 634 pages
Ask this document
Answers come only from the text of Westmeath County Development Plan 2021–2027, each claim linked to its page. They are not advice; check the page itself.
Free, with a daily limit.
- URBAN CENTRES & PLACEMAKING 7 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 181 The Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) The Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) was established to facilitate the regeneration of Ireland’s large towns and cities towards more compact and sustainable urban environments in accordance with the objectives of the National Planning Framework (NPF) and National Development Plan (NDP). Its’ aim is to regenerate urban areas by facilitating the redevelopment of the existing built fabric of settlements in order to strengthen and support towns and cities as attractive and vibrant destinations where people choose to live and work, as well as to invest and visit. The types of proposals eligible for funding include, but are not limited to, the following: • Active land management, including acquisition, planning and design; • Healthy Placemaking - Public realm, and streetscapes, public amenity and recreation; • Improved infrastructure that enables improved accessibility and sustainable modes such as walking, cycling and public transport. • Transition to a low carbon and climate resilient society, in an urban context. The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government has responsibility for the implementation of the URDF that has an overall allocation of €2 billion to 2027. A first call for proposals under the fund was launched in July 2018 with successful applications announced in November 2018. Following the first invitation for applications under this initiative, Westmeath County Council secured funding for 5 urban regeneration projects in Athlone and Mullingar as follows: - Athlone Town Centre Regeneration and Enhancement – allocated €750,000 to extend the successful public realm enhancement works in Athlone Town centre as part of a wider stimulus initiative to make the urban core of Athlone a more attractive destination where people will choose to live, work, visit, shop and socialise in a safe and inclusive environment. Athlone Tourism Cultural Quarter – allocated €750,000 to deliver Westmeath County Council's long-term vision and commitment to regenerate the west of Athlone and support its emerging cultural quarter status by combining strategic planning together with best practice planning policies and active land management. Loughanaskin, Athlone - allocated €750,000 to regenerate a unique and strategically located land reserve which has the potential to be developed into a highly sustainable and integrated new urban quarter adjoining the town centre of Athlone. This includes the provision of a digital and innovation hub which will provide, amongst other economic and entrepreneurial benefits, landing space for companies in Athlone. Blackhall Urban Quarter, Mullingar – allocated €2,452,500 for the comprehensive redevelopment and regeneration of the Blackhall area by creating a dynamic mixed-use urban quarter, capitalising upon and extending both the commercial and civic potential of the town. Canal Avenue and Environs Regeneration Project (Mullingar) – allocated €1,706,250 to consolidate a strategic 1.1ha land bank on the edge of the town core and radically transform
- URBAN CENTRES & PLACEMAKING 7 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 182 it into a mixed-use residential scheme which is specifically designed to meet the needs of Older Persons. Urban Regeneration Development Policy Objectives It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 7.35 Promote the consolidation of town centres with a focus on the regeneration of underused buildings and strategic sites and the establishment of a mix of uses incorporating green space considerations to encourage greater vibrancy outside of business hours. CPO 7.36 Promote the utilisation of available funding to support the plan led development and regeneration of publicly owned land banks incorporating green space considerations. CPO 7.37 Work with the National Land Development Agency in co-ordinating and developing large, strategically located landbanks, particularly publicly owned lands in Athlone and Mullingar. CPO 7.38 Require all development proposals for strategic brownfield and infill sites to be accompanied by a site brief and/or masterplan that sets out a phased programme for the regeneration of the site and demonstrates how the proposal will comply with National Guidelines that seek to integrate principles of good urban design, planning and placemaking. CPO 7.39 Set out measures to reduce vacancy and the underuse of existing building stock and support initiatives that promote the reuse, refurbishment and retrofitting of existing buildings within urban centres. CPO 7.40 Use specific powers, such as the Vacant Sites register, to address issues of vacancy and underutilisation of strategic lands in town centres, including the implementation of the Vacant Sites Levy in accordance with the provisions of the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015. CPO 7.41 Encourage pilot projects for the re-use of brownfield sites and encourage active temporary uses where feasible to encourage activation of vacant sites that require longer lead in time for regeneration.
- URBAN CENTRES & PLACEMAKING 7 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 183 Rural Regeneration Recognising the important contribution of rural areas and their communities, the Governments Action Plan for Rural Development – ‘Realising our Rural Potential’, places a focus on creating sustainable rural communities through a framework of supports at national and local level. The Action Plan takes a coordinated approach across Government to both the economic and social development of rural Ireland. The Plan, inter-alia, outlines the key requirements to strengthen rural communities by supporting agricultural diversification, tourism and opportunities for rural economic growth. It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to align with the key objectives of the plan and support rural regeneration and the viability of rural towns and villages as an attractive alternative to one-off rural housing. The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) was established to support job creation in rural areas, address de-population of rural communities and support improvements in towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000, and outlying areas, in accordance with the objectives of the National Planning Framework (NPF) and National Development Plan (NDP). • The Government have committed €1billion to be invested in rural Ireland over the period 2019 to 2027. • The purpose of the fund is to support job creation in rural areas, address de-population of rural communities and support improvements in our towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000, and outlying areas. • Initial funding of €315 million has been allocated to the fund on a phased basis over the period 2019 to 2022. Westmeath County Council were successful in securing €600,000 funding to regenerate the core area of Kinnegad town, bringing back its vitality and viability as a sustainable town which can accommodate the identified social infrastructure and economic needs of the town. Rural Regeneration Policy Objective It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 7.42 Support the regeneration of rural towns and villages through identification of regeneration projects for rural villages and rural areas and promoting the utilisation of investment opportunities such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. CPO 7.43 Support the viability of small towns and villages through sustainable targeted measures that address vacant premises and deliver sustainable reuse and regeneration outcomes targeted in core areas.
- URBAN CENTRES & PLACEMAKING 7 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 184 Rural Regeneration Policy Objective It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 7.44 Support the regeneration of rural towns and villages through identification of regeneration projects for rural villages and rural areas and promoting the utilisation of investment opportunities such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. CPO 7.45 Support the viability of small towns and villages through sustainable targeted measures that address vacant premises and deliver sustainable reuse and regeneration outcomes targeted in core areas. Urban – Rural interface The distribution and location of new development in Westmeath is guided by the Settlement Strategy and the Core Strategy. This Plan supports the hierarchy of attractive, compact and consolidated settlements from the large settlements of Athlone and Mullingar to the smaller towns and villages serving the County. It is important to ensure that the future development of the settlements in the hierarchy physically distinguishes the development envelopes of town and villages from the surrounding rural hinterland and protects against unsustainable sprawl of urban growth. The approach views to towns and villages are important in projecting the initial image and character of place. Traditionally, the interface between urban and rural areas was clearly defined; in this regard future development must be carefully considered to ensure the protection of the distinct settings between established built-up settlements and the surrounding countryside by creating a defined urban edge. Urban-Rural Interface Policy Objective It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 7.46 Protect the unique setting of towns and villages by providing for the maintenance of strong defined urban edges. Site specific place making Placemaking for Business and Enterprise In an increasingly competitive business market, investing in design and innovation can serve to assist Westmeath with a comparative advantage in the region. While a range of factors is required to attract inward investments such as good access and location, success is hugely dependent on the quality and appropriateness of the facilities provided and the attractiveness of place to a skilled work force. In order to sustain a competitive business edge, it is important that applications for new business and enterprise sites are accompanied by a Design Statement. New developments should present a strong and positive visual presence underpinned by sustainable and energy efficient development principles. It is also essential that all new business and enterprise schemes incorporate design proposals to
- URBAN CENTRES & PLACEMAKING 7 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 185 facilitate and promote sustainable operational practices including the promotion and use of public transport services with an emphasis on walking and cycling. Where development is proposed on zoned greenfield sites, it will be a requirement that any new development positively responds to and integrates with the existing landscape features to create 'Urban Business/Enterprise Parks' incorporating natural features into the layout and functionality of the site. Place making for Business and Enterprise Policy Objective It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 7.47 Require Design Statements for all new business and enterprise development proposals to present a strong and positive visual presence underpinned by sustainable and energy efficient development principles. CPO 7.48 Require planning applications for business and enterprise proposals to be accompanied with a Mobility Management Plan to include a site-specific programme to facilitate and promote sustainable operational practices including the use of public transport services and an emphasis on walking and cycling. Residential Respite and Retirement Homes (Nursing homes) The demographic of Ireland’s population is changing with an increasing ageing population. By 2026 there will be 1.15 million people in Ireland aged 60 or over, representing almost one out of every four people. The Council recognises the need to ensure the provision of appropriate care facilities and accommodation for the elderly and other vulnerable people. In addition to universal design standards, the quality of such accommodation is dependent on its location in terms of safe and convenient access to services and amenities. As such, there is a presumption against the development of Residential Respite and Retirement Homes in the open countryside for reasons relating to sustainability, poor accessibility and lack of public transport, social exclusion, isolation and safety.
- URBAN CENTRES & PLACEMAKING 7 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 186 Successful residential care homes/facilities are dependent on 4 key elements: Place making for Residential Respite and Retirement Homes Policy Objective It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 7.49 Implement the following criteria when designing proposals for residential care homes, retirement homes, nursing homes, retirement villages and sheltered accommodation: • Location/Placemaking - Locate new developments close (walking distance) to services and amenities. • Physical Considerations – Employment of Universal Design standards. • Technology - Integrate technology into developments, enhancing safety and security, health monitoring, comfort and social connectedness. • Social Supports - Integrate social supports into developments, access to information, find non-health service-based solutions. • The potential impact on residential amenities of adjoining properties. • Adequate provision of open space informed by the need to cater for all levels of disability and in particular the needs of an ageing population and mobility impaired users, in line with Ministerial and Departmental guidelines. • Apply standards outlined in the Housing Options for Our Ageing Population and the Housing Agency document ‘Thinking Ahead: Independent and Supported Housing Modes for an Ageing Population’. • Provision of adequate parking facilities. • Innovative high-quality design and materials. Location and Placemaking Physical Considerations Technology Social Supports
- URBAN CENTRES & PLACEMAKING 7 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 187 Quality of Place – Creating the right Environment Positive and progressive Placemaking represents an opportunity to develop a sustainable competitive advantage for Westmeath. Creating the right environment for enterprise and employment to thrive through targeted placemaking can deliver high-quality places, as they become attractive locations to work, live, invest, study and visit. With a focus on business location decisions and enterprise development, the RSES EMRA introduced a Health Place Audit (HPA) that provides a framework to audit the quality of specific places. The HPA is used to identify and assess whether a specific place has the features to make it attractive for business. The application of the HPA model to selected towns and villages will benefit Westmeath by presenting: • Systematic identification of gaps and deficits at specific locations that need to be addressed in order to facilitate attractive destinations for enterprise development. • The formal identification of infrastructural gaps and/or poor quality environments that can be presented as priority projects for consideration in the selection/awarding criteria of competitive calls – either Regional Enterprise Development funds, the Urban Development Fund and/or EU Regional Development Funds. Quality of Place Policy Objective It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 7.50 Promote the utilisation of the available funding e.g. Regional Enterprise Development Funds, Urban Development Fund and EU Regional Development Funds to support an attractive, healthy economic environment in the County.
No text on this page — it is probably a drawing, a map, a photograph or a scanned page. See it in the PDF.
- SETTLEMENT PLANS 8 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 188 Table of Contents 8.1 Aim ............................................................................................................................................ 189 8.2 Settlement Hierarchy Overview: .............................................................................................. 189 8.3 Self-Sustaining Growth Towns .................................................................................................. 190 8.3.1 Castlepollard .......................................................................................................................... 191 8.3.2 Kilbeggan ................................................................................................................................ 201 8.3.3 Kinnegad ................................................................................................................................ 212 8.3.4 Moate ..................................................................................................................................... 222 8.4 Self-Sustaining Towns: .............................................................................................................. 231 8.4.1 Killucan-Rathwire ................................................................................................................... 231 8.4.2 Rochfortbridge ....................................................................................................................... 238 8.5 Towns & Villages ....................................................................................................................... 243 8.5.1 Clonmellon ............................................................................................................................. 243 8.5.2 Delvin ..................................................................................................................................... 247 8.5.3 Tyrrellspass ............................................................................................................................ 251 8.6 Rural (Serviced) ......................................................................................................................... 255 8.6.1 Ballinalack Village................................................................................................................... 256 8.6.2 Ballymore Village ................................................................................................................... 257 8.6.3 Ballynacarrigy Village ............................................................................................................. 258 8.6.4 Castletown-Geoghegan Village .............................................................................................. 259 8.6.5 Collinstown Village ................................................................................................................. 260 8.6.6 Glasson Village ....................................................................................................................... 261 8.6.7 Milltownpass Village .............................................................................................................. 262 8.6.8 Multyfarnham Village ............................................................................................................ 263 8.7 Rural Remainder ....................................................................................................................... 264
- SETTLEMENT PLANS 8 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 189 8.1 Aim To create a network of attractive, liveable towns and villages in the County with appropriate levels of population, employment activity and enhanced levels of amenity which support a high quality of life and well-being and support our ageing population as referenced in 'Housing Options for Our Ageing Population (DHPLG February 2019)'. 8.2 Settlement Hierarchy Overview: The Core Strategy sets out the settlement hierarchy for the County, which is founded on an assetbased approach to spatial development, identified and built on a combination of the social, economic and natural assets that are available within each settlement, in order to determine an overall growth strategy and its position on the settlement hierarchy. Table 8.1 Settlement Hierarchy Settlement Typology Settlements Role Regional Growth Centre Athlone Regional Growth Centres are large towns with a high level of selfsustaining employment and services that act as regional economic drivers and play a significant role for a wide catchment area. Key Towns Mullingar Large economically active service and/or county towns that provide employment for their surrounding areas and with highquality transport links and the capacity to act as growth drivers to complement the Regional Growth Centres. Self-Sustaining Growth Towns Castlepollard Self-Sustaining Growth Towns with a moderate level of jobs and services – includes sub-county market towns and commuter towns with good transport links and capacity for continued commensurate growth to become more self-sustaining. Kilbeggan Kinnegad Moate Self-Sustaining Towns Killucan /Rathwire Self-Sustaining Towns with high levels of population growth and a weak employment base which are reliant on other areas for employment and/or services and which require targeted ‘catch up’ investment to become more self-sustaining. Rochfortbridge Towns and Villages Clonmellon Towns and villages with local service and employment functions Delvin Tyrrellspass Rural (Serviced) Ballinalack Villages that provide a level of service to their local area. Ballymore Ballyncacarrigy Castletown- Geoghegan. Collinstown Glasson Milltownpass Multyfarnham
Source Westmeath County Council: Westmeath County Development Plan 2021–2027 (2021–2027) · 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.