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
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- TRANSPORT, INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENERGY 10 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 328 10.16 Storm Water Management The management of surface and storm water is important so as to avoid increased flood or pollution risk in the storm water network, rivers and streams in the County’s towns, villages and rural areas. The Council will require compliance with best practice guidance for the collection, reuse, treatment and disposal of surface waters for all future development proposals. Traditionally, rain falling on impervious surfaces was directed into a receiving watercourse through surface water drainage systems. While such drainage systems are effective at transferring surface water quickly, they provide only limited attenuation causing the volume of water in the receiving watercourse to increase more rapidly, thereby increasing flood risk. Sustainable Drainage Systems, commonly known as SuDS is an approach that seeks to manage the water as close as possible to its origin by various engineering solutions that replicate natural drainage processes, before it enters the watercourse. The incorporation of SuDS techniques allows surface water to be either infiltrated or conveyed more slowly to water courses using porous surface treatments, ponds, swales, filter drains or other installations. SuDS provide an integrated approach which addresses water quantity, water quality, amenity and habitat. The Council will require the application of SuDS in development proposals, for example through reducing the extent of hard surfacing, and using permeable pavements. For new developments, the Council will require that all developments incorporate ‘Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems’ (SuDS) as part of the development proposals. Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) are effective technologies which aim to reduce flood risk, improve water quality and enhance biodiversity and amenity. The objective of SuDS in new developments is to replicate, as closely as possible, the surface water drainage regime of the predevelopment ‘greenfield’ situation. The surface water runoff rate from the developed site must be limited to the ‘greenfield’ runoff rate to reduce the risk of flooding. Best practice guidance is available from The Greater Dublin Strategic Drainage Study (GDSDS). It is Council policy that all large-scale developments incorporate Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems as part of development proposals.
- TRANSPORT, INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENERGY 10 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 329 Stormwater Management Policy Objectives It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 10.116 Support in conjunction with Irish Water the improvement of storm water infrastructure to improve sustainable drainage and reduce the risk of flooding in urban environments. CPO 10.117 Implement policies contained in the Greater Dublin Strategic Drainage Study (GDSDS) in relation to SUDS and climate change or any revision thereof. CPO 10.118 Ensure new development is adequately serviced with surface water drainage infrastructure which meets the requirements of the Water Framework Directive, associated River Basin Management Plans and CFRAM Management Plans. CPO 10.119 Require that planning applications are accompanied by a comprehensive SUDs assessment that addresses run-off quantity, run-off quality and its impact on the existing habitat and water quality. CPO 10.120 Ensure that in public and private developments in urban areas, both within developments and within the public realm, seek to minimise and limit the extent of hard surfacing and paving and require the use of sustainable drainage techniques for new development or for extensions to existing developments, in order to reduce the potential impact of existing and predicted flooding risks. CPO 10.121 Ensure appropriate maintenance of surface water drainage infrastructure to avoid flood risk.
- TRANSPORT, INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENERGY 10 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 330 10.17 Waste Management The Council seeks to ensure the provision of the highest standards of waste management and environmental services to prevent and control water, air and noise pollution. Prevention, Reduction, Reuse and Recycling is the preferred options in managing household waste to reduce the amount of waste being produced. The Eastern Midlands Region Waste Management Plan 2015 -2021 was adopted in May 2015 and the Council has signed up to same. The overall vision of the Regional Waste Management Plan is to rethink the approach taken towards managing waste and that waste should be seen as a valuable material resource. The Plan also supports a move towards achieving a circular economy which is essential if the region is to make better use of resources and become more resource efficient. A circular economy is one where materials are retained in use at their highest value for as long as possible and are then reused or recycled, leaving a minimum of residual waste. This Plan supports the move to a more circular economy as this will save resources, increase resource efficiency, and help to reduce carbon emissions. The successful implementation of circular economy principles will help to reduce the volume of waste that the County produces. In recent years there has been a move away from the disposal of waste to landfill. According to Section 22 of the ‘Waste Management Act 1996’ as amended, there are 14 sites within Westmeath on the Register for Closed landfills. Historic landfills are those unregulated facilities that operated for the recovery or disposal of waste pre-1977. Since 1977, there are 2 other landfills in the county, namely Ballydonagh and Marlinstown, which were regulated under waste licence from the EPA and which are now closed (2010 and 2002 respectively). There is no open landfill operating in the county at present. The Council has carried out a risk assessment on all unregulated landfills. Only 2 of those landfills (Moate & Lickbla) were identified from the preliminary Tier 1 risk assessment as having an associated high risk. Further risk assessment is required on the Lickbla facility. In the case of Moate, full remediation works are on-going at present and due for completion later this year. The two licenced landfills at Ballydonagh and Marlinstown, although closed, continue to be monitored by the Council in accordance with the conditions of the waste licences. The Council will continue to support the remediation of former landfill sites listed in Table 10.4, subject to compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements.
- TRANSPORT, INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENERGY 10 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 331 Table 10.4 Former Landfill Sites Site ID Name Location S22-02425 Ballinlig Clonmellon, Co. Westmeath S22-02426 Castlepollard Castlepollard, Co. Westmeath S22-02434 Christianstown Collinstown, Co. Westmeath S22-02428 Coole Coole, Co. Westmeath S22-02429 Delvin Delvin, Co. Westmeath S22-02293 Golden Island Athlone, Co. Westmeath S22-02413 Kilbeggan Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath S22-02416 Killucan Killucan, Co. Westmeath S22-02435 Lickbla Lickbla, Co. Westmeath S22-02417 Marlinstown Mullingar, Co. Westmeath S22-02418 Milltownpass Milltownpass, Co. Westmeath S22-02412 Moate Moate, Co. Westmeath S22-02415 Rochfortbridge Rochfortbridge, Co. Westmeath S22-02414 Tyrrellspass Tyrrellspass, Co. Westmeath Waste Management Policy Objectives It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 10.122 Support the implementation of the Eastern Midlands Region Waste Management Plan 2015-2021 and any updates made thereto. CPO 10.123 Encourage and support waste prevention, minimisation, reuse, recycling and recovery as methods of managing waste. CPO 10.124 Facilitate the transition from a waste management economy to a green circular economy to increase the value recovery and recirculation of resources. CPO 10.125 Encourage and support the provision of separate collection of waste in accordance with the requirements of the Waste Management (Food Waste) Regulations 2009, the Waste Framework Directive Regulations, 2011, Household Food Waste Regs (European Union( Household Food Waste & Bi-waste) Regulations 2015 and also the Westmeath County Council (Segregation, Storage and Presentation of Household and Commercial Waste) Bye-Laws, 2019 and other relevant legislation CPO 10.126 Promote and facilitate communities to become involved in environmental awareness activities and community-based recycling initiatives or environmental management initiatives that will lead to local sustainable waste management practices.
- TRANSPORT, INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENERGY 10 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 332 CPO 10.127 Ensure that the Council fulfills its duties under the Waste Management (certification of historic unlicensed waste disposal and recovery activity) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No 524 of 2008), including those in relation to the identification and registration of closed landfills. CPO 10.128 Support the re-use of former landfill sites in the County for parklands, recreational, nature conservation and/or low carbon or renewable energy use, subject to compliance with all legislative and regulatory requirements. Facilitate and support the regeneration of closed landfill sites in Westmeath. Any application for the reuse of former landfill sites will require a Masterplan to be prepared to include the following elements: • Evaluation of the setting of the site. • Risk Assessment. • Detailed proposal for the after-use of the site. • Review of all legislative and regulatory requirements in relation to the remediation of the site. • Consultation with the EPA or other relevant statutory agencies. • Assessment of the social and economic benefits of the re-use of the site • Analysis of public engagement undertaken. • A “site manual” detailing landfill engineering features and pollution control systems. CPO 10.129 Promote and encourage the objectives of the ‘Eastern Midlands Region Waste Management Plan 2015-2021’ (or any subsequent plan) regarding the remediating of historic closed landfills prioritising actions to those sites which are the highest risk to the environment and human health. Any future development of lands incorporating historic closed landfills shall take full consideration of the environmental sensitivities of the local site and follow the national code of practice for assessment and remediation of such sites. This may include obtaining an appropriate authorisation from the EPA to regulate the proposed remediation.
- TRANSPORT, INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENERGY 10 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 333 10.18 Air Quality Poor air quality both in the urban and rural environment can lead to major environmental problems and be detrimental to the health of citizens of the County. The most sensitive areas in relation to air quality are built-up urban areas and major transport developments. Air pollution continues to present challenges including; • transport emissions, especially road transport emissions of NOx, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and black carbon arising from increase in diesel cars and buses in our cities and towns; • power generation and emissions from industry, agriculture and agricultural activities that lead to methane and nitrous oxide emissions; • burning of fossil fuels e.g. gas, peat, and coal resulting in carbon dioxide emissions and the persistent problem of ‘smoky’ emissions from the use of solid fuel in homes and backyard burning. Air pollution is monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Westmeath County Council. The Council recognise the need to ensure the highest standards of air quality. Air Quality Policy Objectives It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 10.130 Promote the preservation of best ambient air quality compatible with sustainable development in accordance with the EU Ambient Air Quality and Cleaner Air for Europe (CAFE) Directive (2008/5/0/EC) and ensure that all air emissions associated with new developments are within Environmental Quality Standards as out in the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2011 (SI No. 180 of 201) (or any updated / superseding documents). CPO 10.131 It is a strategic aim of the county to reduce polluting emissions and support the implementation of measures to improve indoor and outdoor air quality by: • Participating in, and facilitating national programmes of air quality monitoring, • Support the development and promotion of the Air Quality Index for Health, • Support the development of Local Air Quality Management Plans that identify pollution 'hot spots' and aim to reduce pollution through local action on emissions, • Assessing radon levels in indoor settings in council properties and support the promotion of radon testing all indoor settings.
- TRANSPORT, INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENERGY 10 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 334 10.19 Noise Pollution The impact of noise pollution is an important consideration in assessing all new development proposals as it can impact on people’s quality of life and health. The Environmental Noise Regulations 2006 give effect to EU Directive 2002/49/EC relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise. The Council will seek through the Development Management process to reduce noise and/or vibration at site boundaries or within adjacent sensitive areas, especially residential areas, by measures such as layout, design and/or attenuation mechanisms. The Council will require the submission of Noise Impact Assessments where it is proposed to introduce noise creating uses in proximity to noise sensitive uses, such as residential areas, and if permission is being granted may impose conditions mitigating impact. Similarly, where noise sensitive uses are proposed within proximity to a noise source, such as national roads, rail lines, etc., proposals shall include noise and/or vibration attenuation measures in any planning application. The Council has prepared the Westmeath Noise Action Plan 2013-2018 which sets out an approach to the strategic management and control of environmental noise. Noise Pollution Policy Objectives It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 10.132 Support the implementation of the Noise Directive 2002/49/EC and associated Environmental Noise Regulations 2006. CPO 10.133 Support the Implementation of the Westmeath Noise Action Plan 2013-2018 (and any revision made thereto). CPO 10.134 Require all developments to be designed and operated in a manner that will minimise and contain noise levels, having regard to relevant national guidelines and in the absence of national guidelines, to relevant international standards, where appropriate.
- TRANSPORT, INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENERGY 10 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 335 10.20 Light Pollution While adequate lighting is essential for a safe and secure environment, light spillage from excessive or poorly designed lighting is increasingly recognised as a potential nuisance to surrounding properties and a threat to wildlife. The Council will consider the potential problems of light pollution relating to new development and the intensification or alteration of existing development. The limitation of light pollution is important in the interests of nature conservation, residential amenity and energy efficiency. Light Pollution Policy Objectives It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 10.135 Control lighting in urban and rural areas and in particular in sensitive locations, in order to minimise impacts on residential amenity, habitats and species of importance. CPO 10.136 Require the use of energy efficient public lighting in all new development proposals.
- TRANSPORT, INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENERGY 10 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 336 10.21 Major Accidents – Seveso Sites The European Communities (Control of Major Accident Hazards Involving Dangerous Substances) Regulations 2006 transposes the SEVESCO II Directive 96/82/EC (relating to the prevention of major accidents involving dangerous substances) into Irish Law. The Directive aims to prevent accident hazards from dangerous substances and to limit the consequence of such accidents through the following measures: • The siting of new establishments. • Modification of existing establishments. • Development in the vicinity of an establishment which by virtue of its type or siting is likely to increase the risk or consequence of a major accident. • Site specific emergency planning by the local authority and site operator. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) provides advice to Planning Authorities, where appropriate, in respect of planning applications for development within a certain distance of the perimeter of these sites. There is a single known SEVESO site in County Westmeath, the following policy is applicable in respect of same and any future proposal involving dangerous substances. Major Accidents – Seveso Sites Policy Objectives It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 10.137 Have regard to the provisions of the Major Accidents Directive, relating to the control of major accident hazards involving dangerous substances, and the recommendations of the Health and Safety Authority in the assessment of all planning applications located within the consultation distance of such sites. CPO 10.138 Require developers to submit a detailed consequence and risk assessment with all Environmental Impact Statements and/or legislative licence applications for all Seveso sites.
- TRANSPORT, INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENERGY 10 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 337 10.22 Renewable Energy Sources With projected increases in population and economic growth, the demand for energy is set to increase in the coming years. A secure and resilient supply of energy is critical to a well-functioning economy, being relied upon for heating, cooling, and to fuel transport, power industry, and generate electricity. Renewable energy comes from natural sources that are continuously replenished by nature and is, therefore, a more sustainable alternative to our dependency on fossil fuels. The main sources are wind energy, solar energy, water energy (hydro, wave and tidal energy), geothermal energy (from heat below the surface of the earth) and biomass (wood, biodegradable waste and energy crops). The Government of Ireland has committed to wider climate change goals whereby one of these goals is to achieve a 33% energy efficiency improvement by all Irish public bodies by the year 2030, as defined by SI 426 of the European Union (Energy Efficiency) Regulations 2014. This target was reinforced in 2017 through the publication of the “Public Sector Energy Efficiency Strategy”. In its latest performance report entitled “Annual Report 2018 on Public Sector Energy Efficiency Performance”, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) have credited Westmeath County Council with 19.4% energy savings against its 2009 energy usage baseline. In transitioning to a low carbon economy, future diversification and adaptation to new energy technologies is vital. Renewable energy such as wind, solar and biomass will assist in managing the transition of the local economies of such areas in gaining the economic benefits of greener energy. The National Climate Policy Position establishes the national objective of achieving transition to a competitive, low carbon, climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by 2050. This objective will shape investment choices over the coming decades in line with the National Mitigation Plan and the National Adaptation Framework. Project Ireland 2040 - New energy systems and transmission grids will be necessary for a more distributed, renewables-focused energy generation system, harnessing both the considerable onshore and off-shore potential from energy sources such as wind, wave and solar and connecting the richest sources of that energy to the major sources of demand. Regard shall be had to the following national plans, policies and strategies when considering proposals for renewable energy; • The National Renewable Energy Action Plan 2010 (Irish Government submission to the European Commission); • The Government’s Strategy for Renewable Energy 2012 – 2020 (DCENR); • The Government’s White Paper on Energy Policy - Ireland’s Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future 2015-2030 (DCENR); • The Government’s National Mitigation Plan, July 2017 (DCCAE).
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.