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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- CLIMATE ACTION 11 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 357 Figure 11.1: The National Policy Context for National Adaptation Plan. Source: Westmeath Climate Adaptation Strategy 2019-2024 11.3.4 Climate Action Plan – To Tackle Climate Breakdown 2019 The Government’s Climate Action Plan 2019 - To Tackle Climate Breakdown, published on 17th June 2019, reflects the central priority that climate change will have in Ireland’s political and administrative systems into the future, setting out governance arrangements including the carbon-proofing of government policies, the establishment of carbon budgets, the strengthening of the Climate Change Advisory Council and providing greater accountability to the Oireachtas.
- CLIMATE ACTION 11 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 358 Figure 11.2: Climate Action Plan – to tackle Climate Breakdown. The plan sets out 183 individual actions over 12 sectors and charts an ambitious course towards decarbonisation. This Plan reflects Ireland’s commitment to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Agreed by the United Nations in 2015, the 17 SDGs address the environmental, economic, and social challenges that the world needs to tackle by 2030 to ensure a sustainable future. SDG 13 calls on countries to ‘Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts’, by implementing commitments to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, as well as by improving public awareness of the need for Climate Action. Crucially, SDG 13 also calls on countries to integrate effective Climate Action measures into national policies. This Plan sets out a commitment to undertake the following: • 70% of the Country’s electricity needs will come from renewable sources by 2030. • Accelerate the take up of EV cars and vans so that we reach 100% of all new cars and vans as EVs by 2030. This will mean achieving our target of 950,000 EVs on the road by 2030. • This means approximately one third of all vehicles sold during the decade will be Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) or Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV). • Make growth less transport intensive through better planning, remote home-working and modal shift to public transport. • Increase the renewable biofuel content of motor fuels. • Set targets for the conversion of public transport fleets to zero carbon alternatives.
- CLIMATE ACTION 11 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 359 Under this Climate Action Plan there are three actions that are allocated to local authorities including: Action 64 Introduce minimum BER standards in the Local Authority social housing stock as part of retrofit works being carried out on older stock or refurbishment of vacant dwellings. Action 65 Develop and establish a climate-action toolkit and audit framework for Local Authority development planning to drive the adoption of stronger climate action policies in relation to the patterns and forms of future development. Action 66 Roadmap to develop supply chain to support the phase out of fossil fuel boilers in new dwellings. Source: Climate Action Plan 2019: pp. 82 11.3.5 National Mitigation Plan 2017 (NMP) Climate mitigation describes action to reduce the likelihood of climate change occurring or reduce the impact if it does occur. This can include reducing the causes of climate change (e.g. emissions of greenhouse gases) as well as reducing future risks associated with climate change. Other beneficial effects arising from climate mitigation include contributions towards reductions in energy consumption, increases in alternative energy usage, maintenance/improvement of air quality and reductions/limits in increase of noise emissions. Ireland’s first National Mitigation Plan (NMP) published in July 2017 by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, sets out, on a whole-of-government basis, what Ireland is doing and is planning to do to further our transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by 2050. It represents an initial step to set Ireland on a pathway to achieve the level of decarbonisation required. It is a whole-of-Government Plan, reflecting in particular the central roles of the key Ministers responsible for the sectors covered by the Plan – Electricity Generation, the Built Environment, Transport and Agriculture, as well as drawing on the perspectives and responsibilities of a range of other Government Departments. At national level the National Policy Position on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development published in April 2014 establishes the fundamental national objective of achieving transition to a competitive, low carbon, climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by 2050.
- CLIMATE ACTION 11 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 360 11.3.6 National Adaptation Framework 2018 (NAF) Ireland’s first statutory National Adaptation Framework (NAF) was published in January 2018 and complements the mitigation approach by addressing the climate resilience challenge. The NAF specifies the national strategy for the application of adaptation measures in different sectors and by local authorities in their administrative areas in order to reduce the vulnerability of the State to the negative effects of climate change and to avail of any positive effects that may occur. A key action under NAF requires each local authority in the country to prepare local climate adaptation strategies. 11.3.7 Project Ireland 2040 - National Planning Framework The National Planning Framework (NPF) has identified National Strategic Outcome Objectives 8 (Build Climate Resilience) and 9 (Support the transition to low carbon and clean energy) under National Strategic Outcome 8 “Transition to a Low Carbon and Climate Resilient Society”. These objectives will shape investment choices over the coming decades in line with the National Mitigation Plan and the National Adaptation Framework; the NPF notes that new energy systems and transmission grids will be necessary for a more distributed, renewable energy focused system, harnessing both the considerable on-shore 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. The Council will demonstrate compliance with NPOs in areas such as densification, NPO 3 (C) 30% brownfield (role of URDF in consolidation), integrating transport links, increasing permeability (both pedestrian and cycling) and connection to public transport (15 min walk).
- CLIMATE ACTION 11 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 361 Figure 11.3: National Strategic Outcomes (Source: National Planning Framework). National Policy Objective 21 Enhance the competitiveness of rural areas by supporting innovation in rural economic development and enterprise through the diversification of the rural economy into new sectors and services, including ICT based industries and those addressing climate change and sustainability. National Policy Objective 54 Reduce our carbon footprint by integrating climate action into the planning system in support of national targets for climate policy mitigation and adaptation objectives, as well as targets for greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
- CLIMATE ACTION 11 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 362 11.3.8 Midlands and Eastern Assembly - Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2019 (RSES) Figure 11.4: EMRA RSES - Regional Strategic Outcomes showing Climate Action as a key component The RSES provides a Climate Action Strategy – to accelerate climate action, ensure a clean and healthy environment and to promote sustainable transport and strategic green infrastructure. There are a number of RPOs that are relevant to this subject matter: Regional Policy Objective 3.7 Local authorities shall have regard to environmental and sustainability considerations for meeting sustainable development targets and climate action commitments, in accordance with the National Adaptation Framework. In order to recognise the potential for impacts on the environment, Local authorities shall address the proper site/route selection of any new development and examine environmental constraints including but not limited to biodiversity, flooding, landscape, cultural heritage, material assets, including the capacity of services to serve any new development.
- CLIMATE ACTION 11 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 363 Regional Policy Objective 7.7 To reduce harmful emissions and achieve and maintain good air quality for all urban and rural areas in the Region and to work with Local Authorities and the relevant agencies to support local data collection in the development of air quality monitoring and to inform a regional air quality and greenhouse gas emissions inventory. Regional Policy Objective 7.28 Work with local authorities and relevant stakeholders, to identify areas of high value agricultural land and to ensure food security in the Region and to promote sustainable farming practices that maintain the quality of the natural environment, protect farm landscapes and support the achievement of climate targets. Regional Policy Objective 7.29 Support collaboration between local authorities, the Bord na Mona Transition Team and relevant stakeholders and the development of partnership approaches to integrated peatland management for a just transition that incorporate any relevant policies and strategies such as the Bord na Móna Biodiversity Plan 2016-2021 and the national Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Plans. This shall include support for the rehabilitation and/or re-wetting of suitable peatland habitats. Regional Policy Objective 7.32 With the assistance and support of the Climate Action Regional Offices, local authorities shall develop, adopt and implement local climate adaptation and mitigation strategies which shall address issues including local vulnerability to climate risks and identify and prioritise actions, in accordance with the guiding principles of the National Adaptation Framework, National Mitigation Plan. Regional Policy Objective 7.35 EMRA shall, in conjunction with local authorities in the Region, identify Strategic Energy Zones as areas suitable for larger energy generating projects, the role of community and micro energy production in urban and rural settings and the potential for renewable energy within industrial areas. The Strategic Energy Zones for the Region will ensure all environmental constraints are addressed in the analysis. A regional landscape strategy should be developed to support delivery of projects within the Strategic Energy Zones. Regional Policy Objective 7.37 A bio-economy plan for the Region should be developed that outlines the capacity of the Region to supply the range of bioenergy resources required for the fuel mix as well as the current and projected consumption requirements for growth in this market.
- CLIMATE ACTION 11 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 364 Regional Policy Objective 7.39 Local authorities shall report annually on energy usage in all public buildings and will achieve a target of 33% improvement in energy efficiency in all buildings in line with the requirements of the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP). Regional Policy Objective 7.40 Local authorities shall include policies in statutory land use plans to promote high levels of energy conservation, energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources in existing buildings, including retro fitting of energy efficiency measures in the existing building stock and energy efficiency in traditional buildings. All new buildings within the Region will be required to achieve the Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (NZEB) standard in line with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). 11.3.9 Climate Action Regional Office (CARO) Westmeath County Council is one of 17 Local Authorities located within the Eastern and Midlands Climate Action Region (CARO). The Eastern and Midland CARO has assisted and supported Westmeath County Council in the development of this climate change adaptation strategy. The Eastern and Midland CARO is one of four regional climate action offices set up in 2018 in response to Action 8 of the 2018 National Adaptation Framework (NAF) – Planning for a Climate Resilient Ireland to drive climate action at both regional and local levels. The composition of the four Climate Action Regions has been determined by the geographical and topographical characteristics, vulnerabilities and shared climate risks experienced across local authority areas. The climatic risks associated with the Eastern and Midlands Climate Action Region include Fluvial Flooding, Pluvial Flooding, Groundwater Flooding and Coastal Flooding. In recognition of the significant obligation to develop and implement climate action measures, the four regional offices are mandated to co-ordinate engagement across the varying levels of government and help build on experience and expertise that exists in the area of climate change and climate action. Under the NAF, sectoral adaptation plans are to be developed and implemented that will affect the work of the LAs. As such, the Midlands and Eastern CARO will liaise with respective government departments to align actions undertaken by the LAs with sectoral adaptation plans. 11.3.10 Westmeath County Council Climate Adaptation Strategy 2019-2024 The Climate Change Adaptation Strategy was adopted by Westmeath County Council in September 2019 and represents a proactive step by the Council in the process of adaptation planning to build resilience and respond effectively to the threats posed by climate change.
- CLIMATE ACTION 11 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 365 The purpose of the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy takes on the role as the primary instrument at local level to: (i) ensure a proper comprehension of the key risks and vulnerabilities of climate change. (ii) bring forward the implementation of climate resilient actions in a planned and proactive manner and, (iii) ensure that climate adaptation considerations are mainstreamed into all plans and policies and integrated into all operations and functions of Westmeath County Council. Climate Action Policy Objectives It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 11.1 Support the implementation and achievement of European, National, Regional and Local objectives for climate adaptation and mitigation as detailed in the following documents, taking into account other provisions of the Plan (including those relating to land use planning, energy, sustainable mobility, flood risk management and drainage) and having regard to the Climate mitigation and adaptation measures which have been outlined through the policy objectives in this Development Plan: • National Mitigation Plan (2017 and any subsequent versions); • National Climate Change Adaptation Framework (2018 and any subsequent versions); • Climate Action Plan (2019 and any subsequent versions); • Any Regional Decarbonisation Plan prepared on foot of commitments included in the emerging Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Eastern and Midland Region; • Relevant provisions of any Sectoral Adaptation Plans prepared to comply the requirements of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, including those seeking to contribute towards the National Transition Objective, to pursue, and achieve, the transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by the end of the year 2050; and • Westmeath County Council Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2019-2024. CPO 11.2 Provide for a reduction in energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions by providing for consolidated future development which supports sustainable travel patterns in line with the County Core Strategy. CPO 11.3 Promote the benefits to quality of life, public health and biodiversity arising from implementation of policies promoting climate change adaptation and mitigation. CPO 11.4 Encourage innovation and facilitate the development of pilot schemes that support climate change mitigation and adaptation measures.
- CLIMATE ACTION 11 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 366 CPO 11.5 Provide training on climate mitigation measures. CPO 11.6 Support collaboration between local authorities, the Bord na Móna Transition Team and relevant stakeholders and the development of partnership approaches to integrated peatland management for a just transition that incorporate any relevant policies and strategies such as the Bord na Móna Biodiversity Plan 2016-2021 and the national Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Plans. This shall include support for the rehabilitation and/or re-wetting of suitable peatland habitats. CPO 11.7 Work in collaboration with the Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland and relevant stakeholders to deliver a number of sustainable energy communities throughout the County. CPO 11.8 Consider the use of heat mapping to support developments which deliver energy efficiency and the recovery of energy that would otherwise be wasted. A feasibility assessment for district heating in Local Authority areas shall be carried out and statutory planning documents shall identify local waste heat sources. CPO 11.9 Review the outcomes of the Development Plan Guidelines, as adopted, and to consider reasonable steps considered necessary, in consultation with the Council, to align with the approach to climate action recommended in the guidelines over the lifetime of the Plan. CPO 11.10 Work with the National Transport Authority to undertake analysis in relation to modal shift between settlements and derive a realistic modal change target for the county. CPO 11.11 Engage with, as necessary, with the Eastern & Midland Regional Assembly’s EPSON EU research project (QGasSP) which seeks to identify a robust methodology for quantifying the relative GHG impacts of alternative spatial planning policies. CPO 11.12 Support the development of both climate mitigation and climate adaptation initiatives and seek funding for the implementation of these initiatives from available sources including the Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment’s Climate Action Fund.
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.