Westmeath County Development Plan 2021–2027

1. Page 381

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   CLIMATE ACTION 11 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 367 11.4 Climate Change The Council acknowledge that adapting to climate change and recognising the critical nature of this key challenge going forward is crucial to becoming a climate resilient county. Climate change covers a wide range of areas including but not limited to the following: Figure 11.5: Climate Change Impact Areas 11.4.1 Climate Action – Mitigation and Adaptation In responding to climate change, Westmeath County Council are and will be proactive in the process of climate action and, in this regard, the Council will support both mitigation and adaptation measures to tackle climate change. Climate Mitigation consists of actions 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 such as current and future greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, examples of these include reductions in energy use, switching to renewable energy sources and enhancement of carbon sinks, as well as reducing future risks associated with climate change.

2. Page 382

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   CLIMATE ACTION 11 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 368 One of the key issues relating to the preparation of this Development Plan in the context of climate mitigation relates to greenhouse gas emissions arising from transport. By improving sustainable mobility through land use planning this plan will support the reduction of existing levels of greenhouse gas emissions and limit increases in future emissions. 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. The SEA in Appendix 3 evaluates the likely significant environmental effects of this Development Plan and the reasonable alternatives selected. This assessment includes an analysis of impact of land use zoning on carbon reduction targets. The second component of Climate Action, Climate Adaptation is a change in natural or human systems in response to the impacts of climate change and consists of actions that will reduce the impacts that are already happening now from our changing climate and those that are projected to happen in the future. These changes moderate harm or exploit beneficial opportunities and can be in response to actual or expected impacts. These include flood protection, reduced impact of rising sea levels, increased resilience of infrastructure, and emergency response planning. Climate Mitigation and Adaptation are interconnected and should be planned together (see Figure 11.6).

3. Page 383

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   CLIMATE ACTION 11 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 369 Figure 11.6: A diagram showing the Climate Mitigation and Climate Adaptation and their interrelationship

4. Page 384

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   CLIMATE ACTION 11 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 370 11.5 Climate Action – Adapting to Climate Change The Council has implemented a number of measures in relation to climate change adaptation which are discussed below: FIgure 11.7 Outlines the areas which are being addressed through proposed mitigation and adaptation measures in the Plan 11.6 Spatial Planning and Transport The plan promotes an integrated approach to land-use and transportation which aligns with the Core Strategy and directs future development into existing towns and settlements within Westmeath, in order to reduce car dependency. The plan strongly supports the creation of compact urban growth, consolidation of existing settlements and prioritisation of the development of brownfield lands across the settlement hierarchy which in turn will encourage the use of public transport, cycling and walking as viable alternatives to the private car. Furthermore, allowing higher density development to occur along public transport corridors increases the number of people within the walking catchment of the public transport service, which in turn increases the patronage of the service, and leads to an increase in its financial and economic viability and in turn a positive environmental impact. The Core Strategy encourages higher densities of development close to public transport routes (which can sustain/facilitate public transport). This supports the sustainable zoning of lands through the concentration of future infill and brownfield development using existing lands and serviceable settlements based on the projected population growth and needs.

5. Page 385

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   CLIMATE ACTION 11 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 371 11.7 Flood Risk Management The Westmeath County Development Plan is informed by a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) contained in Volume 7. The Plan complies with OPW Guidance on climate change and has embedded the requirements for assessment within the key flood risk and surface water management policies. In incorporating flood extent data within the plan, climate change is considered and reviewed on a settlement by settlement basis, therefore climate change also influences the land use zoning decisions. The impacts of climate change are addressed in the SFRA by a series of adaptation actions that follow OPW/Government guidance that are driven by the most up to date research/flood mapping, the assessment of risk/impacts, and influences development through appropriate planning strategy/policy. Athlone has been subject to a number of historical flood events. The Council has demonstrated its commitment to addressing the issue of flood risk in Athlone by working in partnership with the OPW to implement the Shannon Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study (CFRAM). The Council has worked collaboratively with the OPW in relation to the implementation of flood defenses at the eight flood cells identified as part of the Shannon CFRAM. 11.8 Green Infrastructure The plan supports the provision of green infrastructure networks within the county and the value of nature-based solutions to address climate change. In recent years, the Council has invested significantly in the development of a network of greenways within the County. The development of a 42km greenway from Mullingar to Athlone, which forms part of the National Cycle Network together with the development of the Royal Canal Greenway from the Co. Meath to the Co. Longford border forms the backbone of a green infrastructure network in Westmeath. 11.9 Clean Energy The Plan recognises the contribution that wind and solar energy make to meeting national renewable energy targets. In this regard, the plan strongly supports the development of renewable energy resources. In this regard, since the adoption of the Westmeath County Development Plan 2014-2020, the Council has granted permission for a number of solar farms within the County. The total number of photovoltaic panels permitted to date, on a total site area of approximate 330 hectares, which when operational will generate renewable energy output of approximately 130 MW. It is further noted that consent has been granted for a windfarm of 13 turbines at Coole with potential to generate 50MW of renewable energy. It is acknowledged in the plan that the Council is open to new and innovative renewable energy sources and technological solutions to addressing climate change. In this regard, the Council will seek to collaborate with the Bord Na Mona Transition team and adjacent Local Authorities to progress the transition from brown to green energy.

6. Page 386

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   CLIMATE ACTION 11 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 372 As part of its commitment to implement the Westmeath County Council Climate Adaptation Strategy 2019-2024, the Council has adopted the following measures to increase energy efficiency such as: • Upgrade of public lighting to energy efficient LED lighting • Energy efficiency upgrades to Aras An Chontae HQ to maximise energy saving. 11.10 Urban/Rural Regeneration Considerable emphasis is placed in the plan on the regeneration of vacant buildings and under-utilised sites in order to rejuvenate our towns and villages. In 2018, the Council was successful in securing funding under the Urban Regeneration Development Fund to the value of €6.4million for five individual projects in Athlone and Mullingar. In addition, further funding of €400,000 was granted to the Council under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund for a regeneration scheme in Kinnegad. The Council acknowledge the value of such schemes which provide for climate resilient development and the potential of same to positively transform our town and village centres.

7. Page 387

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   CLIMATE ACTION 11 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 373 Table 11.1: Land Effects on Direct Emissions Land Effects on Direct Emissions Emissions Increase Emissions Decrease Policy Response Land Use More residential Less residential The Plan provides for sustainable, planned and measured growth in line with the Core Strategy, providing for consolidation of settlements of all scales, reduction of sprawl, with a focus on brownfield and infill development interlinked with available transport options. Result: Emissions reduction due to cap on number of permissible dwellings. Old Residential New Residential Plan prescribes compliance with new building regulations and development management criteria in relation to sustainable building design, energy efficiency, low carbon development and supports retrofitting of energy reduction measures in established properties. Result: Emissions reduction from previous growth pattern due to the realisation of development in a planned and sustainable manner. Single use [only residential, or commercial or industrial] Plan provides for mixed-use zoning in all settlements listed in the Settlement Hierarchy. The plan also prioritises the development of “Consolidation Sites” which consist of infill/gap sites within the existing urban footprints and provides flexibility in terms of the use of such sites for residential and/or mixed uses. Results: Emissions reduction

8. Page 388

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   CLIMATE ACTION 11 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 374 Use Seasonal, weekend, occasional Multi Use Development 24/7/365 Policies are included in the plan for multi-functional community buildings, shared use of educational facilities together with provision for E-working/digital hubs. Result: Emissions reduction as flexible use of existing building stock reduces demand for additional properties. Status Greenfield Brownfield The Plan places a significant focus on regeneration of vacant properties and under-utilised brownfield sites. The Core Strategy provides that at least 30% of new housing in the designated towns of Athlone and Mullingar is to be provided on brownfield lands. Furthermore, the plan supports the regeneration of identified brownfield sites in the Self- Sustaining Growth towns. In this regard, 68% lands provided under this Plan for residential development are Brownfield/Infill lands (identified as per the CSO 2016 SAP boundary). Result: Emissions Reduction due to optimisation of use of brownfield lands, thus precluding need to zone greenfield lands. Location Peripheral, dispersed Central connected In keeping with the ethos of the NPF, the Plan promotes consolidation of existing settlements and sequential compact growth within the existing urban footprint. Result: Emissions reduction due to optimisation of use of town centre lands, thus precluding the need to zone additional lands on the periphery. Condition New peripheral Old poor condition New central Old central The plan promotes the retrofitting of existing building stock in terms of energy efficiency. Result: Emissions reduction Mode Commute Home-based Work-live The Plan places strong emphasis on sustainable settlement development including the creation of economic conditions to provide for population growth, avoiding long commutes. This includes the creation of E-working/digital hubs in the Self-Sustaining

9. Page 389

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   CLIMATE ACTION 11 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 375 Growth Towns, in order to increase the economic profile of such settlements and thus reverse commuting patterns by reducing the propensity to travel for work. Result: Emissions reduction due to reduced travel demands. Movement Volume [number of movements] High Movement numbers increase energy use Low Movement numbers decrease energy use The plan promotes the development of vibrant towns and villages with residential, employment, services and community use provided for within compact development forms, thus reducing demand for travel and decreasing energy use. Result: Emissions reduction due to reduced travel demands. Volume [density of movements] Low Movement Density Dispersed movements decrease use efficiency High Movement Density Large numbers in one place increases use Efficiency Prioritisation of development in town and village centres increases energy efficiency Result: Emissions reduction Distance (spatial) Longer distance travelled [more emission likely] Shorter distance travelled [less emission likely] The development of sustainable settlements, with complementary employment provision coupled with compact urban settlements form, gives rise to a reduction in emissions, encourages the use and reuse of buildings in urban and rural areas and reduces sprawl, helping to increase the efficiency of land use. Result: Emissions reduction

10. Page 390

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    CLIMATE ACTION 11 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 376 Table 11.3: Incorporation of climate adaptation/mitigation in the County Development Plan CHAPTER HOW POLICY OBJECTIVES CONTRIBUTE TO CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION EMPHASIS ON MITIGATION (M) OR ADAPTATION (A) Chapter 1 Introduction • Identifies climate change as one of the cross-cutting themes influencing the content of the Plan M+A Chapter 2 Core Strategy • Focuses on sustainable settlement patterns and compact urban growth along public transport corridors, thus minimising need to travel. • Alignment provided between the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the National Planning Framework’s National Strategic Outcomes (NSOs) in areas such as climate action, clean energy, sustainable cities and communities, economic growth, reduced inequalities and innovation and infrastructure, as well as education and health with a focus on compact, smart and sustainable development that have accessible services to all. M+A Chapter 3 Housing Chapter • Focuses on sustainable settlement patterns and compact urban growth along public transport corridors, thus minimising need to travel. Promotes energy efficiency in future housing stock A Chapter 4 Sustainable Communities • Sets out parameters for building sustainable communities in terms of sustainable housing, sustainable economic development and sustainable amenities M+A Chapter 5 Economy and Employment • Supports the development of a low carbon economy an promotes the economic benefits associated with this transition, • Considers as mechanism to align our climate targets, • Sustainable Development Goals, • Climate Action Plan 2019, • Climate Action Fund, • Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund, the M+A

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.