Westmeath County Development Plan 2021–2027

1. Page 51

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   CORE STRATEGY 2 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 46 Figure 2.7: Functional Urban Areas, Dublin and Large Towns CSO 2016.

2. Page 52

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   CORE STRATEGY 2 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 47 Westmeath County Council is sensitive to the needs of the rural community and recognises the need to facilitate housing development for people who are an intrinsic part of a rural community. The HNDA, as set out in Chapter 3 and Appendix 1, accounts for the potential demand for single rural dwellings over the lifetime of this Development Plan. In establishing rural area typologies for County Westmeath, analysis was undertaken at Electoral Division (ED) level and incorporated a combination of socio-economic indicators and an assessment of demand for one-off housing across the County as well as considerations around proximity to the commuting catchment of large cities and towns. Specifically, the following core areas were examined: • Population change between 1996-2016. This is deemed a core consideration in the determination of rural typology areas according to the Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines (2005). • Projected population change between 2016-20264. This analysis was undertaken to determine if population trends over the past two decades are likely to continue to 2026. • Economic Structure of the County. The relative strength of the economic structure of the County’s ED’s was established through three core strands of analysis: CSO Annual Estimates of Income; the Pobal Deprivation Index5 (ED analysis for 2011 and 2016); and area designations under the CLAR Programme. • Housing Demand Planning applications for one-off housing between 2014-2019 were assessed and mapped to determine which areas were under greater demand for development and those which were experiencing little or no demand. Based on this analysis, the spatial extent of the areas deemed to be ‘Structurally Weak Rural Areas’ has been amended for this plan period. The areas are shown in the Core Strategy Map (see Figure 2.15) and described in the following sections. 2.14.1 Rural Area Under Strong Urban Influence This area comprises most of the County and is characterised by stable population levels with welldeveloped town and village structures and a strong agricultural base. The objective in these areas is to maintain a stable population base in rural areas within a strong network of villages and small towns. The policy is to facilitate housing development by people who have strong links to the particular rural area, who are an intrinsic part of the rural community. Such persons would normally have spent substantial periods of their lives living in the rural area as part of the established rural community, e.g. people employed in the rural area including farmers and 4 Population projection analysis was undertaken to 2026 utilising the “Demographic Component Method” that integrates the dynamic components of population change namely, mortality, fertility and migration, and enables age cohort analysis 5 The index provides a method of measuring the relative affluence or disadvantage of a particular geographical area using data compiled from various censuses.

3. Page 53

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   CORE STRATEGY 2 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 48 their sons and daughters, people originally from the rural area and wishing to return, people wishing to reside near elderly parents to provide security and care, elderly parents wishing to live near other family members, people who would have grown up in rural areas seeking to build their home close to other family members, people working in rural areas such as teachers in rural schools. The aim is to support the desire of individual applicants with strong rural links to settle in that area and to encourage people with no such links to settle in the identified extensive network of towns or villages. 2.14.2 Structurally Weak Rural Areas The extent of the areas designated as a ‘structurally weak rural area’ have been amended for the 2021- 2027 Development Plan. These areas remain concentrated in a number of areas in the north and west of the County that have shown persistent and significant population decline in comparison to the stronger rural area. The policy in these areas is to accommodate demand from individuals for permanent residential development subject to good planning practice. This policy will facilitate the expansion of the rural population and the maintenance of essential local services. In these areas it is a requirement to distinguish between speculative house building and genuine long-term commitment to the area in question. Figures 2.8, 2.9 and 2.10 below demonstrate population change in Westmeath at ED level between 1996-2016; between 2011-2016; and projected population change between 2016-2026 respectively. This provides a broader indication of where higher and lower growth rates have been concentrated over time, as well as areas experiencing more persistent decline. During the most recent Census period (2011-2016), the North West of the County displayed the highest overall concentration of population decline. Much of this area experienced rates of decline of between 0 and -4.9% between 2011 and 2016. However, some EDs experienced rates of decline of between -5% and -12%. This area includes the settlement of Ballinalack (notwithstanding the growth of one ED, Rathowen, by 14.1% during this period. It should be noted that this growth represented an increase of 45 people). Overall, larger swathes of the northern and western County boundary area have been experiencing greater levels of population decline between 2011-2016. Much of these areas lie outside of the FUA’s of Athlone and Mullingar and are also projected to be characterised by slower growth rates up to 2026 (as per population projection analysis utilising the “Demographic Component Method”). Two out of three Westmeath EDs classified as ‘disadvantaged’ within the Pobal Deprivation Index in 2016 are located in this North west region. Almost all other EDs along the north and western boundary were classified as ‘marginally below average’ in 2016.

4. Page 54

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   CORE STRATEGY 2 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 49 Core Strategy Policy Objectives It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 2.11 Support the sustainable development of rural areas in Westmeath by encouraging growth and arresting decline in areas that have experienced low population growth or decline in recent decades and by managing the growth of areas that are under strong urban influence to avoid over-development, while sustaining vibrant rural communities. CPO 2.12 Support the servicing of rural villages (serviced sites) to provide an alternative to oneoff housing in the countryside, in line with RSES Objective RPO 4.78. Figure 2.8: Population Change in Westmeath 1996-2016

5. Page 55

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   CORE STRATEGY 2 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 50 Figure 2.9: Population Change in Westmeath 2011-2016 Figure 2.10: Projected Population Change in Westmeath 2016-2026

6. Page 56

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   CORE STRATEGY 2 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 51 2.15 Economic Development There were 57,625 people of working age (15-64 years) in County Westmeath in 2016. According to the 2016 census, 35,289 people (or 51.1%) residing in Westmeath recorded their principal economic status as being “at work”. 6,666 persons or 9.7% reported being unemployed (i.e. those ‘Unemployed having lost or given up previous job’ and those ‘Looking for first regular job’ as recorded by the CSO). The comparable data for 2011 shows that 8,637 or 12.9% reported being unemployed. Figure 2.11: Population by Principal Economic Status Figure 2.12 Illustrates the socio-economic groupings of the population. The CSO socio-economic group classifies the population into one of ten categories based on the skill and educational attainment of their current or former occupation. Figure 2.12: Population by Socio-economic group (CSO, 2016) Figure 2.13 shows local jobs by industry in the County according to Census 2016. 51.1% 9.7% 11.4% 13.9% 4.6% 9.4% 0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% Employed Unemployed Student Retired Disability Other 11,796 5,029 10,342 15,807 8,746 8,042 2,983 4,430 4,890 523 15,299 - 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 12,000 14,000 16,000 18,000

7. Page 57

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   CORE STRATEGY 2 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 52 Figure 2.13: Local jobs by industry (CSO, 2016) The Midlands Innovation and Research Centre (MIRC) together with Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) and Athlone Business and Technology Park are important focal points for the development and strengthening of industry and higher education links in research and development (R&D) in the County. AIT is a leading third level institute with research capability in materials, bioscience and software, which are complementary to the industries in the Athlone area. In October 2019, Athlone Institute of Technology confirmed that it is forming a consortium with Limerick Institute of Technology to develop a new technological university (TU) for the Midlands and Mid-West. 2.16 Housing Stock and Capacity Census 2016 results record a total housing stock of 36,890 in Westmeath, an increase of just 231 on 2011 levels. The number of occupied dwellings in Westmeath was 31,858. The average occupancy rate across the County was 2.76 persons per occupied dwelling which is marginally higher than the national rate of 2.75. Figure 2.14 demonstrates private households by size in 2016. This shows that 2-person households form the largest overall proportion of total households in Westmeath (28%). Figure 2.14: Private Households by Size (CSO, 2016) No. People per Household Households Persons Households % Persons % 1-person household 7,482 7,482 23.5% 8.5% 2-person household 8,904 17,808 28.0% 20.3% 3-person household 5,703 17,109 17.9% 19.5% 4-person household 5,291 21,164 16.6% 24.1% 5+ person household 4,433 24,324 13.9% 27.7% Total 31,813 87,887 100.0% 100.0% 89.9% of households comprised of a house or bungalow while 8.5% were apartments. Homeownership remains the dominant tenure with 69.2% of households within this category. 18.7% of households were in the private rental market while 8.0% were living in social housing. 3,728 or 10.1% of dwellings (excluding holiday homes) in the County were vacant in 2016. 21.7% 6.9% 23.4% 17.5% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Agriculture forestry and fishing Building and construction Manufacturing industries Commerce and trade Transport and communications Public administration Professional services Other

8. Page 58

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   CORE STRATEGY 2 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 53 2.16.1 Housing Land Requirements This section sets out key considerations in relation to residential land requirements for this plan period as set out in the NPF and RSES. The NPF notes that the concept of headroom based solely on zoned land provision does not account for housing yield arising from the re-use of existing housing stock, mixed-use development, urban intensification or infill or brownfield development. Indeed, projected population growth must be planned in accordance with NPF National Policy Objectives 3a, b and c, which target infill and brownfield development within the existing built footprint of urban settlements, in particular the objective to target at least 30% of all new homes that are targeted in settlements other than the five Cities and their suburbs, within their existing built-up footprints. As such, the NPF Roadmap population projections already incorporate 25% headroom figures for all parts of the country (Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework, Appendix 2). This may be supplemented by additional 25% headroom, applicable in the 16 local authority areas that are projected to grow at or above the national average growth figure (page 5 of the NPF Roadmap). This further headroom may be applied regionally and locally, at RSES and City and County development plan stage. Westmeath is one of the sixteen local authority areas identified. The average occupancy rate in Westmeath in 2016 was 2.76 compared to a state average of 2.75. However, the NPF states that this is expected to decline to around 2.5 by 2040, while also acknowledging that household sizes in urban areas tend to be smaller than in the suburbs or rural parts of the country. In line with this projected trend, a graduated average household size is utilised within this plan (see the Housing Strategy in Appendix 1). Moreover, the NPF sets out a new, standardised methodology that addresses the differentiation between zoned land that is available for development and zoned land that requires significant further investment in services for infrastructure for development to be realised. In this regard, lands have only been identified for development where they are able to connect to existing development services, i.e. road and footpath access including public lighting, foul sewer drainage, surface water drainage and water supply, for which there is service capacity available, and can therefore accommodate new development. These lands are also positioned within the existing built-up footprint of established settlements or contiguous to existing developed lands. In considering the designation of lands in Athlone and Mullingar regard is given to the availability of serviced lands as well as the identification of lands that are not currently sufficiently serviced to support new development but have potential to become fully serviced within the life of the plan. 2.16.2 Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) One of the key objectives of the NPF relates to the need for compact growth, with development being focussed within and close to existing built-up areas. A core element of this approach is the regeneration of infill and brownfield sites. This is in line with the NPF targets of achieving at least 50% of all new homes within or contiguous to the built-up area of Dublin city and suburbs and a target of at least 30% for other urban areas. In this regard, it is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to promote 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

9. Page 59

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   CORE STRATEGY 2 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 54 centres. 30% of lands zoned for residential purposes as part of this Plan have been identified for brownfield development. These lands are primarily located outside Athlone and Mullingar where the greatest potential exists. The importance of the role of regeneration in the delivery of Project Ireland 2040 is acknowledged by the provision of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF). Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) The €2 Billion ten-year Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) was launched in 2018 to support compact sustainable development, through the regeneration of Ireland’s cities and large towns, in line with the objectives of Project Ireland 2040 – The National Planning Framework (NPF) and the National Development Plan (NDP) 2018 -2027. The Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) provides the investment framework for Eastern and Midland Region. The types of proposals eligible for funding include strategic development areas, active land management, measures to address building vacancy and refurbishment, public realm improvements, enabling infrastructure, sustainable mobility and transition to low carbon and climate resilience. In 2019, 38 successful projects in the EMRA region were allocated over €42 million, of which nearly €15 million went to urban areas within the Dublin Metropolitan Area and over €27 million to support the rejuvenation of Regional Growth Centres and large towns in the region. As part of this first tranche of approvals, Westmeath County Council was awarded initial URDF support for a number of projects. For a full list of projects see Section 7.6.3 of the plan. Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund is a commitment of €1 billion by government 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. It will be administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development. This Fund provides an opportunity to support the revitalisation of rural Ireland, to make a significant and sustainable impact on rural communities, and to address de-population in small rural towns, villages and rural areas. It will be a key instrument to support the objectives of the NPF and to aid in the implementation of the RSES and the Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027.

10. Page 60

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    CORE STRATEGY 2 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 55 Figure 2.15: Core Strategy Map.

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.