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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- DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT STANDARDS 16 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 492 16.12.2 Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs) The overall guiding principle is to protect and positively enhance the unique qualities that make a place special because of it’s particular character. The requirements for planning application documentation for development within Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs) and for their subsequent assessment is set out in the Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines (DOEHLG, 2011). Development Management Standards Policy Objectives It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 16.59 In the assessment of applications for development within an Architectural Conservation Area, the following considerations will be taken into account: Guidelines contained within the Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2011) (DAHG), or any update made thereto. Development Works within an ACA Proposals for development within an ACA that involves a new building, reuse or change of use and extensions will generally be required to: Conserve and enhance the character and appearance of the ACA; Respect the scale, massing, proportions, design and materials of existing structures; Retain important exterior architectural features that contribute to the character and appearance of the ACA. Demolition Works within an ACA The demolition of a building within an ACA will generally not be permitted unless the Council is satisfied that the structure or building does not contribute positively to the character or appearance of the ACA or the building /structure is beyond viable renewal. 16.12.3 Archaeology The importance of the preservation in-situ of all archaeology remains is recognised by the Council. It is also recognised that in exceptional circumstances, preservation by record may be required. Development Management Standards Policy Objectives - Archaeology It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 16.60 In the assessment of any application for development which is sited within the designated zone of archaeological potential and/or on sites on or abutting
- DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT STANDARDS 16 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 493 monuments identified by the Sites and Monuments Record, any may affect archaeological remains due to ground and sub-surface works and disturbance., the following considerations will be taken into account: Development proposed within designated Zones of Archaeological Potential and in sites on or abutting Monuments identified by the Sites and Monuments Record, the Council will refer applications for proposed developments to National Monuments Service of the Department of the Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, to ascertain their requirements and consider their response to same. A preliminary archaeological investigation by a licensed archaeologist will normally be required where a proposed development would result in significant ground disturbance within a Zone of Archaeological Potential. A comprehensive archaeological report from a licensed archaeologist will normally be required to be submitted to the Council and to National Monuments Service of DoECLG, for their assessment, prior to the commencement of any development on site, or where considered appropriate prior to the decision by the Council on a Planning Application. Where a proposed development would result in significant ground disturbance leading to potentially significant archaeological implications in a Zone of Archaeological Potential or in sites on or abutting Monuments identified by the Sites and Monuments Record it will be a requirement that a licensed archaeologist be retained on site to monitor all site works, and in appropriate circumstances the preservation of all or part of any archaeological material so discovered will be required. 16. 13 Climate Climate change is a global challenge which requires a strong and coherent response at national, regional and local level. Development Management Standards Policy Objectives - Climate It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 16.61 Assess applications for development, having consideration to any national guidelines and criteria set out under the sub-headings below in respect of sustainable building practices and renewable energy that serve to reduce energy demand, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address the necessity of adaptation to climate change in accordance with national and regional policy. All new development proposals will be required to include measures that incorporate sustainable building practices in accordance with the following criteria:
- DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT STANDARDS 16 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 494 Low Energy Buildings: Include design measures which minimise energy use, including by passive solar design, energy-efficient building design and emission reduction measures; Design measures which promote renewable and low carbon energy; Is designed for flexible use throughout its lifetime; Promote the use of green roofs and natural ventilation; Promote the use of permeable surfaces to decrease runoff rates; Institute grey-water recycling schemes to decrease abstraction of potable surface water resources, thus reducing water stress during periods of low rainfall; Maximise water conservation; Avoids internal overheating and excessive heat generation; Supplies energy efficiently and incorporates decentralised energy systems such as District Heating and uses renewable energy where feasible; Procures materials sustainably using local suppliers wherever possible ensuring designs make the most of natural systems both within and around the building; Manages flood risk, including through sustainable drainage systems (SUDS) and flood resilient design for infrastructure and property; Enhance flood resilience of buildings, e.g. elevated work surfaces and storage facilities, raised sockets and electrical infrastructure, enhanced flood boards; Ensures developments are comfortable and secure for users; Conserves and enhances the natural environment, particularly in relation to biodiversity, and enables easy access to open spaces; Avoids the creation of adverse local climatic conditions; Reduces air and water pollution; Promotes sustainable waste behaviour in new and existing developments. 16.13.1 Wind Energy The Council recognises the importance of wind energy as a renewable energy source and its potential in contributing to reductions in fossil fuel dependency and greenhouse gas emissions. Chapter 10, Section 10.23 of the plan outlines the policy context for Wind Energy and should be referred to in the consideration of proposed development. The Council will have regard to the Wind Energy Development Guidelines for Planning Authorities, prepared by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, or any update made thereto. Further, regard should be given to the Landscape Character Assessment of the County which is contained in the accompanying Volume 2 of this Plan. 16.13.2 Solar farms The Council recognises that solar farms as a renewable energy source, can contribute to reductions in fossil fuel dependency and greenhouse gas emissions.
- DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT STANDARDS 16 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 495 Currently, there is no national policy guidelines on solar farms. In the assessment of any applications for solar farms, the Council will consider Section 10.24 of the plan which provides the policy context and criteria required in the assessment of solar farms within County Westmeath. 16.14 Implementation of Planning Permission 16.14.1 Development Contribution Scheme The Planning Authority will when granting a permission under S.34 include condition(s) requiring the payment of contributions in respect of public infrastructure and facilities benefiting development in its area and that is provided, or that is intended to be provided, by or on behalf of the Local Authority, in accordance with a Development Contribution Scheme for the County, made under Section 48 of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 as amended. 16.14.2 Supplementary Development Contribution Schemes The Planning Authority will wherever appropriate, require by condition, payment of a contribution in respect of any public infrastructure service or project, in accordance with a Supplementary Development Contribution Scheme made under Section 49(2) of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 as amended. a. Specified in a scheme made by the Planning Authority; b. Provided or carried out, as may be appropriate, by the Planning Authority or pursuant to an agreement entered into by the Local Authority, by any other person; c. That will benefit the development to which the permission relates when carried out. 16.14.3 Special Contribution The Planning Authority will in addition to the terms of a scheme, require the payment of a special contribution in respect of a particular development where specific exceptional costs not covered by a scheme are incurred by the Local Authority in respect of public infrastructure and facilities which benefit the proposed development, in accordance with Section 48.2(c) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended.
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- Appendix 1 Housing Strategy i Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 Table of Contents 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... ii 1.1 Overview ...................................................................................................................................................... ii 1.2 Methodology ................................................................................................................................................ ii 2 Current Context ............................................................................................................................................ iv 2.1 Population ................................................................................................................................................... iv 2.2 Existing Housing ........................................................................................................................................... v 3 Housing Needs in Westmeath ...................................................................................................................... ix 3.1 Determination of Annual Population Projections ....................................................................................... ix 3.2 Determination of Average Household Size and Additional Households Required....................................... x 3.3 Calculation of Estimated Distribution of Household Disposable Incomes .................................................. xi 3.4 Calculation of Average Annual Household Disposable Income Distribution..............................................xiii 3.5 Calculation of Average Monthly Household Disposable Income Distribution ...........................................xiv 3.6 Determination of Distribution of Total Households ...................................................................................xiv 3.7 Determination of Distribution of Additional Households .......................................................................... xv 3.8 Calculation of Projected House Price Bands .............................................................................................. xv 3.9 Calculation of Mortgage Capacity of Households ...................................................................................... xix 3.10 Calculation of Projected Needs for Ownership ...................................................................................... xxiv 3.11 Calculation of Projected Needs for Private Rental .................................................................................. xxx 3.12 Summary of Projected Social Housing Needs ........................................................................................ xxxi 4 Analysis of Housing Requirements in Westmeath ................................................................................... xxxiii 4.1 Overview ................................................................................................................................................ xxxiii 4.2 Single Rural Dwellings ............................................................................................................................ xxxiv 4.3 Household Size Cohort ......................................................................................................................... xxxviii 4.4 Household Tenure .................................................................................................................................. xxxix 4.5 Social Housing Supply and Demand ....................................................................................................... xxxix
- Appendix 1 Housing Strategy ii 1 Introduction 1.1 Overview This Housing Strategy has been prepared by Future Analytics Consulting on the behalf of Westmeath County Council to meet the statutory requirements set out under Section 94 of Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). Under Part V of the Act, each planning authority must prepare a Housing Strategy which will cover the period of its development plan (i.e. 2021 – 2027). Each strategy must have regard to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area and must address the overall supply of housing within the administrative boundary of the Local Authority. The key objectives of the Housing Strategy are: • To identify the existing need and likely future demand for housing in the area of the County Westmeath Development Plan. • To ensure Westmeath County Council provides for the development of sufficient housing to meet projected future demand over the lifetime of the County Development Plan. • To ensure that sufficient zoned lands are provided to meet the needs of different households of all types and tenures. The Housing Strategy is a critical component of the County Development Plan and plays a key role in translating national housing policies and housing supply responses to the local level. The Housing Strategy informs the policies and objectives of the Development Plan and provides details in relation to housing provision and its location and requirements for different house types, sizes and tenures and the requirements for residential zoned land. In order to ensure that the plan-making system is supported by a robust methodology to inform policies and funding initiatives around housing and associated land requirements, the NPF has introduced a new requirement for each Local Authority to develop a Housing Need Demand Assessment (HNDA). 1.2 Methodology Chapter 3 of this Development Plan identifies and reviews the key legislative and policy instruments relevant to the delivery of Westmeath’s Housing Strategy 2021-2027. Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), hereafter referred to as ‘The Act’, requires that all Planning Authorities prepare Housing Strategies and incorporate them into their Development Plans. Section 10(1A) of The Act requires that Development Plans include a Core Strategy which shows that the Plan is consistent with both national and regional policy objectives. This is elaborated in Chapter 2 of this Development Plan. Since the previous Housing Strategy was prepared there have been significant changes in planning legislation and policy. In particular, this Housing Strategy must be consistent with the National Planning Framework (NPF) and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) for the Eastern and Midland region (EMRA). In line with this, the NPF requires each Local Authority to undertake a Housing Need Demand Assessment (HNDA) which must underpin and support the preparation of housing strategies and all related housing policy outputs. The following sets out the sequential steps involved in the development and application of this HNDA model as summarised in Figure 1.
- Appendix 1 Housing Strategy iii Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 Figure 1: Overview of the HNDA Model A number of population scenarios for the county have been investigated to 2031 (As outlined in Section 2.8.1 of the Core Strategy). The proportional intervention (Pi) scenario, referred to as ‘Proportional Intervention Scenario C’ was selected and applied to establish the population projections over the plan period. Following this, an assessment of housing affordability has been undertaken, to support the identification of social housing needs for Westmeath County during the plan period as illustrated in Figure 2. Figure 2: Approach to Assessing Affordability, Supply and Social (and Affordable) Requirements Population and Households Social (and Affordable) Needs Analysis and Implications Step 12 – Summary of Projected Social Housing Needs Step 11 – Calculation of Projected Needs for Private Rental Step 10 – Calculation of Projected Needs for Ownership Step 9 – Calculation of Mortgage Capacity of Households Step 8 – Calculation of Projected House Price Bands Step 7 – Determination of Distribution of Additional Households Step 6 – Determination of Distribution of Total Households Step 5 – Calculation of Average Monthly Household Disposable Income Distribution Step 4 – Calculation of Average Annual Household Disposable Income Distribution Step 3 – Calculation of Estimated Distribution of Household Disposable Incomes Step 2 - Determination of Average Household Size and Additional Households Required Step 1 – Determination of Annual Population Projections
- Appendix 1 Housing Strategy iv Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 Following this, analysis of progress towards key targets for social housing under Rebuilding Ireland has been set out in addition to specific examination of single rural dwellings within County Westmeath. 2 Current Context 2.1 Population Census 2016 results show that Ireland’s population stood at 4,761,865 in April 2016, an increase of 173,613 (3.8%) since April 2011. There were 200 urban settlements across the country, which together accommodated 63% of Ireland’s population. County Westmeath is located within the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly area, the most populous region in the state with over 2.3 million people. Recent trends show that population growth is set to continue having regard to the Region’s young demographic profile and a return to net inward migration as the Country returns to economic growth after a severe economic crash in 2008. Within Westmeath, the county saw a population increase of 3% (+2,606 persons) between 2011-2016, as the population grew to 88,770 from 86,164. Athlone and Mullingar continued to experience steady growth between 2011 and 2016, with their populations increasing by 4.5% and 4.1% respectively. Both settlements now exceed populations of 20,000 with their combined population representing a total of 47.6% of the county’s population. In 2011 this figure stood at 41.6%. Population change across the various tiers of the settlement hierarchy is set out in Table 1. Table 1: Population Growth in Westmeath 2011-2016 Settlements Population 2011 Population 2016 Growth Rate (2011-2016) Athlone 20,153 21,349 4.5% Mullingar 20,103 20,928 4.1% Castlepollard 1,042 1,163 11.6% Moate 2,731 2,763 1.17% Kinnegad 2,662 2,745 3.1% Kilbeggan 1,199 1,288 7.4% Rochfortbridge 1,494 1,473 -1.4% Killucan /Rathwire 1,226 1,370 11.7% Clonmellon 634 664 4.7% Tyrrellspass 506 483 - 4.5% Delvin 697 740 6.1% Multyfarnham 376 420 11.7% Ballymore 433 483 11.5% Ballyncacarrigy 287 277 -3.4% Milltownpass* - 299 - Collinstown 336 356 5.9% Glasson 198 207 4.5% Ballinalack* - 137 - Castletown-Geoghegan 150 141 -6% In line with a prevailing state-wide trend of urbanisation, the county saw an increase in the share of population residing in urban areas. According to the CSO’s parameters, a total of 47,785 people (53.8%) were living in urban settlements in Westmeath in 2016. 40,985 (46.1%) were living in smaller towns and villages, as well as in the rural remainder of the county. In 2011, census results showed a distribution between the urban and rural
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