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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- CORE STRATEGY 2 Westmeath County Development Plan 2020-2027 56 2.17 Core Strategy Table Following the population allocations set out in the Core Strategy Table, zoning maps are provided to reflect these figures and to indicate the quantum and locations of future development for the plan period. It is considered that the lands identified for residential development are sufficient to meet the population targets set out in the Core Strategy Table and reflect each settlements role in the Settlement Hierarchy. The amount and location of zoned lands required in each settlement was determined using an evidence-based settlement typology and asset-based approach, as detailed in Section 2.7. In addition to the factors set out in Table 2.3, consideration was also given to; ground and surface water vulnerability and any potential environmental impact (including SEA, EU Water Framework Directive, River Basin Management Plans and Flood Risk Management) requirements; availability of services and infrastructure; potential for economic and social development of the settlement; the sequential test; ground and surface water vulnerability; planning history and market availability/choice. The amount and location of zoned lands required was also guided by the NPF and RSES requirements to promote consolidation of existing settlements and promote more compact forms of growth. The achievement of this, the NPF notes, has the potential to make a transformational difference. It can bring new life and footfall to existing settlements, contribute to the viability of services, shops and public transport, increase housing supply and enable more people to be closer to employment and recreational opportunities, as well as supporting a more sustainable transport mode shift. In some instances, there may be slight variations in terms of zoning provided as a result of the physical characteristics of sites on the ground, however in line with the NPF and RSES the release of lands will be prioritized in a sequential manner and monitoring will be employed to promote development patterns in line with the Core Strategy. Table 2.8 identifies the area in the development plan already zoned for a mixture of residential and other uses; and includes the size of the area in hectares, and the potential number of housing units that can be accommodated in the area. Table 2.8: Quantum of land zoned for residential use or a mixture of residential and other uses in the Westmeath County Development Plan 2014-2020. Land Use Zoning Area (Ha) Housing Yield* Proposed Residential 8.76 175 Consolidation Site 44.45 444 Mixed Use 7.59 15
- CORE STRATEGY 2 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 57 Table 2.9: Core Strategy Table * Lands zoned for ‘Mixed Use’, ‘Expanded Settlement‘ and ‘Existing Residential’ have, based on previous experience, the capacity to deliver only nominal levels of residential growth over the lifetime of the Plan. In this regard, such lands are expected to provide capacity for a housing yield of c.15 units per year over the 6-year lifetime of the Plan. ** Lands relate to the zoning objective ‘Proposed Residential’. Part of residentially zoned lands identified will be absorbed by serviced sites (indicated at Chapter 8 Settlement Plans) at a lower density. *** Figures for infill and brownfield land within each settlement form part of the overall figures for ‘Land for residential in this plan up to 2027 (Ha)’ and do not provide supplementary land for residential development. Settlements Population 2016 Population 2027 Population Change 2016-2027 Quantity of Land Area Required (Ha) Proposed Residential ** (Ha) Proposed Residential (Brownfield) Proposed Residential*** (Infill) Consolidation Sites (Ha) Equivalent Area Zoned Proposed Residential Housing Yield* Tier 1 Regional Growth Centre Athlone (Ex. Roscommon) 16,612 22,154 5542 UAP > 30% > 30% 2590 Tier 2 Key Town Mullingar 20,928 26,003 5075 LAP > 30% > 30% 1340-2010 Tier 3 Self-Sustaining Growth Towns Castlepollard; 1163 1399 236 5.15 5.65 0.61 1.64 4.90 6.63 133-199 Moate; 2763 3325 562 12.26 11.68 5.62 5.22 3.95 12.47 249-374 Kinnegad; 2754 3303 549 11.98 11.26 4.25 3.24 3.92 12.04 241-362 Kilbeggan; 1288 1550 262 5.72 6.47 0 3.22 4.89 7.45 75-149 TOTAL 35.11 35.06 10.48 13.32 17.66 38.59 698-1,084 Tier 4 Self-Sustaining Towns Rochfortbridge 1473 1713 240 5.24 5.42 0 5.42 27-54 Killucan /Rathwire 1370 1593 223 4.87 4.37 3.04 4.98 25-50 TOTAL 10.11 9.79 3.04 10.40 52-104 Tier 5 Towns and Villages Clonmellon; 664 759 95 3.45 3.15 1.76 3.50 18-35 Tyrrellspass; 483 552 69 2.51 2.71 0 2.71 14-27 Delvin 740 845 105 3.82 4.76 1.02 4.96 25-50 TOTAL 9.78 10.62 2.78 11.17 57-112 Tier 6 Rural (Serviced) Multyfarnham, Ballymore, Ballynacargy, Ballinalack, Milltownpass, Collinstown, Glasson, Castletown-Geoghegan TOTAL 13.03 12.87 1.07 13.16 Rural Remainder Rural WM 31,131 33,798 2667
- CORE STRATEGY 2 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 58 2.18 Monitoring and Implementation The NPF Implementation Roadmap states that the transitional level of population growth detailed to 2026 will provide sufficient scope to enable City and County Development Plans to be reviewed, land zonings to be prioritised and Local Area Plans and planning permissions to be worked through, ‘while also allowing for agility and ambition, as well as monitoring and review, as we move towards full implementation of the NPF and NDP’. In line with this, it is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to monitor and review the operation and implementation of this Plan and to adjust as needed to ensure the effectiveness of its alignment with National and Regional policy and objectives. This will also ensure that any new statutory guidelines delivered under National Policy Objective 36 (as described in Section 2.2) are fully incorporated. 2.19 Core Strategy Policies and Objectives Westmeath County Council shall ensure that the future spatial development of Westmeath is directed by means of a plan led approach, directing residential and employment generating development to locations in accordance with National and Regional Policy, and with environmental carrying capacity, which can support investment in public infrastructure and services and which is sensitive to the physical character of the built and natural environment. This approach is enshrined in a number of Core Strategy Policy Objectives, as below. Core Strategy Policy Objectives It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 2.13 Ensure that the future spatial development of Westmeath is in accordance with the National Planning Framework 2040 (NPF) including the population targets set out under the Implementation Roadmap, and the Regional, Spatial and the Economic Strategy (RSES) for the Eastern and Midland Region 2019-2031. CPO 2.14 Implement all land use planning policy and objectives in a manner which takes account of and is consistent with the Core Strategy in order to accelerate a transition to a greener, low carbon and climate resilient County with a focus on reduced travel demand through the promotion of sustainable settlement patterns. CPO 2.15 In the assessment of development proposals, to take account of transport corridors, environmental carrying capacity, availability and/or capacity to provide waste water and water supply services, potential to conflict with Water Framework Directive objectives, potential to impact on the integrity of European sites and Annexe Habitats and species, features of biodiversity value including ecological networks, impact on landscape and visual characteristics, education and other socioeconomic objectives. CPO 2.16 Promote the integration of land use and transportation policies and to prioritise provision for cycling and walking travel modes and the strengthening of public transport. CPO 2.17 Support the regeneration of underused town centre and brownfield / infill lands along with the delivery of existing zoned and serviced lands to facilitate population growth and achieve sustainable compact growth targets of 30% of all new housing to be built within the existing urban footprint of targeted settlements in the County.
- CORE STRATEGY 2 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 59 CPO 2.18 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 centres and targeted settlements in the County. CPO 2.19 Incorporate, in the content of the County Development Plan, measures in accordance with section 10 (n) of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 (as amended) for the promotion of sustainable settlement and transportation strategies in urban and rural areas including the promotion of measures to: (i) reduce energy demand in response to the likelihood of increases in energy and other costs due to long-term decline in non-renewable resources, (ii) reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, and (iii) address the necessity of adaptation to climate change; in particular, having regard to location, layout and design of new development. 2.20 Conclusion Ecosystem Services Approach In preparing the Plan and developing policy objectives, the Council have followed these Ecosystem Services Approach principles: a. Consideration of natural systems - by using knowledge of interactions in nature and how ecosystems function (including at Plan Chapters 6 “Tourism”, 10 “Transport, Infrastructure & Energy”, 11 “Climate Action”, 12 “Natural Heritage and Green Infrastructure” and 13 “Landscape and Lake Amenities”). b. Taking into account of the services that ecosystems provide - including those that underpin social and economic well-being, such as flood and climate regulation (including at Plan Chapters 11 “Climate Action”), resources for food, fibre or fuel (including at Chapter 9 “Rural Westmeath”), or for recreation, culture and quality of life (including at Plan Chapters 12 “Natural Heritage and Green Infrastructure”, 13 “Landscape and Lake Amenities” and 14 “Cultural Heritage”). c. Involving people - those who benefit from the ecosystem services and those managing them need to be involved in decisions that affect them. Public consultation has informed the preparation of the Plan which was further refined before adoption, taking into account submissions/observations made on the Plan during public display. The Council shall promote an Ecosystem Services Approach, following the above principles, in its decision-making processes, including those relating to the preparation of statutory land use plans. In recognition of the need to manage natural capital, provisions have been integrated into the Plan that will contribute towards management of air quality, noise pollution, light pollution, water quality and integrated catchment management.
- CORE STRATEGY 2 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 60 Implementation and Monitoring The Core Strategy sets out a vision for Westmeath and strategic aims required to deliver an ecosystem services approach. In this regard, the Policy Objectives of the Core Strategy relevant to this vision include CPO 2.14, 2.15 and 2.19. The NPF states that new statutory guidelines, supported by wider methodologies and data sources, will be put in place under Section 28 of the Planning & Development Act 2000 (as amended) to improve the evidence base, effectiveness and consistency of the planning process for housing provision at regional, metropolitan and local authority levels. This will be supported by the provision of standardised requirements by regulation for the recording of planning and housing data by the local authorities in order to provide a consistent and robust evidence base for housing policy formulation. As such, Westmeath County Council, as set out in Section 2.18, will monitor ongoing developments in this respect and review the operation and implementation of this Plan. This includes adjustments as needed to ensure the effectiveness of its alignment with national and regional policy and objectives. Core Strategy Policy Objectives It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 2.20 Monitor development for compliance with the objectives of the Core Strategy and the housing requirements set out under Section 28 Guidelines “Housing Supply Target Methodology for Development Planning” and its associated Ministerial Circular (or subsequent update) relating to Structural Housing Demand in Ireland and Housing Supply Targets” and adjust, where necessary, the approach taken to the consideration of development proposals in order to ensure effective alignment with National and Regional policy and objectives.
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- HOUSING 3 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 61 Table of Contents 3.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 62 3.2 Housing Strategy / HNDA – Guiding Principles ......................................................................... 62 3.3 Housing Need Demand Assessment (HNDA) ............................................................................ 63 3.4 Housing Legislation and Policy .................................................................................................. 67 3.5 Future Housing Requirements .................................................................................................. 75 3.6 Apartment Development .......................................................................................................... 78 3.7 Residential Densities ................................................................................................................. 78 3.8 Layout and Design ..................................................................................................................... 78 3.9 Housing Strategy Objectives ..................................................................................................... 79
- HOUSING 3 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 62 3.1 Introduction Westmeath County Council has statutory obligations to ensure that sufficient land is zoned for all types of housing to meet the projected housing requirements of the county over the plan period. The Core Strategy (refer to Chapter 2) of this Plan has outlined the County Settlement Strategy, the population targets and the amount of land required for residential purposes over the period 2021– 2027. The Council’s Housing Strategy in Appendix 1 correlates with the Core Strategy and is underpinned by a Housing Need Demand Assessment (HNDA), as required under the National Planning Framework (NPF). 3.2 Housing Strategy / HNDA – Guiding Principles An evidence-based methodological approach has been adopted to ensure that the County Westmeath Housing Strategy meets the housing needs of the county and its residents while remaining in keeping with local, regional and national guidelines. The Strategy is underpinned by a HNDA which provides a robust baseline to inform and guide policies and objectives under the Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027. Declines in the construction sector and wider economic activity in the previous decade, coupled with Ireland’s emerging economic recovery have led to ongoing challenges around fluctuations in the supply, demand and price of housing. It has also led to opportunities, with a greater mix of house types and tenures diversifying Ireland’s housing market. Aside from the traditional home-ownership model, rental accommodation will play a greater role in the provision of housing in Westmeath. And increasing levels of activity in the construction sector will provide new homes to meet current and projected demand and contribute to County Westmeath’s social housing stock by way of Part V obligations. The HNDA incorporates a range of socio-economic and demographic data to analyse current levels of demand and supply within Westmeath’s housing sector, and project for future need over the lifetime of the Development Plan and beyond to 2031. It incorporates demand across different tenures, including owner-occupied, the rental sector and social housing and provides estimates of future housing needs based on employment growth, income levels and affordability in the housing market. This is elaborated in Appendix 1. Section 3.3 of this report sets out relevant legislation and policy at the national, regional and local levels to provide a strategic context for the Housing Strategy and the development of a Housing Need Demand Assessment for the county. Section 3.4 provides an overview of the HNDA process and the methodological approach which guides its development. Section 3.5 sets out Westmeath County Council’s core policies with regards housing over the period 2021-2027.
- HOUSING 3 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 63 3.3 Housing Need Demand Assessment (HNDA) Under Section 94 (1) (a) of the Planning & Development Act 2000 (as amended), each planning authority “shall include in any development plan a strategy for the purpose of ensuring that proper planning and sustainable development of the area of the development plan provides for the housing of the existing and future population of the area in the manner set out in the strategy”. This must take into account; • the existing need and the likely future need for housing; • the need to ensure that housing is available for persons who have different levels of income; • the need to ensure that a mixture of house types and sizes is developed to reasonably match the requirements of the different categories of households, as may be determined by the planning authority, and including the special requirements of elderly persons and persons with disabilities, and; • the need to counteract undue segregation in housing between persons of different social backgrounds. 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). The HNDA will support the preparation of housing strategies and all related housing policy outputs, e.g. city and county development plans, local area plans, traveller accommodation plans etc. The NPF, indicates the purpose of the HNDA tool to: • Assist local authorities to develop long-term strategic views of housing need across all tenures. • Provide a robust evidence base to support decisions about new housing supply, wider investment and housing related services that inform an overall national housing profile. • Inform policies about the proportion of social and affordable housing required, including the need for different types and sizes of provision. • Provide evidence to inform policies related to the provision of specialist housing and housing related services. The NPF notes that HNDAs are designed to give broad, long run estimates of what future housing need might be, rather than precision estimates. The framework must be logical, sequential and allow for updating, monitoring and evaluation. The HNDA undertaken as part of this Development Plan spans two key stages – current and future outlook; and assesses three core areas: Population, Housing and Economy. These are set out in Figure 3.1.
- HOUSING 3 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 64 Figure 3.1: HNDA Assessment Areas The methodological approach to the HNDA undertaken as part of the Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2017 is summarised in Figure 3.2 below. The process will enhance how acute and unmet demand for housing is identified before it arises. It provides a robust assessment of regional and localised influences, such as population and migration, in quantifying needs and demands. The key evidence inputs which drive the model are: 1. Demographic trends, affordability trends and wider economic trends. The use of economic forecasting or econometric work underpins this section. Data requirements include household composition/projections, house prices, rents, number of first-time buyers (FTBs) and loan to value (LTV) mortgage rates, economic activity and employment rates, etc. 2. Housing Stock Profile Pressures (and existing need) and management issues. This involves undertaking a detailed profile of local housing stock and stock pressures, including local authority housing, to identify the main pressures relating to supply and demand, ineffective stock and overall condition as well as priorities for future stock
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