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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- SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES 4 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 84 Regional Policy Objective 9.18 Support the implementation of Local Authority Local Economic and Community Plans, in collaboration with Local and Economic Development Committees (LCDCs) and through the use of spatial planning policies, to seek to reduce the number of people in or at risk of poverty and social exclusion in the Region. Regional Policy Objective 9.20 Support investment in the sustainable development of the Region’s childcare services as an integral part of regional infrastructure to include: Support the Affordable Childcare Scheme. Quality and supply of sufficient childcare places. Support initiatives under a cross Government Early Years Strategy. Youth services that support and target disadvantaged young people and improve their employability. Throughout the NPF and the RSES, there is a strong emphasis placed on achieving and maintaining sustainable communities that will contribute to a high quality of life and meet the diverse needs of the people within existing and future communities. Effective sustainable communities are interlinked with improving the quality of life for everyone within the community providing a vibrant economy, while preserving the environment. Figure 4.1 indicates the factors involved in providing sustainable communities and factors influencing quality of life.
- SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES 4 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 85 Figure 4.1: Elements of sustainability and quality of life. Source: Adapted from Egan’s wheel on sustainability and quality of life (2004). According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), quality of life is defined as ‘the individual’s perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals.’ There are many factors that can influence quality of life, some of which are difficult to measure and dependent on the individual concerned and include factors such as social well-being, health, family, housing, education, income, employment, recreation, safety and the environment. Quality of life factors and ‘placemaking’ are increasingly recognised as key to developing attractive places in which to invest, live, study, visit and work including access to amenities, facilities, arts, culture and heritage. This is linked to ‘functionality’ in terms of provision of suitable sites and property solutions to meet enterprises and labour force expectations.
- SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES 4 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 86 For the purpose of this plan, quality of life falls into the following 3 dimensions: Figure 4.2: Elements of quality of life. The creation of sustainable neighbourhoods play an important role in quality of life factors and foster a wider sense of community. Creating successful urban neighbourhoods to support sustainable communities requires the efficient use of land and sustainable densities to enable viable provision of the necessary range of facilities, services and good public transport connections – all of which should be within walking distance of residents and workers and of a high-quality urban design to create places where people will want to live. This development plan must ensure that all significant developments can only take place where sufficient schools, public transport, employment opportunities, parks, community facilities and resources (gardai, fire services and ambulance provision etc.) are either in place or proposed. A good urban neighbourhood must also incorporate quality living spaces, amenity areas and green infrastructure, as well as fostering a distinctive sense of place and a safe environment. Development shall have regard to Westmeath PPN publication 'Our vision for Community Wellbeing in County Westmeath 2020-2024'. The creation of sustainable communities is based on the development of the following three pillars: - Sustainable economy - Sustainable housing - Social Infrastructure
- SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES 4 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 87 Sustainable Communities Policy Objectives It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 4.1 Support sustainable transport infrastructure, by developing mixed use schemes, higher densities close to public transport hubs, safe walking routes in developments, promoting alternative modes of transport and reduce the need to travel. CPO 4.2 Support and promote the development of socially inclusive, sustainable communities in the County and seek to ensure that all citizens enjoy optimal health and well-being along with associated mental health supports and youth services. CPO 4.3 Encourage inclusive and active sustainable communities based around a strong network of community facilities. Social and economic opportunity is identified as a central determinant of health and well-being, with employment opportunities being closely related to education and skills. Building sustainable communities is difficult with the increase in mobility, with people leaving an area for employment creating a transient population in an area which makes it difficult to sustain a community. The provision of employment within the County and a robust social infrastructure is important in creating a ‘sense of place’ and belonging to an area. Furthermore, access to employment in a community provides an opportunity to access housing, education and culture and promotes staying within a community. Sustainable Economy Policy Objectives It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 4.4 Enhance the well-being and quality of life of the people of Westmeath through sustainable economic and community development. CPO 4.5 Support the implementation of Local Authority Local Economic and Community Plans, in collaboration with Local and Economic Development Committees (LCDCs) and through the use of spatial planning policies and seek to reduce the number of people in or at risk of poverty and social exclusion in the County. One of the challenges facing Westmeath is to successfully accommodate people at different stages in their lifecycle, having regard to emerging demographic trends. Sustainable future housing should be located where people have the best opportunities to access a high standard quality of life, close to jobs, important services such as education and healthcare, close to transport networks and sustainable physical infrastructure.
- SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES 4 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 88 It is Council policy to prioritise the development of housing in existing towns and villages in the Settlement Hierarchy to help reduce the need to travel and reduce transport carbon emissions. Higher densities will be encouraged to make more efficient use of land and energy resources, creating a consolidated urban form that supports the development of compact neighbourhoods which contribute to the viability of economic, social, and transport infrastructure. The Council will encourage and support varied housing typologies within neighbourhoods in order to encourage a diverse choice of housing options in terms of tenure, unit size, and building design in residential communities. The promotion of quality design and energy efficient design will result in more attractive places to live, provide for greater connectivity and integration of new housing within the existing urban fabric, provide positive spaces and assist in developing community spirit. The NPF provides that 30% of future residential development should be accommodated within the built footprint of existing urban areas. The (NPF) and the (RSES) identify ‘Compact Growth’ as the means to deliver sustainable growth in our urban settlements through consolidation, rather than the continued sprawl of urban development into the countryside, at the expense of town centres and smaller villages. The Council is committed to delivering compact growth through active land management together with the positive regeneration of urban areas. To facilitate population growth, a significant proportion of urban development will be accommodated on infill/brownfield sites through the redevelopment and regeneration of underused, vacant or derelict town centre lands. It is an objective of the Council to facilitate the continuous regeneration and redevelopment of existing built up areas, to create more desirable places in which people can live and work. Further, it is a priority of the Council to enable infill and appropriate brownfield redevelopment in order to maximise the efficient use of existing infrastructure and services and promote a positive modal shift towards sustainable transport use. Proposals for residential schemes shall have regard to the following statutory guidelines: • Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines (2005). • Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities, Best Practice Guidelines for Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities, DEHLG 2007. • Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments DEHLG (2018), • Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas, DEHLG, 2009. • Urban Design Manual, A Best Practice Guide, A Companion Document to the Planning Guidelines on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas, DEHLG 2009. Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets, DECLG & DTTS 2013.
- SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES 4 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 89 Sustainable Housing Policy Objectives It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 4.6 Secure the provision of social and affordable housing accommodation, to meet the needs of all households and the disadvantaged sectors in the County, including the elderly, first time buyers, single person households on modest incomes, people with disabilities, and special needs, etc. CPO 4.7 Achieve densities for new housing that respect the local character of surrounding areas, whilst making efficient use of land. CPO 4.8 Provide for housing that is accessible for older people, the very young and people with disabilities and that residential buildings together with non-residential buildings are accessible and usable by people with disabilities. One of the challenges facing the County is to successfully accommodate people at different stages in their lifecycle, having regard to emerging demographic trends. The Census 2016 identified a decline in the average household size of 2.7 persons per household and saw an increase in the elderly, dependent and single parent household population. The number of people living alone increased by 354 to 7,482, i.e. 8.5% of all those living in private households. Of these, 2,785 were aged 65 and over. With an increasingly older population within the County, it is likely that more people will spend more time in the area where they live, so local area aspects are likely to increase in importance for quality of life. A wide range of measures can contribute to facilitate longer and healthier lives in the community. A focus on building sustainable communities ensures better social integration which in turn enhances the vibrancy of communities. Furthermore, the Plan encourages a model of inter-generational step-down residence incorporated into family homes. Any new homes will have to accommodate changing needs over its lifetime. A liveable and adaptable housing development or house is one that is able to respond effectively to these needs without requiring costly and energy intensive alterations. It also requires active management of land and sites in urban areas where consolidation of residential areas will be encouraged and supported close to community services and amenities. Westmeath Age Friendly Programme were awarded affiliation to the World Health Organisation (WHO) for their work with Older People in December 2018. Westmeath Age Friendly Programme hosted meetings of the Age Friendly Council, Age Friendly Service Providers Forum and the Age Friendly Alliance in 2018. Their programme of recent work included an Age Friendly Village piloted in Collinstown and participation in the consultation for the Westmeath Age Friendly Strategy 2018 – 2022 with the Age Friendly Programme obtaining awards in the Community Well-being category.
- SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES 4 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 90 Lifetime Housing/Housing for Older People Policy Objectives It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 4.9 Support the Westmeath Age Friendly Programme and the Westmeath Age Friendly Strategy 2018-2022 aimed at improving the quality of life of older people throughout the County. CPO 4.10 Deliver a sufficient supply of housing over the period of the Plan that is reflective of current and future demographic trends. CPO 4.11 Ensure that a suitable variety and mix of dwelling types and sizes is provided in developments to meet different needs, having regard to demographic and social changes. CPO 4.12 Ensure that suitable dwellings are provided in all housing developments to cater for people with disabilities and the elderly. CPO 4.13 Ensure that all new housing developments represent ‘Sustainable Neighbourhoods’ which are inclusive and responsive to the physical or cultural needs of those who use them, are well located relative to the social, community, commercial and administrative services which sustain them and are integrated with the community within which they will be located. CPO 4.14 Ensure all new residential schemes are designed so that units are easily adaptable in the future to accommodate housing for life. CPO 4.15 Identify and encourage the development of age friendly accommodation, including independent living accommodation within walking distance to existing towns and villages, and close to primary health care facilities. A significant contributor to sustainable communities is the provision and delivery of social infrastructure to support and achieve balanced communities. Facilities need to be inclusive so that communities in Westmeath can integrate and socialise across different age, socio-economic and ethnic groups. Westmeath County Council will pursue an integrated, cohesive and socially inclusive approach to community facilities which will help re-connect people with their neighbourhoods and achieve a wider sense of community. The Council will also encourage the maximum use of existing local assets through shared use and cost to ensure high-quality facilities are available to all. Proposals for large-scale residential and/or mixed-use schemes must demonstrate how the proposal will contribute to the range of supporting community infrastructure necessary for a sustainable community.
- SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES 4 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 91 Healthcare and Well-being The Census 2016 revealed 87% of the County’s population in 2016 considered their general health to be very good/or good, which is equivalent to almost 9 out of 10 of the County’s population and is consistent with national trends. Many of the factors which influence people’s health, well-being and quality of life such as access to education, employment, housing, social infrastructure, safety, attractive open spaces are dependent on the location and development of land and buildings. Census figures indicate there has been a 5% increase in the number of 70 plus years in the County compared to 2011. Healthcare and Well-being Policy Objectives It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 4.16 Support the provision of new health care facilities which are well located in terms of their accessibility in settlement centres serving a sufficient catchment population and are appropriately well served by public transport and accessible on foot/cycle and are consistent with the size, scale and character of the area. Community Facilities Sustainable neighbourhoods require a range of community facilities as stated in the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government Guidelines on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas (2009). The Council will encourage the provision of community, commercial and local employment facilities such as schools, childcare facilities, community centres, primary health care centres and local commercial service of a scale appropriate to serve the local community through land use and zoning objectives. This grouping of services can facilitate viability where they are within walking distance of residents and can create a focal point for the neighbourhood. An amenity or service may be present (possibly at close distance) but make little contribution to quality of life if access is poor or perceived quality is low. Where possible accessibility for all abilities should be facilitated to ensure all levels of access and mobility are accommodated.
- SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES 4 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 92 Community Facilities Policy Objectives It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 4.17 Maintain and, where possible, improve the provision of community facilities in the County to ensure that facilities are adequate to meet the needs of the communities they serve, are physically integrated with residential and employment areas and are provided concurrently with new residential development. CPO 4.18 Consider development proposals for new social and community infrastructure/service related development at; a. Locations within the settlement boundaries which are within walking distance of local services whereby social inclusion is promoted. An alternative location may be considered where it is clearly demonstrated that there are no suitable sites available within the settlement and strong justification is given to the development of such a particular site. b. In rural locations in close proximity to existing rural infrastructure (schools, sports facilities, churches, etc.) where it is demonstrated that the development is intended to serve an exclusive rural need or where there is no site available which meet the locational criteria set out in (a) above. CPO 4.19 Consider cultural diversity and ethnic minorities in planning for the needs of communities and ensure community facilities and social services provided are accessible for all individuals, communities and sectors of society, including people with disabilities, people with special needs, elderly, youth, marginalised and disadvantaged groups. CPO 4.20 Consider proposals for Primary Healthcare Facilities in association with the HSE’s Programme for Delivery. The siting of these facilities in existing town centres and neighbourhood centres will be encouraged. CPO 4.21 Ensure that proposals for the change of use of residential accommodation for use by doctors, dentists and other medical practitioners does not negatively impact on residential amenity and is in keeping with the character of the area. CPO 4.22 Support and encourage the provision by voluntary and state agencies, of a wide range of appropriate community facilities and premises to meet the needs and demands of new and existing communities, especially in areas where there are deficiencies. CPO 4.23 To ensure crime prevention measures are incorporated into the design of community buildings and recreational areas.
- SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES 4 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 93 Childcare and Youth Facilities Access to affordable and high-quality childcare is an essential requirement for an equitable society, a thriving economy and sustainable communities and is a critical part of the County’s infrastructure. Childcare is essential to enable parents to participate in the workforce and to obtain an income that provides an acceptable standard of living for both them and their children. Westmeath County Childcare Committee supports 91 early childcare services, throughout the County catering for full day care, after school and preschool care, which employs 428 staff. The 0-4-year preschool population within the County in 2016 represents 7.3% of the population of Westmeath. Whilst the Council is not directly involved in the provision of childcare services, the Plan will seek to ensure sufficient facilities are provided in the areas required. Schools and Educational Facilities The provision of investment in education and training are central to reinforcing the delivery of sustainable communities, promoting inclusion and offering choice and accessibility to a high standard of education and employment. Education, training and life-long learning are key enablers, around which personal fulfilment, a fair society and a successful population revolve. All are central to sustaining economic success and building strong communities. The planning system can facilitate the provision of schools through land use zoning and designation of particular sites. The provision of school facilities in tandem with new development is also critical to supporting sustainable communities and reducing the need to travel. Childcare and Educational Policy Objectives It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 4.24 Encourage and support the provision of childcare facilities, with consideration given to proper siting and design, in appropriate locations including residential areas, town and local centres, areas of employment and close to public transport throughout the County and in accordance with the needs identified by Westmeath County Childcare Committee (WCC). All planning applications for childcare facilities shall be assessed in consultation with Westmeath County Childcare Committee. CPO 4.25 Support the provision of childcare facilities and new and refurbished schools on well located sites within or close to existing built-up areas, that meet the diverse needs of local populations. CPO 4.26 Support play policies to address the play and recreation needs of children and young people and ensure the integration of play provision and child-friendly neighbourhoods. CPO 4.27 Reserve sites for educational use in those areas where the younger population has increased and there is a demographic demand for further school places.
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.