Wicklow County Development Plan 2022–2028 – Volume 1 Written Statement

1. Page 161

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   Wicklow County Development Plan 2022-2028 Chapter 6 | Housing Vacant Site Levy CPO 6.35 In many settlements in the County, there are sites and areas in need of development and renewal, in order to prevent: a. adverse effects on existing amenities in such areas, in particular as a result of the ruinous or neglected condition of any land, b. urban blight and decay, c. anti-social behaviour, or d. a shortage of habitable houses or of land suitable for residential use or a mixture of residential and other uses It is an objective of this plan to encourage and facilitate the appropriate development of such sites / lands and all available tools and mechanisms, including the Vacant Site Levy, may be utilised to stimulate such development. All lands zoned for residential development in this plan (this refers to Level 4 and 5 settlements), including all lands zoned: - Existing Residential (RE), - New Residential (RN), and - Town Centre, outside of the designated ‘regeneration zone’ as defined in each plan, are deemed to be lands that may be in need of new development in order to ensure there is no shortage of housing, and these zones will be examined in detail in order to determine if there are sites where the Vacant Site Levy should be applied. In addition, the following residential zones in larger towns, are deemed to be lands that may be in need of new development in order to ensure there is no shortage of housing, and these zones will be examined in detail in order to determine if there are sites where the Vacant Site Levy should be applied. Settlement Zones14 Bray and Environs RE, R-HD, R20, R15, R10, R, MU (where the predominate use provided for is residential) Wicklow Town and Rathnew RE, R1, R2, R3, R4 Arklow Town and Environs RE, R28, R20, R10, R, MU (where the predominate use provided for is residential) Greystones, Delgany and Kilcoole RE, R22, R17, R15, R10, R5, R2.5, R (Special), MU (where the predominate use provided for is residential) Blessington RE, R1, R2 14 or other such zoning codes as may replace these, during the making of future local plans

2. Page 162

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   Wicklow County Development Plan 2022-2028 Chapter 6 | Housing Housing in Rural Settlements CPO 6.36 Urban generated housing shall not be permitted in the rural areas of the County, other than in rural settlements that have been deemed suitable to absorb an element of urban generated development as set out in the Settlement Strategy. CPO 6.37 To implement the following housing occupancy controls for Type 1 Villages (Level 7), as set out in the Settlement Strategy: Multi-House Development 50% no restriction 50% Applicant / purchaser of any new home must be either:  resident for at least 3 years duration in County Wicklow or  in permanent employment for at least 3 years duration in County Wicklow, of within 30km of the Type 1 village in question prior to making of application / purchase of new house. Single House 100% Applicant / purchaser of any new home must be either:  a resident for at least 3 years duration in County Wicklow or  in permanent employment for at least 3 years duration in County Wicklow, of within 30km of the Type 1 village in question prior to making of application / purchase of new house. CPO 6.38 To implement the following housing occupancy controls for Type 2 Villages (Level 8), as set out in the Settlement Strategy: Multi-house development 50% Applicant / purchaser of any new home must be either:  a resident for at least 3 years duration in County Wicklow or  in permanent employment for at least 3 years duration in County Wicklow, of within 30km of the Type 2 village in question prior to making of application / purchase of new house. 50% Applicant / purchaser of any new home must be either:  a resident for at least 5 years duration in County Wicklow or  in permanent employment for at least 5 years duration in County Wicklow, of within 15km of the Type 2 village in question prior to making of application / purchase of new house. Single house 100% Applicant / purchaser of any new home must be either:  a resident for at least 5 years duration in County Wicklow or  in permanent employment for at least 5 years duration in County Wicklow, of within 15km of the Type 2 village in question prior to making of application / purchase of new house.

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   Wicklow County Development Plan 2022-2028 Chapter 6 | Housing CPO 6.39 To implement the following housing occupancy controls for Level 9 Rural Clusters as set out in the Settlement Strategy: Single house Applicant / purchaser of any new home must (a) be a resident for at least 10 years duration in County Wicklow of a settlement / area designated as Level 4 -10 in the County settlement hierarchy that is within 10km of the rural cluster in question prior to making of application / purchase of new house. (b) demonstrate a proven need for housing, for example:  first time home owners;  someone that previously owned a home and is no longer in possession of that home as it had to be disposed following legal separation / divorce, the transfer of a home attached to a farm to a family member or the past sale of a home following emigration. CPO 6.40 Where permission is sought for residential development in a settlement with occupancy controls the applicant will be required to show compliance with objectives for that settlement set out in this plan and to lodge with the Land Registry a burden on the property, in the form of a Section 47 agreement, restricting the use of the dwelling(s) for a period of 7 years in accordance with the relevant objective. Housing in the Open Countryside CPO 6.41 Facilitate residential development in the open countryside for those with a housing need based on the core consideration of demonstrable functional social or economic need to live in the open countryside in accordance with the requirements set out in Table 6.3. Table 6.3 Rural Housing Policy Housing Need / Necessary Dwelling This is defined as those who can demonstrate a clear need for new housing, for example: - first time home owners; - someone that previously owned a home and is no longer in possession of that home as it had to be disposed of following legal separation / divorce / repossession by a lending institution, the transfer of a home attached to a farm to a family member or the past sale of a home following emigration; - someone that already owns / owned a home who requires a new purpose built specially adapted house due to a verified medical condition and who can show that their existing home cannot be adapted to meet their particular needs; and other such circumstances that clearly demonstrate a bona fide need for a new dwelling in the open countryside notwithstanding previous / current ownership of a home as may be considered acceptable to the Planning Authority. Economic Need The Planning Authority recognises the rural housing need of persons whose livelihood is intrinsically linked to rural areas subject to it being demonstrated that a home in the open countryside is essential to the making of that livelihood and that livelihood could not be maintained while living in a nearby settlement.

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   Wicklow County Development Plan 2022-2028 Chapter 6 | Housing In this regard, persons whose livelihood is intrinsically linked to rural areas may include: a. Those involved in agriculture The Planning Authority will positively consider applications from those who are engaged in a significant agricultural enterprise and require a dwelling on the agricultural holding that they work. In such cases, it will be necessary for the applicant to satisfy the Planning Authority with supporting documents that due to the nature of the agricultural employment, a dwelling on the holding is essential for the ongoing successful operation and maintenance of the farm. In this regard, the Planning Authority will consider whether there is already a dwelling / dwellings on the farm holding when determining if a new dwelling can be justified. b. Those involved in non-agricultural rural enterprise / employment The Planning Authority will support applications from those whose business / full time employment is intrinsically linked to the rural area that can demonstrate a need to live in the vicinity of their employment in order to carry out their full time occupation. The Planning Authority will strictly require any applicant to show that there is a particular aspect or characteristic of their employment that requires them to live in that rural area, as opposed to a local settlement. Where an applicant’s case for a new dwelling on the basis of economic need is based on establishing a new or alternative agricultural / non-agricultural rural enterprise and they have no previous experience in agriculture / rural enterprise, the Planning Authority shall not consider the above requirements met until the applicant can show that the new agricultural / non-agricultural rural enterprise has been legally and continuously ongoing for at least 5 years prior to the making of the application for a dwelling, and is the applicant’s primary occupation and source of income. Applicants whose proposed business is not location-dependent will not be considered. c. Other such persons as may have definable economic need to reside in the open countryside, as may arise on a case by case basis. Social Need The Planning Authority recognises the need of persons intrinsically linked to rural areas that are not engaged in significant agricultural or rural based occupations to live in rural areas. In this regard, persons intrinsically linked to a rural area may include: - Permanent native residents of that rural area (including Level 8 and 9 settlements) i.e. a person who was born and reared in the same rural area as the proposed development site and permanently resides there; - A former permanent native of the area (including Level 8 and 9 settlements) who has not resided in that rural area for many years (for example having moved into a town or due to emigration), but was born and reared in the same rural area as the proposed development site, has strong social ties to that area, and now wishes to return to their local area; - A close relative who has inherited, either as a gift or on death, an agricultural holding or site for his/her own purposes and can demonstrate a social need to live in that particular rural area,

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   Wicklow County Development Plan 2022-2028 Chapter 6 | Housing - The son or daughter of a landowner who has inherited a site for the purpose of building a one off rural house and where the land has been in family ownership for at least 10 years prior to the application for planning permission and can demonstrate a social need to live in that particular rural area, - Persons who were permanent native residents of a rural area but due to the expansion of an adjacent town / village, the family home place is now located within the development boundary of the town / village; - Local applicants who are intrinsically linked to their local area and, while not exclusively involved in agricultural or rural employment, have access to an affordable local site; - Local applicants who provide care services to family members and those working in healthcare provision locally; and - Other such persons as may have a definable strong social need to live in that particular rural area, which can be demonstrated by way of evidence of strong social or familial connections, connection to the local community / local organisations etc as may arise on a case by case basis. In the event of conflict of any other settlement strategy objective / Landscape Zones and categories, a person who qualifies under policy CPO 6.41 their needs shall be supreme, except where the proposed development would be a likely traffic hazard or public health hazard. With regard to the preservation of views and prospects, due consideration shall be given to those listed within the area of the National Park; and with respect to all other areas, to generally regard the amenity matters, but not to the exclusion of social and economic matters. The protection and conservation of views and prospects should not give rise to the prohibition of development, but development should be designed and located to minimise impact. CPO 6.42 Where permission is granted for a single rural house in the open countryside, the applicant will be required to lodge with the Land Registry a burden on the property, in the form of a Section 47 agreement, restricting the use of the dwelling for a period of 7 years to the applicant, or to those persons who fulfil the criteria set out in Objective CPO 6.41 or to other such persons as the Planning Authority may agree to in writing. CPO 6.43 The conversion or reinstatement of non-residential or abandoned residential buildings back to residential use in the rural areas will be supported where the proposed development meets the following criteria:  the original walls must be substantially intact – rebuilding of structures of a ruinous nature will not be considered;  buildings must be of local, visual, architectural or historical interest;  buildings must be capable of undergoing conversion / rebuilding and their original appearance must be substantially retained; (a structural survey by a qualified engineer will be required with any planning application); and  works must be executed in a sensitive manner and retain architecturally important features wherever possible and make use of traditional and complementary materials, techniques and specifications. CPO 6.44 To require that rural housing is well-designed, simple, unobtrusive, responds to the site’s characteristics and is informed by the principles set out in the Wicklow Single Rural House Design Guide. All new rural dwelling houses should demonstrate good integration within the wider landscape.

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   Wicklow County Development Plan 2022-2028 Chapter 6 | Housing CPO 6.45 Subject to compliance with CPO 6.41 (rural housing policy), the Council will facilitate high quality rural infill / backland development in accordance with the design guidance set out in the Wicklow Rural House Design Guide provided that such development does not unduly detract from the residential amenity of existing properties or the visual amenities of the area, or the rural character and pattern of development in the area and does not result in a more urban format of development. CPO 6.46 Subject to compliance with CPO 6.41 (rural housing policy), the Council will facilitate a new dwelling house that results in the creation of a rural cluster layout provided that such development is of a high quality design, meets all requirements in terms of public health and safety and does not unduly impact on the residential amenity of neighbouring properties.

7. Page 167

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   Wicklow County Development Plan 2022 - 2028 Chapter 7 | Community Development CHAPTER 7 SOCIAL & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 7.0 Introduction Social infrastructure, community facilities and community development are fundamental elements in the creation of sustainable communities and supporting a good quality of life. The National Planning Framework (NPF) notes that ‘planning affords an opportunity to facilitate and deliver a more socially inclusive society through better integration and greater accessibility at all stages of the life cycle’. NPO 28 of the NPF requires that we ‘plan for a more diverse and socially inclusive society that targets equality of opportunity and a better quality of life for all citizens, through improved integration and greater accessibility in the delivery of sustainable communities and the provision of associated services’. The NPF therefore recognises the need to provide for a more inclusive society through planning and the development plan. In doing so the NPF endorses and requires us to include policies and objectives to obtain universal accessibility, address the existing barriers to access that can arise within development and provide for community facilities that can be utilised by all members of our community regardless of age, health or other limiting factors that may impede accessibility. The creation of such facilities that are accessible by all will make our communities more welcoming and enable all to participate in a community regardless of any limiting factors. The Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) recognises that social infrastructure plays an important role in developing strong and inclusive communities. The RSES identifies the following guiding principles with respect to community / social infrastructure:  Support the ’10 minute’ settlement concept, whereby a range of community facilities and services are accessible in short walking and cycling timeframes from homes or accessible by high-quality public transport to these services in larger settlements  Facilitate a sufficient supply of good quality sports and recreation facilities, including networks for walking, cycling and other activities and shall maximise the multiple uses of such facilities by encouraging the colocation of services between sports providers, schools, colleges and other community facilities. The creation of healthy and attractive places requires ongoing improvements to the physical and social infrastructure of settlements. Social infrastructure is identified as an essential element of healthy placemaking. It should be easily accessible by walking, cycling and public transport. Shared use and co-location of facilities is encouraged, in order to align service provision, use land more efficiently and facilitate opportunities for further inclusion and community participation. With reference to the National, Regional and County Objectives set out in Chapter 2 of this plan, the enhancement of community infrastructure and facilities will contribute to numerous goals across the three pillars of ‘sustainable healthy communities’, ‘climate action’ and ‘economic opportunity’ by:  Supporting the role of town and village centre as the heart of communities, where people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities can avail of services and interact within their communities;  Preserving and enhancing the quality of the provision of community services and facilities;  Ensuring that the community is adequately provided with the community facilities that are at the heart of every functioning community.159

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   Wicklow County Development Plan 2022 - 2028 Chapter 7 | Community Development 7.1 Local Strategies 7.1.1 Wicklow Local Economic & Community Plan (LECP) The Local Government Reform Act 2014 provides a stronger role for local government in economic and community development. The ‘Action Programme for Effective Local Government – Putting People First’ sets out a clear focus on the importance of local government: “Local government will be the main vehicle of governance and public service at local level, leading economic, social and community development.” One of the key provisions of the Local Government Reform Act is the formulation by every local authority of a Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP). The LECP is a six-year plan containing the measures necessary to promote and support community and economic development in the county. The Wicklow LECP 2016-2022 represents a major collaborative initiative between local community development and local economic development in the County and reflects the strengthened role of the local authority in both areas of activity. The Wicklow LECP includes objectives and actions promoting and supporting (a) economic development and (b) the local and community development of the County. The two elements are integrated for the socio-economic framework and for the actions to increase employment and quality of life opportunities in the County. The community element of the LECP was developed by the Local Community Development Committee and the Community, Cultural and Social Development Directorate of the Council. The vision for the LECP is: “Our vision is for a County which provides a high quality of life and well–being for all; values socially inclusive urban and rural communities; is driven by a dynamic and innovative economy; promotes and prioritises sustainable development and protects and enhances the County’s unique and rich natural and cultural heritage.” In this regard the LECP sets out the following 10 overarching goals for economic and community development within County Wicklow: Goal 1 Develop community capacity in disadvantaged communities and engage in urban regeneration and rural development. Goal 2 Promote active citizenship and public participation to improve governance, participation and enrich decision making. Goal 3 Develop high quality integrated services available to all communities, in particular, disadvantaged communities and vulnerable groups. Goal 4 Develop a vibrant and innovative Community and Social Enterprise Section. Goal 5 Address access to education and training to increase life opportunities for all. Goal 6 Develop infrastructure and measures that are positive and supportive to investment, enterprise, innovation and knowledge creation in strategic locations. Goal 7 Sustain existing enterprise and develop quality employment and income opportunities for the wide range of employment needs in the County, with possibilities for reversing commuting patterns. Goal 8 Capitalise on Wicklow’s unique attributes and proximity to the Dublin market, excellent quality of life, human capital, tourism, landscape, marine, agricultural and forestry resources. Goal 9 Support a shift towards low carbon and climate change resilient economic activity, reducing energy dependence, promoting the sustainable use of resources and leading in the Smart Green Economy. Goal 10 Harness efficiently the full resources of the County and promote interagency collaboration. The LECP addresses a wide range of community issues, including:  Education, training and skills development;  Developing infrastructure to address social exclusion, poverty and disadvantage, reverse social and economic decline and to realise growth potential and the sustainability of communities;160

9. Page 169

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   Wicklow County Development Plan 2022 - 2028 Chapter 7 | Community Development  Synergies with supports for children and young people;  Enhancing the capacity of communities to improve their well-being; and  Enhancing support for local volunteering, citizen engagement and active citizenship. The strategies and objectives in this chapter are not intended to duplicate those of the LECP (which has a much wider remit in the area of community development), but rather to provide the land-use framework that will support the achievements of these goals. 7.1.2 Healthy Wicklow 2018 Wicklow County Council produced the ‘Healthy Wicklow’ strategy in line with the ‘National Activity Plan’ and the ‘Healthy Ireland’ framework. The document aims to assess the requirements and provides objectives with which to improve the overall health and well being of the people of Wicklow and is guided with the four following key goals: Goal 1 Increase the proportion of people who are healthy at all stages of life Goal 2 Reduce health inequalities Goal 3 Protect the public from threats to health and wellbeing Goal 4 Create an environment where every individual and sector of society can play their part in achieving a healthy Ireland 7.1.3 Wicklow Age-Friendly Strategy 2017 The Age-Friendly Strategy was developed with the aim of making Wicklow an age friendly County, a County in which all public service and private sector providers work in partnership to make Wicklow great. It gives commitments to improving infrastructure both physical and social as well as services and information provision to improve the quality of life of older people across the County. The strategy aims, in combination with other Government and County programmes and plans, including the County Development Plan, to make Wicklow a County that is more accessible and accommodating to people as they grow older. The document seeks to address existing issues and improve the conditions for the ageing population in Wicklow under the following 9 themes: Theme 1 Outdoor Spaces and Buildings Theme 2 Transportation Theme 3 Housing Theme 4 Social Participation Theme 5 Respect and Social Inclusion Theme 6 Civic Participation and Employment Theme 7 Communication and Information Theme 8 Community Support and Health Services Theme 9 Safety and Security The policies and objectives contained in this chapter have been prepared with the aspirations and goals of these documents in mind. 7.1.4 Wicklow Children and Young People’s Plan [CYPP] 2020 Wicklow Children and Young People’s Services Committee [CYPSC] was formally established in April 2011. The purpose of the Children and Young People’s Services Committees is to secure better outcomes for children and young people through more effective co-operation and collaboration by existing services and through interventions at local level. Between 2011 and to date, two action plans have been developed and implemented to address local needs as consistent with the national outcomes framework. The Wicklow CYPSC 2020 Plan will continue to progress necessary work to meet ongoing and emerging needs.161

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    Wicklow County Development Plan 2022 - 2028 Chapter 7 | Community Development CYPSC’s work towards the five national outcomes for children and young people in Ireland. These are that children and young people 1. Are active and healthy, with positive physical and mental wellbeing 2. Are achieving full potential in all areas of learning and development 3. Are safe and protected from harm 4. Have economic security and opportunity 5. Are connected, respected and contributing to their world The CYPP presents a coordinated interagency approach to the delivery of services to children and young people in Wicklow by all agencies in Wicklow. It reflects the priorities that have been identified from an analysis of the needs in the County and a commitment by members to address these needs over the three years of the plan. The voice of children and young people is represented and the CYPSC is committed to strengthening participation with children and young people further during the lifetime of this plan. 7.2 Community Development & Land Use Planning The term “community development” refers to a complex and broad range of actions and measures involving a wide range of practitioners and bodies with the common aim of improving various aspects of local communities. There are however two key strands to the development of ‘sustainable communities’:  Facilitating communities in developing the skills, capacities and projects needed to enable them to have a greater say in the management of their own futures; and  Facilitating access to the goods, services and powers structures within society for all, and particularly for those that are marginalised and powerless (‘social inclusion’). A wide range of stakeholders and agencies will be required to deliver the LECP goals. It is the role of the LCDC to coordinate the various organisations and actions required to fulfil the goals of the LECP. The County Development Plan plays the following roles in delivering these goals: 1. Facilitating the delivery of community infrastructure through:  Identifying where possible community / social infrastructure deficiencies and needs of towns and villages including, for example, local community centres, schools, health facilities, broadband hubs, remote working facilities in community spaces, age-friendly facilities such as accessible internet spaces and increased post /delivery and collection facilities;  The reservation of land for the development of new or enhanced social and community infrastructure in County and local development plans where a need for new facilities is identified;  Managing the expansion of residential development commensurate with the community infrastructure available;  Requiring the delivery of new community infrastructure as part of development proposals; and  Cooperating with other service providers in the delivery of new community infrastructure. 2. Facilitating improved physical access to community infrastructure and services through:  Promoting a development pattern that maximises the accessibility of social / community facilities infrastructure by public transport, cycle or foot;  Requiring all new facilities to be accessible and useable by those with special needs, including mobility or other impairments; and  Facilitating enhancement of communications infrastructure. 3. Facilitating the maintenance, restoration and upgrading of the cultural and natural heritage of communities, environmental upgrading and general actions to enhance the environmental, amenity and physical attributes of communities.162

Source Wicklow County Council: Wicklow County Development Plan 2022–2028 – Volume 1 Written Statement (2022–2028) · 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.