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

1. Page 231

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   Wicklow County Development Plan 2022-2028 Chapter 9 | Economic Development CPO 9.33 Enhance the competitiveness of rural areas by supporting innovation in rural economic development and enterprise through the diversification of the rural economy into new sectors and services, including ICT-based industries and those addressing climate change and sustainability. CPO 9.34 To support proposals to maximise economic opportunities and strengthen the economic structure of the south and west of the County by facilitating economic diversification and new enterprise development including remote working opportunities. CPO 9.35 To permit the development of small-scale commercial / industrial developments in rural areas that are not dependent on an existing local resource, subject to compliance with all of the following criteria:  The proposed development shall be a small-scale industrial / commercial scheme or service and the number employed shall be appropriate in scale to the location and its characteristics, including proximity to the workforce and customers;  the proposed development shall be located on the site of a redundant farm building / yard or similar agricultural brownfield site; and  the nature and scale of the proposed development and the proposed process or activity to be carried out, shall be appropriate to and compatible with, the character of the rural environment of the site at which the development is proposed, and shall not be detrimental to the rural amenity of the surrounding area. In the assessment of planning applications, cognisance shall be taken of the location of the site vis-à-vis the proximity of the site to the national and regional road network. CPO 9.36 To encourage, where appropriate, home-based economic activity14 in rural areas including the provision of small-scale individual enterprises. Proposals which involve the change of use and/or new development for purposes of home-based employment will generally be considered favourably where it can be demonstrated that the nature and scale of the proposed development and the proposed process or activity to be carried out, shall be appropriate to and compatible with the character of the rural environment. Agriculture Strategic Objective To encourage the continued operation of farming and its associated uses where it already exists, and to facilitate the diversification of the agricultural economy through the support of appropriate alternative farm enterprise sources. CPO 9.37 To facilitate the development of environmentally sustainable agricultural activities, whereby watercourses, wildlife habitats, areas of ecological importance and other environmental assets are protected from the threat of pollution, and where development does not impinge on the visual amenity of the countryside. Developments shall not be detrimental to archaeological and heritage features of importance. CPO 9.38 To encourage and facilitate agricultural diversification into suitable agri-businesses. Subject to all other objectives being complied with, the Council will support the alternative use of agricultural land for the following alternative farm enterprises:  Specialist farming practices, e.g. organic farming, horticulture, specialised animal breeding, deer and goat farming, poultry, flower growing, forestry, equine facilities, allotments, bioenergy production of crops and forestry, organic and speciality foods; and  suitable rural enterprises. 14 Home based economic activity is defined as small scale commercial/industrial activity carried out by the residents of a house which is subordinate or ancillary to the use of the dwelling as a place of residence.223

2. Page 232

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   Wicklow County Development Plan 2022-2028 Chapter 9 | Economic Development CPO 9.39 To protect agricultural or agri-business uses from incompatible uses, which are more suited to being located within an urban settlement. CPO 9.40 To ensure that agricultural developments do not cause increased pollution to watercourses. Developments will be required to adhere to the Nitrates Directive (91/676/EC), the Nitrates National Action Programme and the EC (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2009 (as amended), with regard to storage facilities, concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused or induced by nitrates from agricultural sources. Developments will be required to comply with relevant measures, which operate to protect water quality from pollution by agricultural sources. The disposal and storage of agricultural waste shall comply with the standards required by Council. CPO 9.41 To permit the development of new, appropriately located and designed agricultural buildings, which are necessary for the efficient and environmentally sound use of the agricultural practice. New buildings will generally only be permitted in cases where there are no suitable redundant buildings on the farm holding which would accommodate the development and where the Council is satisfied that the proposal is necessary for the efficient operation of the farm. Developments shall be compatible with the protection of rural amenities, and should not create a visual intrusion in the landscape or be the cause of an environmental nuisance. CPO 9.42 To encourage proposals for farm shops15 where it can be clearly demonstrated that:  the products to be sold are primarily produce grown on the farm holding;  the scale and scope of the retailing proposed will not harm the viability or retail facilities in any nearby town or village; and  the proposed shop is operated by the owner of the farm and is ancillary to the main use of the property for agricultural activities. Forestry Strategic Objective To promote state and private afforestation, to a scale and in a manner which maximises its contribution to the County’s economic and social well being on a sustainable basis and which is compatible with the protection of the environment. CPO 9.43 To facilitate afforestation in appropriate locations, in accordance with the ‘Wicklow Indicative Forestry Strategy’ (Wicklow County Council, 2002), and in co-operation with forestry operators and the Forest Service. The Wicklow Indicative Forestry Strategy was produced by the Council in 2002, in consultation with the Forest Service. The Strategy is intended to be a tool of assistance to planners in dealing with proposals for forestry applications. The Strategy includes a list of areas that are preferred for afforestation and a list of areas where afforestation would be inappropriate by virtue of landscape, soil type, settlement or environmental grounds. The Strategy also includes a series of objectives which are intended to guide planning decisions. The Council will have particular regard to developments that are located in the areas included in ‘Table 3: Areas Sensitive to Afforestation’, and as per the Strategy, should be consulted on all forestry grant applications in these areas. 15 Farm shops refer to premises primarily for the sale of produce originating from the farm holding or the local area.224

3. Page 233

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   Wicklow County Development Plan 2022-2028 Chapter 9 | Economic Development CPO 9.44 To promote afforestation in co-operation with relevant agencies, including the Forest Service (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine) and forestry operators and to ensure that afforestation is undertaken in a manner that is consistent with the principle of ‘sustainable forest management’. The Council will only permit development that complies with the following:  The development is compatible with the protection of the environment, and does not cause pollution or degradation of wildlife habitats, natural waters or areas of ecological importance;  the development does not have a negative visual impact on the scenic quality of the countryside, and is of an appropriate nature and scale to the surrounding area;  the development is not detrimental to archaeological or other historic/heritage features; and  the Council will permit forestry development where it is considered that the roads infrastructure (in terms of design, width, surfacing etc.), which is to serve the development, can accommodate the proposed development. No development will be permitted that will result in damage to roads infrastructure or undue nuisance to other road users. The Council may apply a special financial levy to certain developments for works that are required to be undertaken to the road network. CPO 9.45 To promote the use of forests for appropriate recreation purposes and to facilitate the development of appropriate recreation facilities at suitable locations. The recreational use of forests will only be permitted where it can be demonstrated that the recreational use is compatible with the other forest objectives, functions and values of the forest, such as timber production, sensitive habitats and important archaeology. Developments will only be permitted that are acceptable in terms of other planning considerations, including the provision of acceptable infrastructure such as roads, car parking, water and sewerage infrastructure. CPO 9.46 To promote County Wicklow as a ‘centre of excellence’ in the forestry research and management field. The Council will facilitate the development of forestry research / interpretative centres, at appropriate locations. CPO 9.47 To promote the use of native hardwood species using seed of native provenance where possible in afforestation schemes. The use of native species or a broadleaf / conifer mixture and age class diversity can enhance the visual impact and biodiversity of forests. CPO 9.48 To encourage the development of farm forestry as a means of promoting rural diversity and strengthening the rural economy. CPO 9.49 To encourage the development of forestry for timber biomass, which can be used as a renewable energy source (see also Chapter 16). Fishing Strategic Objective To promote the development of the County’s sea and river fishing industry, to a scale and in a manner, which maximises its contribution to the County’s economic and social wellbeing on a sustainable basis and which is compatible with the protection of the environment. CPO 9.50 To support the sustainable development of the fisheries and aquaculture industry in co-operation with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Inland Fisheries Ireland. The Council will not permit development that has a detrimental impact on the environment; in particular, development that has a detrimental impact on the environmental/ ecological/ water quality of seas, rivers and streams, will not be permitted.225

4. Page 234

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   Wicklow County Development Plan 2022-2028 Chapter 9 | Economic Development CPO 9.51 To facilitate the provision of infrastructure which is necessary for the development of the fishing and aquaculture industry. Infrastructure and buildings in coastal or riverbank locations should be located in proximity to existing landing facilities and shall be of a design that is compatible with the area. Any development, which by reason of its nature or scale is detrimental to the character or amenity of an area, will not be permitted. Any development in the coastal zone shall comply with the objectives of this plan, as set out in Chapter 19. Extractive Industry Strategic Objective To support and facilitate the exploitation of County Wicklow’s natural aggregate resources in a manner, which does not unduly impinge on the environmental quality, and the visual and residential amenity of an area (see Map 09.05, Crushed Rock Aggregate Potential). CPO 9.52 To facilitate and encourage the exploration and exploitation of minerals in the County in a manner, which is consistent with the principle of sustainability and protection of residential, environmental and tourism amenities. CPO 9.53 To encourage the use, development and diversification of the County’s indigenous natural dimensional rock industry, particularly where it can be shown to benefit processing, craft or other related industries. CPO 9.54 To support and facilitate the development of related and spin-off industries of the extractive industry such as craft and monumental stone industries and the development of the mining and industrial tourism heritage. Consideration will be given to the development of such related industries within or in association with existing operations of worked out mines or quarries, at locations such as the disused granite quarries at Ballyknockan, where this does not conflict with other objectives and objectives of the plan. CPO 9.55 To have regard to the following guidance documents (as may be amended, replaced or supplemented) in the assessment of planning applications for quarries and ancillary facilities:  ‘Quarries and Ancillary Activities: Guidelines for Planning Authorities’ (2004, DoEHLG);  ‘Environmental Management Guidelines – Environmental Management in the Extractive Industry (Non Scheduled Minerals)’, EPA 2006;  ‘Archaeological Code of Practice between the DoEHLG and the Irish Concrete Federation’ 2009;  ‘Geological Heritage Guidelines for the Extractive Industry’, 2008; and  ‘Wildlife, Habitats and the Extractive Industry – Guidelines for the protection of biodiversity within the extractive industry’, NPWS 2009.226

5. Page 235

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   10kv T KIL 10kv 12 10kv LB 13 3 6 5 11 10 4 7 JOHNSTOWN 10kv 10kv T 10kv 53 14 13 52 15 14 50 3233 Garden Village CourtGarden Village Court Knockna Belfield House Pond Pond MOUNT KENNEDY DEMESNE Mound Mt Kennedy House 10kv Pond 220kv Wicklow County Council Planning Department Employment Zoning: Mountkennedy Demesne, Kilpedder Map No. 09.01 Scale 1:6,000 @A4 Legend Employment Zoning © Ordnance Survey Ireland. All rights reserved Licence number 2022/35/CCMA/Wicklow County Council WICKLOW COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-2028227

6. Page 236

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   Employment Zoning: Kilpedder Interchange Map No. 09.02 KILPEDDER EAST New Russian VillageNew Russian Village BROMLEY 10kv 57 ES Concrete Works Wb 86 87 88 78 1 Kilpedder GroveKilpedder Grove 72 5655 70 79 8042 71 Wicklow County Council Planning Department Legend Employment Zoning Scale 1:5,000 @A4 © Ordnance Survey Ireland. All rights reserved Licence number 2022/35/CCMA/Wicklow County Council WICKLOW COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-2028228

7. Page 237

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   Area under c onstruc tion Lodge 10kv KELLYSTOWN Pond T 10kv Grave Yd Trinity Pond T Quarry NEWTOWNBOSWELL 10kv Pond Trinity Well T INCHANAPPA SOUTH 10kv Pond BROOMFIELD Ballyhenry BALLYHENRY 10kv Ponds Area under c onstruc tion Bridge Tk(c ) Lodge Pond Pond INCHANAPPA NORTH Wicklow County Council Planning Department Employment Zoning: Inchanappa South and Ballyhenry, Ashford. Map No. 09.03 Legend Employment Zoning Scale 1:9,000 @A4 © Ordnance Survey Ireland. All rights reserved Licence number 2022/35/CCMA/Wicklow County Council WICKLOW COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-2028229

8. Page 238

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   The Beehive T 10kv Wicklow County Council Planning Department Employment Zoning: 'The Beehive', Coolbeg Cross Map No. 09.04 Legend Employment Zoning Scale 1:9,000 @A4 © Ordnance Survey Ireland. All rights reserved Licence number 2022/35/CCMA/Wicklow County Council WICKLOW COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-2028230

9. Page 239

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   Lally, GSI Crushed Rock Aggregate Potential (Geological Survey Ireland) Map No. 09.05 WICKLOW COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-2028 Wicklow County Council Planning Department © Ordnance Survey Ireland. All rights reserved Licence number 2022/35/CCMA/Wicklow County Council Legend Scale: 1:300,000 @A4 ¯ Wicklow County Boundary Crushed Rock Aggregate Potential Very High potential High potential Moderate potential Low potential Very Low potential Data Source: Geological Survey Ireland231

10. Page 240

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    Wicklow County Development Plan 2022-2028 Chapter 10 | Retail CHAPTER 10 RETAIL 10.0 Introduction Retailing is a fundamental element of town and village centre activity and it is important that town and village centres retain retailing as a core function. Apart from direct and indirect employment, retailing plays an important role in attracting people to town centres thus contributing to overall vitality. Retail is a key element of the economy in terms of economic activity, employment, and the success of our towns and villages. The retail sector is the largest private sector employer in the country, employing over 13% of the workforce and indirectly supporting jobs in other areas such as logistics and distribution. The retail sector is facing many challenges including the increase in online retail and the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Development Plan must outline the level and form of retail activity appropriate to the various level of settlement and define by way of a map the boundaries of the core shopping areas. The plan must include appropriate objectives to allow for the expansion of the retail sector in a manner which protects and improves the vitality and viability of the town and village centres. With reference to the National, Regional and County Objectives set out in Chapter 2 of this plan, the enhancement of the retail sector 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 centres as the heart of communities, where people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities can avail of services and interact within their communities;  Enhancing the built environment by maintaining activity and driving regeneration in our town and village centres; this will promote sustainable re-use of underutilised and brownfield sites, reduce demand for greenfield development and will generate economic confidence and make settlements more attractive for employers and a skilled workforce;  Supporting and facilitating sustainable mobility by ensuring that retail services are available locally, and can be accessible by means other than private car;  Supporting local employment growth. 10.1 Retail Policy Context 10.1.1 Retail Planning Guidelines (DoECLG, 2012) The Retail Planning Guidelines aim to ensure that the planning system continues to play a key role in supporting competitiveness and choice in the retail sector commensurate with promoting the vitality and viability of town centres. The Guidelines note the major role that shopping plays in attracting people to cities, towns and villages, emphasising that it is therefore important that these centres retain retailing as a core function and provide a diversity of shopping choice, and high quality services and amenities, for residents and visitors alike, thereby supporting their ongoing role as the focus of their regions and rural hinterlands. These Guidelines identify five key policy objectives:  Ensuring that retail development is plan-led;  Promoting city/town centre vitality through a sequential approach to development;  Securing competitiveness in the retail sector by actively enabling good quality development proposals to come forward in suitable locations;232

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