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

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   Wicklow County Development Plan 2022-2028 Chapter 2 | Development Plan Strategy 2.4. Development Plan Strategy The Development Plan Strategy is guided by the three cross cutting themes, Healthy Placemaking, Economic Opportunity and Climate Action. Each of these themes is identified as a strategic principle. 2.4.1 Vision for the County To guide and facilitate the sustainable growth of the County in a manner which supports a deep respect for its unique natural heritage, capitalises on the potential of our towns and villages to deliver compact growth, facilitates healthy placemaking, supports the creation of self-sustaining settlements and rural areas that are attractive places to live in, work in and visit, provides for new job opportunities, embraces climate action and enables the transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy, improves sustainable mobility and conserves our heritage. 2.4.2 Strategic Principles The Development Plan Strategy is guided by three strategic principles, Healthy Placemaking, Climate Action and Economic Opportunity. These cross-cutting principles align with the key principles identified in the RSES. These principles frame the strategic county outcomes. STRATEGIC PRINCIPLES Healthy Placemaking The quality of place has an impact on all aspects of our lives. Placemaking focuses on the interaction between people and the natural and built environment, a sense of place and facilitating a high quality of life. The creation of attractive healthy places that support sustainable communities is a central objective of this Plan. Healthy placemaking involves creating places that facilitate a good quality of life and encourage healthier lifestyles. Climate Action Integrate climate change objectives into the County Development Plan to facilitate the sustainable growth of the County, enhance climate resilience and enable the transition to a low carbon, environmentally sustainable economy. The County Development Plan plays an important role in influencing a reduction in GHG emissions by guiding the sustainable growth of the County, encouraging more compact mixed-use development and greater use of sustainable transport options such as cycling, walking and public transport, restricting development in areas that are at risk of flooding and protecting the natural landscape and biodiversity. Economic Opportunity Encourage a sustained emphasis on creating and facilitating new employment opportunities to support self-sustaining settlements throughout the County and facilitate a high quality of life. In accordance with national and regional policy it is important that the Development Plan facilitates a better alignment between population growth and employment to create healthy and attractive places.43

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   Wicklow County Development Plan 2022-2028 Chapter 2 | Development Plan Strategy 2.4.3 Strategic County Outcomes The ten Strategic County Outcomes are informed by the National Planning Framework, the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy and the key issues arising in submissions from members of the public. The three cross-cutting principles inform the core strategy and the county policy objectives which will guide and inform all new development in the County over the next six years. STRATEGIC COUNTY OUTCOMES SCO1 Sustainable Settlement Patterns & Compact Growth The delivery of compact growth in all towns and villages by capitalising on the potential for infill and brownfield development, moving away from a reliance on greenfield development and creating places that encourage active lifestyles is essential for the successful delivery of the development plan strategy. SCO2 Resilient Town & Village Centres – Regeneration & Renewal Activate the potential for renewal of our town and village centres, creating resilient, adaptable and vibrant places with a strong focus on people. It is essential that we protect and maintain the viability of town and village centres, target the reversal of decline and deliver sustainable reuse and regeneration outcomes. It is important that regeneration and renewal projects respect and embrace Wicklow’s beautiful old buildings and historic streetscapes which give our settlements their identity and strong sense of place. The quality of new architecture will have a long standing impact on the quality of our settlements and therefore should be of the highest quality to withstand the test of time. SCO3 Strong Rural Communities & Sustainable Rural Development Strengthen rural communities and support the sustainable development of rural areas. Encourage innovation and rural diversification in order to sustain vibrant rural communities. Leverage the potential of rural settlements to accommodate sustainable growth and a range of services including social and economic enterprise. SCO4 Sustainable Healthy Communities Places should facilitate a high quality of life for all regardless of age or ability. Access to quality housing, employment, childcare, education, health services, community facilities and a clean unpolluted, environment including clean air and water, are defining elements of healthy, attractive and successful places. Investment in a well-designed public realm which includes public spaces, parks, playgrounds, streets and recreational and sport infrastructure to cater for all ages is essential. SCO5 Sustainable Mobility The County Development Plan plays an important role in influencing a reduction in GHG emissions by guiding the sustainable growth of the County. The integration of land use and transportation planning, in order to support sustainable mobility and encourage a shift away from the private car to active travel (walking and cycling) and public transport, will deliver improvements in terms of quality of life and climate change. SCO6 Natural Heritage & Biodiversity Natural heritage and biodiversity is the cornerstone of Wicklow’s identity – ‘The Garden of Ireland’. It is essential that we conserve and enhance the County’s rich natural heritage and biodiversity for the benefit of current and future generations. SCO7 Climate Resilience & the Transition to a Low Carbon Economy Support the transition to low carbon clean energy by facilitating renewable energy use and generation at appropriate locations and supporting the development of off-shore renewable energy enabling infrastructure especially at ports and harbours. Facilitate the sustainable management of waste including the circular economy. Restrict development in areas that are at risk of flooding and protect the natural landscape and biodiversity.44

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   Wicklow County Development Plan 2022-2028 Chapter 2 | Development Plan Strategy SCO8 A Strong Economy Strengthen and broaden the economic base, harness opportunities for economic growth to build economic resilience, strengthen enterprise ecosystems and create quality jobs that align with population growth, ensure a good standard of living and reduce the need for long-distance commuting. Support place making improvements that will generate economic confidence and in turn make settlements more attractive to employers and a skilled workforce. Support community wealth building as a transformative approach which is about creating a better and more sustainable economy that strengthens our communities through local job creation, sustainable development and local business networks. SCO9 Tourism Capitalise on Wicklow’s location within Ireland’s Ancient East and facilitate a year round tourism industry that harnesses Wicklow’s natural amenities and vast recreational opportunities. Ensure that tourism development respects and protects the very assets it depends upon. SCO10 Education & Skills Recognising the important link between education and skills and employment opportunities, it is necessary to continue to improve the opportunities for education and skills within the County and to further develop Wicklow County Campus Centre of Excellence as a third level education facility for enterprise, education, training, research and development.45

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   Wicklow County Development Plan 2022 – 2028 Chapter 3 | Core Strategy CHAPTER 3 CORE STRATEGY 3.0 Introduction The purpose of the Core Strategy is to provide relevant information to show that the development plan provisions, in particular its population, housing, retail and transport strategies are consistent, as far as practicable, with national and regional development objectives set out in the National Planning Framework and Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy and with Specific Planning Policy Requirements specified in guidelines under sub-section (1) of Section 28 of the Planning Act. In particular the Core Strategy shall address:  any policies of the Minister in relation to national and regional population targets,  provide details of land zoned for residential use or a mixture of residential and other uses,  how the zoning proposals accord with national policy that development of land shall take place on a phased basis,  provide relevant information to show that, in setting out objectives regarding retail development contained in the development plan, the planning authority has had regard to any guidelines that relate to retail development issued by the Minister under section 28,  set out a settlement hierarchy and provide details of any policies or objectives for the time being of the Government or any Minister of the Government in relation to national and regional population targets that apply to towns and cities referred to in the hierarchy, and to the areas or classes of areas not included in the hierarchy,  projected population growth of cities and towns in the hierarchy,  aggregate projected population, in villages and smaller towns with a population of under 1,500 persons, and the open countryside outside of villages and towns,  relevant roads that have been classified as national primary or secondary roads under section 10 of the Roads Act 1993 and relevant regional and local roads within the meaning of section 2 of that Act,  relevant inter-urban and commuter rail routes, and  where appropriate, rural areas in respect of which planning guidelines relating to sustainable rural housing issued by the Minister under section 28 apply, Whether zoning objectives are outlined in this development plan or in subsidiary local area plans, the Core Strategy of the development plan must be sufficiently specific in setting population targets and housing requirements across the overall area of the planning authority and the elements of the settlement hierarchy outlined above thereby to act as a clear framework for amendments to existing zonings or new zonings in lower-level plans. In turn, the population targets and housing requirements of lower-level plans must be consistent with the Core Strategy of the County Development Plan and this will be achieved either in subsequent amendments to such plans or in the preparation of new local area plans.46

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   Wicklow County Development Plan 2022 – 2028 Chapter 3 | Core Strategy 3.1 Population NPF While the NPF indicates that in setting overall targets for growth, it is the pattern of development that is being targeted, rather than precise numbers, it does provide a target for growth in the Eastern and Midlands Region of 490,000-540,000 additional people by 2040. The element of this that is to be targeted for Dublin and its suburbs is 235,000 – 293,000 (see tables below for summary figures). National Policy Objectives 68 of the NPF states: A Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan1 may enable up to 20% of the phased population growth targeted in the principal city and suburban area, to be accommodated in the wider metropolitan area i.e. outside the city and suburbs or contiguous zoned area, in addition to growth identified for the Metropolitan area. This will be subject to:  any relocated growth being in the form of compact development, such as infill or a sustainable urban extension;  any relocated growth being served by high capacity public transport and/or related to significant employment provision; and  National Policy Objective 9, as set out in Chapter 4. NPF Roadmap The NPF does not specify targets for Counties or towns in the EMRA region outside of Dublin city and suburbs; however subsequent to the adoption of the NPF, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government published the ‘Implementation Roadmap for the NPF’ in July 2018 which provided county level ‘transitional population projections’. The transitional population projections plot a growth trajectory set approximately mid-way between what is currently being planned for in statutory Development Plans if projected forward to 2031, and the more likely evidence based and nationally coherent projected scenario to 2031 and 2040. These ‘adjusted’ transitional figures will apply to 2026 and will also inform the period to 2031. For Wicklow the 2026 and 2031 projections are 155,000 - 157,500 and 160,500 – 164,000 respectively, from the 2016 base of 142,500. The ‘Roadmap’ specifies that scope for ‘headroom’, not exceeding 25%, can be considered to 2026 in those counties where projected population growth is projected to be at or above the national average baseline, including County Wicklow. RSES The RSES provides a further elaboration on foot of NPO 68 including a breakdown of population projections to county level, based on the NPF Implementation Roadmap, which shall be used by local authorities in the formulation of the core strategies of their development plans. It provides that a further allowance of transition population targets in NPO 68 by way of up to 20% of the targeted growth in the city being transferred to other settlements in the Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan (MASP) shall apply only to the three Metropolitan Key Towns in the MASP namely Bray, Maynooth and Swords, and only if they can demonstrate compact growth on high capacity planned or existing public transport corridors. 1 As part of the RSES process, the NPF indicates that arrangements are to be put in place to enable the preparation of five coordinated metropolitan area strategic plans (MASPs) for the Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford Metropolitan areas. In line with the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies, the MASPs will be provided with statutory underpinning to act as 12-year strategic planning and investment frameworks for the city metropolitan areas, addressing high-level and long-term strategic development issues.47

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   Wicklow County Development Plan 2022 – 2028 Chapter 3 | Core Strategy MASP In accordance with NPO 68, the Regional Assembly in July 2020 approved the ‘transfer’ of population growth of 13,000 from the city to the metropolitan area settlement of Bray, of which 9,500 would be to that part of Bray located in Co. Wicklow. ‘Housing Supply Target Methodology for Development Planning’2 (DHLGH December 2020) Under Section 28 of the Planning & Development Act, 2000 (as amended), the ‘Housing Supply Target Methodology for Development Planning, Guidelines for Planning Authorities’ were issued on 18th December 2020. These Guidelines provide the methodology to be adopted by planning authorities in formulating the housing supply target for their statutory development plan. The methodology utilises research undertaken by the ESRI – ‘Regional Demographics and Structural Housing Demand at a County Level’ (Dec 2020). The guidelines are to be applied by each planning authority to assist in ensuring that their development plan is prepared to be consistent with the National Planning Framework and relevant Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy. Table 3.1 Population targets Co. Wicklow 2026, 2031 Source: CSO, NPF, NPF Roadmap, RSES, WCC 3.2 Housing The methodology for translating the population targets of the NPF Roadmap into housing targets is set out in Ministerial Guidelines ‘Housing Supply Target Methodology for Development Planning’ (DHLGH December 2020). As part of the understanding and implementation of these guidelines, additional County specific tabulations and calculations were provided by the Department, in order to assist in the accurate determination of housing targets for the lifetime of the development plan, which will be the 6-year period Q3 2022 to Q2 2028. These tables and calculations are all presented and explained in the Housing Strategy appended to this development plan; only the summary tables or those necessary to explain the Core Strategy are set out in this chapter. Table 3.2 Housing Completions & Targets Co. Wicklow 2020, 2022, 2028, 2031 Source: CSO, WCC 2 Guidelines for Planning Authorities issued under Section 28 of the PDA 2000 (as amended) 2016 2026 2031 Total growth 2016-2031 County Wicklow plus 25% headroom (2026 only) plus MASP allocation (2031) 142,425 155,000 - 157,500 158,144 – 161,269 160,500 – 164,000 170,000 – 173,500 18,075 – 21,575 27,575 – 31,075 of which Bray (min) 9,500 County Wicklow Units delivered 2017-2020 Estimated completions Q1 2021 - Q2 2022 Target Q3 2022 - Q2 2028 Target Q3 2028 – Q4 2031 Total New housing demand 3,230 1,404 8,467 1,848 14,94948

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   3.3 Na Th fol    3 Settle ational Plann e NPF sets o lows: The five Limerick Regiona Sligo an Letterke Initiative Droghe ement Hier ning Framew out a nation e cities and t k, Galway, W al centres of nd Letterkenn enny-Derry e and Du da-Dundalkrarchy work nal settlemen heir suburbs Waterford) f Athlone in ny in the Nor North-We ublin – Be -Newry. nt hierarchy s (Dublin, Co the Midland rth-West est Gatew elfast corrid as ork, ds, way dor Re Th se        H W W to Wicklow egional Spa he RSES set ettlements in Dublin C Regiona Key tow Self Sus Self Sus Towns a Rural aving carrie Wicklow settl Wicklow Town o be defined w County Dev Chapter tial and Eco ttlement hie the region: City and sub al Growth Ce wns staining Grow staining Town and Villages d out an ‘A ements, the n as ‘Key Tow by the Coun velopment P r 3 | Core onomic Strat rarchy ident burbs entres wth Towns ns Asset Based’ e RSES iden wns’. Other nty Developm lan 2022 – 20 Strategy tegy tifies 7 tiers assessment tifies Bray a settlements ment Plan. 028 s of t of and are49

8. Page 58

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   Wicklow County Development Plan 2022 – 2028 Chapter 3 | Core Strategy Asset Based Assessment of Wicklow Towns In accordance with the methodology and criteria set out in the RSES, all Wicklow settlements over 1,500 population (Census 2016)3, have been evaluated in order to determine their appropriate categorisation in the new settlement hierarchy. A hierarchy of 10 tiers has been determined, which is consistent with the RSES but provides for subcategories so as to provide a better fit for Wicklow, in particular better grouping of settlement types. In addition, this allows for the least amount of change from the previous development plan, which will generally aid in understating and implementation. Table 3.3 Wicklow Settlement Hierarchy Level Settlement Typology Description Settlement 1 Metropolitan Area Key Town Large economically active service and/or county towns that provide employment for their surrounding areas and with high-quality transport links and the capacity to act as growth drivers to complement the Regional Growth Centres. Bray 2 Core Region Key Town Large economically active service and/or county towns that provide employment for their surrounding areas and with high-quality transport links and the capacity to act as growth drivers to complement the Regional Growth Centres. Wicklow - Rathnew 3 Core Region Self-Sustaining Growth Towns Self-Sustaining Growth Towns with a moderate level of jobs and services – includes sub-county market towns and commuter towns with good transport links and capacity for continued commensurate growth to become more self-sustaining. Arklow Greystones - Delgany Blessington 4 Core Region Self-Sustaining Towns Self-Sustaining Towns with high levels of population growth and a weak employment base which are reliant on other areas for employment and/or services and which require targeted ‘catch up’ investment to become more self-sustaining. Baltinglass Enniskerry Kilcoole Newtownmountkennedy Rathdrum 5 Towns & Villages Small Towns Type 1 Small towns with good local service and employment functions. Ashford Aughrim Carnew Dunlavin Tinahely 6 Towns & Villages Small Towns Type 2 Small Towns with moderate local service and employment functions. Avoca Donard Kilmacanogue Newcastle Roundwood Shillelagh 7 Villages Type 1 Villages with moderate capacity for development 8 Villages Type 2 Villages with limited capacity for development 9 Rural Clusters Existing clusters of rural housing, suitable for new rural generated housing 10 Open countryside 3 Other than Bray and Wicklow Town which have already been assessment via the RSES and deemed to be ‘Key Towns’ suitable for significant growth50

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   Wicklow County Development Plan 2022 – 2028 Chapter 3 | Core Strategy 3.4 Population & Housing Allocations This development plan is for the period Q3 2022 – Q2 2028 and the population and housing unit targets for each settlement / aggregate settlement grouping are herewith identified. These targets have been sourced and derived for the overall County population targets set out in Table 3.1 above and the housing targets set out in Table 3.2. Local plans for each settlement4 as well as the application of the objectives of this plan will provide for a flexible development framework, including phasing, to ensure that the 2028 target can be fulfilled. In determining appropriate growth rates for each settlement / tier, cognisance has been taken of the NPO 9 of the NPF which states: National Policy Objective 9 In each Regional Assembly area, settlements not identified in Policy 2a or 2b of this Framework, may be identified for significant (i.e. 30% or more above 2016 population levels) rates of population growth at regional and local planning stages, provided this is subject to:  Agreement (regional assembly, metropolitan area and/or local authority as appropriate);  Balance with strategies for other urban and rural areas (regional assembly, metropolitan area and/or local authority as appropriate), which means that the totality of planned population growth has to be in line with the overall growth target; and  A co-ordinated strategy that ensures alignment with investment in infrastructure and the provision of employment, together with supporting amenities and services. While the above planning considerations will generally apply to all urban and rural areas, this specific provision is intended to ensure that in settlements identified for significant population growth, it is aligned with the provision of employment and/or infrastructure and supporting facilities, to ensure a good quality of life for both existing and future residents. The Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies for each Regional Assembly area shall address the potential of towns and their catchments in conjunction with consideration of growth targets for cities and rural areas. In applying a tailored approach to urban development, that can be linked to the Rural and Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, key considerations further to NPO 7 will include: - The extent to which a settlement is located inside or outside one of the five defined City- Region catchments and may be characterised as commuter focused or as more self-contained; - The scale of employment provision and net commuting flows; - The extent of local services and amenities provision i.e. administration, education – particularly higher education institutes, health, leisure and retail; - The extent to which trips may be made by sustainable modes of travel, i.e. walking, cycling or public transport, and the scale of planned investment in such; - The rate and pace of development from 1996-2016 and the extent to which there are outstanding requirements for infrastructure and amenities; - Accessibility and influence in a regional or sub-regional context; - Particular sub-regional interdependencies, for example, where a settlement may be located in relation to a number of nearby settlements and scope for collaboration and complementarity; - Track record of performance and delivery, as well as ambition and initiative and scope to leverage investment; - Commitment to achieve compact growth Housing and population growth rates targeted for each settlement / settlement tier are reflective of the respective position of each settlement or groups of settlement in the overall hierarchy, the tier designation and any growth parameters associated with same as may be provided in the NPF or RSES, and the capacity of that settlement / settlement tier for growth, having regard to the asset based assessment. In a small number of cases, the targeted housing growth rate has had to take account of significant legacy housing developments already in train, which would result in a higher growth rate than may have been appropriate for the settlement given its position in the hierarchy and asset capacity. 4 Local Area Plans in the case of settlements in Levels 1-3 in the hierarchy; and Small Town Plans for settlements in Levels 4-5 (which are contained within this County Development Plan)51

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    Wicklow County Development Plan 2022 – 2028 Chapter 3 | Core Strategy Level Settlement Justification 1, 2 Bray Key Towns are identified for growth rates of c. 35% having regard to their identification in the RSES as towns suitable for higher levels of growth.Wicklow - Rathnew 3 Arklow Towns in Level 3 are targeted for growth rates of 25%-30%, with slight variations based on capacity / past trends. It is estimated that growth in Greystones – Delgany will exceed this target range before the end of the plan period due to legacy housing developments under construction. Greystones - Delgany Blessington 4 Baltinglass Towns in Level 4 are generally targeted for growth rates around 20%-25%. Newtownmountkennedy (at c.65%) and Rathdrum (at c.45%) will significantly exceed this target due to legacy housing developments under construction. The goal for these towns is to limit further development, other than for town centre / infill / regeneration. It is estimated that growth in Kilcoole will exceed this target range before the end of the plan period due to legacy housing developments under construction. Enniskerry Kilcoole Newtownmountkennedy Rathdrum 5 Ashford Towns in Level 5 are generally targeted for growth rates of 15%-20%. Ashford (at c.60%) will significantly exceed this target due to legacy housing developments under construction. The goal for this town is to limit further development, other than for town centre / infill / regeneration. Aughrim Carnew Dunlavin Tinahely 6 Avoca Towns in Level 6 are generally targeted for growth rates of 10%-15%. Donard Kilmacanogue Newcastle Roundwood Shillelagh 7-10 Villages / clusters Open countryside Growth rate of 5%-10% identified as appropriate for rural villages and open countryside.52

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.