Development plan · Wicklow County Council
Wicklow County Development Plan 2022–2028 – Volume 1 Written Statement
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards.
Wicklow County Council · 2022–2028 · 465 pages
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- Wicklow County Development Plan 2022 – 2028 Chapter 3 | Core Strategy and the rural transport programme New interchange and bus hub facilities New fare structures Enhanced passenger information Improvements to bus waiting facilities Integrated timetabling of bus and rail into a coherent national and regional network. Strategic Roads Support the improvement and protection of the TEN-T network to strengthen access routes to Ireland’s ports, including investment in the ongoing development of the N11/M11 to improve connectivity to Rosslare M11 from Jn 4 M50 to Kilmacanogue N3 In addition, long term protection shall remain for the Eastern Bypass and the Leinster Outer Orbital Route. Of key importance to County Wicklow’s transportation and accessibility strategy, is the NTA’s Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). The applicable strategy at the time of drafting this County Development Plan (2021) is the Strategy for the period 2016-2035; any alterations to the transport strategy, as they apply to Wicklow that occur during the making of this plan will be integrated into the plan where possible. The 2016-2035 transport strategy provides a framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services in the GDA over the next two decades. It also provides a transport planning policy around which other agencies involved in land use planning, environmental protection, and delivery of other infrastructure such as housing, water and power, can align their investment priorities. It is, therefore, an essential component, along with investment programmes in other sectors, for the orderly development of the GDA over the next 20 years. The transportation assessment and proposals to meet demand provided in the strategy are based around 6 ‘radial corridors’ emanating out from the city centre and for County Wicklow, the following strategy is set out: Corridor F – Arklow – Wicklow – Greystones – Bray – Cherrywood – Dundrum – Dun Laoghaire – Dublin City Centre. Corridor F stretches from the south east business districts to Wicklow, based around the N/M11 route and containing both the DART and Luas Green Line. The Strategic Development Zone of Cherrywood is in this corridor. During the preparation of the Strategy, the NTA prepared a report on the South East corridor. This study primarily aimed to identify public transport options that could effectively meet the growth in travel demand to year 2035, between the South East Study Area and Dublin City Centre. A number of options to cater for transport growth were examined. This included the upgrading of the Green line to Metro standard all the way to a point in Bray. Other options included focusing on the DART and a combination of BRT and bus priority to service growth, including a BRT network linking to the upgraded Metro at Bride’s Glen or Sandyford. Given the need to accommodate expected growth in demand between segments along Corridor F, as well as from these segments to the city centre, a number of schemes are proposed. The capacity of the South Eastern rail line will be increased through enhancements to the existing rail line, incorporating city centre signalling and extra rolling stock. DART Underground will also enable increases in capacity along this corridor. This will facilitate faster and more frequent intercity, regional and DART services to be provided on this line. While these schemes focus on the coastal areas, the western parts of the corridor, including Cherrywood and other potential development areas, will require high capacity public transport. It is, therefore, proposed to upgrade the Luas Green Line to Metro standard from the city centre, where it will link into the new Metro North, as far as its current terminus at Bride’s Glen. From this point to Bray, a new Luas line is proposed. This will provide a new north-south inland rail axis from Swords to Bray. These rail services will be supplemented by the proposed BRT on the N11 from UCD to Blanchardstown, and the core radial bus corridors on the N11, south of UCD, and on the Rock Road. To provide for growth in vehicular trip demand and improve road safety, the N11 and M50 between Newtownmountkennedy and Sandyford (including the M11/M50 junction) will be upgraded. Additionally, Loughlinstown roundabout will be improved, while a distributor road63
- Wicklow County Development Plan 2022 – 2028 Chapter 3 | Core Strategy network will be developed to service development lands at Kiltiernan / Glenamuck. Corridor E – N81 Settlements – South Tallaght – Rathfarnham – to Dublin City Centre Corridor E is made up of generally suburban residential development and is not defined on the basis of a major transport route, road or public transport service. It presents a challenge in that respect as it is more difficult to serve with high capacity public transport than other corridors, which are defined by multi-lane roads and / or dual carriageways, and contain existing or proposed rail lines. As limited growth in radial trips along Corridor E outside of the Metropolitan Area is anticipated, it is not proposed to implement significant public transport infrastructure improvements. Bus capacity will be increased to meet demand along the N81. For the Metropolitan parts of this corridor, the performance of the Rathfarnham Quality Bus Corridor is poor relative to others and requires enhancement. As such, a number of options, including Light Rail, have been examined. However, due to the land use constraints in the corridor and owing to the pressure on the existing road network, a Luas line was not deemed feasible. Instead, the emerging solution comprises a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) to Tallaght via Rathfarnham and Terenure. This will result in a significant increase in capacity and reliability compared to existing public transport services and will balance public transport requirements with those of the private car. The BRT will be supplemented by a core radial bus corridor between Rathfarnham, Rathmines and the City Centre. Two new roads are to be built within this corridor, a South Tallaght link road from Oldcourt Road to Kiltipper Road, and a public transport bridge over the Dodder to the east of Tallaght from Firhouse Road to the N81 to address localised access and congestion issues. Strategic Roads In light of the above higher order strategies, the priority for strategic (national) road improvement is the upgrade of the M/N11 in the north of the County, from the Dublin border as far as Kilpedder. The construction of proposed and route selected N81 from South Dublin to Hollywood Cross is a key objective of this plan. The Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy also identifies the Leinster Outer Orbital Route as a longer term objective, and this potentially traverses the region from Arklow in the south-east, to the Naas-Kilcullen area in the west via a route similar to the existing R747 – N81 corridor. This will form an element of the long term road investment strategy of this plan. In light of the likely continuing car dependency to access the metropolitan region in the short to medium term, it is the strategy of this plan to facilitate and encourage measures to improve capacity and efficiency of the national and regional routes, and facilitate the improved use of the national and regional routes by public transport, including the development of bus park-n-rides. The priority for regional road improvement will be with east-west connector routes i.e. Wicklow – Roundwood – Sally Gap - (R763/4 – R759), Wicklow – Laragh – Wicklow Gap – N81 (R763 – R756) and the R747 (Arklow – Tinahely – Baltinglass). Public Transport In light of the above higher order strategies, the priority for strategic public transport improvements are: Improvements to the DART service in north-east Wicklow, serving the metropolitan area Key Town of Bray and Greystones, the location of an identified key strategic employment site in the RSES; LUAS extension to the metropolitan area Key Town of Bray; LUAS extension from City West / Tallaght to Blessington; Rail improvement to the Dublin – Rosslare rail line; this is the only heavy rail line in the County, which is single track only from Bray and has only six functioning stations from Bray to Arklow. The settlement strategy exploits the connectivity provided by this route by allocating over 75% of the future population growth to settlements along this line; Major improvements to bus services, including rural services.64
- Wicklow County Development Plan 2022 – 2028 Chapter 3 | Core Strategy 3.7 Retail The development plan includes a retail strategy, which is consistent with the ‘Retail Planning Guidelines for Planning Authorities’ (2012) and includes the following: Confirmation of the retail hierarchy, the role of centres and the size of the main town centres; An outline of the level and form of retail activity appropriate to the various level of settlement; Definition in the development plan of the boundaries of the core shopping area of town centres; Strategic guidance on the location and scale of retail development; Preparation of policies and action initiatives to encourage the improvement of town centres; Identification of criteria for the assessment of retail developments. The Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy presents a retail hierarchy for the region and the provisions of this development plan are consistent with same. It is however flagged in the RSES that the floorspace thresholds detailed in the GDA strategy were prepared in a different economic climate and in many cases are still to be reached. In this regard, the RSES indicates that there will be a drive towards the preparation of a new retail strategy for the region, in accordance with the requirements of the Retail Planning Guidelines for Planning Authorities 2012, or any subsequent update, to update this hierarchy and apply floorspace requirements for the Region. Table 3.7 EMRA and County Wicklow Retail Hierarchy RETAIL STRATEGY FOR THE GREATER DUBLIN AREA WICKLOW COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN METROPOLITAN AREA HINTERLAND AREA LEVEL 1 METROPOLITAN CENTRE DUBLIN CITY CENTRE LEVEL 2 MAJOR TOWN CENTRES & COUNTY TOWN CENTRES BRAY, WICKLOW Bray Wicklow LEVEL 3 TOWN AND/OR DISTRICT CENTRES & SUB COUNTY TOWN CENTRES GREYSTONES, ARKLOW, BLESSINGTON, BALTINGLASS, RATHDRUM, NEWTOWNMOUNTKENNEDY Greystones Tier 1 Towns serving a wide district: Arklow, Blessington Tier 2 Towns serving the immediate district: Baltinglass, Rathdrum Newtownmountkennedy, LEVEL 4 NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRES, LOCAL CENTRES – SMALL TOWNS & VILLAGES Bray Area: Boghall Road / Ballywaltrim, Vevay, Dargle Rd, Dublin Road / Little Bray, Albert Road & Walk, Fassaroe, Southern Cross Road Greystones Area: Delgany, Blacklion, Charlesland, Killincarrig, Victoria Road Ashford, Aughrim, Avoca, Carnew, Donard, Dunlavin, Enniskerry, Kilcoole, Kilmacanogue, Newcastle, Rathnew, Roundwood, Shillelagh, Tinahely LEVEL 5 CORNER SHOPS / SMALL VILLAGES Glenealy, Grangecon, Hollywood, Kiltegan, Knockananna, Laragh, Redcross, Stratford-on-Slaney Source: EMRA RSES65
- Wicklow County Development Plan 2022 – 2028 Chapter 3 | Core Strategy 3.8 Integration of Environmental & Climate Action Considerations into the Plan The development objectives of this development plan are consistent, as far as practicable, with the conservation and protection of the environment, as well as action on climate change. This has been ensured through the continuous assessment of the elements that make up this plan at each stage of the plan making process, through Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment under the Habitats Directive. 3.9 Compliance with Specific Planning Policy Requirements Urban Development and Buildings Heights Guidelines for Planning Authorities 2018 SPPR 1 In accordance with Government policy to support increased building height and density in locations with good public transport accessibility, particularly town/ city cores, planning authorities shall explicitly identify, through their statutory plans, areas where increased building height will be actively pursued for both redevelopment, regeneration and infill development to secure the objectives of the National Planning Framework and Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies and shall not provide for blanket numerical limitations on building height. This County Development Plan, but more particularly future Local Area Plans that will flow from it, will identify areas where increased building height will be actively pursued for redevelopment, regeneration and infill development. Neither this plan, nor future Local Area Plans that will flow from it, will include blanket numerical limitations on building height. SPPR 2 In driving general increases in building heights, planning authorities shall also ensure appropriate mixtures of uses, such as housing and commercial or employment development, are provided for in statutory plan policy. Mechanisms such as block delivery sequencing in statutory plans² could be utilised to link the provision of new office, commercial, appropriate retail provision and residential accommodation, thereby enabling urban redevelopment to proceed in a way that comprehensively meets contemporary economic and social needs, such as for housing, offices, social and community infrastructure, including leisure facilities. This County Development Plan, , as well as future Local Area Plans that will flow from it, will include specific objectives to promote and ensure an appropriate mix of uses, and mechanisms to link the provision of new office, commercial, appropriate retail provision and residential accommodation, thereby enabling urban redevelopment to proceed in a way that comprehensively meets contemporary economic and social needs, such as for housing, offices, social and community infrastructure, including leisure facilities. SPPR 3 It is a specific planning policy requirement that where; (A) 1. an applicant for planning permission sets out how a development proposal complies with the criteria above; and 2. the assessment of the planning authority concurs, taking account of the wider strategic and national policy parameters set out in the National Planning Framework and these guidelines; then the planning authority may approve such development, even where specific objectives of the relevant development plan or local area plan may indicate otherwise. (B) In the case of an adopted planning scheme the Development Agency in conjunction with the relevant This County Development Plan makes explicit provision that where an applicant for planning permission sets out how a development proposal complies with SPPR 1 and SPPR 2 Urban Development and Buildings Heights Guidelines for Planning Authorities 2018 and the assessment of the planning authority concurs, taking account of the wider strategic and national policy parameters set out in the National Planning Framework and these guidelines; then the planning authority may approve such development, even where specific objectives of the relevant development plan or local area plan may66
- Wicklow County Development Plan 2022 – 2028 Chapter 3 | Core Strategy planning authority (where different) shall, upon the coming into force of these guidelines, undertake a review of the planning scheme, utilising the relevant mechanisms as set out in the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) to ensure that the criteria above are fully reflected in the planning scheme. In particular the Government policy that building heights be generally increased in appropriate urban locations shall be articulated in any amendment(s) to the planning scheme (C) In respect of planning schemes approved after the coming into force of these guidelines these are not required to be reviewed. indicate otherwise. SPPR 4 It is a specific planning policy requirement that in planning the future development of greenfield or edge of city/town locations for housing purposes, planning authorities must secure: 1. the minimum densities for such locations set out in the Guidelines issued by the Minister under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), titled “Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas (2007)” or any amending or replacement Guidelines; 2. a greater mix of building heights and typologies in planning for the future development of suburban locations; and 3. avoid mono-type building typologies (e.g. two storey or own-door houses only), particularly, but not exclusively so in any one development of 100 units or more. This County Development Plan, including the Core Strategy, various policies and objectives, Development & Design Standards and the Small Town Plans that form part of this plan, makes explicit provision that in planning the future development of greenfield or edge of city/town locations for housing purposes: 1. the minimum densities for such locations set out in the Guidelines issued by the Minister under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), titled “Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas (2007)” or any amending or replacement Guidelines are applied; 2. a greater mix of building heights and typologies in planning for the future development of suburban locations is provided for; and 3. mono-type building typologies (e.g. two storey or own-door houses only), are avoided particularly, but not exclusively so in any one development of 100 units or more. Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for new Apartments, Guidelines for Planning Authorities 2018 SPPR 1 Apartment developments may include up to 50% onebedroom or studio type units (with no more than 20-25% of the total proposed development as studios) and there shall be no minimum requirement for apartments with three or more bedrooms. Statutory development plans may specify a mix for apartment and other housing developments, but only further to an evidence based Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA), that has been agreed on an area, county, city or metropolitan area basis and incorporated into the relevant development plan(s). The provisions of this County Development Plan, including the Housing Objectives and Development & Design Standards are consistent with this SPPR.67
- Wicklow County Development Plan 2022 – 2028 Chapter 3 | Core Strategy SPPR 2 For all building refurbishment schemes on sites of any size, or urban infill schemes on sites of up to 0.25ha: • Where up to 9 residential units are proposed, notwithstanding SPPR 1, there shall be no restriction on dwelling mix, provided no more than 50% of the development (i.e. up to 4 units) comprises studio-type units; • Where between 10 to 49 residential units are proposed, the flexible dwelling mix provision for the first 9 units may be carried forward and the parameters set out in SPPR 1, shall apply from the 10th residential6 unit to the 49th; • For schemes of 50 or more units, SPPR 1 shall apply to the entire development. The provisions of this County Development Plan, including the Housing Objectives and Development & Design Standards are consistent with this SPPR. SPPR 3 Minimum Apartment Floor Areas: • Studio apartment (1 person) 37 sq.m • 1-bedroom apartment (2 persons) 45 sq.m • 2-bedroom apartment (4 persons) 73 sq.m • 3-bedroom apartment (5 persons) 90 sq.m The provisions of this County Development Plan, including the Housing Objectives and Development & Design Standards are consistent with this SPPR. SPPR 4 In relation to the minimum number of dual aspect apartments that may be provided in any single apartment scheme, the following shall apply: (i) A minimum of 33% of dual aspect units will be required in more central and accessible urban locations, where it is necessary to achieve a quality design in response to the subject site characteristics and ensure good street frontage where appropriate. (ii) In suburban or intermediate locations it is an objective that there shall generally be a minimum of 50% dual aspect apartments in a single scheme. (iii) For building refurbishment schemes on sites of any size or urban infill schemes on sites of up to 0.25ha , planning authorities may exercise further discretion to consider dual aspect unit provision at a level lower than the 33% minimum outlined above on a case-by-case basis, but subject to the achievement of overall high design quality in other aspects. The provisions of this County Development Plan, including the Housing Objectives and Development & Design Standards are consistent with this SPPR. SPPR 5 Ground level apartment floor to ceiling heights shall be a minimum of 2.7m and shall be increased in certain circumstances, particularly where necessary to facilitate a future change of use to a commercial use. For building refurbishment schemes on sites of any size or urban infill schemes on sites of up to 0.25ha , planning authorities may exercise discretion on a case-by-case basis, subject to overall design quality. The provisions of this County Development Plan, including the Housing Objectives and Development & Design Standards are consistent with this SPPR.68
- Wicklow County Development Plan 2022 – 2028 Chapter 3 | Core Strategy SPPR 6 A maximum of 12 apartments per floor per core may be provided in apartment schemes. This maximum provision may be increased for building refurbishment schemes on sites of any size or urban infill schemes on sites of up to 0.25ha, subject to overall design quality and compliance with building regulations. The provisions of this County Development Plan, including the Housing Objectives and Development & Design Standards are consistent with this SPPR. SPPR 7 BTR development must be: (a) Described in the public notices associated with a planning application specifically as a ‘Build-To-Rent’ housing development that unambiguously categorises the project (or part of thereof) as a long-term rental housing scheme, to be accompanied by a proposed covenant or legal agreement further to which appropriate planning conditions may be attached to any grant of permission to ensure that the development remains as such. Such conditions include a requirement that the development remains owned and operated by an institutional entity and that this status will continue to apply for a minimum period of not less than 15 years and that similarly no individual residential units are sold or rented separately for that period; (b) Accompanied by detailed proposals for supporting communal and recreational amenities to be provided as part of the BTR development. These facilities to be categorised as: (i) Resident Support Facilities - comprising of facilities related to the operation of the development for residents such as laundry facilities, concierge and management facilities, maintenance/repair services, waste management facilities, etc. (ii) Resident Services and Amenities – comprising of facilities for communal recreational and other activities by residents including sports facilities, shared TV/lounge areas, work/study spaces, function rooms for use as private dining and kitchen facilities, etc. The provisions of this County Development Plan, including the Housing Objectives and Development & Design Standards are consistent with this SPPR. SPPR 8 For proposals that qualify as specific BTR development in accordance with SPPR 7: (i) No restrictions on dwelling mix and all other requirements of these Guidelines shall apply, unless specified otherwise; (ii) Flexibility shall apply in relation to the provision of a proportion of the storage and private amenity space associated with individual units as set out in Appendix 1 and in relation to the provision of all of the communal amenity space as set out in Appendix 1, on the basis of the provision of alternative, compensatory communal The provisions of this County Development Plan, including the Housing Objectives and Development & Design Standards are consistent with this SPPR.69
- Wicklow County Development Plan 2022 – 2028 Chapter 3 | Core Strategy support facilities and amenities within the development. This shall be at the discretion of the planning authority. In all cases the obligation will be on the project proposer to demonstrate the overall quality of the facilities provided and that residents will enjoy an enhanced overall standard of amenity; (iii) There shall be a default of minimal or significantly reduced car parking provision on the basis of BTR development being more suitable for central locations and/or proximity to public transport services. The requirement for a BTR scheme to have a strong central management regime is intended to contribute to the capacity to establish and operate shared mobility measures; (iv) The requirement that the majority of all apartments in a proposed scheme exceed the minimum floor area standards by a minimum of 10% shall not apply to BTR schemes; (v) The requirement for a maximum of 12 apartments per floor per core shall not apply to BTR schemes, subject to overall design quality and compliance with building regulations. SPPR 9 Shared Accommodation may be provided and shall be subject to the requirements of SPPRs 7 (as per BTR). In addition, (i) No restrictions on dwelling mix shall apply; (ii) The overall unit, floor area and bedroom floorspace requirements of Appendix 1 of these Guidelines shall not apply and are replaced by Tables 5a and 5b; (iii) Flexibility shall be applied in relation to the provision of all storage and amenity space as set out in Appendix 1, on the basis of the provision of alternative, compensatory communal support facilities and amenities. The obligation will be on the project proposer to demonstrate the overall quality of the facilities provided and that residents will enjoy an enhanced overall standard of amenity; (iv) A default policy of minimal car parking provision shall apply on the basis of shared accommodation development being more suitable for central locations and/or proximity to public transport services. The requirement for shared accommodation to have a strong central management regime is intended to contribute to the capacity to establish and operate shared mobility measures; The provisions of this County Development Plan, including the Housing Objectives and Development & Design Standards are consistent with this SPPR.70
- Wicklow County Development Plan 2022 – 2028 Chapter 3 | Core Strategy Interim Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Statutory Plans, Renewable Energy and Climate Change SPPR1 It is a specific planning policy requirement under Section 28(1C) of the Act that, in making, reviewing, varying or amending a development plan, or a local area plan, with policies or objectives that relate to wind energy developments, the relevant planning authority shall carry out the following: (1) Ensure that overall national policy on renewable energy as contained in documents such as the Government’s ‘White Paper on Energy Policy - Ireland’s Transition to a Low Carbon Future’, as well as the ‘National Renewable Energy Action Plan’, the ‘Strategy for Renewable Energy’ and the ‘National Mitigation Plan’, is acknowledged and documented in the relevant development plan or local area plan; (2) Indicate how the implementation of the relevant development plan or local area plan over its effective period will contribute to realising overall national targets on renewable energy and climate change mitigation, and in particular wind energy production and the potential wind energy resource (in megawatts); and (3) Demonstrate detailed compliance with item number (2) above in any proposal by them to introduce or vary a mandatory setback distance or distances for wind turbines from specified land uses or classes of land use into their development plan or local area plan. Such a proposal shall be subject to environmental assessment requirements, for example under the SEA and Habitats Directives. It shall also be a material consideration in SEA, when taking into account likely significant effects on climatic factors, in addition to other factors such as landscape and air, if a mandatory setback or variation to a mandatory setback proposed by a planning authority in a development plan or local area plan would create a significant limitation or constraint on renewable energy projects, including wind turbines, within the administrative area of the plan. The provisions of this County Development Plan, including the Wind Energy Strategy, are consistent with this SPPR.71
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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.