0383 Fingal County Council
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NPF Submissions, Forward Planning Section, Department of Housing, Planning, Community & Local Government, Custom House, Dublin 1 D01 W6X0 30th March, 2017 Re: Submission on ‘Ireland 2040 Our Plan - National Planning Framework’ Dear Sir or Madam, 1.0 Introduction The National Planning Framework (NPF) provides a ‘game-changing’ opportunity to facilitate good planning and help Ireland face the daunting challenges of today, such as the housing crisis and climate change, but also the opportunity to create a place with the ability to guarantee quality of life. Fingal County Council (FCC) welcome this opportunity to input into the preparation and drafting of the NPF. FCC recognises and welcomes the broad range of issues which have been outlined in the NPF Issues and Choices paper. Fingal are fully committed to contributing to the future sustainable development of Ireland and recognise the important role that the NPF will play in creating a vision that provides for the creation of attractive places which contribute positively to people’s health and well-being, in an environmentally responsible manner that does not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs. In this regard the recently adopted Fingal Development Plan 2017-2023 (FDP) places increased emphasis on policies which support sustainability, place making and a transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy. This submission acknowledges the commitment of the NPF team to the inclusion of the principles of sustainable development as a cross cutting theme in the creation of a NPF for Ireland and FCC reiterate their commitment to the implementation of national policy in this area. Accordingly, the submission, rather than reiterating a commitment to areas where it is recognised that robust national policy exists, focuses on areas where it is believed that the NPF would benefit in terms of further policy development. Taking an all-Island approach FCC wish to highlight and prioritise: Acknowledging Fingal’s uniqueness of place (Metropolitan, rural, river valleys and upland areas, coastal, and Dublin Airport) Protecting Dublin city region in Brexit uncertainty Bosca 174, Áras an Chontae, Sord, Fine Gall, Co. Bhaile Átha Cliath P.O. Box 174, County Hall, Swords, Fingal, Co. Dublin K67 X8Y2 t: (01) 890 5000 f: (01) 890 5809 e: [email protected] fingal.ie Unlocking Fingal. Planned new urban expansion and consolidation of Dublin city region through series of connected conurbations Role of Swords in supporting the development of Dublin as a global city Developing a sense of place in towns and improving attractiveness of rural villages Key Infrastructure requirements 2.0 Ireland’s National Planning Challenges The big question posed is ‘What sort of place should Ireland be in 2040 and what do we need to do to achieve this?’ In response to the ‘big question’ we suggest the need for a clear, compelling and distinctive vision for how Ireland will develop and change, whilst fostering the potential of Fingal. We suggest that Ireland 2040 should be a place with the ability to guarantee quality of life. This future vision encapsulates the four headline themes contained within the position paper. Source: Fingal Local Economic and Community Plan (2016) Fingal had one of the largest population growth rates of 14.2% in 2011 Census and was the fastest growing constituency, 8.1% in CSO 2016 (preliminary), and with a significant stock of available land has the potential to be a key vehicle to help in the delivery of the vision for Ireland 2040. The fundamental role Fingal can play is also recognised in Rebuilding Ireland through the designation of four Major Urban Housing Development Sites (MUHDS) within the County earmarked as a priority for accelerating the delivery of housing on strategic sites. The role that key supporting settlements, such as Swords, which is positioned number two in the top ten neighbourhoods in Dublin for first time buyers in 2016 (The Irish Times, 2017), can play in the delivery of Dublin’s role as a developing global city should not be ignored. Integrated transport solutions such as Metro North are crucial to facilitate this role. A new Development Plan for Fingal, Fingal Development Plan 2017-2023 (FDP), came into effect on the 16th March 2017. The strategic vision of the new FDP is to build on previous successes and to strengthen our strategic advantage as a County, to ensure that we utilise the strengths of our citizens, communities, built and natural heritage, infrastructure and tourism to their full potential. Cross cutting themes underpinning the FDP include sustainable development, climate change adaption, social inclusion, high quality design and resilience. The principles of these themes are embedded in the FDP and are integral to the four headline themes identified in the Issues and Choices position paper. 2 of 16 fingal.ie This submission draws from the recently adopted FDP and is structured to correspond with the Issues and Choices paper’s four headline themes of People’s Health and Well-Being; Place-Making; Climate Change and Sustainability; and Infrastructure. The submission addresses the interconnections and interactions between the themes and responds at a national, strategic and ‘spatial’ focus. 3.0 People’s Health and Well-Being 3.1 What does the NPF mean for Health and Well-Being? The built environment is an important determinant of health, both directly and indirectly. How we ‘make’ places has a huge influence on people’s health and wellbeing (Issues & Choices, page 17). Fingal seeks to foster a growing low carbon economy which provides opportunities that are more fairly distributed between, and within, all our communities. We aim to provide high quality, vibrant and sustainable places with enough high quality homes. The NPF should pursue the happiness and well-being of the nation. An overarching aim of NPF should be to create and sustain people-friendly places for the benefit of the residents and businesses of Ireland, whilst supporting developers seeking to deliver the highest quality design solutions. 3.2 Trends Influencing our Health and Wellbeing The financial climate has reduced the amount of new housing built in recent years. The consequent housing crisis is having a direct negative influence on peoples’ health and wellbeing in Ireland. Data shows that Fingal is the fastest growing County in Ireland, and four of the top 10 fastest growing areas nationally are located in the County. Population has increased from 167,683 (census 1996) to 296,294 (census 2016). Nonetheless, a stock of land remains available in the county for residential development and as observed in Figure (1), the population density of Fingal is the lowest of any of the four administrative areas in the region. Figure (1): Population density (per sq. km) in the Dublin City Region Source: FCC analysis of CSO data 3 of 16 fingal.ie Over the next 14 years, the population of Dublin is forecast to grow by 22% to 1.63 million. This will place further pressure on services but it also represents an opportunity and economic asset. It is essential that Fingal continues to grow in order to support the sustainability of Dublin City. The NPF should recognise the role that Fingal and Swords in particular, play in this regard. In the coming years, Fingal is well positioned to accommodate the required significant increase in house building (as recognised in government programmes) to ensure housing requirements are met across the region. 3.3 Linking Health and Well-Being to Place The Issues and Choices paper recognises that the current spatial pattern of development presents a challenge for improving both social cohesion and healthy lifestyles. In Fingal we are, through placemaking, pursuing the creation of sustainable and healthy communities by supporting the development of adequate housing, retail, leisure, and employment uses, quality public realm, community facilities, design and standards and open space throughout the County. Planning can ensure it enhances quality of life through good placemaking, and lead a move towards new, lower carbon models of urban living. More empowered communities will have a key role to play in this. FCC seeks to ensure that Fingal is developed in such a way as to make best use of our assets and to ensure Dublin continues to develop in a manner that benefits the Country. The role of the NPF is to help create high quality, diverse and sustainable places that promote well-being and attract investment. FCC will support growth in priority sectors and locations, and promote a place-based approach to development. The Council aims to capitalise on the distinctive potential of Fingal as an economic driver, reinvigorate our towns and encourage innovation in our rural areas. The recently adopted FDP seeks to contribute to the creation of a more socially inclusive, equal and culturally diverse society by providing for appropriate community infrastructure, quality public realm and improving access to information and resources. Flexibility is required to allow for different approaches to housing provision that respond to varying local requirements. The NPF should focus on areas such as Fingal, where the greatest levels of change are expected and where there is pressure for development. Accordingly, the NPF should ensure these areas are highlighted and given the opportunity to develop in a meaningful way. Fingal is ideally placed to continue to be a focus for investment in the coming years. The FDP recognises our key strengths and the distinctive assets of Fingal. Fingal’s relationship with the surrounding Dublin region and the wider eastern seaboard area is unique due to its location within the region and the availability of zoned serviced lands. Quality town and urban centres are key assets for attracting investment and providing services. Quality of place is fundamental to people’s well-being and the success of areas.