Section 1.3.3 of This Plan)
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Designed by Allen Design FOREWORD Note from the Manager This Longford County Development Plan comes at a time critical in the physical, economic and social development of the Country. In setting a local regulatory framework, the plan provides a clear direction and focus for development over the next six years, while setting the scene for ongoing growth in the context of the Region and Nation as a whole. There have been significant changes in the national planning framework over the period of the last plan, with Tim Caffrey, the adoption of the Regional Planning Guidelines and various legislative and policy documents at National level. County Manager There has also been an enhanced focus on the potential environmental effects of plan implementation through the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment processes. All of these provisions have made for a much more complex, yet comprehensive, document that will provide detailed guidance and direction for all those concerned with development in the County over the coming six years. One of the primary aims of this document is to promote development in the County in a sustainable manner over the period 2009-2015. Economic sustainability is an important consideration in the current climate and the wise use of resources is a recurrent theme throughout the Plan. The extensive public consultation process that yielded this document has resulted in the delivery of a well rounded and comprehensive planning framework that addresses all aspects of the physical development of the County over the coming 6 years. Tim Caffrey, County Manager March 2009 Note from the Mayor This County Development Plan represents the culmination of an intensive two year process that involved many sections of society in Longford County. Input from interested groups, organisations and individuals over the preparation period of the Plan has guided its direction and indicates the depth of pride and interest that is shared by the people of County Longford in their locality. Cllr. Sean Farrell, The policies and objectives of this plan aim to build on this pride through maintaining and enhancing a strong Mayor sense of identity in the development of the County into the future and promote a strong and vibrant outlook in the face of challenging times ahead. The recently completed process represents a more enhanced environmental element, with the incorporation of Strategic Environmental Assessment which charts the progress of policy development throughout the different stages of plan preparation. This tandem process provides for comprehensive and transparent policy analysis along with enhanced environmental monitoring facilities into the future. This will allow for greater protection of the County’s environmental assets over the lifetime of the plan, elements that contribute to the high quality of life enjoyed by residents and visitors alike and are fundamental to its identity. A balance is required in this plan to provide a robust and comprehensive framework to guide the Development of the County over the next six years, through times which may contain economic and financial uncertainty. Key elements in addressing these challenges lie in maintaining a strong sense of community spirit and an overall recognition of what is important and how this is to be protected. I believe that this plan, through the community input from its earliest stages of preparation, strikes this balance. Cllr. Sean Farrell, Mayor of the County of Longford March 2009 Acknowledgements Housing and Planning Directorate James Clarke Director of Services Ciaran Murphy A/Director of Services Development Plan Team Dónall Mac An Bheatha Senior Planner Aoife Moore Executive Planner Clare Bannon Assistant Planner Administrative Support Aileen O’Brien Administrative Officer Eileen Gough A/Administrative Officer Carole Ryan Clerical Officer Caroline Norton Clerical Officer Olivia Walsh Clerical Officer Additional Input Tony McDonnell Senior Executive Planner Una Doris Assistant Planner Cathaldus Hartin Assistant Planner (Retail Strategy, Housing Strategy, SEA, Mapping) Catherine Ivers Assistant Planner (Protected Structures) Lorraine O’Connor Assistant Planner Rita Connaughton Clerical Officer (Mapping) Helen Murtagh Clerical Officer (Proof Reading) Helena Murtagh Clerical Officer (Protected Structures) Mairead Ní Chonghaile Heritage Officer Michael Jordan Project Leader, IT (Photography) Marguerite Reilly GIS Officer CONTENTS SECTION A: STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK 1. INTRODUCTION AND STRATEGIC CONTEXT 1.1 CONTEXT AND TERMS OF REFERENCE ................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1.2 Review Process and Statutory Context ........................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1.3 How to Use this Plan ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 1.2 PLANNING CONTEXT................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 1.2.1 National and Regional Spatial Context ............................................................................................................................................................ 3 1.2.2 Local Specific Context .................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 1.3 COUNTY PROFILE3........................................................................................................................................................................................ 5 1.3.1 Geographical Context ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 1.3.2 Historical Settlement Context ......................................................................................................................................................................... 6 1.3.3 Population and Demography .......................................................................................................................................................................... 7 1.3.4 Education ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 1.3.5 Socio-Economic Context and Employment .................................................................................................................................................... 9 1.3.6 Retail .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 11 1.3.7 Development Trends ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 12 2. DEVELOPMENT PLAN STRATEGY 2.1 INTRODUCTION, CORE AIM AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN GOALS ........................................................................................................... 17 2.1.1 Core Aims....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17 2.1.2 Development Plan Goals................................................................................................................................................................................. 17 2.2 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ................................................................................................................................................................... 18 2.2.1 Broad Principles and Enhancing Quality of Life ............................................................................................................................................... 18 2.2.2 Strategic Implementation Framework .............................................................................................................................................................. 19 2.2.3 Sustainable Energy Policy ............................................................................................................................................................................... 20 2.3 SETTLEMENT STRATEGY ............................................................................................................................................................................ 21 2.3.1 Introduction..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 21 2.3.2 Key Aims of the Settlement Strategy............................................................................................................................................................... 22 2.3.3 Designated Settlements .................................................................................................................................................................................