Table of Contents Chapter 1 – Introduction 1.1 Development Plan – A New Approach ......................................................................... 1-1 1.2 Regional Growth Centres............................................................................................. 1-2 1.3 Overview of County Louth ........................................................................................... 1-7 1.4 Challenging / Changing Environment ..........................................................................1-10 1.5 A Positive Outlook ......................................................................................................1-11 1.6 Strategic Vision ..........................................................................................................1-11 1.7 The Development Plan Review Process ......................................................................1-15 1.8 Regional Policy ...........................................................................................................1-19 1.9 National and Regional Alignment ...............................................................................1-20 1.10 Local Policy ............................................................................................................... 1-21 1.11 Format of the Plan .....................................................................................................1-24 Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy 2.1 Statutory Context ........................................................................................................... 2-1 2.2 National Planning Policy ................................................................................................ 2-1 2.3 Regional Planning Policy ................................................................................................ 2-5 2.4 Core Strategy Approach ............................................................................................... 2-10 2.5 Population Trends ........................................................................................................ 2-13 2.6 Housing ........................................................................................................................ 2-19 2.7 Economic Development ............................................................................................... 2-24 2.8 Retail Development ...................................................................................................... 2-24 2.9 Climate Action .............................................................................................................. 2-24 2.10 Core Strategy and Strategic Flood Risk Assessment ..................................................... 2-25 2.11 Core Strategy and SEA/AA ........................................................................................... 2-25 i 2.12 Settlement Hierarchy and Growth Strategy ................................................................. 2-28 2.13 Drogheda .................................................................................................................... 2-28 2.14 Dundalk........................................................................................................................ 2-35 2.15 Self Sustaining Growth Towns ..................................................................................... 2-41 2.16 Self Sustaining Towns .................................................................................................. 2-46 2.17 Small Towns and Villages .............................................................................................. 2-48 2.18 Rural Villages ................................................................................................................ 2-49 Chapter 3 – Housing 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 3-1 3.2 Recent Trends in Housing ............................................................................................... 3-1 3.3 Housing Supply in Louth ................................................................................................. 3-3 3.4 Housing Strategy ........................................................................................................... 3-4 3.5 Vacant Site Levy ............................................................................................................. 3-5 3.6 Sustainable Neighbourhoods and Communities ............................................................. 3-7 3.7 Town Centre Living ........................................................................................................ 3-8 3.8 Housing for Older People ............................................................................................. 3-8. 3.9 Specialist Housing ........................................................................................................ 3-10 3.10 Traveller Accommodation ........................................................................................... 3-10 3.11 Densities ..................................................................................................................... 3-11 3.12 Buildings of Height ...................................................................................................... 3-12 3.13 Principles for Quality Design and Layout ...................................................................... 3-13 3.14 Creating a Well Designed Place .................................................................................... 3-15 3.15 Dwelling Mix and Adaptable Homes ............................................................................ 3-17 3.16 Other Residential Developments in Urban Areas ......................................................... 3-18 3.17 Housing in the Open Countryside ................................................................................ 3-19 ii Chapter 4 - Social and Community 4.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 4-1 4.2 Social Inclusion .............................................................................................................. 4-1 4.3 Community Participation ............................................................................................... 4-2 4.4 Louth Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) ........................................................ 4-2 4.5 Community Facilities and Social Infrastructure .............................................................. 4-5 4.6 Social Infrastructure Assessment ................................................................................... 4-6 4.7 Outdoor Recreation ....................................................................................................... 4-7 4.8 Arts and Cultural Facilities .............................................................................................. 4-9 4.9 Louth Library Service ................................................................................................... 4-10 4.10 Education .................................................................................................................... 4-11 4.11 Childcare Facilities ....................................................................................................... 4-14 4.12 Healthcare Facilities .................................................................................................... 4-15 4.13 Emergency Services ..................................................................................................... 4-17 4.14 Community Funding .................................................................................................... 4-17 4.15 Places of Worship ........................................................................................................ 4-17 4.16 Burial Grounds ............................................................................................................. 4-18 4.17 Community Allotments ................................................................................................ 4-18 Chapter 5 - Economy and Employment 5.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 5-1 5.2 Economic Profile of Louth .............................................................................................. 5-1 5.3 Employment Profile ....................................................................................................... 5-5 5.4 Economic Strategy.......................................................................................................... 5-5 5.5 Policy Context ................................................................................................................ 5-6 5.6 Recent Economic Trends ............................................................................................... 5-9 5.7 Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor ................................................................................ 5-11 5.8 Education and Training ................................................................................................ 5-12 5.9 Co-working Facilities and Homes Based Activities ........................................................ 5-13 5.10 Marine Opportunities including Ports .......................................................................... 5-16 iii 5.11 Areas to be Identified for