LLeeiittrriimm CCoouunnttyy DDeevveellooppmmeenntt PPllaann 22002222--22002288 SSttrraatteeggiicc IIssssuueess PPaappeerr Preparation of new Leitrim County Development Plan Strategic Issues Paper TABLE OF CONTENTS 8.2 Public Rights-Of-Way ........................................................ 21 8.3 Green Infrastructure ........................................................ 21 1. Introduction ............................................................................... 3 9. Heritage .................................................................................... 22 2. Leitrim’s Vision ........................................................................... 4 9.1 Leitrim Heritage Plan 2020-2025 ..................................... 22 3. Strategic Planning – What has happened since the last County 9.2 Built Heritage ................................................................... 23 Development Plan? ............................................................................ 6 9.3 Natural Heritage ............................................................... 23 3.1 Project Ireland 2040: National Planning Framework ......... 6 9.4 Views and Prospects ........................................................ 23 3.2 Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Northern 9.5 Cultural Heritage .............................................................. 24 and Western Region....................................................................... 6 10. Regeneration and Placemaking ............................................ 25 4. The Core Strategy ....................................................................... 9 11. Community Development .................................................... 26 4.1 Settlement........................................................................ 10 11.1 LECP .................................................................................. 26 4.2 Population Change ........................................................... 10 12. Community Infrastructure ................................................... 27 4.3 Housing ............................................................................ 10 12.1 Education and Childcare .................................................. 27 4.4 Rural Housing ................................................................... 11 12.2 Healthcare ........................................................................ 28 4.5 Compact Growth .............................................................. 12 12.3 Nursing Homes ................................................................. 28 5. Economic Development, Enterprise and Employment ............ 12 12.4 Social Inclusion ................................................................. 28 5.1 Economic Strategy ........................................................... 12 12.5 Arts, Crafts and Culture .................................................... 28 5.2 Retail ................................................................................ 15 12.6 Libraries ............................................................................ 28 5.3 Tourism ............................................................................ 15 12.7 Fire Service ....................................................................... 29 6. Rural Development .................................................................. 16 13. Climate Change and Adaptation .......................................... 30 6.1 Agriculture........................................................................ 16 13.1 Climate Change ................................................................ 30 6.2 Forestry ............................................................................ 16 13.2 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) ........................... 30 6.3 Extractive Industry ........................................................... 17 14. Environmental Assessments ................................................ 31 7. Transportation & Infrastructure .............................................. 18 14.1 Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) ..................... 31 7.1 Sustainable Transportation .............................................. 18 14.2 Appropriate Assessment (AA) .......................................... 32 7.2 Strategic Road Connections ............................................. 18 15. Have Your Say ....................................................................... 32 7.3 Broadband and Telecommunications .............................. 19 15.1 Making a Submission ........................................................ 33 7.4 Renewable Energy............................................................ 19 7.5 Water & Wastewater ....................................................... 19 8. Amenities and Public Rights of Way ........................................ 20 8.1 Blueways and Greenways ................................................ 20 Preparation of new Leitrim County Development Plan Strategic Issues Paper “the best of life is life lived quietly, where nothing happens but our calm journey through the day, where change is imperceptible, and the precious life is everything.” John McGahern, All Will Be Well Preparation of new Leitrim County Development Plan Strategic Issues Paper 1. Introduction • the Retail Strategy (see Section 5.2), which indicates retail development requirements over the plan period and informs What is a Development Plan? the Core Strategy. A development plan presents • a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (see Section 13.2) in line with the overall strategy of our guidelines published by the Minister in 2009; and Council for the proper planning • transportation (see Section 7.1) and other infrastructural and sustainable development assessments. of Co. Leitrim over a six-year period. It consists of a written A plan must include certain mandatory objectives, as set out in statement (policy framework) Section 10 of the Planning & Development Act 2000 (as amended) and accompanying maps and may include a range of discretionary objectives as indicated in including towns and villages the First Schedule of the Act. showing how land uses will be arranged. The plan covers Why get involved? areas such as housing, This presents an opportunity to citizens to shape their County and infrastructure, community have their say when it comes to important issues such as housing, facilities, heritage, and the economic development, communities, and heritage. It is an environment. The existing opportunity which comes around only once every 6 years. County Development Plan was made on 12th January 2015 and took effect on 9th February 2015. It To initiate Stage 1 of the County Development Plan making process, covers the period from 2015 until 2021. The next County a Public Consultation Strategic Issues Paper has been prepared by Development Plan will cover the period from 2022 to2028. the Planning Authority. The Strategic Issues Paper is intended to stimulate discussion and to encourage public involvement at this What are the main features of a County Development Plan? early stage in the process so as to help identify what broad planning As outlined above, the main features of a County Development Plan and development matters should be considered in the new County are the written statement and the maps containing the Development Plan. The intention of the Strategic Issues Paper is to development objectives for the area, including (but not limited to): present background and some key questions to prompt debate on the issues facing our county. It does not purport to cover all the • the Core Strategy (see Section 4), which gives spatial expression issues but simply present some keys topics. The way to make your to housing, population, and employment elements of the plan. views known by making a submission are outlined in at the end of • the Housing Strategy (see Section 4.3), which indicates this document in Section 15 – Have Your Say. anticipated housing requirements across various tenures and types for the plan period and informs the Core Strategy. 3 | Page Preparation of new Leitrim County Development Plan Strategic Issues Paper 2. Leitrim’s Vision The Corporate Plan is developed around on 4 no. themes, 3 no. of which are relevant to the County Development Plan. The vision for Leitrim set out in the current County Development Plan 2015-2021 is 1. Delivering for our People At the heart of County Leitrim are our People. We will focus on “County Leitrim to be a vibrant, socially inclusive, delivering outcomes for individuals, neighbourhoods and progressive and distinctive county, providing a good quality communities. We will continue to review and improve the services of life for all who work, live and visit the county and offering we provide to all residents. We will provide homes and help shape equal opportunities for employment to its people; while neighbourhoods. We will build and strengthen communities and protecting, conserving and enhancing the best of the natural groups, including a continuing investment in our young people, and built environment”. sport and recreation. We will support and provide opportunities for all our people to engage and shape local decision making. We will A new Corporate Plan to cover the period of the current Council ensure we do it all with dignity, equality and respect. (2019-2024) was adopted last year. 2. Delivering for our Places Shaping our landscape and creating our identity are our Places. We will continue to sustain and create