Bundoran & Environs Development Plan 2009–2015 November 2009 CONTENTS Contents Page no. Chapter 1 Introduction Cathaoirleach’s Foreword 1-1 1.1 Background 1-1 1.2 Consultation Process 1-2 1.3 National, Regional and County Context 1-2 1.4 Big Picture Issues 1-6 1.5 Context: Bundoran Development Framework 1-7 1.5.1 Vision 1-7 1.5.2 Bundoran and Environs: Area Framework Strategy 1-7 1.5.3 Detailed Settlement Strategy: Vision and Objectives 1-8 1.5.4 Physical and Geographical Boundary 1-8 1.5.5 Bundoran Town Structure 1-9 1.5.6 Bundoran Environs Structure 1-9 1.5.7 Strategic Objectives 1-10 1.6 Spatial Land Use Plan Objectives 1-11 Chapter 2 Policy Context 2.0 International, National, Regional and Local Context 2-1 2.1 International Level 2-1 2.2 National Level 2-1 2.2.1 National Spatial Strategy 2002-2020 (NSS) 2-2 2.2.2 National Development Plan (NDP) 2007-2013 2-4 2.2.3 Sustainable Development: A Strategy for Ireland (1997) 2-4 2.3 Cross-Border Level 2-5 2.4 Regional Level 2-6 2.4.1 Regional Planning Guidelines for the Border Region (2005) 2-6 2.5 Local Level 2-7 2.5.1 County Donegal Development Plan 2006-2012 (as Varied) 2-8 2.5.2 Retail Strategy for County Donegal 2006-2012 2-8 2.5.3 Bundoran Development Plan 2004-2010 2-9 Chapter 3 Enterprise, Employment and Tourism 3.1 Vision 3-1 3.2 Introduction 3-1 3.3 Context 3-1 3.4 Strategic Objectives 3-2 3.5 Enterprise and Employment - Policies and Objectives 3-3 3.5.1 Employment Location 3-3 3.5.2 Supply of Employment-Generating Lands 3-4 3.5.3 Tourism Resource 3-5 3.5.4 Marine Related Tourism/Employment 3-6 3.5.5 Eco-(Sustainable)Tourism 3-7 BUNDORAN AND ENVIRONS DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2009-2015 CONTENTS i CONTENTS 3.5.6 Development of Tourist Industry 3-9 3.5.7 Tourist Accommodation 3-11 3.5.8 Amusement Arcades 3-13 3.5.9 Retailing 3-13 Chapter 4 Retailing and Town Centre 4.1 Vision 4-1 4.2 Context 4-1 4.3 Background 4-2 4.4 Analysis of current uses in the retailing/town centre area 4-3 4.5 Analysis and Evaluation 4-4 4.6 Health Check Review 4-5 4.6.1 Recent Developments 4-6 4.7 Strategic Retail Objective 4-7 4.8 Objectives and Policies 4-7 4.8.1 County Retail Strategy 4-7 4.8.2 Retail Proposals within the Town Centre 4-8 4.8.3 Town Centre Environment 4-10 4.8.4 General Retail Policies 4-11 4.8.5 Lands on the Seaward Side of the Town Centre 4-13 4.8.6 Amusement Arcades 4-13 4.9 Town Centre Development Management Standards 4-14 4.9.1 Shopfront Design 4-14 4.9.2 Advertisements/Hoardings 4-14 4.9.3 Access to upper floors/servicing arrangements 4-15 4.9.4 Plot Ratios 4-15 4.9.5 Site Coverage 4-16 4.9.6 Height 4-16 4.9.7 Overshadowing/Overlooking 4-16 4.9.8 Car Parking 4-16 Chapter 5 Conservation and Heritage 5.1 Vision 5-1 5.2 Introduction 5-1 5.3 Overview 5-1 5.4 Context 5-2 5.5 Strategic Objectives 5-2 5.6 Our Natural Heritage – Policies 5-3 5.6.1 Protection of Nature Conservation Areas/Sites 5-4 5.6.2 Tree Protection Policy 5-5 5.6.3 Pedestrian Walkways 5-7 5.6.4 Landscape, Scenic Views and Prospects 5-7 5.6.5 Inland Waters including the River Bradogue 5-8 5.6.6 Protected Species 5-11 5.7 Our Built Heritage – Policies 5-12 BUNDORAN AND ENVIRONS DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2009-2015 CONTENTS ii CONTENTS 5.7.1 Record of Protected Structures (RPS) 5-12 5.7.2 Archaeological Heritage 5-13 5.7.3 Architectural Heritage and Architectural Conservation Areas (ACA’s) 5-16 5.7.4 Design Principles 5-18 Chapter 6 The Coastal Area 6.1 Vision 6.1 6.2 Introduction 6-1 6.3 Coastal Zone Management 6-1 6.4 Coastal Amenity, The Seafront and Walking Routes 6-2 6.5 Scenic Views 6-4 6.6 Water Quality 6-4 6.7 Natural Heritage 6-5 6.8 The Coastline/ Coastal Erosion Processes 6-6 6.9 Coastal Conservation Zone 6-6 6.10 Coastal Management Area 6-8 6.11 Marine Leisure Activities 6-8 6.12 Bundoran Pier 6-9 6.13 Golf Courses 6-10 Chapter 7 Housing 7.1 Vision 7-1 7.2 Context 7-1 7.3 Background 7-2 7.4 Strategic Objective 7-2 7.5 Housing Strategy 7-3 7.6 Objectives and Policies 7-3 7.6.1 Zonings 7-3 7.6.2 Unserviced Settlement Areas 7-5 7.6.3 Housing Mix 7-8 7.6.4 Social and Affordable Housing 7-9 7.6.5 Elderly Persons and People with Disabilities 7-10 7.6.6 Countering Social Segregation 7-11 7.6.7 Traveller Accommodation 7-11 7.6.8 Housing Density 7-12 7.6.9 Design and Layout of New Housing Development 7-13 7.6.10 Open Space Provision 7-15 7.6.11 Accessibility 7-17 7.6.12 Large Scale Developments and Complementary Community Facilities 7-18 Chapter 8 Community Services 8.1 Vision 8.1 8.2 Context 8-1 BUNDORAN AND ENVIRONS DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2009-2015 CONTENTS iii CONTENTS 8.3 Strategy 8-1 8.4 Background 8-2 8.5 Policies and Objectives 8-2 8.5.1 Community Development 8-2 8.5.2 Education 8-5 8.5.3 Social Inclusion 8-7 Traveller Accommodation 8-8 Ethnic Minority Groups 8-8 Childcare 8-9 Elderly - Nursing Homes 8-10 Chapter 9 Recreation, Leisure and Amenity Open Space 9.1 Vision 9-1 9.2 Introduction 9-1 9.3 Overview 9-1 9.4 Strategic Objectives 9-2 9.5 Policies and Objectives 9-3 9.5.1 Culture and Arts 9-3 9.5.2 Recreation and Sports Facilities 9-3 9.5.3 Parks, Public Amenity Areas and Shorefront 9-4 Chapter 10 Transportation and Infrastructure 10.1 Vision 10-1 10.2 Introduction 10-1 10.3 Overview 10-1 10.4 National Development Plan 2007-2013 10-2 10.5 Transportation – Policies 10-3 10.5.1 Roads and Parking 10-3 10.5.2 Public Transport 10-5 10.5.3 Pedestrian and Cycle Route Network 10-7 10.5.4 Access to Backlands and Zoned Land by means of a Distributor Link Road 10-8 10.6 Infrastructure – Policies 10-10 10.6.1 Water Supply 10-10 10.6.2 Surface Water Drainage 10-11 10.6.3 Flooding 10-13 10.6.4 Surface Water Quality 10-15 10.6.5 Waste Water Treatment 10-16 10.6.6 Waste Management and Disposal 10-17 10.6.7 Telecommunications 10-18 10.6.8 Energy Supply and Energy Efficiency 10-20 Chapter 11 Opportunity Sites and Implementation of Plan 11.1 Vision 11-1 11.2 Introduction 11-1 BUNDORAN AND ENVIRONS DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2009-2015 CONTENTS iv CONTENTS 11.3 Opportunity Sites 11-1 11.3.1 East Gateway Opportunity Site 11-2 11.3.2 West Gateway Opportunity Site 11-2 11.3.3 Town Centre/Main Street Environmental Improvements 11-3 11.3.4 Harbour/Bundoran Pier 11-3 11.3.5 Civic Square/Market Place Area 11-3 11.3.6 Finner Camp Opportunity Site 11-3 11.3.7 NeighbourWood Schemes/Community Woodlands 11-3 11.3.8 Tullaghan and Rock Ross Unserviced Settlement Limits 11-3 11.4 Implementation and Finance 11-4 11.4.1 Introduction 11-4 11.4.2 Phasing 11-4 11.4.3 Development Contributions Scheme 11-5 11.4.4 Bonds 11-6 11.4.5 Additional Funding Sources 11-6 11.5 Planning Process 11-8 11.5.1 Introduction 11-8 11.5.2 Compliance with Permissions Granted and Enforcement 11-9 Appendices Appendix I Land Use Zoning Objectives Appendix II Housing Strategy Appendix III Parking Standards Appendix IV Record of Protected Structures Appendix V Record of Monuments Appendix VI List of Designated Sites Appendix VII SEA Statement Appendix VIII Appropriate Assessment BUNDORAN AND ENVIRONS DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2009-2015 CONTENTS v CHAPTER 1 – I NTRODUCTION Chapter 1 Introduction Cathaoirleach’s Foreword I welcome the newly Adopted Bundoran & Environs Development Plan as it represents a significant opportunity for the planned development of a newly defined plan area. This new plan now covers the administrative areas of both Bundoran Town Council and Donegal County Council which required the working together of the two administrations during the drafting and adoption process and for which I thank my counterparts in Donegal County Council. The Plan is adopted at a challenging and significant time in respect of the downturn in the global economy and we hope that the Plan can provide both an impetus for new investment within the local economy generally and our vital and centrally important tourism economy. The physical Plan area has changed but we have also attempted to ensure that new land use opportunities are available for widening the Town’s appeal and presenting policies and objectives preserving our important coastal resource.