MEATH COUNTY COUNCIL Dunboyne, Clonee & Pace Local Area Plan 2009 - 2015 Adopted 22 September 2009 Planning Department Dunboyne/Clonee/Pace Local Area Plan 2009-2015 Adopted 22nd September 2009 Prepared by Contents 1.0 INTRODUCTION 6 1.1 Introduction 6 1.2 Statutory Context 7 1.3 Policy Context 13 1.4 The Challenge 25 1.5 Contents 25 1.6 Public Consultation 25 1.7 Implementation 26 2.0 DUNBOYNE/CLONEE/PACE IN CONTEXT 28 2.1 Description of the Local Area Plan Area 28 2.2 Existing Physical Characteristics 29 2.3 Key Demographic and Socio-Economic Trends 29 2.4 Historical and Architectural Significance 35 2.5 Natural Heritage 36 2.6 Access 37 2.7 Services and Utilities 40 3.0 LOCAL AREA PLAN STRATEGY 42 3.1 Vision - Core Aims 42 3.2 Settlement Strategy 43 3.3 IAAP Lands 43 3.4 Land Use and Transport Strategy 44 3.5 Development Opportunities pursued in the Local Area 45 Plan 3.6 Sustainable Development 47 4.0 LAND USE 49 4.1 Residential 49 4.2 Retail 51 4.3 Employment & Economic Development 56 4.4 Education Provision 59 4.5 Community & Social Facilities 62 5.0 MOVEMENT 66 5.1 Movement Strategy 66 5.2 Public Transport 67 5.3 Road and Vehicular Transportation 68 5.4 Pedestrian Facilities 69 5.5 Vehicular and Cycle Parking 72 5.6 Employment Zones 72 6.0 OVERALL DESIGN 75 6.1 Urban Design 75 6.2 Rural Design 75 6.3 Development Management and Design Policies within 76 Dunboyne and Clonee 7.0 DEVELOPMENT OF AMENITIES 77 7.1 Public Open Space 77 7.2 River Amenity Areas 77 7.3 Open Space Required 78 7.4 Natural Heritage 79 7.5 Archaeology and Built Heritage 81 8.0 INFRASTRUCTURE 82 8.1 Introduction 82 8.2 Water Supply 82 8.3 Wastewater Collection and Treatment 82 8.4 Surface Water Management 83 8.5 Flooding 83 8.6 Telecommunications 85 8.7 Solid Waste Collection and Disposal 86 8.8 Energy 87 9.0 LAND USE ZONING – PROVISIONS AND OBJECTIVES 88 9.1 Introduction 88 9.2 Strategy for Population Growth 90 9.3 Land Use Zoning Matrix 90 10.0 PHASING AND IMPLEMENTATION 96 10.1 Introduction 96 10.2 Phasing 96 10.3 Contributions 96 10.4 Monitoring and Review 96 Appendix 1 Land Use Zoning Objectives Maps Appendix 2 Lists of persons who made submissions. Appendix 3 Definition of Land Uses Appendix 4 Strategic Environmental Assessment Appendix 5 Appropriate Assessment Appendix 6 Record of Protected Structures Dunboyne/Clonee/Pace Local Area Plan 2009-2015 Section 1: Introduction 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Introduction This Local Area Plan (LAP) relates to the Dunboyne/Clonee/Pace Corridor. In accordance with Section 2.1.8.1 of the Meath County Development Plan 2007-2013, the allocation of future household and population growth in the County will be channelled first and foremost to Dunboyne/Clonee/Pace Rail Corridor, Navan and Drogheda. These centres are also most likely to attract a concentration of major employment generating investment in Meath. On foot of the high capacity, multi-modal transport linkages being rolled out in the Corridor, the goal for the Local Area Plan area is to become a self-sustaining settlement. SS OBJ 1 of the Meath County Development Plan (CDP), 2007-2013 states as follows: ‘To prepare Local Area Plans for the urban centres … including Dunboyne/Clonee/Pace Corridor … shall include inter alia, all lands identified in the Clonsilla to Pace Rail Corridor Section 49 Supplementary Development Contribution Scheme.’ Table 12 of the CDP identifies Dunboyne/Clonee/Pace Corridor as a Dynamic Cluster which states that opportunities afforded by the new rail stations at Dunboyne and Pace for economic activities should be maximised. This table also requires that sufficient lands are zoned for economic activities at suitable locations. It is also a requirement that adequate lands are zoned for a multiplicity of uses and that densities are appropriate to the location and services available or likely to be available, particularly at public transport nodes. The CDP states that these centres are most likely to attract a concentration of major employment generating investment and should have the greatest accessibility and connectivity. Strategic Settlement Objective, ‘SO2’ provides for the preparation of an Integrated Framework Plan for Land Use and Transportation (IFPLUT): ‘To commence the preparation of an Integrated Framework Plan for Land Use and Transportation (IFPLUT) for the area of the Clonsilla to Pace Interchange corridor in County Meath including Clonee … in conjunction with relevant public transportation bodies, the DoEHLG and Fingal County Council’. The IFPLUT is required to provide inter alia, the following: - the appropriate location for additional public transport nodes along the rail corridor; - the development potential and appropriate land uses around these public transport nodes. Large trip generators such as major employers or town / district centres should be located near the intersection of transportation corridors; - the location, significance and sensitivity of the range of environmental assets and constraints that occur within this corridor, and; - to identify and support the development of areas where significant clusters of power, roads, water and gas could be harnessed to become nationally important areas to accommodate very large scale value added employment while avoiding potential for future environmental and planning conflicts within the corridor. Meath County Council is fully supportive of the delivery of the Clonsilla to Pace Commuter Rail line which is of significant strategic importance to County Meath. Meath County Council are advancing spatial land use strategies in this area that will maximise the development opportunities afforded by the development of the rail line extension in conjunction with the delivery of the M3 Motorway. The development of the rail line and stations plays an integral Page 6 Dunboyne/Clonee/Pace Local Area Plan 2009-2015 Section 1: Introduction part in the future vision for the area of County Meath located within Metropolitan Area of the Greater Dublin Area. Detailed objectives, proposals, written statements and maps for Dunboyne and Clonee are contained in the County Development Plan. These were prepared for the Meath County Development Plan 2001 and have been incorporated into the 2007–2013 County Development Plan pending the preparation of a Local Area Plan for the Corridor. It is a requirement under Section 19(1)(c) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 that in the case of the first Local Area Plan it must be prepared not later than two years after the making of the County Development Plan (2nd March 2007). This Local Area Plan consists of a written statement accompanied by zoning and objectives maps. It will guide development in the area for six years from the date of adoption by Meath County Council, or until the Local Area Plan is varied or a new Local Area Plan is made. 1.2 Statutory Context 1.2.1 Scope of the Local Area Plan This Local Area Plan is made in accordance with the requirements of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 - 2006 and the objectives of the Meath County Development Plan 2007 - 2013. The Act requires that a Local Area Plan consists of a written statement and a plan or plans indicating the objectives in such detail as may be determined by the Local Authority for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area to which it applies, including details of community facilities and amenities and on standards for the design of development and structures. The challenge is to provide a Local Area Plan that will form the basis for a consensus between the Local Authority, the public, landowners, developers and interested parties. This consensus will shape how development should proceed to achieve the objectives for the Corridor, in a manner which is physically, economically and socially sustainable. A further challenge is to provide a document that is sufficiently prescriptive to achieve the objectives while allowing for flexibility to account for economic and social changes that may occur over the plan period. It must also facilitate the generation of a built environment which is attractive and distinctive and which creates a sense of place for those who visit, live and work there. 1.2.2 Dunboyne/Clonee/Pace Local Area Plan This Local Area Plan is a statutory document which contains guidelines as to how the Dunboyne/Clonee/Pace Corridor should develop over the Plan period and is consistent with the objectives of Meath County Council. The ultimate urban form of the area will be guided by National and Regional guidance in accordance with best planning practice and sustainable development. The written statement contains analysis of statistics, projections and policy objectives. The Local Area Plan maps illustrate graphically the proposals included in the Plan, indicating land-use designations and specific objectives. The base maps upon which the Local Area Plan maps are based may not always be entirely up to date or accurate. Accordingly, where there is conflict between the written statement and the maps, the written statement shall prevail. The Meath County Development Plan 2007-2013 provides the primary policy context for this Local Area Plan. The County Development Plan sets out the vision, policy framework and specific objectives for the future development of the County for a period of six years. The policies and objectives of this Local Area Plan are consistent with those of the County Development Plan. The County Development Plan is the principal document and takes precedent over the Local Area Plan in the event of conflict arising between the two. Page 7 Dunboyne/Clonee/Pace Local Area Plan 2009-2015 Section 1: Introduction Together with Ashbourne and Dunshaughlin the Dunboyne/Clonee/Pace Corridor is designated as part of a ‘Primary Dynamic Cluster’ in the Regional Planning Guidelines for the Greater Dublin Area.