3 Settlement and Housing Strategy 38 DRAFT LIMERICK DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-2028 3.1 Introduction This chapter sets out the policies The concept of developing a 10 minute and objectives aimed at providing for city/town with a series of neighbourhoods sustainable population growth for Limerick, and vibrant towns and villages, which are in accordance with the Core Strategy, compact, that can support a range of jobs, whilst achieving a balance between services and housing choice, not only social, economic and environmental provide the basis of strong economies and factors. Underpinned by national and communities, but also support a greater regional planning policy, the Housing range of sustainable modes of transport, Strategy, including Housing Need Demand both within and between settlements. The Assessment and Settlement Strategy development of a network of settlements encourages new developments to locate that work together to the benefit of within Limerick City, existing towns and Limerick and all its inhabitants, including villages, where social and infrastructural those in rural areas can only occur in a services are in place, to support planned way. The main tool of achieving development and where services may be this, is a robust Settlement Strategy. A provided or developed in the future. Settlement Strategy is the enabler of growth and sets out the overall approach Place-making, compact growth, active land to development over the lifetime of the management, as well as addressing the Draft Plan, in line with national and regional impact of climate change, are some of the policy guidance. key themes to be considered in terms of the growth strategy for Limerick. There is In order to deliver the ambition set out also the key objective, which is to create in the NPF and the RSES, which is to attractive and liveable environments, where continue to secure economic growth more people will choose to live. In order to and increased productivity in Limerick, deliver compact growth, whilst ensuring a it is essential that there is a clear and high quality of life for residents in Limerick, coherent strategy in place, outlining how it is imperative that the Council protects and where this growth will take place. This and enhances residential amenities, Settlement Strategy seeks to support the through enabling the creation of vibrant, strengthening of Limerick City and Environs, sustainable neighbourhoods. This will be Newcastle West and Kilmallock as Key facilitated through access to good housing Towns and Limerick’s towns and villages. choice, regeneration and revitalisation, The Settlement Strategy seeks to create open space and recreation, a range of attractive living and working environments quality and sustainable transport options that will make Limerick an attractive and appropriate levels of retail, social and location in which to live and work. community infrastructure to support our residential communities. DRAFT 39 Chapter 3: Settlement and Housing Strategy 3.2 National and Regional Policy Context 3.3 Settlement Strategy One of the NPF’s core principles is to 3.3.1 Introduction ‘ensure a high standard quality of life to The Settlement Strategy sets out the future residents as well as environmentally role of each settlement on the hierarchy, and socially sustainable housing and place- settlement size, population distribution making, through integrated planning and and the pace of growth identified for each consistently excellent design’. The RSES settlement, over the lifetime of the Draft growth strategy employs a robust evidence Plan. The Settlement Strategy provides a based approach, to derive a settlement planning framework for the nature and hierarchy, which identifies locations for location of development and population population and employment growth, with growth over the 6 year life span of the Draft matched consistency and alignment with Plan. national and regional policy. Limerick’s framework for growth is therefore guided The aim of the Settlement Strategy is to and directed by both the NPF and the RSES provide a strong network of settlements, infrastructure and service investment, to which can facilitate the balanced growth of satisfy and accommodate future growth Limerick, over the lifetime of the Draft Plan. needs. The Settlement Strategy will guide where new development should appropriately The Settlement Strategy for Limerick take place in Limerick. The development of focuses on the creation of sustainable settlements will be promoted in a planned communities, including increased density and sustainable manner, whilst seeking to and compact growth, in line with national enhance quality of life for all residents. policy, where appropriate and the provision of a wide range of household types and In order to align with the provisions of the tenures for Limerick. NPF and RSES, the Settlement Strategy and overall vision for Limerick, the Council Policy SS P1 will continue to utilise all policy avenues Settlement Strategy available to it to ensure the optimum It is a policy of the Council to: delivery of residential development over a) Align with the provisions of the the lifetime of the Draft Plan, from both the National Planning Framework and public and private sectors. the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Southern Region. b) Accord with the Core Strategy set out in Chapter 2: Core Strategy and the Draft Housing Strategy, including the Housing Needs Demand Assessment for Limerick set out in Volume 6 of DRAFT the Draft Plan. c) Seek to promote the creation of sustainable places and healthy communities, while ensuring that development occurs at an appropriate pace and that infrastructure is delivered in tandem to support this growth. 40 DRAFT LIMERICK DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-2028 3.3.2 Settlement Hierarchy which correlates with the Core Strategy The settlement hierarchy for Limerick, and is underpinned by a Housing Strategy which is set out in Chapter 2: Core Strategy, and Housing Need Demand Assessment consists of different Levels of settlements (HDNA), as required under the National ranging from small rural villages to larger Planning Framework. towns and Limerick City Metropolitan Area at the top of the hierarchy. Chapter Policy SS P2 2: Core Strategy of the plan also includes Development of Limerick in accordance a methodology on how the settlement with the Settlement Hierarchy hierarchy was determined. Each settlement It is a policy of the Council to develop has an important function at a local level Limerick in accordance with the and some at a regional level, in supporting Settlement Strategy and Hierarchy and jobs, providing services and a mix of to require future residential development housing, as well as acting as a focal point to locate at and be of a scale appropriate for community networks and activities. The to, the settlement and growth levels settlement hierarchy for Limerick has been identified in the Core Strategy. developed to take account of the role and function of each settlement, aligned to the new hierarchical format set out in the RSES, Table 3.1: Settlement Hierarchy for Limerick Settlement Hierarchy Settlement Level 1 Limerick City Limerick City and Environs, including Mungret and Annacotty Metropolitan area Level 2 Key Towns Newcastle West, Kilmallock Level 3 Towns Abbeyfeale, Castleconnell, Rathkeale, Caherconlish (> 1400 population) Level 4 Large Villages Adare, Askeaton, Ballingarry, Bruff, Bruree, Cappamore, Croom, Doon, (>500 population) Dromcolliher, Foynes, Glin, Hospital, Kilfinane, Murroe, Pallasgreen,DRAFT Pallaskenry, Patrickswell Level 5 Small Villages Ardagh, Athlacca, Athea, Ballyagran, Ballyhahill, Ballylanders, Ballyneety, Broadford, Carrigkerry, Castlemahon, Clarina, Croagh, Fedamore, Galbally, Herbertstown, New Kildimo, Kilteely, Knocklong, Loghill, Oola, Montpelier, Mountcollins, Nicker, Shanagolden, Templeglantine, Tournafulla Level 6 Rural Clusters Anglesboro, Ardpatrick, Ashford, Ballybrown, Ballyorgan, Ballysteen, Banogue, Caherline, Cappagh, Castletown, Crecora, Dromkeen, Elton, Feenagh, Feohanagh, Glenbrohane, Glenosheen, Glenroe, Granagh, Kilbeheny, Kilcolman, Kilcornan, Kilfinny, Kilmeedy, Knockaderry, Knockainy, Knockdown, Martinstown, Meanus, Monagea, Old Pallas, Raheenagh, Strand Level 7 Open Countryside 41 Chapter 3: Settlement and Housing Strategy 3.3.3 Overall Settlement Strategy Objective SS O4 Objectives Prevention of Urban Sprawl Development will be encouraged to locate It is an objective of the Council to prevent within the built up footprints of Limerick linear roadside frontage development on City Metropolitan Area, towns and villages roads leading out of towns and villages across Limerick, in accordance with Local in order to retain the identity of towns/ Area Plans, settlement boundaries and in villages, to prevent sprawl and to ensure accordance with zoning objectives and the a distinction in character between built Settlement Strategy set out below. up areas and the open countryside. Objective SS O1 Objective SS O5 Compact Growth Monitoring Growth It is an objective of the Council to It is an objective of the Council to strengthen the core of settlements and monitor growth patterns and the pace encourage compact growth, through the of growth within individual settlements development of infill sites, brownfield and apply appropriate management lands, under-utilised land/buildings, measures in ensuring compliance vacant sites and derelict sites, within with the Core Strategy. The additional the existing built-up footprint of the