Ratoath LOCAL AREA PLAN 2009 - 2015 Adopted 24th July 2009 Ratoath Local Area Plan CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION 1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Scope of the Local Area Plan ............................................................................................... 1 1.3 Ratoath Local Area Plan........................................................................................................ 1 1.4 Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment.............................. 2 1.5 Contents................................................................................................................................... 2 1.6 Pre Draft Public Consultation.............................................................................................. 3 1.7 Draft Local Area Plan Public Consultation........................................................................ 3 1.8 Public Consultation Amendments to Draft Local Area Plan.......................................... 3 CHAPTER 2: RATOATH IN CONTEXT 2.1 Location and Physical Context............................................................................................. 4 2.2 Historical Context .................................................................................................................. 4 2.3 Present Day Context.............................................................................................................. 4 2.4 Urban Form............................................................................................................................. 5 2.5 Population Context ............................................................................................................... 5 2.6 SWOT Analysis....................................................................................................................... 7 2.7 Vision ....................................................................................................................................... 7 CHAPTER 3: SETTLEMENT STRATEGY AND HOUSING 3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 9 3.2 Settlement Policy .................................................................................................................... 9 3.3 Settlement Strategy...............................................................................................................10 3.4 Land Use Zoning Objectives..............................................................................................12 3.4.1 Development Management Standards and Guidelines ..................................................13 3.4.2 Framework Plans..................................................................................................................13 3.5 Housing..................................................................................................................................14 3.5.1 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................14 3.5.2 Residential Development – Key Principles......................................................................14 3.5.3 Housing Strategy...................................................................................................................15 3.5.4 Extensions .............................................................................................................................16 3.5.5 Family Flat Extensions ........................................................................................................16 CHAPTER 4: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 4.1 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................19 4.2 Employment Context ..........................................................................................................19 4.3 Economic Development.....................................................................................................20 4.4 Tourism..................................................................................................................................23 4.5 Retail and Commercial Development...............................................................................25 4.5.1 Retail Warehousing..............................................................................................................26 4.5.2 Petrol Filling Stations...........................................................................................................27 4.5.3 Fast Food Outlets/Takeaways ...........................................................................................27 4.5.4 Non Retail Uses....................................................................................................................28 4.5.5 Shopfronts and Advertising................................................................................................28 4.5 Derelict and Obsolete Land and Buildings ......................................................................29 CHAPTER 5: BUILT & NATURAL HERITAGE 5.1 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................30 5.2 Built Heritage: Architectural Conservation Areas, Protected Structures.....................30 5.3 Protected Views and Prospects..........................................................................................31 5.4 Natural Heritage ...................................................................................................................31 5.5 Archaeological Heritage ......................................................................................................31 5.5.1 Recorded Monuments .........................................................................................................31 i Ratoath Local Area Plan CHAPTER 6: SOCIAL STRATEGY 6.1 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................34 6.2 Educational Facilities ...........................................................................................................34 6.3 Childcare Facilities................................................................................................................35 6.4 Healthcare Facilities .............................................................................................................37 6.5 Recreational, Sport and Leisure Facilities.........................................................................37 6.6 Open Space...........................................................................................................................39 6.6.1 Open Space Standards in Residential Areas.....................................................................39 6.7 Library Facilities....................................................................................................................41 6.8 Arts and Culture ...................................................................................................................41 6.9 Burial Grounds .....................................................................................................................42 CHAPTER 7: INFRASTRUCTURE 7.1 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................43 7.2 Transport ...............................................................................................................................43 7.2.1 Regional Roads.....................................................................................................................43 7.2.2 Distributor and Local Roads ..............................................................................................44 7.2.3 New Road Schemes and Proposed Works.......................................................................44 7.2.4 Pedestrians and Cyclists.......................................................................................................46 7.2.5 Public Transport...................................................................................................................47 7.2.6 Parking and Loading ............................................................................................................48 7.3 Street Furniture and Lighting .............................................................................................49 7.4 Keeping the Streets Clean...................................................................................................49 7.5 Water Supply .........................................................................................................................49 7.6 Sewerage Treatment and Disposal.....................................................................................50 7.7 Surface Water Management................................................................................................51 7.8 Flooding.................................................................................................................................51 7.9 Telecommunications............................................................................................................52 7.10 Broadband .............................................................................................................................53