Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 Consolidated version Volume 1 Written Statement Table of Contents VOLUME 1 WRITTEN STATEMENT Manager’s Forward Page Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1 Introduction 1 1.2 Background to County Development Plan 2 1.2.1 Legislative Framework 2 1.2.2 The Review Process 2 1.2.3 Format of the Meath County Meath Development Plan 2013-2019 3 1.3 Strategic Environmental Assessment 3 1.4 Appropriate Assessment 3 1.5 Planning Policy Context 4 1.6 Environmental Considerations 6 1.7 Myplan.ie 6 Chapter 2 Core Strategy 2.1 Introduction 7 2.2 Strategic Planning Approach 7 2.3 Sustainable Communities 9 2.3.1 Settlement Hierarchy 9 2.3.2 Future Population Growth 10 2.3.3 Residential Zoned Land Provision 16 2.3.4 Extant Planning Permissions 17 2.4 Sustainable Economy 18 2.4.1 Spatial Economic Strategy 19 2.4.2 Retail 19 2.5 Sustainable Heritage 22 2.6 Infrastructure and Supporting Services 23 2.7 Rural Areas 24 2.8 Core Strategy Map 26 2.9 Land Use Zoning Objectives 26 2.9.1 Introduction 26 2.9.2 Challenges 27 2.9.3 Zoning Strategy 27 2.9.4 Land Use Zoning Objectives 28 2.9.5 Permissible and Non Permissible Uses 30 2.9.6 Primary Land Use Zoning Categories 31 2.9.7 Local Zoning Objectives 38 Chapter 3 Settlement Strategy & Housing 3.1 Introduction 39 3.2 Background 39 3.3 National and Regional Policy 41 3.4 County Meath Settlement Strategy 42 3.4.1 Large Growth Towns 44 3.4.2 Large Growth Town I – Navan and Drogheda Environs 44 3.4.3 Large Growth Town II – Dunboyne and Maynooth Environs 45 3.4.4 Moderate Sustainable Growth Towns – Kells, Trim, Ashbourne, 46 Kilcock Environs and Dunshaughlin 3.4.5 Small Towns - Athboy, Bettystown/Laytown/Mornington East, 47 Duleek, Enfield, Oldcastle, Ratoath, Stamullen 3.4.6 Villages – Ballivor, Carlanstown, Carnaross, Clonee, Clonard, 49 Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 i Table of Contents Crossakiel, Donore, Drumconrath, Gibbstown, Gormonston, Julianstown, Kentstown, Kilbride, Kildalkey, Kilmainhamwood, Kilmessan, Longwood, Mornington/ Donacarney, Moynalty, Nobber, Rathcairn, Rathmolyon, Slane, Summerhill 3.5 The Settlement Hierarchy and Future Population Growth in Meath 50 3.6 Housing 51 3.6.1 Introduction 51 3.6.2 Housing Strategy Vision and Aim 51 3.6.3 Housing Affordability 51 3.6.4 Planning Permissions & Part V of the Planning & Development Acts, 52 2000-2011 3.6.5 Methods of Providing Affordable/Social Housing 52 3.6.6 Design of Residential Development 53 Chapter 4 Economic Development Strategy 4.1 Economic Development Strategy 56 4.1.1 Navan Core Economic Area which includes Navan as a Primary Economic Growth Town and including the Secondary Economic Growth 60 Town of Kells and the town of Trim. 4.1.2 Drogheda 60 4.1.3 Maynooth / Leixlip Economic Area 61 4.1.4 Ashbourne / Dunboyne 61 4.1.5 M1 Dublin - Belfast Economic Corridor & Provision of Deepwater 62 Port Facility at East Meath 4.2 Quantum of Available Zoned Employment Generating Land 63 4.3 Employment Sectors 64 4.4 Rural Areas 67 4.4.1 Rural Enterprise 67 4.4.2 Bio-Fuels and Renewable Energy 68 4.5 Retail 69 4.5.1 Background to Retail Strategy 69 4.5.2 Survey & Analysis – Key Findings 70 4.5.3 Confirmation of Retail Hierarchy 71 4.5.4 Identification of Core Retail Areas and Opportunity Sites 72 4.5.5 Sequential Approach 72 4.5.6 The Requirement for Additional Retail Floorspace 73 4.5.7 Strategic Guidance on the Distribution of Retail Floorspace 73 4.5.8 Criteria for the Assessment of Retail Developments 75 4.5.9 Design Quality 75 4.6 Tourism 76 4.6.1 Existing Resources 76 4.6.2 National Tourism Development Strategy 2010-2012 77 4.6.3 Louth and Meath – Tourism Development Study 2010 77 4.6.4 Past Now Future - Meath Tourism Strategic Review 2005 – 2010 78 and Strategic Plan 2011-2013 4.6.5 Rural Tourism and the LEADER Programme 79 4.6.6 Integrated Rural Tourism Complexes 79 4.6.7 Tourist Infrastructure 79 4.6.8 Walking and Cycling Routes 81 4.7 Prevention of Major Accidents 83 Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 ii Table of Contents Chapter 5 Social Strategy 5.1 Introduction 85 5.2 Statutory Context 85 5.3 Policy Context 85 5.4 Achievements 85 5.5 Challenges 86 5.6 Community Infrastructure in Co. Meath 86 5.6.1 Social Inclusion 87 5.6.2 Meath County Development Board 88 5.6.3 Groups with Specific Design/Planning Needs 88 5.6.4 Community Participation 88 5.6.5 RAPID Programme 88 5.6.6 Age Friendly Strategy 89 5.6.7 Comhairle na nÓg 89 5.7 Education Facilities 90 5.7.1 Primary and Post Primary Sectors 91 5.7.1.1 Additional Primary and Post Primary Educational Requirements 91 5.7.2 Third Level Education 91 5.7.3 Adult & Further Education 92 5.7.4 Role of Meath County Council 92 5.8 Childcare Facilities 93 5.9 Healthcare Facilities 95 5.9.1 Regional Hospital 95 5.9.2 Role of Meath County Council 96 5.10 Sporting and Leisure Facilities/Recreation/Open Space 97 5.10.1 Existing Sport and Leisure Infrastructure in County Meath 98 5.10.2 Public Open Space 99 5.11 Libraries 100 5.12 Burial Grounds/Grave Yards/ Cemeteries 101 5.13 Fire Service 102 5.14 Arts and Cultural Facilities 103 5.15 Public Art 104 Chapter 6 Transport 6.1 Background 106 6.2 Statutory Context 106 6.3 Policy Context 107 6.4 Achievements 107 6.5 Challenges 108 6.6 Integration of Land Use and Transportation Planning 108 6.7 Transport Plans 108 6.7.1 Dublin Airport 110 6.8 Public Transport 111 6.8.1 Rail 111 6.8.2 Bus 112 6.8.3 Park and Ride Facilities 113 6.8.4 Taxi and hackney services 114 6.9 Walking and Cycling 115 6.10 Road Infrastructure 118 6.10.1 National Roads 118 Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 iii Table of Contents 6.10.2 Regional and Local Roads 120 6.10.3 Demand Management 120 6.10.4 Freight 120 6.10.5 Development at Motorway Junctions 124 6.10.6 Development at National Road Junctions 124 6.10.7 Access to National Roads in Exceptional Circumstances 125 6.10.8 Developments of National and Regional Strategic Importance 126 Chapter 7 Water, Drainage and Environmental Services 7.1 Background 128 7.2 Statutory Context 128 7.3 Policy Context 128 7.4 National Context 129 7.5 Regional Context 129 7.6 Local Context 129 7.6.1 Capital Schemes 129 7.6.2 The Rural Water Programme 129 7.6.3 Water Conservation 130 7.6.4 Water Monitoring 130 7.7 Progress 130 7.8 Challenges 131 7.9 Water Services Assessment of Needs 132 7.10 Water Supply 133 7.11 Foul Drainage and Wastewater Treatment 133 7.11.1 Greater Dublin Strategic Drainage Study (GDSDS) 133 7.12 Prioritising of Water and Wastewater Investment 134 7.13 Interim and Permanent Water Services Arrangements 135 7.14 Water Quality 138 7.14.1 Water Framework Directive 138 7.14.2 Surface Waters 139 7.14.2.1 Rivers 139 7.14.2.2 Lakes 140 7.14.2.3 Coastal Waters 140 7.14.3 Groundwater 140 7.15 Flood Risk Management 141 7.16 Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems 144 7.17 Waste Management 145 7.17.1 Regional Waste Management Plan 145 7.17.2 Waste Infrastructure 146 7.17.3 Litter Management Plan 146 7.18 Pollution Control 149 7.18.1 Air 149 7.18.2 Noise 149 Chapter 8 Energy and Communications 8.1 Energy 151 8.1.1 Introduction 151 8.1.2 Electricity and Gas Networks: Achievements and Opportunities 151 8.1.3 Renewable Energy 152 8.1.4 Energy Efficiency and Management: Meath County Council 153 8.1.5 Wind Energy Development 153 8.1.6 Hydro Energy 154 8.1.7 Geothermal energy 154 8.1.8 Bioenergy 154 8.1.9 Energy from Waste 154 8.1.10 Energy Efficiency & Energy Performance for Buildings Directive 155 8.2 Communications Technology 161 Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 iv Table of Contents 8.2.1 Introduction 161 8.2.2 Broadband Infrastructure in County Meath 161 8.2.3 Telecommunications Antennae 162 Chapter 9 Cultural and Natural Assets 9.1 Introduction 165 9.2 Statutory Context 165 9.3 Policy Context 165 9.4 Achievements 165 9.5 Challenges 166 9.6 Cultural Heritage 167 9.6.1 Introduction 167 9.6.2 UNESCO World Heritage Site of Brú na Bóinne 167 9.6.3 UNESCO World Heritage Status 168 9.6.4 Sustaining the Outstanding Universal Value 169 9.6.5 UNESCO World Heritage Site of Brú na Bóinne Management Plan 169 9.6.6 UNESCO World Heritage Site of Brú na Bóinne Research Framework 169 9.6.7 Development in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Brú na Bóinne 170 9.6.8 World Heritage Tentative List 172 9.6.9 Archaeological Heritage 173 9.6.10 Architectural Heritage – Record of Protected Structures 174 9.6.11 Industrial Heritage 176 9.6.12 Architectural Conservation Areas 177 9.6.13 Designed Landscapes, Historic Parks, Gardens and Demesnes 178 9.6.14 Vernacular Heritage 179 9.6.15 Architecture - New Buildings 179 9.6.16 Village Design Statements 180 9.7 Natural Heritage 180 9.7.1 Introduction 180 9.7.2 Protecting biodiversity in Meath – Sites Designated for Nature 181 Conservation 9.7.2.1 European Sites (Natura 2000) 181 9.7.2.2 Natural Heritage Areas 182 9.7.3 Green Infrastructure 182 9.7.3.1 Green Infrastructure Strategy for County Meath 183 9.7.4 Protected Species 184 9.7.5 Invasive Species 184 9.7.6 Peatlands 185 9.7.7 Geological Heritage 185 9.7.8 Woodlands, Hedgerows and Trees 185 9.7.9 Public Rights of Way 187 9.7.10 Inland Waterways and Wetlands 188 9.7.11 The Coast 188 9.7.12 Coastal Zone Management 189 9.8 Landscape 189 9.8.1 The European Landscape Convention – 189 9.8.2 Proposed National Landscape Strategy 189 9.8.3 Landscape Character Assessment 190 9.8.4 Landscape Character Types and Areas 190 9.8.5 Landscape Character Sensitivity 191 9.8.6 Landscape Capacity 191 9.9 Historic Landscape Characterisation 192 9.10 Views and Prospects 192 9.11 Landscape Conservation Area(s) 192 Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019