TRIM DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2014 -2020 Volume 1 Written Statement Consolidated Version incorporating Variation No. 1 Table of Contents Trim Development Plan 2014-2020 Volume 1 Written Statement Pg. no. 1 Introduction to the Trim Development Plan 2014-2020 . 1 1.1 Introduction............................................................................. 1 1.2 Statutory Context ..................................................................... 1 1.3 Format of the draft Development Plan ....................................... 1 1.4 The Purpose of the Plan ........................................................... 1 1.5 Meath County Council Corporate Plan ........................................ 2 1.6 Government Guidelines ............................................................ 3 1.7 Core Strategy .......................................................................... 3 1.8 Housing Strategy ..................................................................... 3 1.9 Conservation and Protection of the Environment ........................ 3 1.10 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment ............................................... 3 1.11 Strategic Environmental Assessment (S.E.A) .............................. 4 1.12 Habitats Directive Assessment/Appropriate Assessment (A.A) ..... 4 1.13 Public Consultation ................................................................... 4 1.14 Status of the Draft Plan ............................................................ 4 1.15 Monitoring, Review and Implementation .................................... 4 2 Strategic Context and Core Strategy ................................ 5 2.1 Introduction............................................................................. 5 2.2 Strategic Context ..................................................................... 6 2.2.1 National Planning Framework & National Development Plan 2018-2027 6 2.2.2 Retail Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area. .............................. 7 2.2.3 Eastern River Basin Management Plan ....................................... 7 2.2.4 National Climate Change Strategy ............................................. 7 2.2.5 Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas .................. 8 2.2.6 The Planning System and Flood Risk Management ..................... 8 2.2.7 Regional Spatial Economic Strategy ........................................... 8 2.2.8 Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 .............................. 8 2.2.9 Economic Development Strategy ............................................... 9 2.2.10 Action Plan for Jobs - Mid East Region ....................................... 9 2.3 Core Strategy .......................................................................... 10 2.3.1 Development Strategy .............................................................. 12 2.3.2 Population and Housing ............................................................ 14 2.3.3 Meath County Development Plan Core Strategy ......................... 15 2.3.4 Housing and Land Supply ......................................................... 15 2.3.5 Evaluation of Housing Zoned Lands ........................................... 15 2.3.6 Prioritising Lands for Residential Use ......................................... 18 2.3.7 Local Area Plans & Framework Plans ......................................... 18 2.3.7.1 Master Plans ............................................................................ 18 2.3.8 Retail Development .................................................................. 19 2.3.9 Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness ... 20 2.4 Development Management ....................................................... 22 2.4.1 Introduction............................................................................. 22 2.4.2 Ministerial Guidance ................................................................. 23 2.4.3 Development Management Standards ....................................... 23 2.4.4 Land Use Zoning Objectives ...................................................... 23 2.4.5 Zoning Strategy ....................................................................... 23 2.4.6 Land Use Objectives ................................................................. 24 2.4.7 Permissible and Non Permissible Uses ....................................... 25 3 Economy & Employment ................................................... 32 3.1 Introduction............................................................................. 32 3.2 Trim Development Plan in context ............................................. 33 i Table of Contents Trim Development Plan 2014-2020 3.2.1 Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 .............................. 33 3.3 Employment in Trim ................................................................. 34 3.3.1 Employment Lands ................................................................... 36 3.4 Retail - Introduction and Strategic Context of Trim..................... 40 3.4.1 The County Retail Strategy 2012 ............................................... 40 3.4.1.1 Core Retail Area ....................................................................... 40 3.4.1.2 Retail Opportunity Sites ……………………………………………………….. 41 3.4.1.3 Floorspace Capacity …………………………………………………………….. 41 3.4.1.4 Health Check Assessment Conclusions ...................................... 43 3.4.1.5 Diversity of Uses …………………………………………………………………. 44 3.4.1.6 Revitalisation of Vacant and Derelict Properties/Shop Units........ 44 3.4.1.7 After Hours Activity………………………………………………………………. 44 3.5 Fast Food Outlets/ Takeaways ………………………………………………. 44 3.6 Derelict and Obsolete Land and Buildings……………………………….. 45 3.7 Prevention of Major Accidents……………………………………………….. 45 4 Heritage, Tourism and Green Infrastructure .................... 47 4.1 Introduction............................................................................. 47 4.2 The Natural Environment – Our Green Infrastructure ................. 47 4.3 European Sites (Natura 2000) ................................................... 48 4.4 Tree Protection ........................................................................ 50 4.5 Green Infrastructure ................................................................ 51 4.5.1 Analysis of Green Infrastructure in Trim................................... 52 4.5.2 Green Infrastructure Strategy for Trim..................................... 52 4.6 Archaeological Heritage ............................................................ 54 4.7 Town Walls............................................................................. 55 4.7.1 Ministerial Consent.................................................................. 56 4.8 Architectural Heritage.............................................................. 56 4.9 Trim Architectural Conservation Areas ....................................... 56 4.9.1 Implications of an Architectural Conservation Area for the Public 57 4.10 Protected Structures................................................................. 57 4.10.1 Implications of Protected Structure Designation for the Public .... 58 4.11 Views and Prospects ................................................................ 58 4.12 Tourism ................................................................................... 59 4.12.1 Existing tourism infrastructure in Trim ....................................... 59 4.12.2 Tourism Policy Context ............................................................. 60 4.12.3 Boyne Valley Tourism Strategy 2016-2020 ................................ 60 4.12.4 Tourism Strategy ..................................................................... 60 5 Housing .................................................................................... 62 5.1 Introduction............................................................................. 62 5.1.1 Housing Function ..................................................................... 62 5.1.2 Trim in Context ........................................................................ 62 5.1.3 Strategy .................................................................................. 62 5.1.4 Future Population Growth and Availability of Land ...................... 63 5.1.5 Supply of Residential Land ........................................................ 63 5.2 Housing Strategy ..................................................................... 63 5.2.1 Planning Permissions & Part V of the Planning and Development Acts 64 5.2.2 Methods of Providing Affordable/Social Housing ......................... 64 5.2.3 Housing needs of persons with specific requirements ................. 65 5.2.3.1 Traveller Accommodation ......................................................... 65 5.2.3.2 Older People ............................................................................ 66 5.2.3.3 Persons with disabilities........................................................... 66 5.3 Design of Residential Development ........................................... 66 ii Table of Contents Trim Development Plan 2014-2020 6 Design and Public Realm ......................................................... 69 6.1 Built Form ............................................................................... 69 6.2 Urban Design and the Public Realm ........................................... 69 6.3 New Public Spaces ................................................................... 71 6.4 Improving Public Spaces ..........................................................