Dundalk And Environs Development Plan 2009 - 2015 Feel the Energy Contents Chapter 1: Introduction Page 1.1 Introduction 1 1.1.1 Plan Title 1 1.1.2 Plan Area 1 1.2 Context and Legislation 2 1.2.1 Format 3 1.2.2 Stages of the plan making process 3 1.2.3 Strategic Environmental Assessment 4 1.2.4 Monitoring, Review and Implementation 4 1.2.5 Strategic Infrastructure Act 4 1.2.6 Legal Status 4 1.3 National and Regional Context 5 1.3.1 European Plans and Programme 6 1.3.2 National and Regional Level 6 1.3.3 Other Relevant Guidance at National Level 7 1.3.4 Local Level 8 1.3.5 Other relevant Local Plans and Strategies 9 1.4 Social Inclusion 10 1.4.1 The National Anti- Poverty Strategy (2007-2016) 10 1.4.2 Ageing Friendly Society 10 1.4.3 RAPID scheme 11 1.4.4 Planning for Social Inclusion 11 1.5 Dundalk Profile 12 1.6 Population 13 1.7 Age Profile 14 1.7.1 Spatial Trends 15 1.8 Vision for Dundalk 17 1.9 Strategic Objectives 17 Chapter 2: Development Strategy 2.1 Introduction 19 2.2 Spatial Strategy 19 2.3 Connectivity and Integration within the Plan Area 21 2.4 Land Use Zoning 21 2.5 Zoning Matrix 25 Chapter 3: Economic Development, Retail and Tourism 3.1 Introduction 27 3.1.1 Regional Context 27 3.2 Economic Development Strategy 29 3.2.1 ‘Dundalk Well Connected for Investments’ 30 3.2.2 Development Priorities 31 3.2.3 Economic Corridor 32 3.2.4 Castletown River and Port 33 3.2.5 Mullagharlin Framework Plan 34 3.2.6 Economic Clusters 35 3.2.7 Key Opportunities Sites 37 3.2.8 Home-Based Economic Activities 38 3.2.9 Dundalk institute of Technology (DKIT) 39 3.2.10 Branding and Marketing of Dundalk 40 3.2.11 Development Management Guidelines 40 3.3 Retail 41 3.3.1 Louth Retail Strategy 41 3.3.2 Retail Policies for Dundalk 41 3.3.3 Dundalk Retail Core Area 42 3.3.4 Retail Hierarchy 43 3.3.5 Retail Warehousing and Retail Marks 46 3.3.6 Dundalk as a Regional Shopping Destinations 47 3.4 Tourism 48 3.4.1 Tourism Objectives 48 3.4.2 Regional Tourism Policy 49 3.4.3 Louth Tourism Action Plan 49 3.4.4 Co-operation with other bodies 49 3.4.5 Oriel 2012 50 3.4.6 Heritage Tourism 50 3.4.7 Archaeological and Built Environment 50 3.4.8 Dundalk Bay 51 3.4.9 Arts and Centre 51 3.4.10 Activity Based Tourism 51 3.4.11 Business Tourism 52 3.4.12 Flagship Projects 52 3.4.13 Tourism Related Signage 53 3.4.14 Tourist Accommodation 53 Chapter 4: Town Centre 4.1 Introduction 55 4.1.1 Town Centre Boundary 56 4.2 Dundalk Urban Design Framework 56 4.2.1 Town Centre Objectives 57 4.2.2 Character Areas 57 4.3 Town Centre Zoning 60 4.4 Town Centre Development 63 4.4.1 Key Opportunity Sites 63 4.4.2 Design 64 4.4.3 Connectivity in and around Town 65 4.4.4 Accessibility 65 4.4.5 Landmark Sites 66 4.4.6 Town Centre Development 67 4.4.7 Business Improvement District 67 Chapter 5: Transportation 5.1 Introduction 69 5.1.1 Objectives 69 5.1.2 Transport 21 70 5.1.3 A Sustainable Transport Future – A New Transport Policy for Ireland 2009-2020 71 5.1.4 The National Cycle Policy Framework 71 5.2 Land Use and Transportation 72 5.2.1 Dundalk Town Centre Transportation Study 73 5.2.2 Green Routes 75 5.2.3 Mobility Management 75 5.2.4 Town Centre Accessibility and Mobility 76 5.3 Public Transport 76 5.3.1 Bus 77 5.3.2 Infrastructure 78 5.3.3 Rail 78 5.3.4 Integrated Public Transport Facilities 78 5.3.5 Park and Ride 79 5.4 Roads Network 80 5.4.1 Western Infrastructure 80 5.5 Pedestrians and Cyclists 81 5.5.1 Cycle path & Footpath Network 82 5.5.2 Safe Routes to School 83 5.5.3 Cycle Parking 84 5.6 Car Parking 85 5.6.1 Car Parking Facilities 85 5.6.2 Short – Stay parking 86 5.6.3 Long - Stay Parking 86 5.6.4 Urban Traffic Management Control 87 5.6.5 Car Parking Requirements 87 5.6.6 Change of Use 88 5.6.7 Disabled Parking 88 Chapter 6: Housing and Community Facilities 6.1 Introduction 91 6.2 The Louth Housing Strategy 2009 91 6.2.1 Residential Zoning 92 6.2.2 Social and Affordable Housing 93 6.2.3 Housing Mix 94 6.2.4 Specialised Housing 95 6.3 Social Housing 95 6.3.1 Housing Programme 95 6.3.2 Affordable Housing Scheme 96 6.3.3 Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) 96 6.3.4 Social Housing Investment Programme 2009 96 6.3.5 Voluntary Housing and Co-Operation Sector 96 6.3.6 Travellers 96 6.4 Regeneration of Residential Areas 97 6.4.1 Coxes and Muirhevnamor RAPID Areas 97 6.4.2 Coxes and Muirhevnamor Regeneration Areas 98 6.5 Sustainable Residential Development 99 6.5.1 Sustainable Neighbourhoods 99 6.5.2 Master Plans 101 6.5.3 Checklist for the Preparations of Master Plans 102 6.5.4 Homezone Principals 102 6.5.5 Energy Performance of Dwellings 103 6.6 Design Guidelines 104 6.6.1 Layout 104 6.6.2 Security / Defensible Space 105 6.6.3 Flexibility 105 6.6.4 Access for all 105 6.6.5 Lifetime Housing 105 6.6.6 Building Lines 105 6.6.7 Infill / Backland Development 106 6.6.8 Extension to Residential Properties 107 6.6.9 Accommodation for Older People and Dependent Relatives 107 6.6.10 Bus Routes and Stops 108 6.6.11 Pedestrian and Cycle Routes 108 6.6.12 School Transport 109 6.7 Residential Development Standards 109 6.7.1 Density 109 6.7.2 Private Amenity Space 109 6.7.3 Public Open Space 110 6.7.4 Car – Parking 112 6.7.5 Privacy and Spacing between buildings 113 6.7.6 Internal Space Requirements 113 6.7.7 Waste Storage 114 6.7.8 Naming of Estates 114 6.7.9 Estate Management 114 6.7.10 Taking in Charge of Housing Estates 115 6.7.11 Conversion of Dwellings to Apartments 115 6.7.12 Utility Services 115 6.7.13 Boundary Walls 116 6.8 Community Facilities 116 6.8.1 Schools and Education 117 6.8.2 Dundalk Institute of Technology 118 6.8.3 Childcare Facilities 119 6.8.4 Nursing Homes 120 6.8.5 Primary Health Facilities 121 6.8.6 Community Buildings and Sports Facilities 121 6.8.7 Disabled Persons 121 6.8.8 The Library Service 122 Chapter 7: Recreation and Amenity 7.1 Introduction 123 7.1.1 Objectives 123 7.1.2 Local Authorities Sports and Recreation Strategy and Play Strategy 124 7.1.3 Public Parks 124 7.1.4 Private Sports and Recreation Facilities 126 7.1.5 Ecological Corridors 127 7.1.6 Castletown River and Coastlines 127 7.1.7 Strategic Recreation Area 128 Chapter 8: Conservation & Heritage 8.1 Introduction 129 8.2 Natural Heritage and Biodiversity 130 8.2.1 Heritage 130 8.2.2 Biodiversity 130 8.2.3 Dundalk Bay 131 8.2.4 Landscape 133 8.2.5 Strategic Views 133 8.2.6 Tree Preservation Order 134 8.2.7 Scenic Routes 135 8.3 Archaeology 136 8.4 Conservation of Built Heritage 138 8.4.1 Protected Structure 139 8.4.2 Architectural Conservation Areas 140 Chapter 9: Telecommunications & Energy 9.1 Introduction 141 9.2 Telecommunications 141 9.2.1 Broadband 142 9.2.2 Open Access Ducting 142 9.2.3 Land Based Telephony 142 9.2.4 Mobile Telephony 142 9.2.5 Obsolete Telecommunications Structures 143 9.2.6 Development Management Assessment Criteria (Telecommunication Structures) 143 9.3 Energy 144 9.3.1 Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) 144 9.3.2 Dundalk 2020 Holistic Project 145 9.3.3 Eco-neighbourhood 147 9.3.4 Natural Gas Supply Network 148 9.3.5 Renewable Energy 148 9.3.6 Electricity Infrastructure 149 9.4 Guidelines for Sustainable Design and Energy Efficient in Buildings 149 Chapter 10: Water Services and Environment 10.1 Introduction 155 10.2 Regulatory Context 155 10.2.1 The Water Services Act 2007 155 10.2.2 The Drinking Water Regulations 2007 156 10.2.3 The Wastewater Discharge Regulations 2007 156 10.2.4 Nitrates, Habitats, Urban Wastewater and Shellfish Directives 156 10.2.5 Assessment of Needs 2007 – 2014 156 10.3 Water Supply 157 10.3.1 Water Conservation 159 10.4 Surface Water Drainage and Flooding 160 10.4.1 Surface Water Drainage 160 10.4.2 Flooding 161 10.4.3 Sequential Approach to Flood Risk 161 10.4.4 Foul Drainage 162 10.5 Environment 164 10.5.1 European, National and Regional Policy 165 10.5.2 Environmental Noise 165 10.5.3 Noise Action Plan 2008 166 10.6 Water Quality 166 10.6.1 Water Framework Directive 166 10.6.2 River Basin Management Planning Guidance for Public Authorities 166 10.6.3 Waste Management Plan for the North East 2005 – 2010 167 10.6.4 Derelict Sites 167 10.6.5 Litter Prevention and Control 168 10.6.6 Contaminated Lands 168 Chapter 11: Implementation and Monitoring 11.1 Introduction 169 11.2 Framework Plans 169 11.3 Public Funding 169 11.3.1 Section 48 Contributions Scheme 170 11.3.2 Section 49 Contributions Scheme 170 11.4 Private Funding 170 11.4.1 Private Sector 170 11.4.1 Public Private Partnerships 170 11.5 Bonds 171 11.6 Phasing 171 11.7 Enforcement 172 11.8 Monitoring and Review 172 Appendices Appendix 1 Principles of an Age Friendly Society 175 Appendix 2 Urban Design Guidance 179 Appendix 3 Signage Policy 195 Appendix 4 Internal Room Standards 199 Appendix 5 Taking in charge of estates 203 Appendix 6 Tree Survey of Dundalk 207 Appendix 7 Architectural Conservation Areas 221 Appendix 8 List of all bodies notified of the review of the Dundalk And Environs Development Plan 239 List of Tables Page 1.1 Dundalk and Environs Population Projections without NSS Effect 13 1.2 Dundalk and Environs Population Projections with NSS Effect 13 1.3 Population Scenarios for Dundalk and Environs Plan Area 14 1.4 Age Profile at State, County and Local Level 14 1.5 Population change within the Plan Area 16 2.1 Development Area Objectives 19 2.2 Zonings for 2009 - 2015 22 2.3 Land use Zoning Objectives 23 2.4 Zoning Uses 25 3.1 Economic Strengths of Dundalk and Environs Area 31 3.2 Retail Hierarchy for Dundalk and Environs Development Plan 44 4.1 Priority Objectives and Actions for Dundalk Town Centre 57 4.2 Town Centre Zoning and Zoning Objectives 60 5.1 Green Routes 75 5.2