Title of Report: Officer Presenting: Item 9: Donegal County Council - Senior Planning Officer Consultation on Draft Seven Strategic Towns Local Area Plan 2018-2024 1 Purpose of Report / Recommendations 1.1 The purpose of this Paper is to advise Members of a public consultation recently received from Donegal County Council on the Draft Seven Strategic Towns Local Area Plan (the Draft LAP) 2018- 2024 and associated Environmental Report. The consultation runs from 24th November 2017 to 17th January 2018. 2 Background 2.1 The consultation consists of two documents: Document 1 – The Draft Seven Strategic Towns Local Area Plan 2018-2024; and Document 2 – Environmental Report (SEA & AA). The documents can be viewed at http://www.donegalcoco.ie/services/planning/developmentplansbuiltheritageincludinggrants/ 2.2 The Draft LAP has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2017 (P&D Acts). Sections 18-20 of the P&D Acts provide that a LAP may be prepared in respect of any area which a planning authority considers suitable, in particular for areas which require economic, physical and social renewal and for areas likely to be the subject of large-scale development within the lifetime of the Plan. 2.3 The Draft Seven Strategic Towns Local Area Plan 2018-2024 sets out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of An Clochán Liath (Dungloe), Ballybofey- Stranorlar, Ballyshannon, Bridgend, Carndonagh, Donegal Town and Killybegs. It has been prepared in the context of, and will be consistent with, the Draft County Donegal Development Plan 2018 – 2024 and the Border Regional Authority’s Regional Planning Guidelines (RPGs) 2010-2022. 2.4 The Core Strategy of the County Development Plan (CDP) is required to be consistent with the RPGs and set out a settlement hierarchy for County Donegal along with population and housing targets for all towns, villages and the open countryside. Local Area Plans are required to be consistent with the Core Strategy of the County Development Plan. The seven named towns have been identified as Layer 2 ‘Strategic Towns’ in the Draft CDP due to their ’Special Economic Function’. The Draft CDP notes that towns with a special economic function play a critical role in driving growth and development in the County. 2.5 The Draft CDP sets out an ambitious vision for the future growth and development of the County over the 6 year life of the Plan (to 2024) and beyond to a 20 year timeframe (2038). It identifies the potential for the County to reach upwards of 200,000 people by 2038 over a two phase approach to the development of the County. The Draft LAP comprises these seven Layer 2 Strategic Towns. - An Clochán Liath (Dungloe), Ballybofey-Stranorlar, Ballyshannon, Carndonagh, Donegal Town and Killybegs (identified as 2A towns) and Bridgend (identified as a 2B town). 2.6 The preparation of the Draft LAP has been informed by the preparation of a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in accordance with the Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations 2004. The Environmental Report which accompanies the Draft LAP includes a description of the current environment (baseline) of the seven towns along with an assessment of the effects of implementing the policies and objectives of the Draft LAP, necessary changes and considerations and mitigation and monitoring proposals going forward. 2.7 An Appropriate Assessment of the Draft LAP was carried out pursuant to Article 6 of the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), and the EU (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. The Draft LAP was screened for Appropriate Assessment (including consultation with the relevant Environmental Authorities) and it was concluded that an Appropriate Assessment (Stage 2) of the proposed Draft LAP was required as it could not be excluded, on the basis of objective information, that the proposed LAP, individually or in combination with other plans or projects, would not have a significant effect on a European site. The mitigation measures identified in the Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment (i.e. Natura Impact Report) have been incorporated into the Draft LAP. 3 Key Issues 3.1 For the purposes of this paper, while noting the seven strategic towns to which this LAP relates, Planning officials have restricted their comment to the following specific settlements due to their proximity to our District and relevance to our LDP preparation: Bridgend; Ballybofey- Stranorlar and Carndonagh. Bridgend is most significant considering its immediately adjacent location to Derry City. 3.2 It is noted that the Draft LAP has been prepared in a context of demonstrating a return to economic growth, together with a period of uncertainty in light of ‘Brexit’. The Draft LAP also acknowledges the significant work that continues to be undertaken by both Councils to consider the challenges and opportunities that are presented and to plan holistically and strategically along our shared border region. 3.3 The strategic objectives of the Draft LAP reflect the visions of each town: Bridgend – to develop as a balanced and a sustainable village with cross-border strategic economic development opportunities; a vibrant, diverse, consolidated, high quality and pedestrian-friendly village centre; and quality new residential areas served by adequate environmental infrastructure and amenities. Ballybofey-Stranorlar - to enhance its reputation by 2024 as a sporting centre of excellence and as a key centre of recreation and hospitality for the County. In addition, the ‘Twin Towns’ will also have an enhanced reputation as an attractive place to live and work resulting from expanded residential and retail facilities and also from strategic infrastructural improvements to the town. Carndonagh - To promote the sustainable growth of Carndonagh as a service and tourism destination in north east Donegal, recognising its status as the second largest town on the Inishowen Peninsula and its strategic location along the Wild Atlantic Way. 3.4 From a Planning perspective, the following issues, identified in the Draft LAP for each of the above settlements, are relevant to our ongoing LDP preparations: Bridgend (population 454 - Census 2016) The strategic economic opportunity arising from its border location, position on the N13/TEN-T Letterkenny to Bridgend/Derry, and National Primary Road frontage and the potential benefits of working on a cross-border basis with the authorities in Northern Ireland. The volume of cross-border traffic using the N13 route. 3.5 The Draft LAP states that ongoing liaison will continue to take place between both Councils, with a view to achieving complementarity in the respective planning policy regimes that, it is hoped, will result in economic synergy on both sides. Four Strategic Economic Development Opportunity Sites (SEDOS) are proposed within Bridgend – two being located either side of the N13 between Bridgend and the border. The draft LAP states that such sites are suitable for employment / economic development related to possible information technology, high-end services or manufacturing. 3.6 It is a stated Action within the Draft LAP for Co Donegal officials to explore with their relevant counterparts in NI the scope for joint studies to address all issues arising from this transboundary N13 / Buncrana Rd corridor. Planning officials are actively pursuing such co- operation and a number of meetings have already taken place. In particular, officials have discussed, and are satisfied with the proposals, in respect of the juxtaposition of the proposed SEDOS in relation to the Derry settlement limit and the Industry zoning at Elagh Business Park, as well as the compatibility of our roads proposals, the Greenway, and the aesthetic appearance of this key gateway from Bridgend through to Buncrana Rd / Skeoge Roundabout. Ballybofey-Stranorlar (population 4,852 - Census 2016) The identification of sufficient amount of land for industry/ employment/ economic uses at optimum locations. The need to preserve urban and local transportation corridors and identify other transportation measures to improve movement, accessibility and transportation throughout the towns. 3.7 Ballybofey-Stranorlar is strategically located in the border area due to its proximity to the border and due also to the intersection of two key National Primary Roads, namely: (1a). the N15 road from the south of the County through Ballybofey-Stranorlar and (1b.) on to Lifford; and (2a.) the N13 road from Ballybofey-Stranorlar to Letterkenny; (and 2b. on to Bridgend/Derry). For these reasons, and given also the critical mass of the Twin Towns, the LAP identifies a number of sites for economic development purposes. Carndonagh (population 2,471 - Census 2016) The identification and implementation of measures to build upon the tourism function of Carndonagh, which is a key centre along the Wild Atlantic Way route. 3.8 It is a stated objective within the Draft LAP for Donegal Co Council to promote and support economic development in Carndonagh in order to reinforce the role of the town as a service and tourism destination in north east Donegal. 3.9 DC&SDC Planning officials will continue to liaise with our planning counterparts in Donegal County Council at the relevant stages of our ongoing plan preparation to ensure that we holistically and sustainably plan to deliver the visions for both our Council areas, while striving for a thriving North West City region. Planning issues in relation to our adjacent border settlements - their form, appearance and land uses and transport links will be key considerations. Environmental Report 3.10 DCSDC Planning officials have reviewed the Environmental Report and are largely satisfied with the level of scope, detail and the resulting findings. It is noted from the Draft LAP text that much of the County is covered by Natura 2000 sites that are susceptible to environmental degradation as a result of development. 3.11 The Draft LAP recognises that measures are required to protect the environment and mitigate for any potential adverse effects as a result of implementation.