BE PART OF IT, HAVE YOUR SAY!

Public Consultation on the New Local Area Plan for Bettystown, Laytown, Mornington East, Donacarney and Mornington BE PART OF IT, HAVE YOUR SAY!

Introduction Meath County Council are delighted to engage in this non-statutory pubic consultation process, in relation to the preparation of a new Local Area Plan (LAP) for Bettystown, Laytown, Mornington East, Donacarney and Mornington. We would be most grateful to receive your views, or those of any groups or organisations you represent, on the preparation of the Development Plan. Meath County Council invites any interested parties to make submissions in accordance with the foregoing in respect of the preparation of a new Local Area Plan. The deadline for receipt of submissions is 4pm on the 18th of October 2013. The Council would like to thank you in advance for your participation in this important planning process, which will determine how these settlements will grow into the future. PLANNING DEPARTMENT, OCTOBER 2013

So what is the Local Area Plan about? A local area plan is a document which details the overall strategy of the Council for the proper planning and sustainable development of an area and generally consists of a written statement and accompanying maps. The LAP must be consistent with the policies and objectives of the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 and any subsequent reviews or variations of same. The LAP shall also accord with European and national policy and legislation. The plan usually includes the broad aims of the Planning Authority for specific topics, e.g. housing, infrastructure, community facilities, etc. which are reinforced by more detailed policies and objectives. What is a “Policy”? The Planning Authority’s agreed position on a particular issue i.e. to encourage the creation of jobs, to ensure the ongoing protection of the environment etc. Planning applications are evaluated against policies. What are “Objectives”? Actions or projects under different headings which the Council intends to achieve over the timespan of the Local Area Plan. For example to upgrade the existing road network, or improve the streetscape of the settlements etc.

We Want Your Opinion

Who is involved in making the plan?  Local Area Plan

Considerations Considerations • A LAP sits within the lower tier of a hierarchy of plans. The hierarchy includes: • the National Development Plan 2007-2013 and the National Spatial Strategy 2002 at national level; • the Regional Planning Guidelines for the Greater Dublin Area 2010-2022 at regional level; • the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 at county level; and; • LAPs at local level. • The LAP must be consistent with the Core Strategy, policies and objectives of the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019.

Vision • A LAP sets out a vision for the area it covers. It specifies the type, amount and quality of development needed to achieve that vision, while seeking to protect and enhance the environment and amenities of the area. Through the public consultation process a vision can be formulated, which would represent the overarching aim of the new Plan, for Bettystown, Laytown, Mornington East, Donacarney and Mornington, into the future. What do you think the vision should be for the new Bettystown, Laytown, Mornington East, Donacarney and Mornington LAP?

Core Strategy How to address excess zonings in East Meath…… options available ? Prioritising/Phasing of Development ? Alternative Land Use Zoning Objectives ? Discontinuing the Land Use Zoning Objective? Core Strategy • The Core Strategy in the County Development Plan outlines in detail the distribution of future housing units across the county including urban centres and the rural area. What does this mean for East Meath ? • The County Development Plan identifies 1,077 committed unbuilt units and assigns 80 additional units to Bettystown/Laytown/Mornington East up to 2019. On the basis of this allocation, an area of 3.2 hectares (7.9 acres) of residentially zoned land is required to accommodate these additional units. There is therefore an excess of some 110.6 hectares of zoned land within Bettystown/Laytown/Mornington East. • The County Development Plan identifies 420 committed unbuilt units and 20 additional units have been assigned to Donacarney/Mornington up to 2019. In order to align with the Core Strategy, an area of 1.0 hectare (2.5 acres) is required in Mornington/Donacarney to accommodate the additional units up to the year 2019. There is therefore an excess of some 28 hectares of zoned land within Donacarney/Mornington.

Future Development Options The LAP will shape the future development of Bettystown, Laytown, Mornington East, Donacarney and Mornington. It will identify zones where different land uses are considered to be appropriate. Bettystown, Laytown, Mornington East, Donacarney and Mornington have developed mainly on the basis of dormitory towns and are facilitating commuting primarily to Dublin. None of these towns and villages are designated in the Regional Planning Guidelines as being strategic growth centres. Therefore this LAP will allow for a period of consolidation of local facilities and infrastructure to serve the local population, facilitating more sustainable communities as envisaged in the Core Strategy of the County Development Plan. • What do you think is the most appropriate way for Bettystown, Laytown, Mornington East, Donacarney and Mornington to develop into the future?

Residential Communities Almost 63% of the population was recorded as aged between 16 and 64 years. Having regard to the intensity of development and construction since 2011 and notwithstanding the current economic climate, it is recognised that the population of the LAP area is not likely to be much higher than that of the 2011 Census figure. The Core Strategy aims to secure the sustainable growth of towns and villages. Existing and new neighbourhoods should be connected, legible and well designed with a variety of dwelling sizes and types. Good design and quality of material used will deliver a good quality of the built environment. Did you know that……? • According to Census 2011 the population of the area was 10,889 persons Did you know that……? • According to Census 2011 the average household size in Co. Meath is 2.9 persons per household. • This is higher than the national household size of 2.7 WHAT DO YOU THINK? • In what way do you think the amenity of housing areas can be maintained and/or improved? • What type of accommodation is required to cater for the population? • What do you think contributes to an attractive residential development? • What would you like to see in a residential development? • What do you think is the best way to deliver social and affordable housing?

Retail Did you know that……?The results of the County Retail Strategy household survey demonstrate a high level of leakage of comparison goods expenditure from the County (58.9%) to competing centres such Blanchardstown and Drogheda • The Bettystown/ Laytown cluster is designated in the County Retail Strategy as a Level 3 Centre in the Meath County Development Plan. Level 3 centres are town and/or district centres and sub-county town centres which generally include a good range of convenience shops (food shops) and a modest provision of comparison offer (clothing, footwear and bulky type goods). • Over 78% of respondents from the Bettystown area travel to Drogheda to meet their comparison shopping needs. • A challenge will be to encourage people to shop locally thereby keeping money within the local economy and protecting local jobs. WHAT DO YOU THINK? • In what direction do you want to see your town or village develop? • How can the LAP promote balanced growth in your town or village? • How can the LAP encourage town centre consolidation? • What type of shops would you like to see in your area?

Economic Development & Employment • Bettystown/Laytown is identified as a ‘Local Employment Centre’ in the hierarchy of economic centres in the County. Local Employment Centres are Small Towns and Villages which provide employment needs for local hinterlands. Sectors targeted for Bettystown/Laytown are Tourism and appropriate employment opportunities within walking distance of the train station. • In light of the changing nature of employment throughout Meath, there are significant challenges ahead in planning for economic development by: • Sustaining the existing jobs. • Identifying future employment sectors and opportunities for inward investment. • Ensuring that the needs of employers and employees are met in order to facilitate future growth. • Ensuring that economic development is consistent with sustainable development. …..What do you think? • What can the LAP do to aid starter businesses? • How can the LAP support new and different types of work e.g. e-business and tele-working, start -up units? • How can the LAP capitalise on nîche markets/indigenous sector? • What infrastructure or facilities do you think should be provided to support retail businesses? • What type of enterprise, in your opinion, would enhance the economic development and create local job opportunities?

Tourism The Meath coastline comprises 10 km of beachfront. The area is a prime summer tourist destination. Bettystown in particular includes a range of seaside attractions. Do you agree that….? The coastal area of East Meath is an important asset and tourist destination with potential for growth. ?

Natural and Built Environment • Bettystown, Laytown, Mornington East, Donacarney and Mornington have a number of designated sites both of EU and national importance. These sites from part of the Natura 2000 European network of designated sites and are safeguarded under legislation. • Buildings of local significance which retain traditional features contribute to the local distinctiveness and identity of an area. These sites and monuments may be afforded protection and may be listed as recorded and/or national monuments and protected structures. • WHAT DO YOU THINK? • What are the most important parts of the natural environment to you? • What do you think are the main issues relating to the built environment and heritage? • What features do you consider contribute to the character of your town or village? • Are there views, areas of special amenity, areas of local interest which are worthy of protecting in your town or village? • Do you have recommendations for additions to The Record of Protected Structures? • What conservation principles do you think should be set out in the LAP in order to retain the historic and natural character of the area? • How can the LAP provide for greater access to and enjoyment of our natural heritage for all? • How should the Plan respond to development pressures on areas of high amenity and natural heritage?

Community Facilities and Open Space • Open spaces, amenities and community facilities play an important role in maintaining the health and vitality of local communities’ quality of life, social interaction and social inclusion. Community facilities include social, cultural, educational, health and recreational facilities. With the scale of population growth in Laytown, Bettystown, Mornington and Donacarney there is a need for these services. WHAT DO YOU THINK? What indoor and outdoor community facilities should be provided for residents and visitors which are not already provided? Where could new community facilities be located? What range and type of community facilities do you think are necessary to support existing and new communities? Are there adequate facilities for parents and child carers? If not what is needed? Are there adequate open spaces for recreation and amenity purposes in housing estates or in the town? Could any of these be improved? How?

Transportation and Movement The National Transport Authority (NTA) is the principal agent for the delivery of transport policy and development in the Greater Dublin Area. Meath County Council is committed to working with the NTA on the delivery of strategic transportation projects and infrastructural improvements. The Government’s position on future transport goals is outlined in the policy document “Smarter Travel – A Sustainable Transport Future, A New Transport Policy for Ireland 2009 – 2020”. One of the overarching goals of the policy is to take actions aimed at ensuring that alternatives to the car are more widely available, mainly through radically improved public transport service and through investment in walking and cycling. ? • WHAT DO YOU THINK? • Do you need a better rail service? • Do you need a better bus service? • Should cycle and walkways be integrated into new developments? • Are there adequate parking facilities at new developments and in the town centres? • What can the LAP do for pedestrians to ease their journey (good footpaths, good lighting, etc.)? Can you think of specific measures for certain locations? • Where should new pedestrian linkages be provided? • Where could access for people with limited mobility be improved? • How do you think the LAP could facilitate improved access for people with impaired mobility? • How do you think the LAP could facilitate improved access for people with small children and buggies? • How can the LAP provide for better coordination and integration between land uses and the existing transportation network? • Have you any suggestions to encourage the use of public transport, cycling or walking? • What could be done to improve traffic movement/traffic flow through each town?

Infrastructure and Services What services do you think need improving and what do you think can be done? • The LAP can include policies and objectives relating to water supply, foul drainage, wastewater treatment, surface water drainage, waste management, pollution control energy and telecommunications. WHAT DO YOU THINK? • How can we ensure that the coastal area is kept clean? What could be done? • Are new litter bins required? If so where? • Do you think the area has adequate energy and telecommunication networks? • Is the current level of broadband sufficient and if not how can it be further developed to meet people’s needs? • Can more sustainable forms of exterior lighting be encouraged? • What would you like to see done with land which falls within the boundaries of the town that are prone to flooding?

The Next Steps How to Make a Submission • Submissions can be made by post or by email. • Email: eastmeathlap@meathcoco.ie • Post: Forward Planning Section, Meath County Council, Planning Department, Abbey Road, Navan • The deadline for receipt of all submissions is 4pm the 18th October 2013. • Submissions received after this date will not be accepted.

BE PART OF IT, HAVE YOUR SAY!