Chapter 9: Rural Development Strategy

NOM 50
Cllr Brian Fitzgerald. 
Grouped Themed Submission No. 1 -Rural Housing Policy, 

Chapter 9 

Retain the existing Rural Development Chapter of the 2013-2019 County Development Plan but include the Rural Nodes proposed as per Section 9.5.4 of the Draft Meath County Plan 2021-2027. Refer to the Supplementary Material Amendments for the proposed Rural Chapter.

The Node map for Yellow Furze did not go on public display as part of the draft Plan and will now be placed on public display as a material amendment

Maps to be included in Volume 3 Book of Maps associated with the existing County Development Plan Chapter 10 Rural Development are as follows;
•    Rural Area Types Development Pressure 10.1
•    Tree Preservation Order's (TPO) 10.2
•    GSI Aggregates Potential Map 10.3
•    GSI Granular Aggregates Potential Map 10.4
•    Gaeltacht Areas Rathcairn & Gibbstown 10.5
•    Management of Future Access to Strategic Corridors 10.6

Maps to be removed (superceded) consequent to the members decision to retain the existing Chapter 10 (with exception of the Graig Policy) are as follows;

Maps
•    Map no. 9.1 Rural Area Types Development Pressure
•    Map 9.2 Management of Future Access to Strategic Corridors
•    Nap 9.3 Tree Preservation Orders
•    Map 9.4 Gaeltacht Areas

Please see Proposed Volume 3 Amendment No. 2 for maps associated with the Rural Chapter

SEA Consultant Comments
The amendment is contrary to the provisions of the Project Ireland 2040 National Planning Framework (NPF).

National Policy Objective (NPO) 19 seeks to facilitate the provision of single housing  in the countryside only where it is based on the core consideration of demonstrable economic or social need to live in a rural area and siting and design criteria for rural housing in statutory guidelines and plans, having regard to the viability of smaller towns and rural settlements.

Regional Policy Objectives (RPOs) for Rural Areas in the Eastern & Midlands Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy 2019-2031 (RESES) include RPO 4.77 and RPO 4.78  support local authority development plans prioritising the regeneration of rural towns, villages and rural settlements. Policy RPO 4.80 reiterates NPO 19 where it states that, in Rural Areas Under Strong Urban Influence and Stronger Rural Areas, local authorities shall manage urban generated growth by ensuring that in these areas the provision of single houses in the open countryside is based on the core consideration of demonstrable economic or social need to live in a rural area, having regard to the viability of smaller towns and rural settlements.

The amendment would lead to non-sustainable development and negative environmental impacts through:

•    creation of demands for the subsequent provision of public infrastructure on a dispersed pattern (i.e. roads and services);
•    higher energy consumption and transportation costs arising from increased car based commuting;
•    over concentration of septic tanks in areas leading to potential ground water issues;
•    potential contamination of local water supplies and a reduction in water quality;
•    potential erosion of landscape character, and depletion of high-quality landscapes; and harmful effects on the tourism sector;
•    loss of agricultural land; and
•    loss or negation of investment in small towns and rural settlements, leading to dereliction and vacancy;

Therefore the amendment would lead to negative environmental impacts across environmental factors, including biodiversity, land and soils, water, climate / climate change, material assets and transport, heritage and landscape.

SEA Recommendation: remove proposed amendment and retain Rural Development Strategy of Draft Plan.