Electoral Area

What are the Draft Local Area Plans intended to achieve?
 

The Draft Local Area Plan is intended to provide an easily understood but detailed planning framework for sustainable development responding to the needs of communities within the Electoral Area. It aims to deliver quality outcomes, based on consensus, that have been informed by meaningful and effective public participation. The plan sets out proposals for the delivery of the physical, social and environmental infrastructure necessary to sustain the communities of the area into the future.

How do I get a copy of the Draft Local Area Plan?

Copies in both CD and paper format are available at the public exhibitions or public planning counter. Each paper format Draft LAP and Environment Report costs 45 Euro. The CD is free. A PDF version is also downloadable from the council website. 

Is it possible to comment on the contents of the Draft Local Area Plan?

Submissions can be made online at www.corkcoco.ie. Submissions can also be sent in writing to the following address. All written submissions must include the full name and postal address of the sender.

The Senior Planner,
Cork County Council,
Planning Policy Unit,
Floor 13,
County Hall
Cork.

The County Council regret that, for technical reasons, submissions made by E-mail cannot be accepted.

 
How long is the period for submissions?

Closing date for receipt of submissions is 4pm on Monday 10 January, 2011.

 When will the Final Local Area Plan come into force?

Approximately July 2011.

 
What consultative process has been followed to date?
 

The process began with the publication of an Electoral Area ‘Outline Strategy”. In June 2010, these submissions were compiled in a written report issued to the Members representing the Electoral Area. A copy of this report is available as a background document to this draft plan. The Members met subsequent to this report so as to inform the preparation of this draft plan. Two further meetings were held with Elected Members before the finalisation of this Draft Local Area Plan. 

Which other plans and publications has this Draft Local Area Plan had regard to?

Particular regard has been paid to the County Development Plan 2009 and Regional Planning Guidelines (2010) which in turn must have regard to the National Spatial Strategy. The recommendations of relevant Ministerial Guidelines have also been taken into account.

Has a Strategic Environmental Assessment been carried out?                                                                

Yes, an environmental report has been prepared setting out the principal environmental effects of implementing this plan and is available as a companion volume to the draft plan.

What are the most significant inclusions in this Draft Local Area Plan?

• A simplified but effective approach to development in villages to help ensure that future development is in scale with the character or ‘grain’ of these important settlements.
• A major revision of the categories affecting business and employment to better reflect the more sophisticated economy that has developed in recent years including a new “Business Development” category to replace commercial uses.
• This plan has been subject to Flood Risk Assessment. Particular efforts have been made to avoid development in flood risk areas and where development in floodplains cannot be avoided, to take a sequential approach to flood risk management based on avoidance, reduction and mitigation of risk.

Is the Greenbelt policy being retained around the main towns?                                                            

Yes although some minor alterations are proposed where town development boundaries have been extended.

What policy changes are proposed in relation to one-off housing?

The County Development Plan 2009 has addressed this issue and no further change is proposed. However the Draft Local Area Plans do aim to accommodate significant low density development in villages and towns.

Can I ask for my lands to be zoned for future development?

Yes, proposals for re-zonings can be made as a submission to the Draft Local Area Plan. Full details of the location of the lands should be provided along with the intended use and any supporting information.

How was the overall scale of growth figure for each settlement arrived at?

Consideration has been given to the strategic need to strengthen the main towns, reverse the declining trends in the key villages and moderate growth in the smaller villages so that future development is more in line with their existing character and grain and availability of services and infrastructure.

Has this plan been subjected to Flood Risk Assessment?

Yes, the County Council in close association with the OPW (the National Agency for Flood Risks) have amalgamated a number of flood information sources to produce a single “Draft Indicative Flood Extent Map”

How can I find out if my lands are “At Risk” of flooding?
If your lands are within or adjoining a settlement than consult the relevant settlement maps in this Draft Local Area Plan.

 
But my land has never flooded?

The indicative flood extent maps contained in this plan show lands that have been indicated as being “At Risk” of flooding as well as lands that have flooded in the past.

Does the fact that my lands are shown as being “At Risk” of flooding impact on the future development potential of those lands?

Yes, however the implications for your land and clear guidance on the steps to be taken are outlined in the “Flood Risk” section of this plan and the “The Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines”, November 2009 issued by the OPW and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.