Chapter 9 - Infrastructure and Utilities

The sustainable social and economic growth of Castleconnell is dependent on the satisfactory provision of high quality infrastructure associated with the provision of services for new residential and commercial developments.  Key infrastructural provisions, undertaken in a plan led manner will support the economic development of the village and ensure the development of good quality place making, where health and well-being is safeguarded, while also protecting the environment.  The provision of high quality infrastructure networks and environmental services is fundamental to ensuring the long-term physical, social and economic development of the village.

Policy IU P1: Infrastructure and Utilities: It is the a policy of the Council to

Ensure the provision of adequate infrastructure capacity to accommodate future development and the timely provision of infrastructure needed for the sustainable growth of Castleconnell.

9.1        Water and Wastewater infrastructure

Irish Water is responsible for the provision and operation of public water and wastewater services across the country. Limerick City and County Council delivers water services in accordance with a Service Level Agreement. The Water Services Strategic Plan (WSSP) published in 2015 by Irish Water sets out strategic objectives for the delivery of water services over a 25-year period and a context for investment and implementation plans. Irish Water and Limerick City and County Council work together to identify the water services required to support planned development in line with national and regional planning policies for inclusion in the Irish Water Capital Investment Plans.

Castleconnell’s public water supply is currently provided from the Clareville Water Treatment Plant located to the southwest of the village and there is capacity in the system to cater for future population growth.

In terms of waste-water, effluent is pumped to Castletroy and there is spare capacity in the system to cater for the projected growth in Castleconnell.  Project upgrade works are taking place to the plant presently to increase this capacity with an expected completion date of 2025 and this along with existing capacity will accommodate the envisaged population growth to 2029.

Objective IU 01: Infrastructure: It is an objective of the Council to:

Ensure compliance for infrastructure led-growth in accordance with the DHPLG Water Services Guidelines for Planning Authorities.

 Objective IU 02: Wastewater Infrastructure: It is an objective of the Council to:

a) Support the implementation of the Irish Water Investment Plans, in accordance with the settlement strategy of the RSES and MASP.

b) Ensure adequate waste water infrastructure is available to cater for existing and proposed development, in collaboration with Irish Water, avoiding any deterioration in the quality of receiving waters and ensuring discharge meets the requirements of the Water Framework Directive. This includes the separation of foul and surface water through the provision of sewerage networks.

Objective IU 03 Water Infrastructure: It is an objective of the Council to:

1. Facilitate improvements to the existing water supply system to cater for the needs of an expanding population.
2. Ensure that development proposals provide adequate water infrastructure to facilitate proposed developments.       

9.2        Surface Water Management and SUDS

Adequate storm water drainage and retention facilities are necessary to accommodate surface water runoff from existing and proposed developments. Rivers, streams and ditches containing watercourses are important blue green infrastructure corridors and habitats in Castleconnell, providing multi-functional eco-system services such as land drainage, recreational amenity, and clean/cool air and wildlife corridors. In the past, surface water management has tended to focus on intervention with the use of methods such as piping, culverting and installation of underground attenuation tanks. Using natural solutions to manage surface water can be cost effective and yield results that improve environmental quality. The use of natural drainage systems at surface level through utilisation of existing drains, natural slopes and existing ponds and natural wetland areas should be considered in the first instance. Approaches to manage surface water that take account of water quantity (flooding), water quality (pollution), biodiversity (wildlife and plants) and amenity are collectively referred to as Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS). SuDS can contribute to surface water retention and a reduction in the potential for flooding by acting as natural drainage.

Objective IU 04: Surface Water Management and SUDS: It is an objective of the Council to:

a) Maintain, improve and enhance the environmental and ecological quality of surface waters and groundwater, including reducing the discharges of pollutants or contaminants to waters in accordance with the Draft River Basin Management Plan for Ireland 2022-2027 (DHPLG) and associated Programme of Measures.

b) Require all planning applications to include surface water design calculations to establish the suitability of drainage between the site and the outfall point;

c) Require all new developments to include Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) to control surface water outfall and protect water quality.

1. Require applicants to investigate the potential for the provision of porous surfaces, where car parking and hard landscaping is proposed.
2. Protect the surface water resources of the plan area and in individual planning applications request the provision of sediment and grease traps, and pollution control measures, where deemed necessary.

9.3        Flood Risk Management

Flooding is a natural process that can happen at any time in a wide variety of locations and the severity of which is set to increase due to the effects of climate change. Flooding from rivers and prolonged, intense and localised rainfall can also cause sewer flooding, overland flooding and groundwater flooding. Flooding has significant impacts on human activities as it can threaten lives, livelihoods, housing, transport, and public service infrastructure and commercial/ industrial enterprises. The impacts of both flooding and climate change can be significant and wide reaching. Developments in inappropriate locations can exacerbate the problems of flooding by accelerating and increasing surface water run-off, altering watercourses and removing floodplain storage.

Climate change increases flood risk, leading to more frequent flooding and an increase in the depth and extent of flooding.  A new approach is needed to manage our future in a planned, productive and sustainable way with increased emphasis on travel patterns, energy use and the protection of the environment. The challenges of climate change and the transition to a low carbon society is a key component of national and regional policies and is a significant cross cutting theme to be included throughout much of the policy and objectives in the Limerick Development Plan and the Draft Castleconnell LAP.  Careful consideration of flood risk is now a key requirement in the preparation of the LAP and in determining planning applications. Presently a Flood Relief Scheme is being progressed for Castleconnell.

To comply with the EU Floods Directive and in line with the guidelines for Planning Authorities, an assessment of flood risk has been formally taken into account in the preparation of this plan. The objective of “The Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines” is to integrate flood risk management into the planning process, thereby assisting in the delivery of sustainable development. For this to be achieved, flood risk must be assessed as early as possible in the planning process.

This LAP has been prepared to ensure that: (a) flood risk is avoided where possible; (b) where avoidance is not possible, less vulnerable uses have been substituted for more vulnerable ones, and; (c) risk is mitigated and managed where avoidance and substitution are not possible.

A stage 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment has been prepared for Castleconnell and is included with the Environment reports in this Draft Plan.  OPW flood risk indicative maps are available for Castleconnell under the CFRAMs study.  Detailed assessment and modeling has been carried out as part of the Flood Relief Scheme by JBA Consulting Engineers and these have informed the flood map.  These indicate that substantial areas of land to the north east and south west of the village are located in Flood Zone A.  In this zone most developments are considered vulnerable to flooding.  As a response to this the LAP designated most lands located in Flood Zone A as open space or agricultural use.

Objectives IU 05: Flood Risk Management: It is an objective of the Council to:

1. Manage flood risk in accordance with the requirements of “The Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines for Planning Authorities”, DECLG and OPW (2009) and any revisions thereof and consider the potential impacts of climate change in the application of these guidelines.
2. Ensure development proposals within the areas outlined as being at risk of flooding are subject to Site Specific Flood Risk Assessment as outlined in “The Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines”, DECLG and OPW (2009).
3. Support and co-operate with the OPW in delivering the Castleconnell Flood Relief Scheme.
4. Ensure that future developments in flood prone areas is generally limited to minor developments in line with Circular Pl 2/2014 and the Flood Risk Management Guidelines for Planning Authorities.
5. Developments on lands benefitting from Arterial Drainage Schemes shall preserve the maintenance and access to these drainage channels.  Land identified as benefitting from these systems may be prone to flooding, as such site specific flood risk assessments will be required as appropriate, at planning application stage.

9.4        Energy Generation

Castleconnell is served by the ESB and Gas Networks and the village is served by 110KV overhead electricity lines. The higher level spatial plans indicate there is significant potential to use renewable energy to achieve climate change emission reduction targets through electricity and gas networks. Low carbon technologies present an economic opportunity and green technology development is emerging as a major field of innovation and growth. The Council recognises the importance of developing renewable energy resources in the interest of delivering NZEB (Near Zero Energy Buildings).

As indicated in the Census 2016 data, 76% of households have broadband internet services in the Castleconnell. The fibre broadband network will give significant economic and social advantage to Castleconnell, as a place to set up internet-based business, facilitate working from home and the creation of smart homes and smart buildings.  Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) and WiFi4EU Access Points (APs) have been installed in the village at McDermott’s Butchers and the ACM Community Centre.

In terms of telecommunications infrastructure, the Local Authority seeks to balance between facilitating the provision of mobile telecommunications services in the interests of social and economic progress and sustaining residential amenities, environmental quality and public health.  When considering proposal for telecommunication masts, antennae and ancillary equipment, all proposals will have regard to the Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures Guidelines and subsequent advisory documents issued by the DECLG.

Objectives IU 06: Energy Generation: It is an objective of the Council to

1. Support the providers of national gas and electricity grid infrastructure by safeguarding existing infrastructure from encroachment by development that might compromise the efficiency of the networks.
2. Facilitate cooperation between utility and service providers to ensure their networks are resilient to the impacts of climate change, both in terms of design and ongoing maintenance.
3. Facilitate improvement of telecommunications, broadband, electricity (including renewables) and gas networks infrastructure on an open access basis subject to safety requirements and proper planning and sustainable development
4. Seek the undergrounding of all electricity, telephone and television cables.
5. Facilitate delivery of E-Charge Points for electric vehicles at suitable locations and in new developments in line with the Limerick Development Plan.
6. Promote and encourage the use of renewable energy technologies and sources in existing and proposed developments subject to consideration of environmental, conservation, residential and visual amenity.
7. Support the development of Smart Homes and Smart Buildings and facilitate the foundation for Smart Limerick in accordance with the Limerick Digital Strategy 2017 – 2020.
8. Support and promote the NZEB standard of building or equivalent for all new developments

9.5        Waste Management and the Circular Economy

The Circular Economy and Ireland’s Waste Management policy is part of the waste hierarchy established by the EU’s Waste Framework Directive, which sets out to prioritise waste prevention, followed by re-use, recycling, recovery and finally disposal into landfill.   The Southern Region Waste Management Plan 2015 – 2021 is a framework for the prevention and management of wastes in a safe and sustainable manner.

Refuse collection is carried out by a number of private contractors in the Castleconnell area. The nearest Civic Amenity Recycling facilities are located at Mungret and there is a private waste recycling facility located in the Castlerock and Coolbawn Meadows estate for residents only.

Objectives IU 07: Waste Management: It is an objective of the Council to:

1. Support the Regional Waste Management Office in implementation of the EU Action Plan for the Circular Economy – Closing the Loop, to ensure sustainable patterns of consumption and production.
2. Require all commercial and residential development to provide an adequate internal and external space for the correct storage of waste and recyclable materials.