Chapter 4 Housing
Strategic Policy for Housing
Policy H1: It is the policy of the Council to provide appropriately zoned lands to cater for the sustainable growth of Croom and to ensure that all residents can enjoy a safe and accessible environment.
Policy H2: It is the policy of the Council that quality shall underpin all new development by creating and maintaining a sense of place and local distinctiveness in established any new development areas.
4.1 Introduction
Based on the population and household projections in Chapter 3, 14.27 hectares of lands are zoned for residential use and can sustain the anticipated population growth in Croom over the plan period to 2026. Chapter 3, Policy SSP2 of the County Development Plan 2010-2016(as extended) Development of Tier 2 - 6 settlements sets out that it is policy of the Council to support the sustainable development of settlements within Tier 2 - 6.
Furthermore, it seeks to ensure that consideration is given to the capacity of the existing town/village core to absorb development.
4.2 Residnetial density,design and mix
Future residential development is required to be of a good quality design, accommodate a mixture of house types, which will serve all stages of the lifecycle and integrate with the existing development. To assess future proposals for residential development, developers will be required to submit as part of the planning application, detailed design briefs, sustainability statement and social infrastructure assessment (SSSIA) as required by the County Development Plan. As part of public consultation in the town, there was an identified need for a mixture of house types ranging from smaller downsizing units to larger family homes. With this in mind objective H2 has been included to promote a mix of house types to meet all stages of the lifecycle.
Objective H1: New Housing
a) It is an objective of the Council on serviced land that is zoned for residential use, to facilitate residential development in accordance with the principles and guidelines of the Urban Development and Building Heights Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2018), the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (2013), the Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Area (2009), the accompanying Urban Design Manual, Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities (2007) and the policies, objectives and Development Management Standards contained in the Limerick County Development Plan 2010-2016 (as extended) and any subsequent plan
b) It is an objective of the Council to promote the provision of community and other facilities such as childcare as an integral part of new developments.
Objective H2: Residential density, design and mix:
It is an objective of the Council to:
a) Ensure that proposals for residential development are planned coherently through the use of master plans for larger landholdings, where proposals involve the partial development of landholdings if appropriate, sustainability statements and social infrastructure assessments and any other supplementary documents deemed necessary by the Council
b) Promote the concept of a compact town by encouraging appropriate densities in suitable locations and by resisting sporadic isolated developments
c) Require a minimum net density of 22 units to the hectare on residentially zoned sites and 10 units per hectare on lands zoned for Serviced Sites.
d) Ensure that the density of housing in any location is appropriate to its setting
e) Ensure a wide range of house types, sizes and tenures are provided to meet varying population requirements at all stages of the life cycle. A statement to identify how this has been considered shall be submitted as a requirement to demonstrate that consideration has been given to meeting this requirement in all residential application
f) Ensure that a variety of building heights is incorporated into residential development proposals to ensure that optimum use is made of residentially zoned lands at appropriate locations.
g) Ensure compliance with the policies and objectives of the County Development Plan Policy SS P1 and SS P6.
Figure12: Existing housing developments in Croom
4.3 Infill Development
The Council will encourage infill development in the Croom area and the adaptation of existing vacant and under-used buildings. Any proposed alterations will require the retention of features of special interest and respect for the structures fabric, form and setting.
Objective H3: Infill Development, Restoration and Renewal
It is an objective of the Council to:
a) Encourage living in the centre of Croom by the promotion of residential use over businesses
b) Emphasise the town centre as the primary retail centre of the town and ensure retail proposals comply with the Limerick Retail Strategy and any subsequent revised document and the Retail Planning Guidelines;
c) Promote sensitive infill sites on vacant sites, which would not be required for access to backlands
d) Consider on their merits proposals for residential development of rear plots where they can be adequately accessed and they would not affect existing or proposed private amenities, storage or parking requirements. Such proposals should in general be part of larger masterplans involving contagious plots;
e) In line with the requirements of the National Planning Framework, ensure that at least 30% of all new housing development is delivered within the existing built up area of towns and villages on infill and or brownfield sites.
4.4 Social Housing:
The Council seeks to provide social housing to meet the needs identified in the Joint Housing Strategy for the administrative area of Limerick City and County Council and Clare County Council. All relevant lands zoned for residential development or a mix of uses, including residential will be subject to the requirements of Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (Amended) in relation to the provision of social housing. The Council will engage in discussions with developers, prior to the formal planning process to negotiate details of the operation of Part V. In this regard the Council will take into account the needs and preferences for housing in this area, but will ensure there is not an over-supply of social housing in any one development area.
Objective H4: Social Housing and Joint Housing Strategy
It is an objective of the Council in compliance with Objective HOU 02 of the County Development Plan, to
a) Require that developers comply with Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (Amended
b) Require developers to provide social housing on all lands zoned for residential use, in accordance with the “Joint Housing Strategy for the Administrative Areas of Limerick City & County and Clare County Council’ and any subsequent document.
4.5 Traveller Accommadation:
Limerick City and County Council has a Traveller Accommodation Programme, which is currently under review and the new programme will run from 2019-2024 which will meet the existing and projected needs of travellers in the City and County. Objective HOU 09 of the Limerick County Development Plan 2010-2016 (as extended) outlines Limerick County Councils’ objectives to provide housing accommodation for the Traveller Community in accordance with the Joint Traveller Accommodation Programme and any subsequent documents.
Objective H5: Traveller Accommodation Programme
It is the objective of the Council to provide appropriate housing accommodation for the Traveller Community in accordance with the existing Traveller Accommodation Programme and any subsequent programme formally adopted by the Council.
4.6 Derelict and Vacant Sites
According to the most recent Geodirectory figures, there are currently 15 vacant dwellings within the town centre of the LAP boundary. In 2015 the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act required Local Authorities to provide a register of vacant sites suitable for residential development across its functional area. To date no sites have been included on the vacant sites register in Croom, however, this will be reviewed periodically and sites will be added as necessary. In relation to derelict sites, the general approach is to seek timely actions and improvements of sites, through positive engagement with landowners, using powers under the Derelict Sites Act only where necessary and taking into account:
- Outstanding planning permissions;
- Evidence of efforts to address vacancy and dereliction;
- Security, safety to the public and condition of the site;
- The conservation value of the building and requirement for remedial restoration works and
- The feasibility of various actions to make good the site and find viable uses for the site.
To date two sites in the town have been included on the Derelict sites register and the register will be reviewed and supplemented on an ongoing basis as necessary.
Objective H6: Vacant Sites
It is the objective of the Council in line with the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 to identify vacant sites in the Local Authority’s area that are suitable for housing, but not coming forward for development. These sites will be entered on a vacant sites register and accordingly will be levied as per the requirements of the Act.
4.8 Housing on Agriculturally Zoned Lands
Part of the Croom area is zoned for Agricultural purposes in the draft plan. In these areas, it is a priority to retain the rural character of the area
Objective H7: Housing on Agriculturally zoned lands
It is the objective of the Council to permit housing on agriculturally zoned land for the long-term habitation of farmers and the sons and daughters of farmers only and subject to the terms and conditions of rural housing policy as set out in the Limerick County Development Plan.