Chapter 11 Land Use Zoning

11.1 Purpose of Land Use Zoning 

The land use zoning map of the plan guides development to appropriate locations and should be read in conjunction with both the zoning matrix of this LAP and the Limerick County Development Plan, Chapter 10: Development Management Guidelines.  The purpose of the land use zones is to indicate the types of development that are considered most appropriate in each areas and to avoid competing and incompatible land uses.  The zoning objectives allow developers to plan proposals with some degree of certainty, subject to other conditions and requirements as set out in the Plan.

The land use zoning matrix is intended as a general guide to assess the acceptability or otherwise of development proposals, although the listed uses are not exhaustive.  The various land use designations have been formulated on the following principles:

• Ensuring that land use designations will accommodate the potential population and growth needs of Croom within and beyond the lifetime of the Plan;
• Encouraging the development of Croom as a compact and coherent settlement;
• Ensuring an acceptable balance of land uses in proximity to one another;
• Supporting the principles of proper planning and sustainable development of the area; and
• Identifying the characteristics of various primary land use categories in order to provide a broad planning framework, which guides development to appropriate locations.

 

The following table sets out the total zoned land for the various zoning categories in this plan compared with the totals designated in the 2009 – 2015 (As Extended) LAP.

Table 11 Total Zoned Lands 

Zoning	Area designated in 2019 LAP (ha)	Area designated in 2009 LAP (ha)	% change
Agriculture	66.76	45.5	46.7%
Education and Community Facilities	25.01	12.9	90.6%
Existing Residential	22.03	20.5	7.5%
Enterprise & Employment	6.6	Formerly Industrial 7.9
Open Space and Recreation	6.93	22.4	-69.1%
Residential Development Area	11.24	18.8	-38%
Residential Serviced Sites	3.03	12.8	-76.3%
Town Centre	8.04	8	0%
Special Control Area	0.99	2.2	-55%
Utility	0.32	0.07	357%

11.2 Non - Conforming Uses

Throughout the County, there are uses, which do not conform to the zoning objective of the area.  These include uses, which were in existence on 1^st October 1964, or which have valid planning permissions. Reasonable extensions to and improvement of premises accommodating, these uses will generally be permitted within the existing curtilage of the development and subject to normal planning criteria.

11.3 Land Use Zoning Categories 

The various categories of zoning incorporated on the Land Use Zoning Map and the Zoning Matrix are defined below.

Existing Residential

The purpose of this zoning is to ensure that new development is compatible with adjoining uses and to protect the amenity of existing residential areas.

Residential Development Area

This zoning provides for new residential development and other services associated with residential development.  While housing is the primary use in this zone, recreation, education, crèche/playschool, sheltered housing and small corner shops are also acceptable, subject to the preservation of neighbouring residential amenity. Permission may also be granted for home based economic activity within this zone, subject to the preservation of residential amenity, traffic considerations and compliance with Section 5.3 in Chapter 5 of this Plan.

Special Control Area

The area within the curtilage of Croom Castle is designated as a Special Control Area.  This area is located within the Recorded Monument, LI030-025001, classified as the historic town of Croom and the Castle located within this classification has been assigned a unique reference LI030-025005. It is also within the Architectural Conservation Area.  Ancillary walkways may be considered at this location.

Open Space and Recreation

The purpose of this zoning is to protect, improve and maintain open space and recreational areas.

Education and Community Facilities

The purpose of this zoning is to facilitate the necessary development of schools and community facilities in appropriate locations.

Enterprise & Employment

It is envisaged that these lands will accommodate high quality and sensitively designed enterprise and employment development and complementary uses, as indicated in the zoning matrix.  The form and scale of development on these sites shall be appropriate to their location having regard to surrounding uses and scale.

Agriculture

The purpose of this zoning is to provide for the development of agriculture by ensuring the retention of agricultural uses, protect them from urban sprawl and ribbon development and to provide for a clear demarcation to the adjoining built up areas.  Uses which are directly associated with agriculture or which would not interfere with this use are open for consideration.  Dwellings will only be considered for the long-term habitation of farmers and their sons and daughters on this zoning.

Utilities

The purpose of this zoning is to provide for essential public services, existing and planned.

Town Centre

The purpose of this zoning is to protect and enhance the character of Croom’s Town Centre and to provide for and improve retailing, residential, commercial, office, cultural and other uses appropriate to the centre, while guiding development of an expanded consolidated town centre area.

Warehousing/industrial and other incompatible uses will not be permitted in the town centre. 

It is the policy of the Council to:

• Enhance and support the development of the town centre as the principal location for retail and commercial uses that provide goods and services;
• Encourage a mixed use character in the centre by supporting a variety of compatible uses that will contribute to an enhanced provision of a range of town centre uses that will consolidate the centre as the primary activity and business centre for the area.
• Encourage the integration of residential areas with any proposed development of the town at appropriate densities;

 

• Encourage the development of land uses that are considered particularly important to the viability and vitality of the town such as retailing and general offices;

 

• Improve the quality of the public realm in any proposals for the redevelopment of the Town centre, including hard and soft landscaping; and

 

• Promote improved pedestrian accessibility, permeability and safety

11.4 Land Use Matrix 

The approach of the Council to land use is determined by the zoning objective for the area in which they fall. This is depicted in the following land use matrix which should be cross-referenced with the Zoning Map (Appendix One)

 

The following use classes apply in the Land Use Zoning Matrix:

 

/ = Generally Permitted

A use which is generally permitted is one which the Council accepts in the relevant zone. However, it is still subject to the normal planning process including policies and objectives outlined in the Plan.

 

O = Open for Consideration

An Open for Consideration use is one which the Council may permit where it is satisfied that the suggested form of development will be compatible with the policies and objectives for the zone, will not conflict with the permitted uses and conforms with the proper planning and sustainable development in the area.

 

X = Generally Not Permitted

A use Generally Not Permitted is one which would be incompatible with the policies and objectives for the zone, would conflict with the permitted uses and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.