13.2 - Alignment of Strategic Development and Regeneration Areas with the NPF and RSES

As set out in Chapter 1, the Development Plan is informed by a hierarchy of international, national and regional policies. Of particular note, is the National Planning Framework (2018) and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (2019-2031). Chapter 2, the Core Strategy, details how the policies and objectives of these documents will influence the future growth and development of the city. Table 2.8 in Chapter 2 –clearly shows the alignment of the SDRAs with the core strategy and sets out information regarding the area, population and yield of each area.

In terms of the NPF, the SDRA’s will play a key role in meeting the National Strategic Objectives, and particularly those of compact growth (NSO 1), sustainable mobility (NSO 4), and the transition to a low carbon and climate resilient society (NSO 8). In accordance with National Policy Objective 3b, the SDRA’s are critical to the delivery of the core strategy and compliance with the objective that 50% of new homes are within the existing built up footprint of the city.

The designated SDRA’s align with the overarching objectives of the NPF and RSES. They will be drivers of economic growth and investment in the city in line with NPO 5. Their development is also important in the context of NPO 6, and the vision of the plan is that the SDRA’s will be developed over the plan period for significant residential and employment uses developed in tandem with high quality social and community infrastructure and amenities, served by excellent public transport.

More specifically the ongoing development of the National Children’s Hospital (SDRA 14) and Grangegorman campus (SDRA 8) align with NSO10. The development of Clongriffin (SDRA 1); the development of ambitious largescale regeneration areas; and facilitating the growth and expansion of Dublin Port (SDRA 6) will play a key role in supporting the strategic growth enablers for Dublin City as identified in the NPF.

In terms of the RSES, a number of Residential Strategic Development Areas (SDA’s) are identified. Many of the SDRA’s identified align with these SDA’s and will provide for high quality, higher density residential development in line with RPO 5.4. The RSES also identifies a number of Employment Strategic Development Areas which also align with the SDRA’s. The development of these areas will accord with objective RPO 5.6 of the RSES (see also section 1.9.6, Chapter 1). It is envisaged that the relevant SDRA’s will be developed for appropriate employment densities in tandem with the provision of high quality public transport corridors.

13.2.1 Overarching Principles and Vision

In addition to the site specific guiding principles, all proposals within SDRAs will be governed by a series of overarching principles set out below. It should also be noted that all development proposals must have regard to the development management standards – both qualitative and quantitative, set out in Chapter 15.

It is an Objective of Dublin City Council:

SDRAO1

To support the ongoing redevelopment and regeneration of the SDRA’s in accordance with the guiding principles and associated map; the qualitative and quantitative development management standards set out in Chapter 15; and in line with the following overarching principles:

Architectural Design and Urban Design: All development within the SDRAs must be of the highest architectural quality and adhere to the key architectural and urban design principles set out in Chapter 15 in order to create long term, viable and sustainable communities aligned with the principles of the 15- minute city.

Phasing: Large scale development proposals should be developed in accordance with agreed phasing plans to ensure that adequate social and physical infrastructure is delivered in tandem with development.

Access and Permeability: Development proposals should ensure adequate permeability and connectivity to surrounding neighbourhoods and public transport infrastructure through the provision of high quality, accessible public realm and high-quality walking and cycling infrastructure. Access and layout should accord with the principles of DMURS.

Height: Guiding principles regarding height are set out for each SDRA. Where development adjoins lower scaled residential communities, development must be appropriately designed so that no significant adverse impacts on the residential amenities of adjacent residential properties arises. The performance criteria set out in Appendix 3 should be adhered to for developments of significant scale and/or density.

Urban Greening and Biodiversity: Development proposals within the SDRA must ensure the integration of greening and biodiversity measures including high quality public open space as well as micro greening measures including green walls, green roofs, parklets etc. In general, unless otherwise specified under a separate LAP/SDZ Planning Scheme/other statutory plan policy/objective or site-specific guiding principle, a minimum of 10% public open space should be provided as part of all development proposals in SDRAs. A financial contribution in lieu of same will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.

Surface Water Management: All development proposals should provide for sustainable surface water management including climate change provisions and the installation of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) in order to reduce surface water runoff and potential flooding. This should be considered in conjunction with open space design and green infrastructure, biodiversity initiatives and nature based solutions. See Appendix 11, 12 and 13 for further detail.

Flood Risk: All development proposals within the SDRA’s will have regard to restrictions / measures to mitigate identified flood risk outlined in the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) and in particular, Appendices A, B and C including climate change provisions in the SFRA.

River Restoration: Opportunities for enhanced river corridors are applicable to the following Strategic Development and Regeneration Areas (SDRAs) in order to harness significant opportunities for river restoration where feasible: SDRA 1 Clongriffin/Belmayne and Environs; SDRA 3 Finglas Village Environs and Jamestown Lands; SDRA 4 Park West/Cherry Orchard; SDRA 5 Naas Road; SDRA 6 Docklands; SDRA 7 Heuston and Environs; SDRA 9 Emmet Road; SDRA 10 North East Inner City and SDRA 16 Oscar Traynor Road. See Chapter 9, Policy SI12 for further detail.

Sustainable Energy: Climate Action Energy Statements for significant new residential and commercial developments, in Strategic Development and Regeneration Areas (SDRAs), will be required to investigate local heat sources and networks, and, where feasible, to demonstrate that the proposed development will be ‘District Heating Enabled’ in order to facilitate a connection to an available or developing district heating network. Further specific guidance regarding ‘District Heating Enabled’ Development is set out in Chapter 15 and should be complied with. Specific guidance is set out regarding SDRA 6 (Docklands) and SDRA 10 (NEIC) where applicants must demonstrate how a proposed development is District Heating Enabled and will connect to the ‘Docklands and Poolbeg’ DDHS catchment. Guidance is also set out regarding SDRA 7 (Heuston and Environs), SDRA 8 (Grangegorman/Broadstone), SDRA 11 (St. Teresa’s Garden and Environs), SDRA 14 (St. James’s Healthcare Campus and Environs), SDRA 15 (Liberties and Newmarket Square) where possible connections or interconnections to existing heat networks in the area, to create a district heating ‘node’ must be investigated.

Climate Change: Proposed developments within the SDRA shall be required to apply innovative approaches to energy efficiency, energy conservation and the use of renewable energy in order to contribute to achieving zero carbon developments.

Cultural Infrastructure: All new regeneration areas (SDRAs) and large-scale development above 10,000 sq. m. in total area must provide at a minimum 5% community, arts and culture predominantly internal floorspace as part of their development. See Objective CUO25 for further detail.