2.1 - Introduction

The purpose of this core strategy is to guide the spatial direction of future development and regeneration in the city in line with the principles of compact growth. It accords with the development plan vision as set out in Chapter 1. The core strategy is depicted diagrammatically in Figure 2.1. The key objective of the core strategy is to ensure that quantum and location of development is consistent with National and Regional policy.

2.1.1  Legislative Basis

The requirement for a core strategy as part of the development plan is described in S10 (2A) of the Planning and Development Acts (PDA) 2000 (as amended). The role of the core strategy is to ensure that there is sufficient zoned and serviced land to cater for future housing demand over the development plan period. The core strategy sets out a spatial settlement strategy for the city which is consistent with the Housing Strategy, the National Planning Framework (NPF), the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES), specific planning policy requirements (SPPRs) required under Section 28 guidelines and takes account of policies of the Minister in relation to national and regional population targets.

In accordance with the Planning Acts, the core strategy is evidence based utilising data based on population trends and household targets. It demonstrates how land already zoned or proposed for zoning will accommodate projected housing demand. The core strategy also sets out details of the economic and Retail Strategy for the city so that there is an overall integrated and coherent approach to how the future of the city is planned and that the places people work, live and make use of are interlinked.

Housing Strategy

The Housing Strategy for Dublin City Council is included as Appendix 1 in Volume 2 to the development plan, and includes a Housing Need Demand Assessment (HNDA). A Housing Strategy is a mandatory requirement of the development plan under Part V of the PDA. The purpose of the Housing Strategy is to address the overall housing needs of the existing and future population of the area and the scale and needs for supported housing types. The outcomes from the Housing Strategy inform the core strategy and other policies and objectives within the development plan with regard to future housing need.

2.1.2  Policy Context

National Planning Framework (NPF)

The NPF is the government’s high level strategic plan for shaping the future growth and development of the country to 2040. Compact growth is a key strategic objective of the plan and there is a particular focus on Dublin, with the NPF advocating an approach of consolidation and densification in the city.

This will require focus on a number of large regeneration and redevelopment projects, particularly in respect of underutilised land within the canals and the M50 ring. There is also an emphasis on key Future Growth Enablers for Dublin including a requirement to identify large regeneration sites suitable for housing and employment and aligning development with strategic public transport infrastructure projects.

The NPF provides a series of National Policy Objectives (NPOs), a number of which have informed the core strategy, including:

• NPO 3b seeks the delivery of at least half of all new homes to be targeted in the five main cities within their existing built-up footprints.
• NPO 11 states that there will be a presumption in favour of development that can encourage more people and generate more jobs and activity within existing cities subject to development meeting appropriate planning standards and achieving targeted growth.
• NPO no. 72a, no. 72b and no. 73a are considered to be interlinked and largely deal with the NPF ‘tiered approach’ to zoned lands that are serviced, classified as Tier 1: Serviced Zoned Lands; and zoned lands that are serviceable during the life of the development plan, classified as Tier 2: Serviceable Zoned Land (see Section 2.4.4 below).

Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy and Metropolitan Area Spatial Plan

The Eastern and Midlands Regional Assembly (EMRA) prepared the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) in June 2019 for the Eastern and Midlands region; which gives effect to the NPF at regional level. The RSES further endorses the NPF’s principles of consolidation, brownfield development, densification and compact growth. The RSES sets out a new regional plan providing a long term spatial planning direction for the region in which Dublin is categorised as a Global Gateway in recognition of the international role it plays for the country.

Included in the RSES is the 12-20 year Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan (MASP) for Dublin. The MASP identifies a regional framework which aligns population and employment growth with associated transport and infrastructure investment priorities.

In terms of the future growth of the city, the MASP identifies a number of large scale strategic areas based on key transport corridors with a capacity to deliver significant development up to the year 2031. These are defined as Strategic Development Areas and Strategic Employment Lands and the core strategy must align with these.

The RSES and MASP also support active land management providing guiding principles to deal with the complexities of brownfield and infill sites in the preparation of the core strategy. A key element of the RSES is the population allocation provided for the city. The core strategy aligns with these population figures. This is detailed under Section 2.2 below.

National Transportation Authority - Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy 2022 – 2042

The Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), prepared by the National Transportation Authority (NTA), provides a framework for a sustainable transport network for the long term. The core strategy will promote development and appropriate intensification along the routes of the three key public transport projects to be developed over the development plan period comprising BusConnects (2021 – 2023), the Metrolink to Dublin Airport/Swords (2021 - 2027) and the Luas to Finglas (2028).

Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage - Section 28 Guidelines

The Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) published the Housing Supply Target Methodology for Development Planning, December 2020, Projected Housing Demand by Local Authority Area 2020 – 2031 ESRI NPF Scenario Housing Supply Target. It contains housing supply targets for each individual local authority. These housing requirement figures, are used as part of the core strategy figures, detailed below under Section 2.2.

The development plan takes into account a suite of other Section 28 planning guidelines in the preparation of the core strategy and in relation to a range of policies and objectives incorporated into the development plan. A statement of compliance with such guidelines and associated SPPRs is set out in Appendix 14.

Figure 2-1: Core Strategy Map