National Spatial Strategy Submission

October 2001

Background

Introduction

The development of a National Spatial Strategy is welcomed, and the work that been carried out to date represents a considerable achievement.

We believe that the Strategy must ‘mainstream’ social, economic and environmental sustainability and we welcome the commitment to this goal in the Guiding Vision for the NSS.

Current Unsustainable Development

We are concerned that the Indications for the Way Ahead does not sufficiently recognise nor address the unsustainable patterns of development that have emerged in the State within the late twentieth century. These patterns of urban generated rural settlement and low density suburban development appears to be increasing, and are at odds with Government Policy as outlined in Sustainable Development – A Strategy for Ireland’. They have led to a rapid increase in commuting time, energy use and climate change gases.

A fundamental reappraisal of existing settlement strategies and transport policy is therefore required to achieve sustainability within the State. We suggest that our commitment to the achieving the targets of the Kyoto Protocol can be used as a crude barometer of our progress towards achieving sustainability within the Irish Context, and look forward to a specific commitment to meeting Ireland’s obligations in this regard within the Strategy.

Built Environment

We welcome the commitment to maintaining and enhancing the natural environment within the NSS vision. However we note that there is not a similar commitment to the built environment within this vision, and hope that this shortcoming will be addressed in the final Strategy.

Corridors

We are concerned at the references to ‘corridors’ within the consultation document. The patterns of land use and development generally associated with corridor development do not represent sustainable pattern of development in themselves, and may even be unsustainable.

Shortcomings in Existing Legislation and Guidance

We note that shortcomings within the 1993 Roads Act that have led to the National Road Authority having no significant remit in regard to either land use, planning or sustainability.

We acknowledge the commitment to an enhanced planning system within the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 2000, and the Guidelines in regard to residential development, and development within the Dublin area. However we feel that there is considerable scope for providing greater guidance along the lines of the U.K. Planning Policy Guidance papers. We believe a first step in this regard would be to upgrade the Department of the Environment’s 1981 Development Advice and Guidelines to reflect more recent planning issues and concerns. We also believe that there is a clear need to dedicate significant resources to delivering the Strategy.
Proposals

1 Framework for the National Spatial Strategy

We believe that the Island’s rail network should be used as a basis for informing the location of significant new development over the next twenty years.

Nothing more than a fundamental reassessment of our transportation investment plans is required in order to provide for a pattern of transport, land use and settlement that is equitable, and sustainable in the longer term.

Significant investment is required to both expand the rail network and to reduce journey times so that rail journey times are shorter than car travel from centre to centre.

In the short term this will mean that the bulk of transport investment must be dedicated to public transport and ‘slow mode’ investment.The national road network shall also be upgraded, but a reassessment of the National Road Authority’s aims and programmes is required prior to proceeding with any of the proposed routes.

2 Organisational Structures

We believe that the 1993 Roads Act should be repealed and replaced by a Transport Act. This would allow for the setting up of a new National Transportation Authority with a commitment to sustainability at its core. This proposed National Transportation Authority would be subordinate to a new Department for Land Use Planning and Transportation that shall formulate national policy, and give strategic guidance at a National and Regional level. Its role shall include delivering the National Spatial Strategy.

3 Department for Land Use Planning and Transportation

This new Department shall incorporate parts of the existing Departments of the Environment and Local Government, and the Department of Public Enterprise.

Its role shall include the coordination and delivery of sustainable land use and transportation policy at a National level.

It shall also provide guidance to Regional Authorities, Local Authorities and Transportation Agencies.

4 Enhanced role for Regional Authorities.

We note the weak powers and under-financing of the eight existing Regional Authorities, and propose that their role be enhanced. This shall include a significant role in ensuring that the NSS is translated into regional and local authority plans and programmes, and shall include a responsibility for coordinating regional transport.

This shall include giving guidance to local authorities, as well as preparing urban and rural mobility plans. Such plans shall prioritise the ‘slow modes’ and public transport, and shall allow for competition in providing public transport services.

We also believe that the existing Regional Authorities’ boundaries should be revised to reflect the Functional Areas as outlined in Appendix One of Indications for the Way Ahead, as well as the proposals for new institutional arrangements for land use and transport in the Greater Dublin Area.

5 Gateways

The designation of Gateway must be contingent on the existence or short-term development of excellent rail links with the rest of the State. Gateways must also include strong public transport links within their functional area.

6 BMW Region

In order to increase accessibility and assist in the economic and social development of the BMW Region it is proposed that the national rail network be extended to make a direct link along the west coast connecting Derry, Sligo, Galway and Limerick.Adding additional rail linkages between the Sligo, Galway and Limerick lines shall be considered. There may also be grounds for upgrading the road network connecting the Border, Midlands and Western Regions.

7 Urban Centres

The NSS must give clear guidance as to how our existing urban centres can be improved to provide a greater quality of life for those living, working or relaxing there. This shall include promoting better urban design; green space; and play, cultural and sporting facilities. It shall also include incentives for developing under-utilised and brown-field sites.

8 Rural Development

We wish to see the expansion and development of rural communities. Those moving into rural areas must however have a strong economic and social commitment to the land and existing community. The NSS shall encourage more people who are engaged in agricultural economic activity to live in rural areas. The NSS must however reverse the rise in urban generated rural housing, as this is neither socially, economically or environmentally sustainable in the longer term. In particular long distance car commuting must be discouraged, and this will entail stronger restrictions on one-off housing in rural areas.

9 Commuter Rail

Existing urban rail networks shall be extended to cater for enhanced commuter rail services in the major towns and cities outside of Dublin. The districts surrounding these railway stations shall allow for significant development subject to local social and environmental concerns.

10 Revisions to Existing Plans

We propose that all existing Development Plans and the National Development Plan be revised to conform to the National Spatial Strategy.

We propose that Development Plans shall move away from mono-functional zoning to encouraging mixed uses within neighbourhoods and buildings. We believe that the proposed Strategic Development Zones shall encouraged mixed-uses, and shall include mobility plans with an emphasis on public transport.

11 Local Plans

We believe that the NSS must illustrate models of best practice in urban development, along the lines of Rogers ‘Towards an Urban Renaissance. This shall include promoting ‘walkable communities’ as an antidote to car-based communities, and these models shall assist in combating urban sprawl. We note the recent publication of Local Area Plans within the Greater Dublin Area for Balbriggan in Co. Fingal and Adamstown in South Dublin. We believe that they represent good practice in coordination between the Dublin Transportation Office and the Local Authorities.We believe that the Spatial Planning Unit of the DOELG should ensure that models of best practice medium high-density development shall be published and made available to interested parties as a matter of urgency.

Conclusion

We appreciate the considerable work that has been carried out to date in the preparation of the National Spatial Strategy. We are however concerned that economic considerations appear to dominate some of the work to date.

We believe a stronger commitment to economic, social and environmental sustainability is necessary in order to meet our international obligations, and to provide a satisfactory pattern of development that will lead to greater equity and happiness for all in our society.

Green Party Comhaontas Glas, October 2001