Glounthaune Sustainable Development Committee Glounthaune Community Centre Glounthuane Co. Cork. March 7, Dear Sir/Madam,

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1 Glounthaune Sustainable Development Committee Glounthaune Community Centre Glounthuane Co. Cork March 7, 2019 Dear Sir/Madam, Following a group discussion on Monday March 4 th,, 2019, with representatives of Carrigtwohill Community Council, Glounthaune Community Association, Waterrock residents group, we would like to submit our comments on the draft Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy. Introduction: The four communities on the East Cork Commuter Rail Corridor ( Little Island, Glounthaune, Carrigtwohill and Midleton) will grow by a population of 30,000 over the lifespan of this plan, equivalent to the growth of Waterford City. (Appendix 1, growth figures). Recognition These are communities undergoing rapid growth, and recognition needs to be given to the level of support needed to ensure growth is sustainable, enhances the quality of life for current and future residents and protects against adverse impacts on the environment. Master-planning To support the work of a cross departmental team to address the infrastructure, housing,health,educational, recreational and social needs of the communities undergoing high growth. Retrofit Support is needed to provide 'catch-up' in basic facilitates and infrastructure. From the SRA workshop 6 th April 2018; 'Recognise the need to consolidate settlements and retrofit the infrastructure and amenities in locations that grew rapidly in recent decades and within lower density character areas.' Has this been covered by a RPO? 'Catch up' infrastructure, should include footpaths, street lighting, cycle lanes, drainage, bus shelters, traffic calming, sports and recreation facilities, playgrounds, parks, speed limits, pedestrian crossings, schools and healthcare provision. Avoiding Ghost Estates/ Unfinished estates. Provision of housing must be tracked and 'trigger points' used to ensure community, recreational and green infrastructure keeps pace with housing provision. Development must be phased and monitored to avoid the past experience of unfinished estates. Appropriate Densities Densities need to vary along the train corridor, and design should be of high quality with sufficient mix and variety, be compatible with local heritage and maintain and reinforce the unique character

2 of each community. All planning applications should be referred for review by an architect. Community Engagement The local authorities must carry out meaningful community engagement and facilitate community participation in the metropolitan towns/villages where high levels of growth are planned. Protect Greenbelt To ensure the metropolitan greenbelt is protected to create a clear definition of the division between city and county areas and to separate and differentiate the individual communities along the train corridor. Recreational Facilities Support the local authorities in the provision of a recreational facilities needs assessment for the entire metropolitan area, and plan zoning provision for recreational and community amenity land. Playgrounds and Play Areas Recognise the important role active play has in the development of children and provide suitable play areas, and upgrade neglected playgrounds to provide a challenging play environment and connect children with the outdoors/nature. Municipal Park for East Cork Plan for a large municipal park for East Cork, accessible from an urban centre. Recognise the 'islanding' of areas of biodiversity and plan to connect them as a green corridor. Land Zoning/ Local Area Plans, 10 minute town concept. Glounthaune, for example, is currently one of Ireland's fastest growing communities, however due to mono-use land zoning the development in Glounthaune is not creating a '10 minute' sustainable concept.

3 Higher densities and hilly topography lead to the very opposite, a car dependant area. Will RPO 168, go far enough to address this situation? Comments on RPOs RPO30 Needs to clarified who is responsible and who is accountable to ensure needs are implemented RPO31 Stronger language needed for these objectives. It should be mandatory for brownfield sites to be fully utilised before releasing greenfields in city areas otherwise brownfields sites will also lose out. Set a target for reducing vacant properties and link to new properties i.e. where an area has say a 1000 vacant properties - there should a controlling link with allowing new properties or another example where there are vacant apartment properties - planning for further apartment blocks should be prohibited until the vacant ones are brought into use. RPO33 Delete this RPO RPO34 CDDP and LAPS should be required to demonstrate sustainable placemaking. CPO and zoning should be also utilised to provide required infrastructure for amenities and services RPO123 It should be mandatory that development in areas of high value sensitivity are subject to assessment pre and during the planning process by specialist architect and professionals RPO147 LAPs shall be required to provide evidence based implementation of the plans including monitoring. RPO160 Add - scenic routes should have special protection RPO162 b. Changes required that station nodal points alone cannot drive high density development but the infrastructure that supports high desnity development must precede the high density development. In addition development should be in keeping with the character of the existing settlements to avoid locating urban estates in rural settings. Add to d. - Stations along existing lines must be upgraded in advance of development to provide access for all citizens i.e. elderly and less able. Changes required that station nodal points alone cannot drive high density development but the infrastructure that supports high density development must precede the high density development. In addition development should be in keeping with the character of the existing settlements to avoid locating urban estates in rural settings.

4 Add to d. - Stations along existing lines must be upgraded in advance of development to provide access for all citizens i.e. elderly and less able. RPO186 High value landscapes are missed completed from this draft. Areas of high sensitivity should have mandated that specialist architects be required to assess any plans in these areas prior to submitting for planning and as part of he planning permission process. CMASP PO2 b. change so that mandatory that brownfield sites must be delivered before greenfield sites are released CMASP PO4 If the key rail and road networks as a minimum between Cork and Limerick are not urgently delivered, the aims of a counterbalance to Dublin will not be successful. Reason - currently connectivity between Dublin and Limerick is better than between Cork and Limerick - no direct rail line (need to change at Limerick junction). Motorway between Dublin & Limericck (2 hours travel time); very poor road infrastructure between Cork and Limerick (1.5 hrs travel time).if the key rail and road networks as a minimum between Cork and Limerick are not urgently delivered, the aims of a counterbalance to Dublin will not be successful. Reason - currently connectivity between Dublin and Limerick is better than between Cork and Limerick - no direct rail line (need to change at Limerick junction). Motorway between Dublin & Limericck (2 hours travel time); very poor road infrastructure between Cork and Limerick (1.5 hrs travel time). PO5 Add c. LAPs will be required to demonstrate the following: Quality of place Quality infrstructure Mix of use Evidence based that the above are providedadd c. LAPs will be required to demonstrate the following: Quality of place Quality infrstructure Mix of use Evidence based that the above are provided PO17 b. Strengthen wording to ensure that the Cork Metropolitan area maintains greenbelts between the towns and villages on train link corridor. Reason - currently the lands identified as SLRs and land owned by developers in east Cork, if development is allowed to proceed without enforcing greenbelts, will result in urban sprawl from

5 the new city boundary (Glanmire) to Glounthaune, Carrigtwohill, Waterock and Midleton. PO18 c. Change wording to development of the City Quays in Cork for a high quality water front public realm for public use must precede other development in the docklands. Reason to ensure that high quality realm is in place before other development. PO22 a. Wording needs to state that investment for community infrastructure and promotion of social inclusion must precede development. Reason - otherwise development will occur without the required infrastructure. The stronger wording will ensure that develelops have to engage in supporting the infrastructure. Objectives for Glounthaune Upgrade Glounthaune Rail Station As the development proposed in the draft RSES is transportation led, we would ask that an objective is added to upgrade the Train Station at Glounthaune, including adding a lift access for buggies/wheelchairs/ bicycles. Also improving the public realm of the station, providing covered bicycle parking, and protecting pedestrians by separating the vehicle entrance away from the pedestrian entrance. Masterplan Create a masterplan for Glounthaune to provide for a sustainable community with a range of services and facilities. Yours,

6 Appendix 1. Population growth data for East Cork Rail Corridor: House Yields from draft RSES Midleton Carrigtwohill 3285 House Yields from current planning applications granted and under R.F.I. Or indicated in masterplan in adjacent planning application. Glounthaune/ Little Island 1000 House yield estimate SLR total House yield : occupancy of 2.2 gives population of occupancy of 2.8 gives population of We know from stats( in RSES) that Midleton and Carrigtwohill have around 30%population 0-14s, On examining small area maps Carrigtwohill of census 2016, occupancy rates go as high as 3.4. (Small Area of ) Development near by in draft RSES Housing Yield: Cobh 1570 Glanmire 1570