3. Delivering Homes and Communities

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The Challenge

3.1

The National Planning Framework (NPF) and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) both focus on improving quality of life and creating compact growth and delivering housing and sustainable neighbourhoods with access to appropriate services, resources and infrastructure. Access to high quality housing is a primary component of achieving quality of life. Delivering a sufficient amount of housing to meet our strategic growth targets is essential, but housing supply is also essential to ensure that the City offers an excellent quality of life and liveable neighbourhoods to its residents. The NPF sets out elements that support quality of life (see Figure 3.1).

3.2

The values that underpin this Development Plan are components of achieving sustainable neighbourhoods. This Chapter seeks to create a city of strong communities with liveable neighbourhoods and an excellent quality of life utilising the 15-minute City building block to strengthen our neighbourhoods. All of the core principles set out in the Strategic Vision in Chapter 1 are relevant to this Chapter.

“While the National Planning Framework [and the land use planning system] cannot effect change in all of the dimensions that contribute to quality of life, there are some key elements that it will directly impact on, most importantly ‘the natural and living environment’. This is why place is intrinsic to achieving good quality of life - the quality of our immediate environment, our ability to access services and amenities, such as education and healthcare, shops and parks, the leisure and social interactions available to us and the prospect of securing employment, all combine to make a real difference to people’s lives” (NPF).

3.3

This Chapter sets out objectives aimed at creating and maintaining sustainable neighbourhoods and the community infrastructure needed to ensure that their diverse communities and all benefit from a good quality of life. The chapter also sets out the objectives for delivering housing to achieve the ambitious targets for Cork City and housing choice. Chapter 11: Placemaking and Managing Development provides a framework of objectives and development standards to ensure that development is of a consistently excellent design quality in compliance with the National Core Principles set out in the NPF to guide the delivery of future housing.

3.4

This Development Plan period 2022-2028 will see key challenges being tackled in delivering homes and sustainable neighbourhoods across Cork City:
• A significant expansion in housing supply with a focus on bringing zoned sites forward for development within the Plan period;

• A transition to increasing levels of brownfield development in accessible locations to achieve compact growth;

• A shift to a gentle density approach across Cork City and an increase in the proportion of homes that are apartments and duplexes. High density development will be appropriate in the City Centre and the City Docks;

• Delivery of at least five key substantial new sustainable neighbourhoods at the City Docks, Tivoli Docks, South Ballincollig (Maglin), Ballyvolane and Glanmire (South);                   

• Consolidate and enhance existing neighbourhoods so that they offer an excellent quality of life and the resources essential to ensure consistently high standards. The creation of a 15-minute City required several key issues to be addressed, including connectivity / permeability, GBI, playgrounds, sports infrastructure, nature and public transport;

• Retrofitting pedestrian and cycle infrastructure in existing neighbourhoods is a requirement of good planning and NPF NPO 27, for reasons of quality of life, health, community integration and safety. It is also a core principle of this Plan to create a connected city and retrofitting pedestrian and cycle links will be the most effective way to achieve this within the City.

Figure 3.1: Elements Supporting Quality of Life (Source: NPF).

Sustainable Neighbourhoods

3.5

Cork City’s settlement structure is set out in Table 3.1 (please refer to Chapter 2: Core Strategy for a full outline):

RSES Category	Attributes	Settlement                        Hierarchy	Key Locations
Cities	Metropolitan Areas	Cork City	City Centre Cork Docklands (City Docks and Tivoli Docks) City Suburbs
Key Towns	Strategically located large urban centres	n/a
Towns &              Villages	Population greater  than 1500	Urban Towns	Ballincollig (Urban Town)  Blarney (Urban Town) Glanmire (Urban Town) Tower (Urban Village)
Rural	Villages with a  population less  than 1500 and the  wider rural area	Hinterland Settlements (HS) City Hinterland	Killeens (HS)    Kerry Pike (HS) Upper Glanmire (HS)  City Hinterland
Networks	Groupings of towns and villages (e.g. cross boundary)	n/a

Table 3.1: RSES Settlement Hierarchy as applicable to Cork City.

3.6

The National Planning Framework, RSES and the Sustainable Residential Developments in Urban Areas: Guidelines for Planning Authorities (DEHLG, 2009) all place great value on the development of sustainable neighbourhoods. In order to have a good quality of life people need access to a range of resources in addition to their home: The resources that we need to function as a society can be considered at three different scales for the purposes of Cork City’s planning strategy:
• A strategic City-wide scale;
• A City-quadrant / Urban Town scale; and
• A Neighbourhood / 15-Minute City scale.

3.7

The “15-Minute City” provides a very clear concept to frame what we mean by neighbourhoods (see Figure 3.x,). This concept has been given much greater significance during the Covid-19 global public health crisis and has become part of the mainstream lexicon and raised society’s expectations as to what they can expect within their own neighbourhood. The concept has been part of Cork City Council’s planning policy framework since 2010. Figure 3.2, below, illustrates the minimum standards for a 15-minute City, that being the level of services intended for “Smaller Settlements and Rural Areas”. The diagram is not exhaustive and in a City context the 15 minute City will seek a higher standard of provision, including access to public transport and access to nature.

Figure 3.2: Hierarchy of Settlements and Related Infrastructure (Source: NPF).

3.8

A key premise of the 15-Minute City is that people should be able to walk and cycle to access the resources and facilities within their neighbourhood. Not only will this reduce car travel and improve health but most of all it will result in an equity in the Quality of Life of Cork’s citizens. Within 15 Minutes of people’s home they should have access to: local commercial services (e.g. shops), a creche, a primary school and other community services, a bus stop, open space, a playground and wildspace (nature). The City Council is also locating new employment opportunities in multiple locations around the city to ensure that more people will have the chance of working close to home.

3.9

The Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas and the accompanying Urban Design Manual – A Best Practice Guide provide the relevant s28 Guidelines and planning tools to achieve the 15-minute City.

3.10

Cork City Council has identified 35 City Neighbourhoods and completed a profile of each Neighbourhood. Several new sustainable neighbourhoods are also proposed, at locations that include City Docks, Tivoli Docks, Ballincollig Maglin and Ballyvolane.

3.11

Cork City Council aims to ensure that, as far as possible, each existing neighbourhood will provide those resources and services that Cork’s residents should expect within 15 minutes of their home. As well as providing the resources it will be imperative to ensure that neighbourhoods are well connected and offer short walking / cycling routes to services. In order to achieve this, it will be necessary to ensure that neighbourhoods are integrated and permeable.

A Diverse and Inclusive City

3.12

The National Planning Framework requires that the planning system should plan for a more diverse and socially inclusive society that targets equality of opportunity a better quality of life. The NPF requires that the following people groups should be specifically considered:
• People with Disabilities;
• The Travelling Community;
• The Irish Language and the Gaeltacht;
• Age-Friendly Communities: Older People; and
• Age Friendly Communities: Children and Young people.

3.13

Disability legislation is comprehensive and will continue to be advanced and delivered through the planning system, the building regulations and other relevant statutory processes.

3.14

Cork City Council is active in developing partnerships and programmes to ensure equality and inclusivity in all of these areas (e.g. Age-Friendly City for Older People; the Playful Paradigm). It also works through the Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) and the Public Participation Network (PPN) to develop collaborative working. It is committed to continuing and improving this work.

3.15

In addition to the above, economic equality and inclusiveness are key challenges that are considered in Chapter 7 Economy and Employment.

Delivering Homes

3.16

The National Planning Framework and the Southern RSES provide ambitious growth targets for Cork City, as set out in Chapter 2: Core Strategy. The Joint Cork City and Cork County Housing Strategy/ Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA) establishes the housing targets for net housing completions for the Development Plan period, informed by the NPF, NPF Roadmap, RSES and the Housing Supply Guidelines (DHLGC, December 2020). These housing supply targets are set out in Table 3.2, below.

Year	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026	2027	2028	Total
Homes	1,511	3,023	3,023	3,023	3,023	3,023	1,512	17,118

Table 3.2: Housing Supply targets per annum

 

3.17

In line with the requirements of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended) Cork City Council will review supply targets in 2024 (the two-year development plan review).

3.18

In response to the NPF and the RSES (e.g. RPO 10 Compact Growth in Metropolitan Areas) Cork City Council has ambitious housing targets for brownfield sites, as well as seeking to optimise the supply of housing on greenfield sites. Increasing the supply of housing on brownfield sites is challenging for a broad variety of reasons, including site constraints, complexity and viability). Cork City Council aims to work with landowners, the development industry, state agencies and its other partners to ensure that a substantial supply of housing on brownfield sites is brought to fruition. Cork City Council will seek to unlock suitable brownfield sites with the resources at its disposal.

3.19

Ensuring that small sites are brought forward is essential to regenerating Cork City’s neighbourhoods and its historic areas. Small sites also provide the opportunity for self-build, co-operative housing, development trusts, eco-villages and a range of other developer options.

3.20

In operating an Active Land Management approach to the optimising the use of land and buildings in the City the Vacant Sites Register, under the provisions of the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 will identify Residential lands and Regeneration lands. Cork City Council is required to identify land use zoning types that will be considered to be “Residential lands” and those that will be “Regeneration land”. Table 3.3, below, sets out the relevant land use zoning objectives that relate to both categories of land for the purposes of the vacant sites levy.

Residential Land	Regeneration Land
ZO 1-9 Please refer to Chapter 12, 12.10 Clarification of Residential Uses.	ZO 1   Sustainable Residdential Neighbourhoods
	ZO 5   Mixed Use Development
	ZO 6   City Centre
	ZO 7   Urban Town Centre
	ZO 8   District Centres
	ZO 9   Neighbourhood and Local Centres
	ZO 10 Light Industry and Related Uses
	ZO 11 Business & Technology

Table 3.3: Vacant sites categorisation

3.21

Optimising the density of any development and ensuring that the best use of land is made are core responsibilities of the planning system and in achieving a more compact form of urban development in Cork City that promotes resource efficiency.

3.22

Cork City Council has prepared the Cork City Urban Density, Building Height and Tall Building Study as an input into the planning strategy for Cork City. The Study has provided a key input into the residential density assumptions that underlie the Core Strategy and other development objectives of this Plan. Building height and the tall building strategy are outlined in Chapter 11: Placemaking and Managing Development.

3.23

The density strategy is based upon the suitability of sites within Cork City to accommodate increased densities. The density strategy is ambitious and establishes density ranges for different kinds of locations based upon their level of suitability for higher urban densities based upon 8 different ‘suitabilities’. 

The strategy reflects national planning guidance, a bespoke analysis of Cork City and international best practice in relation to policy and models of development. ‘Suitabilities’ for urban density include:
• Identification as a major development opportunity;
• Being within or close to an urban centre;
• Access to high quality public transport proposed in CMATS (the proposed Cork LRT system, high quality bus network and bus network)
• Access to local services; and
• Access to parks and green space.

3.24

Greenfield sites will need to be developed to densities that reflect their suitability for urban density. This will require a step-change in the urban density of schemes being proposed. As a general rule the minimum density shall be 35 dwellings per hectare (net density), excluding one-off houses.

3.25

The Density Strategy is structured around four sub-areas (see Figure 3.3, and Volume 2: Mapped Objectives):
• City Centre and Docklands (“City and Central Areas”)
• City Centre Fringe / Key transport corridors / key urban centres
• Inner Urban Suburbs
• Outer Suburbs

Figure 3.3: Spatial Density and Building Height Strategy.

3.26

The Joint Housing Strategy / Housing Need and Demand Assessment provides an analysis of the need for below-market priced housing for new households. Within Cork City the target is to provide housing for new households at a ratio of 79.5% market homes to 20.5% below-market priced homes. In addition to meeting this new housing need the existing housing waiting list will also need to be housed.

3.27

Below-market priced housing need will be met by Social and Affordable tenure housing products, which are constantly evolving and it is anticipated that they will continue to evolve through the Plan period. Below-market priced housing products generally include the following:
• Social housing for rent; and
• Affordable housing for rent, purchase or shared ownership.

3.28

Social and Affordable housing products will be provided by Cork City Council as the Housing Authority, and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), by a wide range of mechanisms, including under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), and hereafter referred to as “Part V”.

3.29

All proposed residential developments, or mixeduse developments with a residential component, shall have regard to and comply with the provisions of the Housing Strategy and Part V, as appropriate. Applicants will be required to engage with the Planning Authority at an early stage in an application process to ascertain any specific requirements in relation to their Part V obligation. All schemes shall clearly demonstrate how the resultant mix of house type, tenure and housing mix has had due regard to the Housing Strategy and HNDA.

3.30

Specific exemptions to Part V are:
• Semi-independent or supported living accommodation for older people or persons with a disability; and
• Purpose-built student accommodation.

3.31

Build-to-rent and shared accommodation developments will not be exempt from Part V requirements.

3.32

The HNDA illustrates that housing will be needed to provide for the household sizes set out in Table 3.4 (below) in Cork City during the period of the Development Plan:

Year	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026	2027	2028	Total
Household  Size								No.	%
1 - person	355	711	711	711	712	712	356	4268	25
2 - person	424	846	845	843	842	840	420	5060	29.5
3 - person	255	509	508	507	506	505	252	3042	18
4 - person	234	469	472	474	477	479	241	2846	16.5
5/5+ persons	159	318	318	318	317	317	158	1905	11
Total	1427	2853	2853	2853	2853	2853	1427	17121	100

Table 3.4: Household Size forecast for additional households in Cork City (Source: Cork City and County Joint Housing Strategy, Section 4: HNDA Components)

3.33

Private housing solutions for one-person household demand will be varied and include: one-bedroom flats (owner occupied, private rental and Build-to- Rent) and studios in the form of Shared Accommodation and Purpose-Built Student Accommodation.

3.34

The ‘Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments’ Guidelines (DHPLG, March 2018) establish Build-to-Rent (BTR) and Shared Accommodation (SA) as part of the housing mix for urban centres and locations accessible to high quality public transport (i.e. adjacent to train stations or LRT stops). The housing models and their development standards are clearly defined within the Guidelines. The new housing models are defined as specific housing tenures.

3.35

Build-to-Rent are apartment complexes with long-tern rental and resident support facilities and resident services and amenities (SPPR7). Build-to-Rent schemes will not be subject to dwelling mix requirements and are subject to very specific development standards (SPPR8). They are subject to Part V requirements.

3.36

Shared Accommodation are complexes of studios with shared / communal facilities. The Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments (updated in December 2020) states that there shall be a presumption against granting planning permission for share accommodation / co-living developments unless the specific provisions of SPPR9 are met. SPPR9 states requires that either there were planning applications under assessment at the time of the making of the Guidelines or that a specific demand was identified for shared accommodation / co-living development in the HNDA. Neither of these apply to Cork City. Therefore, there is a presumption against shared accommodation / co-living development in Cork City.

3.37

University College Cork and Munster Technological University make a significant contribution to Cork’s economy and labour market. It is important that their attractiveness and potential growth are supported by the appropriate provision of student accommodation. The National Student Accommodation Strategy includes an analysis of demand for student accommodation. The Housing Strategy updates this analysis to establish the indicative targets for new purpose-built student accommodation over the development plan period, which are set out in Table 3.5, below. A significant quantum of student bedspaces have been recently completed or are in the process of being delivered during 2021, and the targets set out are over and above this quantity of purpose-built student bedspaces. Other schemes benefitting from permission but not commenced would be delivered in the context of the targets.

Provider	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026	2027	2028	Total
UCC	125	250	250	250	250	250	125	1500
MTU	115	230	230	230	230	230	115	1400
Private	50	100	100	100	100	100	50	600
Total	290	580	580	580	580	580	290	3500

Table 3.5: Indicative Purpose Built Student Bedspace Targets

 

3.38

The Housing Strategy / HNDA sets out that student accommodation is likely to provide accommodation for the majority of the 1-person household market forecasted for Cork City (forecast at 580 of the 711 units per annum). The design of student accommodation is very similar to “Co-Living” property products with small studios and shared and communal spaces.

3.39

New PBSA supply will provide the opportunity for conventional houses to remain in non-student use or to be converted to non-student use. It is important that neighbourhoods are socially balanced to ensure that they are successful and create good residential amenity.

3.40

In order to make Cork City attractive to students it is important that the cost of accommodation is affordable to the student population. Within Cork City new PBSA schemes will not be subject to the provisions of Part V of the Planning and Development Act. During the lifetime of the Plan a scheme will be developed to apply Part V requirements to student housing developments.

3.41

Ensuring a range of PBSA types within any development will ensure that a range of price-points can be met. PBSAs should be developed to the highest standards to ensure that the scheme meets the needs of its residents and local service needs, where appropriate. This will mean that developments should incorporate cluster flats, studios, disability flats with size variations within any floorplate design.

3.42

PBSA should provide adequate functional livingspace and layout for the occupants, including shared communal external space, communal spaces. The design of the development must be high quality and in accordance with the requirements of standards set out in Chapter 11 Placemaking and Managing Development.

3.43

In considering planning applications for student accommodation Cork City Council will have regard to:
• The ‘Guidelines on Residential Developments for Third Level Students’ (2005);
• The provisions of The National Student Accommodation Strategy (2017);
• Circular PL 8/2016 APH2/2016; and
• Any new or updated guidance.

3.44

Cork City’s existing housing stock provides a valuable resource in terms of meeting the needs of a growing population and its retention and management is of considerable importance. Retaining and adapting, as appropriate, existing housing stock is important to ensure that homes meet the requirements of modern society whilst still ensuring that this is not done at the expense of unreasonable impact on adjoining properties.

3.45

Cork City Council will support infill development to optimise the role that small sites in the City can play in providing new homes for Cork’s expanding population. Within historic parts of the City currently used as commercial urban centres (e.g. the City Centre and historic spine) there is considerable underutilisation of upper floor space. Bringing this space back into productive use as homes will make a valuable contribution to providing new homes, investment in historic buildings and regenerative benefits for commercial areas.

Housing for Older People and People with Disabilities

3.46

An ageing population and under-occupation of Cork City’s housing stock mean that providing housing products that suit “rightsizing” (downsizing) (to release family units for families) are a key priority for Cork City. Integrated housing and community developments in the right location can provide a spectrum of housing options within neighbourhoods. Housing needs within these developments are tailored to range from independent living to assisted living, to best meet the needs of an ageing population. ‘Age Friendly Principles and Guidelines for the Planning Authority’ (Age Friendly Ireland, 2021) and Cork City Council’s ‘Age Friendly City Strategy 2016-2020’ will also provide relevant context to housing provision in Cork and designing homes to a Universal Design Standard will also be vital to enable independent living now and in the future (see Chapter 11: Placemaking and Managing Development).

3.47

Cork City Council will work with its partners to seek to ensure that housing need is met for a range of special categories within Cork City during the Plan period.

Housing for the Traveller Community

3.48

Cork City Council will renew its determination to meet the needs of the Traveller Community by working with those constituent communities to implement the projects defined in the Traveller Accommodation Plan. Table 3.6 sets out the developments identified for delivery in the Plan period. This will include development of residential sites with ancillary communal facilities (e.g. paddocks, stables), as required, to meet the needs of the community.

Community	Development Type	Area of Cork City
Ellis's Yard	Extension	North-East City
Meelagh View	Extension	South-East City
Carrigrohane Road	New	South-West City / Hinterland
Nash's Boreen	New	North-West City / Hinterland
Spring Lane	Existing	North-East City / Hinterland

Table 3.6: New and extended Traveller Accommodation Sites.

Rural Generated Housing

3.49

The City Hinterland is a largely rural area that comes under strong pressure for the construction of urban generated single rural dwellings.

3.50

Cork City Council will seek to accommodate urban generated rural housing within the Urban Towns and Hinterland Settlements (Kerry Pike, Kileens and Upper Glanmire), which provide the necessary infrastructure and services to support housing.

3.51

National Policy Objective 19 requires that Planning Authorities must set out a rural housing policy that requires applicants to set out “demonstrable economic or social need to live in a rural area.”

3.52

The Census 2016 illustrates that farm holdings of greater than 30 hectares are viable as full-time farms (i.e. they have an income of greater than €50,000). Farms of greater than 30 hectares generated 75% of all farm output in Ireland in 2016. Farm holdings with less than 30 hectares are considered to be part-time or “hobby” farms and wouldn’t derive a need to live on the farm holding. Less than 5% of farmers in Ireland are 35 years old, or younger (Census 2016).

Delivering Inclusive Communities

Overview

3.53

Cork City is made up of a rich tapestry of diverse communities. Cork City Council seeks to ensure that the city is welcoming and represents a place of choice for all people to live and visit. Cork City represents a milieu of diverse people with a wide range of cultural backgrounds, experiences, outlooks, ambitions and ways of life. Cork City Council seeks to support social inclusion that supports a mix of geographically based communities and individuals, regardless of social background, level of ability, sexual orientation and identity, age, religious beliefs, ethnic or cultural background or country of origin. Social inclusion is a cross cutting theme of this plan. This section focusses on providing a spatial framework for inclusive communities. It should be read in parallel with the Local Economic and Community Plan of the Cork City Local Community and Development Committee along with the policies, strategies and plans of a range of key partners and stakeholders whose actions support the wellbeing of residents and communities in Cork City.

3.54

The catchment area for different types of community infrastructure also differs, for example, a hospital serves a much larger catchment than a community centre or school. The provision of these facilities and associated services in appropriate, accessible and sustainable locations close to housing and employment uses and public transport services plays a major part in improving the quality of people’s lives, creating more vibrant and diverse neighbourhoods, fostering social inclusion and cohesion and supporting more sustainable lifestyles. It is critical that as Cork City grows and development is accommodated in a more compact manner, deficiencies in community infrastructure are identified and addressed through the provision of newor expanded facilities and associated services.

3.55

Cork City Council has a long history of working with local communities and other stakeholders in delivering or facilitating the delivery of community infrastructure and this commitment will continue. This will be guided by the Development Plan and the Local Economic & Community Plan (LECP) 2016-2021 “Pure Cork - An Action Plan for the City”, an integrated strategy to guide the development of Cork City from an Economic, Social Inclusion, Community, Cultural, Sporting and Recreation perspective, which is scheduled for review. It will also be informed by the capacity analysis, operational requirements and development strategies of community infrastructure providers including, but not limited to, the Department of Education and the Health Service Executive (HSE). When considering the range of facilities and services provided or planed for Cork City, the Development Plan should not be read in isolation, but should be considered in the context of the policies, strategies and plans of these stakeholders and in particular in the implementation of the LECP.

3.56

The implementation of the policy objectives for the City Development Plan are informed by the ‘Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas’ (2009) and its companion document; ‘Urban Design Manual – A Best Practice Guide’ (2009) and any updated versions that may be published over the lifetime of the Development Plan. In engaging with our communities and infrastructure providers, Cork City Council will also work closely with the Cork City Public Participation Network (PPN), the Cork City Local Community Development Committee, community groups and representatives of community service providers. As previously stated, social inclusion is a cross cutting theme for all sections of the plan, which seeks to support the development of a more socially inclusive city. The remainder of this section addresses the following:
• Development Proposals
• Community Hubs and Adaptable Facilities
• Children & Young People
• A Learning City
• Health
• Recreation & Amenity
• Libraries
• An Inclusive, Equitable and Safe City

Development Proposals

3.57

Development proposals have an important role to play in supporting communities through the provision, expansion or protection of necessary neighbourhood-level facilities. Development itself can place a burden on existing community services and facilities and creates additional need for new or expanded infrastructure provision. Development proposals for 100 or more homes should be accompanied by a Community Infrastructure Assessment (CIA) which should identify any under-provision of community facilities in the area. Development proposals will be encouraged to address identified under-provision through on-site delivery of facilities. Consideration may be given to the use of Section 47 Agreements¹ in respect of community infrastructure delivery needed to support new development proposals.

Community Hubs and Adaptable Facilities

3.58

If located together or in close proximity to one another, a mix of community uses can act as community hubs where communities can meet but also where facilities can be shared for these uses, thereby making them more viable and efficient both in terms of the amount of land required (due to the potential of sharing facilities) and maximising their usage across mornings, afternoons, evenings,
weekends and holidays. Importantly, this approach also supports synergies of the services provided and ease of access and identity of the services to the public.

3.59

This is particularly relevant to the co-location of schools and community centres where if designed flexibly, there is scope to share space for meetings and events and playing fields/facilities outside of school hours/term. In the process, it reduces the amount of land and supporting infrastructure that would otherwise be required if they were independent facilities whilst also reducing capital costs and operational costs. In an international context, community hubs are more commonplace where they often comprise a range of uses beyond schools and community centres.

3.60

As set out in more detail in Chapter 7 Economy and Employment, the development of community enterprise centres within each of the city neighbourhoods is encouraged to help foster innovation and economic development through the provision of accessible workplaces. These centres could form part of a community hub or local centre. In the interest of sustainability and future-proofing all
community facilities, the City Council will encourage all community infrastructure proposals (independently or as part of community hubs) to be designed to facilitate adaptation in the future should operationalneeds change.

Children and Young People

3.61

A key consideration in planning for sustainable, diverse and inclusive neighbourhoods is the need to provide for the needs of children at all stages of their development. The successful delivery of compact growth and creating a more liveable city, will necessitate provision of more childcare, education, passive and active recreation and community infrastructure in-step with growth. Cork City Council is committed to working with stakeholders to provide for the needs of children.

3.62

To enable Cork City Council, developers, infrastructure providers and communities to better anticipate the children-orientated infrastructure needed to support individual development schemes or multiple schemes in an area, Cork City Council will prepare an appraisal tool to indicate the likely number of children that will arise from a development across different age cohorts and translate this data into indicative childcare, education and open space needs. It will represent an enabling tool informed by international best practice that will help stakeholders anticipate and provide for new or expanded facilities.

3.63

Cork City Council has supported a number of consultation processes that engage with children and young people for example with the annual visit by the Lord Mayor to each school in the City, and specific initiatives undertaken in partnership with Healthy Cities and UCC and with the Young Social Innovators. The City Council will continue to find innovative means of engaging with children and young people though our consultation processes and engaging with stakeholders such as Comhairle na NÓg. Cork City Council remains committed to encouraging changes that are designed to improve the lives of children by providing for their needs, security and safety.

3.64

The term ‘childcare’ extends beyond crèches to also include full day-care, part-time care, and sessional facilities, pre-school and school-age (after-school) services. Childcare benefits children’s education and social development whilst allowing parents and carers flexibility to pursue other activity including participation in the workforce. The provision of childcare facilities forms an integral consideration as part of all new development proposals.

3.65

The provision of childcare should be addressed where, or within walking distance to where the need arises. In accordance with the Childcare Facilities Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2001), new residential developments of more than 75 homes will be expected to provide purpose-built as part of the development unless it can be demonstrated there is sufficient capacity in existing facilities. Large employment development, either new developments or expansion of existing developments, will be required to provide childcare facilities. In large scale retail, leisure or tourism developments, the provision of a drop-in childcare facilities will also be encouraged. Chapter 11 Placemaking and Managing Development lists development management considerations and references the Government Guidelines: “We Like This Place - Guidelines for Best Practice in the Design of Childcare Facilities” (2005).

A Learning City

3.66

The importance of education and learning cannot be underestimated in terms of its importance in improving people’s quality of life and addressing social and economic disadvantage. In 2015, Cork City was presented with a UNESCO Learning City Award recognising progress made in developing lifelong learning for all, and in doing so enhancing the inclusion, prosperity and sustainable development of the city. Over the course of this Development Plan, Cork City Council will continue to support the work of the Cork Learning City initiative and working in partnership with stakeholders including University College Cork (UCC), Munster Technological University (MTU) and the Cork Education and Training Board (ETB) to deliver programmes such as the Learning Neighbourhoods Programme.

Schools

3.67

The provision of suitable and adequate schools (primary and post-primary) is an essential element of any community and this will become more important as Cork City accommodates unprecedented population and economic growth between now and 2040. 

3.68

The Department of Education has prepared preliminary projections of requirements for school places in different sub-areas in Cork City over the period to 2031. The projections suggest a potential need of up to 19 new or expanded primary schools and up to 7 new or expanded post-primary schools as per the summary table below:

DoE Preliminary Assessment of Additional Education Capacity
School Planning Areaa	Number of new or expande    Primary Schools (baseline  figure)	Number of new or expanded Secondary   Schools (Baseline figure)
Ballintemple	5-7	2
Montenotte	2-3	1
Glasheen	1-3
Gurranabraher	1-2	1
Ballincollig	2	1
Blarney	1-2	1
Glanmire	1	1

Table 3.7: DoE Preliminary Assessment of Additional Education Capacity

3.69

The above projections represent a starting point and demographic changes within the existing population cohort may reduce the requirement. Nevertheless, the level of potential need must be planned for in order to meet the future educational needs of the City. A full appraisal by the Department of Education of the expansion capacity of existing schools or the potential to co-locate schools as part of a campus remains ongoing.

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The Department undertakes annual reviews of school place requirements which take account of the rate of housing delivery, child benefit data and existing school enrolments. Where data indicates that additional provision is required at primary or post-primary level, the delivery of additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:

• Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools
• Extending the capacity of a school or schools
• Provision of a new school or schools

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If it is determined that a new school is required, the Department engages in a site identification process and this may activate a site acquisition process if it is determined that a new site is required. When the proposed site is identified/secured the Department’s planning for the new school commences.

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The Development Plan carries forward the sites zoned for new schools throughout the City and has instilled flexibility within the zoning objectives for residential areas to enable the delivery of new schools or expansion of existing schools should the need arise and subject to compliance with other policy objectives within the Development Plan.

3.73

Opportunities to co-locate schools, other community, childcare and recreational facilities on sites, or adjoining sites identified for the provision of new schools by the Department of Education for new schools will be encouraged and supported.

3.74

In accordance with the “The Provision of Schools & the Planning System a Code of Practice for Planning Authorities” (2008), Cork City Council will continue to work closely with the Department of Education to plan for new schools or the expansion of existing school within the catchments of proposed growth.

Third-Level Education and Further Education

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Cork City is a twin-university city that hosts a range of further and third-level education facilities of the highest quality including University College Cork, Munster Technological University, Cork Education and Training Board. These institutions provide a diverse range of educational, research and innovation options that support the social and economic development of the region. Cork City Council supports the continued development, upgrade and expansion of Further Education and Higher-Level Education facilities in a sustainable manner. The importance of third level education and further education in facilitating economic innovation and reliance is addressed in Chapter 7 of the Development Plan.

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The importance of health to our everyday lives has been magnified by the Covid-19 pandemic and it has also made us appreciate more than ever that our health is not solely contingent on the healthcare system but also a range of other factors. This Development Plan recognises and proactively addresses some of these factors and land use considerations including objectives which seek to support our healthcare system, achieve liveable neighbourhoods, protect and enhance green and blue infrastructure, support recreation and community facilities, deliver infrastructure in-step with new development and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. As such Health is a cross cutting theme that informs all elements of this Plan.

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In 2012 Cork was designated a World Health Organisation (WHO) Healthy City. As such, a range of partners, including Cork City Council and the HSE have committed to continually creating and improving the physical and social environments of the city and expanding the community resources that enable people to mutually support each other in performing all the functions of life and developing to their maximum potential. The designation recognises that a Healthy City is not merely a product of health sector activities but largely determined by policies and actions beyond the health sector. The Cork Healthy Cities Action Plan Phase VII 2020-2030 lists a number of actions under relevant themes aimed at improving the health and well-being of people in the City and reduce health inequalities. The Action Plan, by necessity, is multifaceted but in terms of land-use management there are a number of relevant themes including ‘HealthyPlaces and Settings’ and ‘Integrated Planning for Health’.

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Within Cork City, healthcare facilities are managed by a range of public, private and voluntary bodies. The Health Service Executive (HSE) is the primary organisation responsible for healthcare infrastructure in the City and is responsible for providing public health and social services. The public healthcare system is undergoing strategic change as part of the ‘Sláintecare’ ten-year programme. In addition to a range of investment proposals and care improvements, one of the key outputs of Sláintecare in terms of spatial planning implications is a strategy of transitioning towards a primary and community-based care system rather than the current hospital-centric model of health care. There are also proposals to invest in the hospital system with the National Development Plan 2018-2027 supporting the development of a new acute hospital and elective hospital for Cork.

3.79

Community Healthcare Networks (CHNs) are being implemented by the HSE across Cork City and County to deliver Primary Health Care Services in accordance with the Sláintecare vision. There are 7 CHNs covering Cork City under the remit of the Cork/Kerry Health Region and each network will manage and deliver local services within its geographical area, working together to meet the needs of the local community. As these centres will offer community-based services, they will be permissible in principle within a wide range of Zoning Objectives.

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In addition to the strategic new development proposals, there are also likely to be requirements to expand and undertake development works to existing healthcare facilities in the City. Subject to compliance with other policy objectives contained in the Development Plan, these proposals will be supported in principle.

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In accordance with wider sustainable transport objectives, measures to help reduce private car use and facilitate more sustainable transport use such as sustainable travel/mobility plans and park and ride facilities will be encouraged in respect of all new and existing hospitals. In the case of Cork University Hospital, this could include implementing a park and ride service involving dedicated off-site parking or shared parking within a facility where the existing parking area is only used periodically or outside daytime hours.

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The availability of indoor and outdoor recreational facilities at a neighbourhood level is vital to creating a greener, healthier, and more sustainable City overall. It also responds to the challenge of having to plan the future development of the city in a manner that facilitates and encourages every resident, worker or visitor to engage regularly in some form of active recreation, irrespective of their age, economic or social circumstances or their physical capabilities. Much like other forms of community infrastructure, recreational facilities also offer an opportunity for social interaction leading to more inclusive communities while outdoor facilities have the potential to support biodiversity and climate change benefits.

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Chapter 6 Green and Blue Infrastructure, Open Space and Biodiversity addresses Green and Blue Infrastructure while Chapter 11 Placemaking and Managing Development lists development management policies from an open space and recreation perspective. These, together with this section and the associated studies, combine to promote integrated open space and recreation provision throughout Cork City.

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The Government’s ‘National Sports Policy 2018 – 2027’ sets targets for increasing participation in sport for all ages and abilities including an ambitious goal of having half of the adult population playing sport regularly by 2027. It identifies local authorities as leading the facilitation of physical activity and sports and working in partnership with local communities, Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs), clubs and leisure providers to help improve facilities and increase participation. The emphasis on providing an enhance offer of recreational facilities is also reiterated in the ‘Local Economic & Community Plan 2016-2021- Pure Cork’ and ‘Cork Healthy Cities Action Plan Phase VII 2020-2030’.

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Cork City Council has commissioned the preparation of a city-wide ‘Active Recreation Infrastructure Study’ to appraise existing facilities and provide recommendations on policy objectives, the enhancement or expansion of existing facilities, and the provision of new facilities. The Development Plan will seek to incorporate the recommendations and take them forward to implementation. Further details are contained in Chapter 6 Green and Blue Infrastructure, Open Space and Biodiversity.

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Library services continue to be of major importance to the city in providing information, education, places for social interaction and bridging the digital divide. They can inspire, connect and empower our communities. In 2020, approximately 21% of the City’s population were active library users². The national libraries strategy, ‘Our Public Libraries 2022’, seeks to increase usership to 30% of the population nationally. As it stands there are 10 public libraries in the City but as the City grows, more longer-term, library facilities will be required at the following locations:
• A new City Centre Library
• Mayfield (extension and refurbishment of the Frank O’Connor Library, as a joint development with St. Joseph’s Community Centre / SJCA)
• Blackrock-Mahon (A new library)
• Douglas
• Ballincollig
• Glanmire
• Blarney
• Blackpool

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Cork City Council will work proactively with the library service and local communities in exploring opportunities to expand and improve library facilities. Zoning objectives which address existing and proposed residential-led development, local centres, district centres and the city centre are inherently flexible to accommodate library development subject to wider development management considerations. In addition to the proposals specified above, during the course of the Development Plan new opportunities to delivery libraries alongside new development may arise and these will be supported in principle.

3.88

With an ageing population, there is a need to ensure a supply of adequate services to meet their needs. Many people are remaining in the workforce for longer and staying healthy and active until later in life which is positive; but it necessitates consideration of additional services and more adaptable services and a built environment to meet this need.

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In April 2019, Cork was designated a World Health Organisation Age Friendly City. An Age Friendly City is a place where more and more older people can stay living in their own homes and communities, lead healthy and active lives, get to where they want to go, when they want to go, and are valued contributors to the lives of their communities. Cork City needs to continue facilitating improvements with the Cork Age Friendly City Strategy (2016) containing a number of priorities linked to land-use planning including:
• Ensuring that older people have access to adequate health services and information and to age friendly health and community facilities needed for healthy and active living;
• Ensuring that the location, design and maintenance of buildings and the surrounding environment are age proofed and in line with current best practice;
• In transportation terms, enabling older people in Cork City and areas adjoining the city to get to where they need to go when they want to go there; and
• Enabling older people to live in their own homes and communities by providing the necessary supports and services as well as suitable housing in the right locations.

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These confirm the need to continue promoting a more responsive building environment for older people and the need to take their needs into account in locating, designing and servicing development proposals. The needs inform the Core Strategy including the provision for compact growth and liveable neighbourhoods whilst also forming a key part of the Cork Healthy Cities Action Plan 2020-2030. The needs are addressed through development objectives in this section and in the wider plan addressing adaptable housing, the need to provide suitable accommodation for the elderly, delivering sustainable and accessible public transport and accessible and multi-purpose Green and Blue Infrastructure.

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In planning for the growth and community infrastructure needs of Cork City, care is needed to ensure that opportunities to facilitate a more inclusive, equitable and safe city are maximised. Although these considerations extend beyond the remit of spatial planning, they should inform how development is brought forward in Cork City. Many within our community including children, older people, people with disabilities and travellers will have specific housing, planning and design requirements. In the planning and design of housing developments there needs to be a focus on community engagement and the design of developments must have regard to the varied needs of our community.

Social Inclusion

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Social inclusion is important in creating sustainableneighbourhoods Cork City Council seeks to further integrate social inclusion into the policies,programmes, activities and services of the Council. The aim is to ensure that everyone regardless of their background, experiences and circumstances can gain access to the services and facilities they need to achieve their own potential. The promotion
of inclusive neighbourhoods that cater for all people, that accord with the principles of universal design and that offer quality of opportunity and good services to all will be a priority.

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The promotion of multi-functional community hubs and the co-location of community facilities elsewhere in this section is driven by the ambition to create inclusive communities and neighbourhoods throughout the city. However, all new development proposals from the project inception stage through to the occupation and operation of the development should seek to cater for all age groups and abilities including children, young people, older persons, people with a disability or illness, lone parents, families, and ethnic minority groups. This also applies to the public realm, recreation facilities and green and blue infrastructure, including the upgrade or expansion of existing facilities, to ensure that all abilities are provided for as an integral part of the design.

People with Disabilities

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As set out earlier in this chapter, Cork City Council will continue to work with stakeholders to support the provision of accommodation that satisfies the requirements of people with a disability (physical / intellectual / mental health / sensory) who have an identified social housing need. However, within a more strategic context, our built environment needs to evolve to provide for the needs of all of society including people with a disability. The National Disability Authority’s Universal Design Guidelines - “Building for Everyone: A Universal Design Approach” (2012) should be taken into account in designing developments.

Cultural Diversity

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Diversity adds to the wealth of the tapestry of heritage and culture that makes up Cork City. Cork City Council recognises the community, cultural and religious needs of ethnic or culturally diverse populations in the city and aims to facilitate the appropriate and sustainable development of diverse cultural, religious and social facilities reflecting these varying needs.

Safe and Secure City

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People want to live in a safe city. The key to creating a safe city is to create a strong and integrated community that feels as if the city is home, regardless of age, ability, social background, sexual orientation and identity, gender and ethnic background. Designing out crime planning principles include using the general principles of good urban design of places, spaces and buildings to reduce crime through improvements to lighting, landscaping, orientating buildings to overlook the street, using see through rather than tinted windows and avoiding blank walls facing onto streets, or large distances between footpaths and building entrances. Chapter 11 Placemaking and Managing Development outlines the guidelines for designing a safe city.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To increase the population of Cork City in line with the Core Strategy. To deliver sustainable, liveable, integrated communities and neighbourhoods. To ensure that new homes are provided at appropriate densities in brownfield, infill and greenfield locations within and contiguous to existing City footprint identified in the Core Strategy, and aligned with transport, community and social infrastructure. To ensure that new homes are provided with a good mix of accommodation types and sizes to meet the needs of all members of society. To achieve a higher quality of life for Cork City’s communities, promoting healthy living, wellbeing and active lifestyles. To ensure that placemaking is at the heart of all development to create attractive, liveable, well-designed, safe, secure and welcoming, high-quality urban places. To promote the concept of a 15-minute city focused on inclusive, diverse and integrated neighbourhoods served by a range of homes, amenities, services, jobs and active and public transport alternatives. Proposals for new development will demonstrate how placemaking is at the heart of the development and how the development will contribute to the local neighbourhood.

	Objective 3.1			Objective 3.2
Planning for Sustainable Neighbourhoods Cork City Council will seek to: a. Utilise the Urban Towns, Hinterland Villages and City Neighbourhoods as spatial units to develop sustainable neighbourhoods, employing the 15-Minute City concept; b. Require development proposals to put placemaking at the heart of their design concept and clearly demonstrate how neighbourhood integration and enhancement is central to this; c. Plan for communities in accordance with the aims, objectives and principles of ‘Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas’ and the accompanying ‘Urban Design Manual – A Best Practice Guide’, and any updates. d. Ensure that an appropriate level of supporting neighbourhood infrastructure is provided in conjunction with, and as an integral component of, residential development in New Sustainable Neighbourhoods. e. Undertake a Cork City Neighbourhoods Strategy during the lifetime of the Plan to identify strategic gaps in the provision of services / infrastructure / resources within neighbourhoods; f. Create healthy and attractive places to live consistent with NPO 4 of the NPF and Goal 3: Sustainable Place Framework of the RSES.			A Diverse, Inclusive and Equal City Cork City Council will seek to ensure that ensure that Cork is an inclusive City and meets the needs of the City through by: a. Providing a land use planning system that ensures an appropriate distribution of land uses, infrastructure and services to give equal access to all residents to live, work, educate, recreate and avail of other services in terms of range and quality; b. Consciously considering specific people groups in the design of neighbourhoods, places, buildings, streets and spaces to meet the needs of all citizens; c. Consciously considering specific people groups in the development of planning policy, strategies and frameworks. d. Promoting measures that reduce concentrations of social inequality between neighbourhoods.
	Objective 3.3			Objective 3.4
New Housing Supply Provision will be made for at least 17,118 new homes to be built in Cork over the Development Plan period. This will be achieved by: a. Zoning sufficient lands for residential or a mix of residential and other uses to facilitate the delivery of housing; b. Designating Transformational sites capable of delivering new homes; c. Utilising the Cork City Capacity Study prepared as an input into this Plan to identify the development potential of sites capable of residential development; d. Active land management utilising the provisions of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 and Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015; e. Optimising the potential of brownfield sites (see Objective 3.4);                                 f. Actively encouraging the re-use of vacant space within existing buildings (especially built heritage assets and those in the City Centre) and vacant homes by utilising all instruments at Cork City Council’s disposal; g. Ensuring that all new housing developments contribute to the creation and / or maintenance of successful neighbourhoods and are designed to the highest standards (see Chapter 11: Placemaking and Managing Development).			Compact Growth Cork City Council will seek to ensure that at least 66% of all new homes will be provided within the existing footprint of Cork. Cork City Council will seek to ensure that at least 33% of all new homes will be provided within brownfield sites in Cork. Optimising the potential for housing delivery on all suitable and available brownfield sites will be achieved by: a. Cork City Council acting as a development agency to kickstart regeneration of sites and buildings, utilising acquisition as required; b. Progress housing and employment delivery in urban centres and strategic regeneration sites; c. Active land management utilising the range of tools available (including the Derelict Sites Act 1990 and the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015); d. The redevelopment of surplus utility and public sector owned sites; e. The development of small sites and the re-use of existing designated and undesignated built heritage assets on those sites; f. The utilisation of planning and urban design tools to provide a framework for the development of sites (e.g. masterplanning, framework plans, neighbourhood strategies, historic area regeneration strategies, site specific briefs);                                                              g. Optimising the use of land (see PO HSC3: Density of development, below); h. Establishing ambitious and achievable buildout rates at the planning stage to help ensure that homes are built quickly and to reduce the likelihood of permissions being sought to sell land on at a higher value; i. Influencing Government to update the legislative, guidance, fiscal and financial framework to the benefit of housing delivery on brownfield sites; j. Combining its role as planning authority and housing authority to bring about residential development to meet demand and need; k. Where new sustainable transport infrastructure is planned land use designations will be reviewed and updated, where appropriate to provide for housing or mixed use development (including housing); l. Unlock the development potential of brownfield sites to be used as an evidence base and business case for intervention; and m. Ensuring that all new housing developments contribute to the creation and / or maintenance of successful neighbourhoods. n. Identify and promote the development potential of brownfield, small sites, regeneration areas and infrastructure packages to enable progress towards achieving compact growth targets.              o. Encourage the retrofitting and reuse of existing buildings, rather than their demolition and reconstruction
	Objective 3.5			Objective 3.6
Residential Density Cork City Council will seek to: a. Promote compact urban growth by encouraging higher densities throughout Cork City according to the Cork City Density Strategy, Building Height and Tall Building Study and resultant standards set out in Chapter 11: Placemaking and Managing Development and Mapped Objectives; and b. Ensure that urban density is achieved by development proposals providing for high quality sustainable residential development, ensure a balance between the protection of the established character of the surrounding area and existing residential amenities; c. Ensure that urban density is closely linked to creating successful neighbourhoods (see 3-A-1, above) and ensuring that neighbourhoods are integrated and permeable to ensure short trips are possible to urban centres, local services and amenities; d. Ensuring high-quality architectural, urban and public realm design. Guidance is set out in Chapter 11: Placemaking and Managing Development.			Housing Mix a. Implement the provisions of the Joint Housing Strategy and HNDA as far as they relate to Cork City; b. Encourage the development of an appropriate mix of dwelling types to meet target residential densities, utilising a range of dwelling types and density typologies informed by best practice (as illustrated in “Density Done Well” in the Cork City Density Strategy, Building Height and Tall Building Strategy) with combinations of houses, stacked units and apartments; c. Within all new residential developments it will be necessary to ensure an appropriate balance of housing tenure and dwelling size to sustain balanced and inclusive communities, including a balance of familysized units and smaller dwellings tailored to suit the location (please refer to Chapter 11: Placemaking and Managing Development for those standards); d. Deliver at least 20% below-market priced housing across Cork City and ideally within each new residential neighbourhood; e. Encourage the provision of housing for one and two person households in all neighbourhoods to meet the needs of all age groups, including providing for downsizing to release family housing units; f. Update Development Plan policy as necessary to reflect emerging national guidance with regard to housing standards.
	Objective 3.7			Objective 3.8
Build-to-Rent and Shared Accommodation a. Cork City Council will facilitate the provision of Build-to-Rent in suitable locations in Cork City and schemes shall comply with the requirements of the “Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments” Guidelines (DHPLG, March 2018) and the December 2020 update, and any subsequent updates. At the neighbourhood level development proposals should contribute to the creation or maintenance of a socially balanced and inclusive neighbourhood. Development proposals will need to be justified within the context of the HNDA demand forecasts for one and two--person households and the spectrum of dwelling types and tenures available for that population group. b. There is a presumption against shared accommodation / co-living development.			Purpose-built Student Accommodation Cork City Council will seek to ensure that student housing demand is met by Purpose-Built Student Accommodation as far as possible, provided that: a. Student accommodation is provided in locations accessible to higher-level education campuses by walking, cycling or public transport, and ideally in the City Centre, City Docks, urban centres and mixed use redevelopment schemes of brownfield sites; b. At the neighbourhood level, the development contributes to a mixed and inclusive neighbourhood; c. The scheme is of a high quality and meets the needs of students.
	Objective 3.9			Objective 3.10
Adaptation of Existing Homes Infill Development and Conversion of Upper Floors Cork City Council will support and encourage the adaptation of existing homes consistent with NPO 34 of the NPF infill development and the conversion of upper floors in commercial areas in principle to ensure that homes small sites and vacant space are utilised for new housing supply whilst still ensuring high standards of residential amenity for existing adjoining homes.			Housing and Community for Older People (Age Friendly Housing) Cork City Council will actively seek to meet the housing and community needs of older persons by: a. Supporting mainstream housing options for older people and persons with disabilities (including but not limited to physical, mental health) consistent with NPO 30 of the NPF, and RPO 182 of the RSES. b. Supporting the adaptation of existing homes. c. Promoting opportunities for right sizing / downsizing by older people within their neighbourhoods to enable sustainable social networks and support to be maintained. d. Supporting the provision of integrated housing and community development specifically designed for older people in accessible locations that allow for wider engagement with existing communities. e. Integrating community facilities within a range of housing designed for the elderly such as assisted living homes and clusters (with support), transition clusters (combining mainstream and supported living) and stepdown units (with care), and specialised care homes. f. Supporting the development of lifetime housing (Lifetime Homes Standard). g. Supporting the development of housing designed to Universal Design Standards.
	Objective 3.11			Objective 3.12
Housing for Older People (Age Friendly Housing) Cork City Council will support the planning and delivery of more specialised housing and community facilities for older persons that: a. Are located close to community and social infrastructure required by occupants (e.g. shops, post office, community centres, etc) ensuring older people can remain part of existing communities. b. Are easily accessible for residents, employees, visitors and service providers. c. Follow best practice, including the ‘Positive Ageing’ model, by actively engaging and integrating within the wider community while providing a safe environment for residents. d. Create strong links between the elderly and the local community including provision of activities linked to wider community groups. e. Follow all relevant standards set out in the ‘National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland’ published by the Health Information and Quality Authority (July 2016) or the relevant standards for any subsequent national guidelines.			Special Categories of Housing Cork City Council will actively seek to meet the housing need of special categories of housing by: a. Providing suitable accommodation for Cork City’s Travelling Community through the development of new sites, the extension of existing sites and the refurbishment of existing sites in accordance with the needs identified in the Travellers Accommodation Plan. Specific development locations are identified in Volume 2: Mapped Objectives and accommodation for Travellers will also be suitable on lands zoned for purposes that accommodate residential uses, including the ZO 1: Sustainable Residential Neighbourhoods and ZO 21 City Hinterland land use zoning objectives. b. Encouraging and supporting, in conjunction with Túsla and other relevant agencies the provision of Domestic Violence Refuge, which seek to provide appropriate Domestic Abuse Crisis Intervention Services in Cork; c. Supporting the provision of homeless accommodation and / or support services throughout Cork City; d. Supporting the provision of housing for people with intellectual disability and / or autism consistent with the National Disability Act and the policy on congregated settings.
	Objective 3.13			Objective 3.14
Rural Generated Housing a. To sustain and renew established rural communities, by facilitating those with a rural generated housing need to live within their rural community. b. To discourage urban generated housing in the City Hinterland. c. The City Hinterland is the area under strongest urban generated pressure for rural housing. Therefore, single rural housing applicants must satisfy Cork City Council that their proposal constitutes an exceptional rural generated housing need and satisfies all the requirements of this Plan. Any application for the development of a single rural dwelling must set out a comprehensive and conclusive demonstrable economic or social need to live in a rural area.			Community Infrastructure and Services To work with our communities and infrastructure providers in facilitating the development and provision of a range of accessible, socially inclusive, multi functional and diverse community facilities throughout the City.
	Objective 3.15			Objective 3.16
Local Economic & Community Plan (LECP) To support the delivery of the goals, objectives and actions contained within the Local Economic & Community Plan (LECP) 2016-2021 “Pure Cork - An Action Plan for the City” and its successor LECP that is currently under preparation.			City-Wide Community Infrastructure Audit (CWCIA) To explore the preparation of a city-wide community infrastructure audit and health-check over the life-time of the Plan.
	Objective 3.17			Objective 3.18
Community Hubs To promote the co-location and sharing of community, enterprise, recreation and open space infrastructure to create community hubs of scale at locations that can be accessed by walking, cycling and public transport and subject to there being no significant adverse impacts on local amenity.			Adaptable Community Facilities To support provision of community facilities that are multi-functional and sufficiently adaptable, or can be adapted, to cater for a variety of uses now and in the future as needs change.
	Objective 3.19			Objective 3.20
Planning for Children – Orientated Facilities To progress preparation of a tool to provide greater clarity on likely childcare, education and open space needs arising from new development proposals in Cork City.			Cork City as a Child-Friendly City To promote Cork as a child-friendly city by considering the needs of children in terms of appropriate design when changes are proposed to the built environment.
	Objective 3.21			Objective 3.22
Childcare Facilities To support the provision and expansion of highquality childcare facilities throughout the city. The Council will: a. Require purpose built childcare facilities as part of proposals for new residential developments of more than 75 dwelling units. However, where it can be clearly established that existing facilities are sufficient, alternative arrangements will be considered. b. Consult with the Cork City Childcare Company and the HSE on planning applications where childcare facilities are proposed. c. Require employers with more than 500 members of staff to provide childcare facilities as part of planning applications for significant new and extended development.			Cork Learning City To support the work and initiatives of Cork Learning City in promoting and facilitating lifelong learning.
	Objective 3.23			Objective 3.24
School Facilities a. To work closely with the Department of Education in planning for the delivery of new schools in-step with new housing development within the city. b. To ensure that new school sites are made available in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Education. c. To encourage the co-location of schools as part of education campuses and with other community uses to create community hubs. This could facilitate the sharing of halls, playing fields and courts where feasible.			Third-Level Education and Further Education a. To support the ongoing development and provision of third level education, further education and lifelong learning in the City. b. To work with the education providers to ensure their facilities can be upgraded and expanded to meet their requirements. c. To work with the education providers in promoting and facilitating measures (such as the Higher Education Access Route and ACCESS+) which seek to extend education opportunities to representatives from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. d. To facilitate and promote synergies between education, industry and entrepreneurship with an emphasis on retaining talent in the City, facilitating the expansion of existing economic clusters and the establishment of new clusters, and increasing participation in the City’s labour force.
	Objective 3.25			Objective 3.26
Cork City as a WHO Healthy City To support the designation of Cork as a World Health Organisation (WHO) Healthy City and the implementation of the Cork Healthy Cities Action Plan VII 2020-2030.			Healthcare Infrastructure To support the sustainable provision and expansion of hospitals and other healthcare facilities within the city including the provision of primary care centres and other specialist facilities at suitable locations, subject to the proper planning and sustainable development considerations.
	Objective 3.27			Objective 3.28
Sustainable Transport for Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities To support the preparation and implementation of sustainable travel plans at hospitals and major healthcare facilities to reduce on-site parking, congestion and associated amenity impacts.			Neighbourhood Recreation and Amenity a. To finalise the Cork City Active Recreation Infrastructure Study to guide the implementation of this policy objective and other related objectives in the wider Plan. b. To support and facilitate the development of outdoor and indoor recreational facilities to cater for all age groups on suitable sites. c. To support the clustering of recreational facilities, particularly in locations that are well served by walking, cycling and public transport. d. To promote more multi-functional facilities such as Multiple Games Areas (MUGAs) and multi-use internal courts/halls where there is a deficit in existing facilities across a range of sports/active recreation uses. This does not imply a relaxation of the open space standards for new development proposals. e. To support the provision of formal and informal play areas with appropriate equipment and where possible, incorporating nature-based play equipment and layouts. These, where practical, should seek to appeal to a range of age cohorts through their layout and equipment. f. To discourage the redevelopment of recreational facilities to alternative, non community uses unless it can be demonstrated there is suitable and accessible (by walking, cycling and public transport) alternative provision elsewhere with sufficient capacity to compensate for the loss of the facility.
	Objective 3.29			Objective 3.30
Libraries To support the implementation of the Cork City Council Libraries 2020-2024 Strategic Plan that includes proposals to deliver a new library facility in Blackrock-Mahon and the City Centre and upgraded/replacement facilities in Mayfield, Douglas, Ballincollig, Glanmire, Blarney and Blackpool.			Social Inclusion a. To support policies, strategies and plans that address social inclusion. b. To actively engage with all sectors of the community to encourage public participation; c. To support economic development, urban regeneration, lifelong learning and the development of community facilities in more socially and economically disadvantaged parts of the City.
	Objective 3.31			Objective 3.32
Inclusive Design To promote and where applicable implement inclusive design in all new development and in works to existing buildings and facilities including open space and public realm areas to optimise the facilities for all age groups and abilities. This includes embracing the National Disability Authority’s Universal Design Guidelines, age-friendly principles and international best practice.			Cork City Age Friendly Strategy To support the implementation of the Cork City Age Friendly Strategy (2016) or its successor strategy in collaboration with relevant support agencies and stakeholder groups including the Cork Older Peoples’ Forum and Cork Age Friendly City Alliance.
	Objective 3.33			Objective 3.34
Cultural Diversity To recognise the wealth that diversity adds to the city and plan for community and cultural needs of communities in the city and facilitate the development of diverse cultural, religious and social facilities at suitable locations subject to proper planning considerations.			Safe and Secure City a. To ensure a well-integrated urban form that provides a safe environment for all users by maximising visibility and surveillance, increasing pedestrian activity and maximising connections between areas. b. To encourage buildings and spaces to be designed with safety and security in mind to avoid anti-social behaviour, reduce and prevent crime and create safe places for all. c. To encourage the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the public realm, keeping spaces free of graffiti and litter etc.

Freedom of the City Art Competition