Table of Contents

1 Table of ContentsChapter 1 Background Legislative Context Plan Informants 05 Profile of County Galway 08 Planning Issues in County Galway 10 Vision For County Galway 11 Strategic Aims of The Plan 11 Monitoring and Implementation 12 Statement Demonstrating Objectives of the Galway County Development 13 Plan are Consistent with Conservation of the Environment Format of the Plan 14 Chapter 2 Spatial Strategy, Core & Settlement Background Spatial Strategy Development Strategy Objectives 22 Core Strategy The Core Strategy Objectives 35 Settlement Strategy Settlement Strategy Objectives 44 Chapter 3 Urban & Rural Introduction Strategic Aims Housing Location/Design and Density in Urban Areas Locations Appropriate for New Residential Development in Urban Areas Location for Residential Development in Built-Up Urban Areas Urban Housing Policies and Objectives Single Housing in the Countryside Identifying Rural Area Types Rural Housing Policies and Objectives 60 Chapter 4 Economic.

2 Tourism & Retail Introduction Strategic Aims 66 Table of Contents Plean Forbartha Chontae na Gaillimhe // Galway County Development Plan iPageSubject to Variation seperate link(Adopted 24th April 2017) ii Plean Forbartha Chontae na Gaillimhe // Galway County Development Context Employment, Economy and Enterprise Development and Promotion 71 Third Level Institutions and the Knowledge Economy Provision of Serviced Land and Infrastructure Strategic Economic Corridor Former Galway Regional Airport Site Rural Enterprise Farm Diversification Major Accidents and Seveso Sites Tourism 74 Food and Craft, Arts, Culture and heritage Tourism 76 Economic Development and Tourism Policies and Objectives 77 Retail Planning Guidelines and Design Manual for Planning Authorities 82 DoECLG (2012)

3 Core Shopping Areas Improvement of Town Centres Retail Diversity Local Shops and Services Evening and Late Night Uses Petrol Filling Stations Retail Signage Retailing Policies and Objectives 85 Chapter 5 Roads & Land Use Integration and Sustainable Transport Strategy 88 Land Use Integration and Sustainable Transportation Strategy Polices and Objectives 93 Transport Infrastructure - Road and Transportation Networks 95 Roads and Transportation Polices and Objectives 96 Chapter 6 Water, Wastewater, Waste Management & Extractive Introduction Strategic Aims Water Service Investment Programme Irish Water and The Proposed Capital Investment Plan 2014-2016 Water Services Water Supply Water Quality and Ground Water Protection Scheme Conservation of Water Supply Domestic Metering Water Policies and Objectives Wastewater Types of Wastewater Systems in County Galway Public Wastewater Schemes in County Galway East Galway Main Drainage Scheme 114 Subject to Variation seperate link(Adopted 24th April 2017)

4 Plean Forbartha Chontae na Gaillimhe // Galway County Development Plan Sludge Management Plan Surface and Storm Water/ Sustainable Drainage Systems Wastewater Policies and Objectives Waste Management Waste Management Policies and Objectives Mineral Extraction and Quarries Mineral Extraction and Quarries Policies and Objectives 120 Chapter 7 Energy/Renewable Energies & Communications Introduction Strategic Aims Energy and Renewable Energies Renewable Energy Energy and Renewable Energy Policies and Objectives Information and Communications Technology Information and Communications Technology Policies and Objectives 131 Chapter 8 Climate Change & Introduction Strategic Aims Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Risk Assessments Climate Change, Air Quality and Radon Policies and Objectives Flooding Flood Risk Management Policies and Objectives 146 Chapter 9 heritage , Landscape & Environmental Introduction Strategic Context and Strategic Aims General heritage Policies Built heritage architectural heritage Policies and Objectives Archaeological heritage Archaeological heritage Policies and Objectives Natural heritage and Biodiversity Natural heritage and Biodiversity Policies and Objectives Landscape Conservation and Management Landscape Conservation and Management Policies and Objectives Focal Point and Views Focal Point and Views Objective World heritage Sites World heritage Objective 171 Table of Contents iv Plean Forbartha Chontae na Gaillimhe // Galway County Development PlanChapter 10 Cultural.

5 Social & Community Development Introduction Strategic Aims Cultural heritage and Community Identity An Ghaeltacht An Ghaeltacht Policies and Objectives Islands Islands Policies and Objectives Community Facilities and Services Community Facilities and Services Policies and Objectives Recreation and Amenity Recreation and Amenity Policies and Objectives Public Rights of Way Public Rights of Way Policy and Objective Social Inclusion and Universal Access Social Inclusion and Universal Access Policies and Objectives 185 Chapter 11 Agriculture, Fishing, Marine Resources & Forestry Introduction Strategic Aims Agriculture and Food Agriculture, Fishing/Marine Resources and Forestry Policies Agriculture Policies and Objectives Fishing and Marine Resources Fishing and Marine Resources Policies and Objectives Forestry Forestry Policies and Objectives 201 Chapter 12 Implementation & Introduction Implementation Monitoring Collaboration and Engagement 206 Chapter 13 Development Management Standards & Introduction - Aims General Development Guidelines Guidelines for Residential Development (Urban and Rural Areas)

6 Rural Residential Considerations Guidelines for Employment Uses Guidelines for Rural Enterprise and Rural Tourism 220 Plean Forbartha Chontae na Gaillimhe // Galway County Development Plan Guidelines for Community Facilities Guidelines for Transportation, Roads, Parking, Loading and Storage Guidelines for Infrastructure and Service Guidelines for Agriculture, Mariculture, Forestry and Extractive Development Guidelines for heritage , Landscape and Environmental Management 238 List Of MapsMap GH Gateway and Hubs 09 Map OSS Overall Spatial Strategy Map and Proposed Development Option 21 Map CSM Core Strategy Map 36 Map SS2 Settlement Hierarchy Map 43 Map RHO1 Rural Area Types 57 Map RHO2 Rural Housing Policy 59 Map EDT1 Economic Engine/Corridors 82 Map TI 1 Strategic Transport Network 102 Map ER1 Energy Transmission Infrastructure 130 Map AH1 architectural Conservation Areas 156 Map NHB1 Designated Environmental Sites 164 Map HL5 EcoNet Map 165 Map LCM1 Landscape Value Rating 169 Map LCM 2 Landscape Sensitivity and Character Areas 170 Map FPV1 Focal Points/Views 172 Map AFFI Forestry Suitability 202 List Of TablesTable Plan Informants 05 Table West Region Population Targets 26 Table Census Population Figures 27 Table

7 Census Population Figures and RPG Population Targets 28 Table Core Strategy Population Allocation Calculations 2015-2021 29 Table Number of Units Relating to Extant Permissions in Local Area Plan Settlements 31 Table Schedule of Status of Local Area Plans for County Galway 39 Table Strengths and Opportunities of County Galway 67 Table Five Key Policy Objectives for the Retail Sector 70 Table List of Seveso Sites in County Galway 73 Table Diversity of Retail Uses in Tuam, Ballinasloe, Loughrea Core Town Centres 84 Table Priority Transportation Infrastructure Projects for County Galway 2015-2021 89 Table Regional/Local Projects proposed for 2015-2021 92 Table Works Completed in County Galway Under the WSIP 2010-2013 105 Table Water Supply Projects proposed to be Completed in County Galway Under the Proposed Investment Plan (2014-2016)

8 107 Table Details Pertaining to Galway County Council Water Conservation Programme 108 Table Waste Water Projects to be Completed in County Galway Under the Irish Water s Proposal Capital Investment Plan 2014-2016 112 Table of Contents Table Waste Water Schemes in County Galway 113 Table Indicative Infrastructure Capacity for Core Strategy Settlements 116 Table Flood Zones and Appropriate Land Uses 145 Table Employment by Category 190 Table Performance Indicators 206 Table Densities within Settlements 216 Table Restricted Regional Roads 224 Table Sight Distance required for Access onto National Primary and Secondary Roads 225 Table Sight Distances required for Access onto Regional Roads 225 Table Car Parking Standards 227 List Of FiguresFigure Types of Water Supplies in County Galway 106 Figure Types of Wastewater Systems in County Galway 112 NOTE.

9 See also the separate Appendices and Environmental Reports/Supporting Documents, which form part of and should be read in conjunction with this I Statement of ComplianceAppendix II Galway County Housing Strategy Appendix III architectural Conservation AreasAppendix IV County Galway Wind Energy StrategyAppendix V Record of Protected Structures (Available to view on CD attached)Environmental Reports/Supporting Documents SEA Statement for the Galway County Development Plan 2015-2021 Strategic Environmental Assessment Appendix I Non Technical Summary for the Galway County Development Plan 2015-2021 Environmental Report for the Galway County Development Plan 2015-2021 Natura Impact Report In Support of the Appropriate Assessment of the Galway County Development Plan 2015- 2021 Appendix II of Natura Impact Report In Support of the Appropriate Assessment of the Galway CountyDevelopment Plan 2015-2021 Stage 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment for the Galway County Development Plan 2015-2021 Landscape and Landscape Character Assessment vi Plean Forbartha Chontae na Gaillimhe // Galway County Development PlanPlean Forbartha Chontae na Gaillimhe // Galway County Development Plan BackgroundThe Galway County Development Plan

10 2015-2021 sets out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the functional area of Galway County Council. This plan includes the administrative area of what was formerly Ballinasloe Town Council. On foot of a recent amendment to the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended), by the Electoral Local Government and Planning and Development Act, 2013, the provisions and zonings of the Ballinasloe Development Plan will remain in force to the extent provided for by that Development Plan or until a Local Area Plan is prepared for Ballinasloe, whichever is the earlier. The plan presents Galway County Council s outlook for future development of the County up to 2021. It sets out the longer term vision for the development of the County, while protecting and enhancing its environment through employing the principles of sustainable development in the policies and objectives set out therein.