Volume 1 – Written Statement 5 MBs – Please Allow Time to Download

283 Pages·2012·5.45 MB·English

LAOIS COUNTY COUNCIL
Comhairle Chontae Laoise

LAOIS COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
2011-2017

VOLUME 1: Written Statement

Adopted 11th October 2011
Forward Planning Department,
Laois County Council
Table of Contents
1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................1
1.2 STRUCTURE OF THE PLAN .........................................................................................................................5
1.3 STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................7
1.4 APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT .....................................................................................................................7
1.5 STRATEGIC FLOOD RISK ASSESSMENT ......................................................................................................7
1.6 LOCAL AREA PLANNING ............................................................................................................................7
1.7 FINANCIAL RESOURCES.............................................................................................................................8
2 CURRENT TRENDS AND ISSUES .....................................................................................................................9
2.1 NATIONAL AND REGIONAL CONTEXT .......................................................................................................9
2.2 KEY DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC TRENDS .............................................................................9
2.3 DEPENDENCY ......................................................................................................................................... 10
2.4 EDUCATION ........................................................................................................................................... 10
2.5 POVERTY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION ........................................................................................................ 12
2.6 CRIME .................................................................................................................................................... 12
2.7 ECONOMIC PROFILE .............................................................................................................................. 12
2.7.1 Agri- Forestry And Fisheries ........................................................................................................... 13
2.7.2 Manufacturing ............................................................................................................................... 13
2.7.3 Services .......................................................................................................................................... 14
2.7.4 Construction .................................................................................................................................. 14
2.7.5 Tourism .......................................................................................................................................... 14
2.7.6 Enterprise and Employment Creation ........................................................................................... 14
2.7.7 Unemployment Rate ..................................................................................................................... 14
2.8 PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT TRENDS ........................................................................................................ 15
2.8.1 Transport ....................................................................................................................................... 15
2.8.2 Public Transport ............................................................................................................................. 16
2.8.3 Wastewater ................................................................................................................................... 16
2.8.4 Water ............................................................................................................................................. 16
2.8.5 Rural Water Programme ................................................................................................................ 17
2.8.6 Energy ............................................................................................................................................ 17
2.8.7 Environment .................................................................................................................................. 17
2.8.8 Social Infrastructure ...................................................................................................................... 17
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2.8.9 Broadband ..................................................................................................................................... 19
2.9 KEY ISSUES TO ADDRESS IN THIS PLAN .................................................................................................. 19
3 DEVELOPMENT PLAN STRATEGY ............................................................................................................... 24
3.1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................... 24
3.2 THE VISION ............................................................................................................................................ 24
3.2.1 Core Strategy Summary ................................................................................................................. 25
3.2.2 Core Aims ....................................................................................................................................... 25
3.3 STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES ........................................................................................ 27
3.3.1 Enterprise And Employment ......................................................................................................... 27
3.3.2 Rural Economy ............................................................................................................................... 28
3.3.3 Extractive Industries ...................................................................................................................... 28
3.3.4 Energy ............................................................................................................................................ 29
3.3.5 Peatlands ....................................................................................................................................... 29
3.3.6 Tourism .......................................................................................................................................... 29
3.4 THE CORE STRATEGY ............................................................................................................................. 30
3.5 PREFERED STRATEGY - STRATEGIC PLANNING ...................................................................................... 30
3.5.1 Portlaoise Area .............................................................................................................................. 31
3.5.2 Borris in Ossory Area ..................................................................................................................... 31
3.5.3 Mountmellick Area ........................................................................................................................ 32
3.5.4 Luggacurren Area........................................................................................................................... 32
3.5.5 Emo Area ....................................................................................................................................... 32
3.5.6 Rural development ........................................................................................................................ 33
3.6 CONFORMANCE WITH NSS AND RGGS.................................................................................................. 33
3.7 SETTLEMENT STRATEGY ........................................................................................................................ 34
3.8 DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE LAST PLAN PERIOD .................................................................................. 35
3.9 NATIONAL AND REGIONAL POPULATION TARGETS .............................................................................. 35
3.10 LOCAL POLICY CONTEXT ........................................................................................................................ 35
3.11 POPULATION TARGETS 2011-2017 ........................................................................................................ 39
3.12 HOUSING LAND REQUIREMENT 2011-2017 .......................................................................................... 39
3.13 LANDS AVAILABLE WITHIN TOWN / VILLAGE CENTRES ........................................................................ 42
3.14 STRATEGIC RESERVE .............................................................................................................................. 42
3.15 SETTLEMENT HIERARCHY ...................................................................................................................... 43
3.16 PRINCIPAL TOWNS ................................................................................................................................. 46
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3.17 KEY SERVICE TOWNS ............................................................................................................................. 47
3.18 SERVICE TOWNS .................................................................................................................................... 48
3.19 LOCAL SERVICE TOWNS ......................................................................................................................... 49
3.20 VILLAGES >400 POPULATION................................................................................................................. 50
3.21 VILLAGES < 400 POPULATION ................................................................................................................ 51
3.22 RURAL SETTLEMENTS ............................................................................................................................ 52
3.23 OPEN COUNTRYSIDE .............................................................................................................................. 52
3.24 RURAL HOUSING STRATEGY .................................................................................................................. 53
3.24.1 Rural Area Types ............................................................................................................................ 54
4 HOUSING STRATEGY .................................................................................................................................. 62
4.1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................... 62
4.2 SOCIAL INCLUSION ................................................................................................................................. 62
4.3 HOUSING STRATEGY 2011-2017 ............................................................................................................ 63
4.3.1 Structure of the Document ............................................................................................................ 64
4.4 HOUSING POLICY ................................................................................................................................... 64
4.4.1 (cid:104)(cid:374)(cid:296)(cid:349)(cid:374)(cid:349)(cid:400)(cid:346)(cid:286)(cid:282)(cid:3)(cid:44)(cid:381)(cid:437)(cid:400)(cid:349)(cid:374)(cid:336)(cid:3)(cid:28)(cid:400)(cid:410)(cid:258)(cid:410)(cid:286)(cid:400)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:856)(cid:1010)(cid:1009)
4.4.2 Balanced Communities (cid:884) Providing for a mix of house types, sizes and tenure ........................... 65
4.4.3 Housing and Estate Management ................................................................................................. 65
4.4.4 Homeless Persons .......................................................................................................................... 65
4.5 ACCOMMODATION FOR TRAVELLERS ................................................................................................... 67
4.6 THE ELDERLY .......................................................................................................................................... 67
4.7 PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES .................................................................................................................... 68
5 SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE ......................................................................................................................... 70
5.1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................... 70
5.2 COMMUNITY FACILITIES ........................................................................................................................ 70
5.3 EDUCATION ........................................................................................................................................... 70
5.4 CHILDCARE ............................................................................................................................................. 72
5.5 HEALTH CARE FACILITIES ....................................................................................................................... 73
5.6 LIBRARY SERVICES .................................................................................................................................. 74
5.7 ARTS AND CULTURAL FACILITIES ........................................................................................................... 75
5.8 BURIAL GROUNDS.................................................................................................................................. 76
5.9 EMERGNENCY SERVICES (cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:1011)(cid:1010)
(cid:1009)(cid:856)(cid:1005)(cid:1004)(cid:3)(cid:18)(cid:90)(cid:47)(cid:68)(cid:28)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:856)(cid:1011)(cid:1011)
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6 RECREATION AND AMENITY ...................................................................................................................... 79
6.1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................... 79
6.2 OPEN SPACE PROVISION ........................................................................................................................ 80
6.3 SPORTS PROVISION IN COUNTY LAOIS .................................................................................................. 82
6.4 PLAY FACILITIES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE .......................................................................... 83
6.5 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................................. 83
7 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ....................................................................................................................... 85
7.1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................... 85
7.2 CONTEXT ................................................................................................................................................ 85
7.3 REQUIREMENTS FOR ECONOMIC SUCCESS ........................................................................................... 87
7.4 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................... 90
7.5 TYPES OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ................................................................................................... 91
7.6 LOCATION OF ENTERPRISE AND EMPLOYMENT .................................................................................... 93
7.7 TOGHER NATIONAL ENTERPRISE PARK ................................................................................................. 94
7.8 RETAIL DEVELOPMENT .......................................................................................................................... 95
7.9 TOWN CENTRE AND VILLAGE CENTRE ECONOMY ................................................................................ 97
7.10 HOME BASED ECONOMIC ACTIVITY ...................................................................................................... 99
7.11 LAND-BASED RURAL ECONOMY AND DIVERSIFICATION ....................................................................... 99
7.12 AGRICULTURE ...................................................................................................................................... 100
7.13 FORESTRY ............................................................................................................................................. 100
7.14 ALTERNATIVE ENERGY ......................................................................................................................... 102
7.15 PEATLANDS .......................................................................................................................................... 102
7.16 MINERAL AGGREGATES ....................................................................................................................... 103
7.17 ADVERTISING ....................................................................................................................................... 104
8 TOURISM ................................................................................................................................................. 107
8.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 107
8.2 SLIEVE BLOOM MOUNTAINS ............................................................................................................... 111
8.3 WATERWAYS........................................................................................................................................ 112
8.4 FESTIVALS AND EVENTS ....................................................................................................................... 112
8.5 HISTORIC TOWNS AND VILLAGES ........................................................................................................ 113
8.6 COMMERCIAL TOURISM ASSETS ......................................................................................................... 113
8.7 SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT ............................................................................................. 113
8.8 HOLIDAY HOMES ................................................................................................................................. 113
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9 ENERGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS ................................................................................................... 116
9.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 116
9.2 CLIMATE CHANGE ................................................................................................................................ 117
9.2.1 National Climate Change Strategy 2007-2012 ............................................................................ 117
9.2.2 Laois County Climate Change Strategy 2009 ............................................................................... 118
9.3 MIDLAND ENERGY AGENCY (MEA) ...................................................................................................... 118
9.4 RENEWABLE ENERGY ........................................................................................................................... 118
9.4.1 Wind Energy ................................................................................................................................ 119
9.4.2 Hydro Energy ............................................................................................................................... 119
9.4.3 Biomass ........................................................................................................................................ 119
9.4.4 Solar Energy ................................................................................................................................. 119
9.4.5 Ground Sources Heating Systems ................................................................................................ 120
9.4.6 9.4.6 Small Scale Renewable Energy ........................................................................................... 120
9.4.7 Energy Efficiency & Energy Performance for Buildings ............................................................... 120
9.5 ELECTRICITY ......................................................................................................................................... 121
9.6 GAS ...................................................................................................................................................... 123
9.7 TELECOMMUNICATIONS ..................................................................................................................... 125
9.8 BROADBAND ........................................................................................................................................ 125
9.9 TELECOMMUNICATIONS MASTS AND ANTENNAE .............................................................................. 128
10 TRANSPORT ............................................................................................................................................. 134
10.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 134
10.2 CONTEXT .............................................................................................................................................. 134
10.3 TRENDS, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES ...................................................................................... 134
10.4 LAND USE AND TRANSPORTATION ...................................................................................................... 136
10.5 ROADS .................................................................................................................................................. 137
10.5.1 Motorway Network ..................................................................................................................... 138
10.5.2 National Road Network ............................................................................................................... 139
10.5.3 Strategic Regional Road Network ................................................................................................ 141
10.5.4 Regional Roads ............................................................................................................................ 142
10.5.5 County Roads ............................................................................................................................... 143
10.6 PUBLIC TRANSPORT ............................................................................................................................. 143
10.6.1 Rail ............................................................................................................................................... 144
10.6.2 Bus ............................................................................................................................................... 144
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10.7 CYCLING AND WALKING ...................................................................................................................... 145
10.8 SPECIFIC TRANSPORT OBJECTIVES 2011-2017 .................................................................................... 149
10.9 SURFACE WATER ................................................................................................................................. 149
10.9.1 Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) .............................................................................. 150
10.9.2 Storm Water ................................................................................................................................ 150
10.10 FLOOD RISK ...................................................................................................................................... 151
11 WATER SERVICES ..................................................................................................................................... 157
11.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 157
11.2 CONTEXT .............................................................................................................................................. 158
11.3 WATER SUPPLY .................................................................................................................................... 159
11.3.1 Rural Water Protection ................................................................................................................ 159
11.3.2 Public Water Supplies .................................................................................................................. 160
11.3.3 Group Water Schemes ................................................................................................................. 160
11.3.4 Private Wells ................................................................................................................................ 161
11.4 WATER CONSERVATION ...................................................................................................................... 162
11.5 WASTEWATER TREATMENT ................................................................................................................ 164
11.5.1 Grease and Oil Pollution .............................................................................................................. 166
11.5.2 Wastewater Management ........................................................................................................... 166
11.5.3 Waste Water Discharges ............................................................................................................. 166
12 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT .......................................................................................................... 169
12.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 169
12.2 CONTEXT .............................................................................................................................................. 169
12.3 CLIMATE CHANGE ................................................................................................................................ 169
12.4 LOCAL AGENDA 21 ............................................................................................................................... 169
12.5 WATER QUALITY .................................................................................................................................. 170
12.5.1 The Water Framework Directive ................................................................................................. 171
12.5.2 Groundwater Protection ............................................................................................................. 172
12.6 SOIL QUALITY ....................................................................................................................................... 173
12.7 AIR QUALITY ......................................................................................................................................... 173
12.8 NOISE ................................................................................................................................................... 174
12.9 LIGHT POLLUTION ................................................................................................................................ 174
12.10 WASTE MANAGEMENT .................................................................................................................... 174
12.11 CONTROL OF MAJOR ACCIDENT HAZARDS DIRECTIVE (SEVESO II DIRECTIVE) ............................... 177
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13 NATURAL HERITAGE ................................................................................................................................ 182
13.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 182
13.2 BIODIVERSITY ........................................................................................................................................... 183
13.3 GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE ........................................................................................................................ 183
13.4 Invasive Species ............................................................................................................................... 183
13.2.2 Designated Sites .......................................................................................................................... 184
13.2.3 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) .......................................................................................... 184
13.2.4 Special Protection Areas (SPAs) ................................................................................................... 185
13.2.5 Appropriate Assessment ............................................................................................................. 185
13.2.6 Natural Heritage Area (NHAs) ..................................................................................................... 185
13.2.7 Statutory Nature Reserves .......................................................................................................... 188
13.2.8 Non Designated Sites ................................................................................................................... 188
13.3 WOODLANDS AND TREES .................................................................................................................... 189
13.4 HEDGEROWS........................................................................................................................................ 189
13.5 WATERWAYS AND WETLANDS ............................................................................................................ 190
13.6 RIPARIAN BUFFER ZONES .................................................................................................................... 190
13.7 NORE FRESHWATER PEARL MUSSEL ................................................................................................... 191
13.8 PEATLANDS .......................................................................................................................................... 191
13.8.1 Abbeyleix (Killamuck) Bog ........................................................................................................... 191
13.9 LANDSCAPE .......................................................................................................................................... 192
13.9.1 LCT 1: HILLS AND UPLAND AREAS ................................................................................................ 192
13.9.2 LCT 2: LOWLAND AGRICULTURAL AREAS .................................................................................... 193
13.9.3 LCT 3: RIVER CORRIDORS AND LAKES .......................................................................................... 194
13.9.4 LCT 4: MOUNTAIN AREAS ............................................................................................................ 197
13.9.5 LCT 5: PEATLAND AREAS ............................................................................................................. 197
13.9.6 LCT 6: URBAN FRINGE AREAS ...................................................................................................... 198
13.9.7 LCT 7: ROLLING HILL AREAS ......................................................................................................... 199
13.10 AMENITY VIEWS AND PROSPETS .................................................................................................... 199
13.11 CROSS BORDER SITES ...................................................................................................................... 200
13.12 PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY 203
13.13 GEOLOGY 204
14 BUILT HERITAGE ...................................................................................................................................... 213
14.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 213
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14.2 CONTEXT .............................................................................................................................................. 214
14.3 BUILT HERITAGE OBJECTIVES .............................................................................................................. 214
14.4 ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE ................................................................................................................. 214
14.5 PROTECTED STRUCTURES .................................................................................................................... 215
14.5.1 Repairs to Protected Structures .................................................................................................. 215
14.5.2 Section 57 Declarations on Protected Structures ....................................................................... 215
14.5.3 Demolition of a Protected Structure ........................................................................................... 216
14.6 BUILDINGS AT RISK .............................................................................................................................. 216
14.7 TRADITIONAL BUILdINGS ..................................................................................................................... 217
14.8 ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION AREAS ............................................................................................ 218
14.9 ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE .............................................................................................................. 219
14.9.1 Rock of Dunamaise ...................................................................................................................... 223
14.9.2 Zones of Archaeological Potential ............................................................................................... 223
14.9.3 Industrial Archaeology ................................................................................................................. 224
14.9.4 Groundworks and Zones of Archaeological Potential or Recorded Monuments ........................ 224
15 GENERAL LOCATION AND PATTERN OF DEVELOPMENT ......................................................................... 233
15.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 233
15.2 ZONING PRINCIPLES............................................................................................................................. 233
15.3 ESTABLISHED USE AND NON-CONFORMING USES.............................................................................. 234
15.4 TRANSITIONAL AREAS .......................................................................................................................... 234
15.5 PHASED DEVELOPMENT ...................................................................................................................... 234
15.6 ZONING ................................................................................................................................................ 234
16 DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS .............................................................................................. 243
16.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 243
16.2 OBJECTIVES .......................................................................................................................................... 243
16.3 URBAN DESIGN .................................................................................................................................... 244
16.4 DESIGN AND GREENFIELD URBAN DEVELOPMENT ............................................................................. 246
16.5 DESIGN AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT ................................................................................................... 246
16.6 PRE-PLANNING CONSULTATION .......................................................................................................... 247

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LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: The Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2011, Section 28 Guidelines ........................................................ 4
Table 2: Towns and Settlement Plans ............................................................................................................................. 6
Table 3: Population Trends 1991-2006 ........................................................................................................................... 9
Table 4: Dependency Ratio in County Laois .................................................................................................................. 10
Table 5: Third Level Participation Rates ....................................................................................................................... 11
Table 6: Childcare Facilities in County Laois.................................................................................................................. 11
Table 7: Employment Change between 2002 and 2006 ............................................................................................ 13
Table 8: Delivery of Leisure Facilities in County Laois since 2006.............................................................................. 18
Table 9 Population Change 2002-2006 ..................................................................................................................... 37
Table 10: County Laois Population Projections as per adopted MPRGs 2010 ............................................................. 40
Table 11: Housing Land Requirement 2006-(cid:1006)(cid:1004)(cid:1005)(cid:1012)(cid:3)(cid:296)(cid:381)(cid:396)(cid:3)(cid:18)(cid:381)(cid:437)(cid:374)(cid:410)(cid:455)(cid:3)(cid:62)(cid:258)(cid:381)(cid:349)(cid:400)(cid:3)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857) (cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:857)(cid:856)(cid:1008)(cid:1005)
Table 12: Comparison of Areas Zoned 2006- 2012/Proposed Zoning 2011-2017 ....................................................... 42
Table 13 Rural Area Designations .............................................................................................................................. 55
Table 14: Planned Leisure Facilities in County Laois 2011-2017 .................................................................................. 84
Table 15: Tiered Strategy of Clustering Industrial and Enterprise Development in Laois ............................................ 94
Table 16: County Retail Hierarchy .............................................................................................................................. 96
Table 17 Tourism Assets of the County ................................................................................................................... 111
Table 18: Power Stations Located in Laois ............................................................................................................... 121
Table 19: Strategic Regional Routes in County Laois ................................................................................................ 141
Table 20: Housing Land Requirement 2006-2018 for County Laois ........................................................................... 157
Table 21 Group Water Schemes in LAOIS 2010 ....................................................................................................... 161
Table 22 Proposed Water Supply Schemes 2010-2012 ........................................................................................... 162
Table 23 Proposed Wastewater Treatment Schemes 2010-2012 ............................................................................ 165
Table 24 Special Areas of Conservation in County Laois .......................................................................................... 185
Table 25 Proposed Natural Heritage Areas (pNHAs) in Co Laois ............................................................................. 187
Table 26: Amenity Views and Prospects in County Laois .......................................................................................... 200
Table 27: County Geological Sites 204
Table 28 National Monuments in State Care in Laois .............................................................................................. 221
Table 30 Zoning acceptability ................................................................................................................................. 233
Table 31: Zoning Objectives and Purposes ............................................................................................................... 236
Table 32 Land use Zoning Matrix............................................................................................................................. 241
Table 33: Development Control Standards .............................................................................................................. 248

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 Persons on Live Register in Laois................................................................................................................. 15
Figure 2 Urban v Rural Population Distribution in Laois ........................................................................................... 39
Figure 3 Overseas Visitors to Laois, 2008 ................................................................................................................ 108
Figure 4 Number of permanent private households in County Laois by type of Water Supply, 2006 ...................... 159
Figure 5 Number of permanent private households in County Laois by type of sewerage facility, 2006 ................. 164
Figure 6 Waste Hierarchy ....................................................................................................................................... 176
Figure 7 Grand Canal at Vicarstown ....................................................................................................................... 195

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