Chapter 3 I Delivering Homes and Communities
Development Proposals
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. 3.62 As set out in more detail in Chapter 7 Economy and Employment, the development of community enterprise centres within each of the city neighbour- hoods 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 operational needs change.
3.59 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 create 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 Agreements 1 in respect of community infrastructure delivery needed to support new development proposals.
Children and Young People
Community Hubs and Adaptable Facilities
3.63 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, educa- tion, 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.
3.60 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. 3.61 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 indepen- dent facilities whilst also reducing capital costs
1 These are legal agreements under Section 47 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) regulating development or the use of land.
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Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028 I Volume 1
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