2.2.1 Introduction

2.2.1i The town of Fethard has not experienced growth in private housing seen in other towns in the County. The decline in the population of the town has been accompanied by an increase in the population of the environs, and this has led to an increase in the number of derelict sites and a reduction in the number of shops and services in the town. In order to enhance the vitality and viability of the town centre, the population within the town must expand.

2.2.2 Public Housing

2.2.2i The Council will continue to provide housing for those who are unable to house themselves. In September of 1998, there were 38 households on the Council’s housing list applying for accommodation in the Fethard catchment area. In order to satisfy this demand, the Council will facilitate proposals for joint venture housing development and proposals from housing associations, subject to the Council’s design standards.

2.2.2ii In the Plan period 1994-1999, the Council completed 16 houses in Barrack Street. In addition to this, the Council sold 12 housing sites at Styrlea to occupants of Council houses to free up houses for new households on the Council list.

2.2.2iii In addition to the Council’s housing provision, Respond Housing Association completed 19 houses at Strylea. The Council intends to further develop the lands to the rear of Barrack Street and Pearse Street to meet various housing needs, including a mixture of private housing, social housing and sheltered accommodation.

2.2.3 Private Housing

2.2.3i Under the 1988 Plan there remained 60 hectares of land zoned for residential use. In order to consolidate the town, the 1993 Plan rezoned much of this land back to agricultural use on the northern and southern fringes to the town.

2.2.3ii Of the 39 private houses granted planning permission in the 1994-98 Plan period, 37 were detached houses on the owners site. These include 12 sites sold by the Council at Styrlea. The remainder were one-off houses on the fringe of the town. There is, therefore, a need to guide residential development in the town towards more efficient land use, in the interest of townscape and sustainable development.

Table 2. Housing Development
Private	no’s	Public	no’s
Strylea, (Council affordable sites). sold awaiting application	9 3	Barrack Street under application	16 (6)
Killenaule Rd	7	Strylea, opposite rectory cross roads	19
The Green, Lower Green Street	2
One-off houses	18
Completion’s	36	Completion’s	35
Total	39	Total	41

2.2.3iii In the period 1999-2004, the Council will continue to pursue a more consolidated form of urban housing development. Therefore, in addition to the above zoned lands for residential development, the Council will consider applications for small infill sites in the town. These may include redevelopment, conversions and the development of derelict sites. This type of development will contribute to townscape improvement, adding to the vitality of the town and providing housing units close to all services.

2.2.3iv The Planning Authority anticipates that future residential growth will occur generally in lands reserved for development in the following areas:

Table 3. Lands Zoned Residential
Address	Area ha.
East of Upper Green Street and Killenaule Road	6.25
North of Abbey Street to the east of the town	2.42
Spitalfield south east of The Valley	1
Cashel Road	1.7
Rocklow Road, adjacent to the sports ground	5.25
Total	16.62

2.2.4 Housing Policy

Policy HSG.1: New Residential Development

It is the policy of the council to promote a high quality of design and layout in new residential development in line with development control standards.

2.2.4i New residential development will need to provide a high quality living environment for all residents, both in terms of the standard of individual units and the overall layout and appearance. The Council will assess such proposals in accordance with the criteria set out in Chapter 3 (Development Control) in the Plan.

Policy HSG.2: Urban Densities

It is the policy of the Council to encourage a range of densities and housing types having regard to the neighbouring developments, the urban form of the town and the objectives of sustainable development.

2.2.4ii One of the main objectives designed to facilitate sustainable development is the promotion of a more compact urban form. The density of a proposed development will largely depend on the following:

• proximity to the town centre
• impact on the surrounding area
• efficient use of the site, and
• capacity of public utilities to service the site

Policy HSG.3: Ribbon Development

It is the policy of the Council to resist one-off houses on the approach roads and on the urban fringe, which contribute towards ribbon development.

2.2.4iii Ribbon development refers to a group of five or more houses located on individual contiguous sites, which have frontage on to a public road. The expansion of services, particularly foul sewer, to urban fringe areas is only sustainable where there is sufficient density of houses to warrant the investment. Ribbon development is largely an in-efficient use of land and does not meet the requirements of sustainable development.

Policy HSG.4: Infill Development

The Council will seek the development of derelict and obsolete sites in the town, in a manner that reinforces local character and protects the historic environment.

2.2.4iv The Council recognises the need to consolidate residential development in the town. While infill development will not be confined solely to residential use, the Council will encourage residential infill provided that:

Policy HSG.5: Accommodation of Travelling People

It is the policy of the Council to facilitate the provision of accommodation for the travelling community.

2.2.4v An integral part of the Council’s policy and programme for housing in Fethard is the accommodation of the travelling community. The design and layout of such accommodation will continue to be undertaken in conjunction with members of travelling community. The Council will have regard to the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998, and the ‘Revised Guidelines for Residential Caravan Parks for Travellers’ issued by the Department of the Environment and Local Government (1997).

2.2.5 Specific Housing Objectives

H1. Construct 10 approx. houses at Upper Green Street through partnership with voluntary sector.

H2. Resist pressure for new housing on the land to the south of the town designated as important to the views from the wall.

H3. Increase the numbers of private housing to the north of the town where services allow

H4. The Council Housing Authority will continue to pursue small infill sites within the town and further lands to the west and south, to provide for local need.