Volume 1 Written Statement

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Volume One: Written Statement
is being guided by the National Positive Ageing Strategy (2013) and will inform future Council policy.
7.16 The family home has may need to adapt, so that multiple generations can live together in both harmony
and privacy. Proposals for residential units will be assessed for their adaptability to different life stages
under Development Management policies as outlined in Chapter 17. Section 6.5 Specialised Housing
Needs (Chapter 6: Residential) identifies the need to provide suitable accommodation for the elderly.
This is further supported in the Draft Joint City & County Housing Strategy.
7.17 The aim is to allow more people to age in their present location by:
• Encourage the provision of facilities in areas where housing already exists;
• Encouraging the provision of more housing units closer to facilities;
• Addressing accessibility issues - for physically disabled or pedestrian access i.e. footpaths etc.;
• Having adaptable housing stock;
• Consider the provision of ancillary family accommodation i.e. ‘Granny Flats’ where appropriate.
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Objective 7.11 Strategy for Older Persons
To support the implementation of the Services and Infrastructure for Older Persons Strategy when completed
as a step towards planning for ageing.
Objective 7.12 Facilities for the Elderly
a. To ensure that adequate land and services are available for the provision of all types of facilities for the
elderly including retirement centres/nursing homes.
b. To support the improvement, expansion and establishment of health services for the elderly including
extended respite care, day care and nursing care.
Libraries
7.18 Library services continue to be of vital importance to the city providing information, education, places
for social interaction and bridging the digital divide. The use of the city library has increased by more
than 25% since 2009. The City Council will continue to support the delivery of library services across
the city. Proposals are being prepared for the new replacement of the City Library at the Grand Parade.
Provision of a library in Mahon is also proposed.
Objective 7.13 Library Services
To support the continued development, improvement and upgrading of library facilities and services.
Recreation and Amenity
7.19 Neighbourhood green spaces are vital to our everyday quality of life. They need to be well designed,
made relevant to the needs of local people and be havens for wildlife. Well designed and appropriately
located open spaces assist social interactions between inhabitants consequently building the
neighbourhood’s sense of community. Neighbourhood access to public open space can increase
physical activity by providing easier and more direct access to opportunities for exercise and can also
be used for food growing whether for pleasure, education or economic purposes but all leading to a
healthier lifestyle. Green spaces also support frequent, casual contact among neighbours. This leads
to the formation of neighbourhood social ties, the building blocks of strong, secure neighbourhoods
where people tend to support, care about, and protect one another. Chapter 11 Recreational
Infrastructure addresses and details the provision of adequate multi-functional open spaces and
recreational areas. This includes provisions of easily accessible and useable spaces for safe play areas;
spaces for social interactions and spaces to exercise. Chapter 16 Development Management details
the requirements for open space provision for new developments. Other recreational amenities which
82 Draft Cork City Development Plan 2015-2021