The purpose of land use zoning is to indicate the planning control objectives of the Council for all lands in its administrative area. Fourteen such zones are indicated in this Plan. They are identified by letter on the zoning matrix and by colour on the Development Plan Maps. The land use zones used and the various objectives for these areas are summarised in the table ‘Development Plan Zoning Objectives’ at the end of this section.

The Land Use Zoning Tables located at the end of relevant sections of the Plan and the Zoning Objectives Matrix below are intended as guidelines in assessing the acceptability or otherwise of development proposals. However, they relate only to land-use. Factors such as density, height, massing, traffic generation, public health, landscape character and features, design criteria, visual amenity and potential nuisance by way of noise, odour and pollution are also of significance. These are important in establishing whether or not a development proposal conforms to the proper planning and sustainable development of an area. General guidelines are set out elsewhere in this Plan.

The tables and matrix list the land use activities most commonly encountered in the County and each is defined in Schedule 3 of this Written Statement. They are intended as a general guideline and the uses listed are not exhaustive.

The Plan also sets out a number of Local Zoning Objectives. These relate to particular sites/areas located within a broad zoning category where, notwithstanding the overall zoning of the area, the Council is seeking to achieve a specific objective.Transitional Areas

The maps of the Development Plan show the boundaries between zones. While the zoning objectives and development control standards indicate the different uses and densities, etc., permitted in each zone, it is important to avoid abrupt transitions in scale and use in the boundary areas of adjoining land use zones. In dealing with development proposals in these contiguous transition areas, it is necessary to avoid development that would be unduly detrimental to the amenities of the more environmentally sensitive zone, regard having been given to the appropriate statutory guidelines. For instance, in zones abutting residential areas or abutting residential development within mixed use zones, particular attention must be paid to the use, design, scale and density of development proposals in order to protect the amenities of these residential properties. Permitted in Principle

Land uses designated under each zoning objective as ‘Permitted in Principle’ are, subject to compliance with the relevant policies, standards and requirements set out in this Plan, generally acceptable.Open for Consideration

The category ‘Open for Consideration’ includes uses which may or may not be acceptable depending on the size or extent of the proposal and to the particular site location. Proposals in this category will be considered on their individual merits and may be permitted only if not materially in conflict with the policies and objectives of the Development Plan and if they are consistent with the proper planning and sustainable development of the particular area.Not Permitted

Uses listed in the tables and matrix as ‘Not Permitted’ are, except in exceptional circumstances as determined by the Planning Authority, not acceptable.Other Uses

Other uses not mentioned throughout the Land Use Zoning Tables and Matrix will be considered in relation to the general policies of the Plan and to the zoning objectives for the area in question.Zoning Objectives Matrix

The Matrix below lists the land-use activities referred to under each zoning objective. It indicates the acceptability or otherwise (in principle) of the specified land uses in each zone.