24. The Arts Council
Forward Planning Team
Monaghan County Council
Planning Offices
1 Dublin Street
Monaghan H18 X982
06.07.2023
Re: Pre-Draft Submission
Preparation by Monaghan County Council on a new Monaghan County Development
Plan 2025-2031
Dear Sir/Madam,
The following observations are made by the Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon further to the notice
published by Monaghan County Council pursuant to the provisions of Section 11 of the Planning and
Development Act 2000 (as amended) of its intention to review the existing Monaghan County
Development Plan 2019-2025 and to prepare a new Monaghan County Development Plan for 2025-
2031.
‘Arts’ and ‘Culture’ is vital to place-making. It can make places unique and special, and access to it can
have a profound effect on our personal well-being.
The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon (“The Arts Council”) respectfully request that Monaghan
County Council (“MCC”) takes into consideration this submission in preparing the Draft Monaghan
County Development Plan 2025-2031. This submission has been prepared, taking into account, the
‘Strategic Issues and Options Paper” published by Monaghan County Council.
The observations are set out in Section 2.0 whilst the contextual background and purpose for these
observations is set out first in Section 1.0.
1.0 CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND
1.1 The Role and Function of the Arts Council
The Arts Council is the Irish government agency for developing the arts and operates as an autonomous
body under the aegis of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. The Arts
Council works to create central place for the Arts in Irish life and works in partnership with artists, arts
organisations, and public policy makers to fulfil this role.
As an authority prescribed under the Planning and Development Act 2000, with responsibility of
supporting the arts, the Arts Council understands that Planning in Ireland has a vital contribution in the
facilitation and delivery of Arts and Culture as part of the spatial development of our physical
environment.
1.2 Arts Council and Spatial Planning
Arts and Culture in spatial planning goes beyond the consideration of civic uses such as museums and
galleries, or the preservation of important historical features of our cultural heritage – both of which are
important and generally well catered for in spatial planning policy.
Arts and Culture can play a significant role in spatial planning of our towns and neighbourhoods, not
just in its ability to reinforce cultural identity of place, but also because of the social, economic and
physical benefits that planning for Arts and Culture can bring to particular locations. For example, well
designed and appropriate places and spaces in our urban environment can; contribute toward
enhanced place-making and psychological well-being through a shared value of space. Functional
communal spaces that act as focal points can facilitate active and passive engagement creating
stronger communities through increased social capital, connectivity and inclusion. Vibrant culture and
arts activities can achieve physical and economic success as part of area-based renewal strategies.
This relationship between ‘planning’ and ‘art’ is not new. The origins of 20th century Town Planning,
placed a strong and conscious emphasis on the role of ‘civic-art’ (or place-making) in spatial planning
for societal wellbeing. The included consideration of the form and function of physical features within
our environment so that the provision of individual features such as buildings, spaces, parks and
gardens contributed toward a greater social value to be shared, enjoyed and benefited by the
communities.
The provision of Arts and Culture within the Development Plan must therefore extend beyond traditional
assumptions and reliance on single-use civic buildings and infrastructure such as libraries, museums
and theatres as the only access to arts and culture.
1.3 Recent Trends
Spatial planning of our physical and social environment has evolved. Whilst not intentional, increasing
technical compliance, governance and reliance on individual development projects to define our
physical environment has diluted the traditional philosophy of space and place and the value of it to
social and personal well-being. The relevance of this was renewed most recently when the COVID-19
pandemic forced us to rethink the places where we live, and the spaces where we could interact and
engage with greater reliance on our outdoor spaces. The demands of society are now changing. Live-
work dynamics are becoming increasingly blurred with increased emphasis placed on quality of place
to enhance our personal experience and well-being.
The recognition of the value and function of Arts and Culture toward societal wellbeing as part of
Development Plans varies significantly. ‘Place-making’, achieved though civic-arts and culture, should
occupy a peripheral role in spatial planning. However, consideration of planning for arts and culture is
often resigned to safeguarding public arts services and/or the conservation of traditional cultural assets
.‘
1.4 Strategic and National Policy
The engagement by the Arts Council in spatial planning is based not just on its own policy, but the policy
recommendations at National Government.
The Arts Council’s 10 year strategy ‘Making Great Art Work 2016-2025’ sets out a vision for the arts in
Ireland based on a sense of people and place. In addition to that strategy, its spatial policy ‘Place,
Space & People’ (2020) broadens the interest of the Arts Council as a prescribed body, into the spatial
planning sphere by placing increased focus on a ‘people and place-centred’ approach to Arts and
Culture provision. Further to that, The Arts Council has formulated its own Architecture Policy
‘Championing Architecture’ which promotes a high-quality architectural culture in Ireland. Culture 2025
sets out a national framework to enhance provision and participation in culture the importance of which
is identify in the National Planning Framework Ireland 2040.
The requirement for spatial planning for culture in the development plan is set out under Section 10(2)(b)
of The Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) which includes a requirement for;
"the integration of the planning and sustainable development of the area with the social,
community and cultural requirements of the area and its population”;
1.5 Emergence of the Night-Time Economy
Further to the formation of the ‘Night-Time Economy Taskforce, the Arts Council has an extended remit
under the Night-Time Economy Forum, to enable arts and cultural event spaces to develop new
programmes and initiatives for late night events. The arts play a significant role in Ireland’s night-time
economy and to develop this further, the Arts Council seeks to support and encourage arts and cultural
spaces to work together and facilitate more use of publicly owned cultural buildings and heritage sites
for events extended into the evening time.
2.0 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE MONAGHAN COUNTY
DEVELOPMENT PLAN
In light of the aforementioned policy context and recent trends, the Arts Council suggests a number of
recommendations which could be applied in the preparation of the Monaghan County Development
Plan for the provision of Arts and Culture.
2.1 Contribution of Arts and Culture to Spatial Planning
In acknowledging the contribution of Arts and Culture to economic development, place
making and provision of enhanced community infrastructure, The Development Plan
should seek to acknowledge Arts and Culture as an integral part of community
infrastructure that can contribute to place making, wellbeing and healthy communities.
This can be achieved by providing a consistent theme of objectives for ‘Placemaking’
through provision of ‘Civic Art’ the ‘Culture of Place’ and the emergence of the ‘Night-
Time Economy’ that reflect the symbiotic relationship between these elements, the
increasing expectation and functionality of our urban environment to provide for these,
and the need to address same as a fundamental aspect of settlement planning in
Monaghan.
The functional role of these elements is described as:
• Placemaking / Civic Art
the various physical elements of our environment that can positively
influence our value, appreciation and interaction of it. This includes for
example the architecture, public spaces, public art, monuments, urban
design, and landscape. These elements are both tangible and intangible,
and can enable formal and as well as informal artistic and cultural activities
that can define or influence the sense of place, and it socio-economic value.
• Culture of place
Towns, villages and neighbourhoods in Monaghan require social and cultural
vibrancy to make them interesting and attractive places to live, work and visit.
With the growth and evolution of the cultural sector, the facilitation of arts
and culture, can in addition to place making, contribute toward area-based
renewal with physical, social and economic benefits.
• The Night-Time Economy – ‘THE FUTURE OF THE NIGHT’
The Development Plan should support and facilitate growth in the nighttime
economy in appropriate urban centres in Monaghan where it can be
achieved in balanced consideration with other land use activities.
2.2 Synergy with Arts Plans and Strategies
In consultation with the Monaghan Arts Office, The Development Plan should
acknowledge, reflect and seek to facilitate insofar as it can, the spatial based aspirations
and objectives set out in the Framework agreement between Monaghan County Council
and the Arts Council 2020-2027 which includes the Clones Artists Studio’s and key
venues such as the Market House, Garage and Iontas Arts Centres.
2.3 The Inclusion of an Evidence-based approach in the Development Plan
Consistent with the National planning guidelines, spatial strategy for Arts and Culture in
the Development Plan should be based on an evidence-based approach, taking into
consideration, existing provision, demographic and locational considerations, arts and
cultural opportunities, and availability of funding mechanisms to assist with their
implementation during the lifetime of the Plan such as Arts Council or URDF funding.
Cultural Infrastructural Audits can be used to inform the evidence-based approach
through analysis of: existing provision and typology type of arts and cultural infrastructure
including buildings, places and spaces and their spatial relationship to existing
communities or areas planned for growth.
This analysis could include a database of Assets of Community Value comprising
specific features such as art centres, museums, heritage buildings, townscapes, public
spaces, and locations of individual or collective value which contribute to the provision
Arts and Culture, as well as, the identification of under-utilisation of civic buildings/spaces
in urban centres which have the potential for future arts and cultural uses or meanwhile
uses referred to later in Section 2.9.
2.4 Effective Policy
Policy wording in respect to arts and culture should be clear, concise, practical and
implementable. The inclusion of vague objectives such as:
“…The Council shall support facilitation of arts and Culture throughout the life
of the plan..”
should be avoided where the purpose, outcome and delivery of such objectives is
undefinable (consistent with the recommendations set out in the National Planning
Guidelines: Development Plan Guidelines for Planning Authorities).
Objectives for Arts and Culture should include measurable targets to assess
success/performance throughout or at the end of the life of the Plan. Specific objectives
should include clarity of responsibility for delivery – whether it is to be delivered by the
local authority; in partnership with other departments/agencies, or anticipated as part of
private development projects.
2.5 Reconnecting planning and Art through spatial policy
The Development Plan should pursue the provision of ‘placemaking’/civic-art’ through
the expectation of high quality architectural design and provision of accessible and
functional urban spaces designed to facilitate formal and informal engagement and
access to all reflective of the National Policy on Architecture1.
The increased use of public spaces to facilitate enhanced community use and
engagement is consistent with National Government’s ‘Town Centre First ’ approach
which seeks to support viable, vibrant and attractive locations for people to live, work
and visit, while also functioning as the service, social, cultural and recreational hub for
the local community.
In achieving this, consideration can be given in spatial policy to the allocation of civic
space in town/village centres during different times of the day/night; the restriction or
scheduling of traffic movements in central areas to allow greater pedestrian movement
and cultural activity; or the potential for duality of streets and public spaces which could
enable formal events and informal arts and cultural activities secondary to their primary
function.
Design policy and Development Management criteria should require Architectural and
urban design interventions to demonstrate– its functionality; its appropriateness to its
locational context and character; how it will contribute to the streetscape, townscape and
‘sense-of-place’, and its contribution to the creation of attractive, functional and
comfortable places to live, work and visit consistent with the criteria set out in the Urban
Design Manual.
2.6 Planning for the Night-time Economy
The policy framework for key centres in Monaghan should include consideration of
objectives to support provision and growth of the night-time economy to facilitate
enhanced provision of diverse social, cultural and economic activities in the evening
time, of appropriate character, scale and location – reflective of the recommendations
set out in the Night-time economy task force report. This approach could include any
number of the following approaches:
1 Places for People National Policy on Architecture. Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage
2022 www.gov.ie/housing
1. Consultation with relevant interests (including the Minister, relevant property
owners, Monaghan Chamber of Commerce, Retail Excellence Ireland and
public transport operators as appropriate) to examine opportunities and
constraints in terms of spatial location and accessibility in the evening time.
2. The designation of zones which are suitable to facilitate a concentrated
programme of evening time arts and cultural and leisure activities. The
purpose of such designation would be to emphasis the character of and
contribution of these areas to provision of the Arts and Culture and to the
local economy and to consider measures that might be necessary to protect,
provide and enhance provision and co-existence of mutually dependant
cultural activities with other land use activities.
3. Inclusion in the Development Plan of appropriate policy objectives that:
i. favourably support uses that strengthen and enhance the night-time
economy, through provision of diverse social, cultural and leisure
activities within suitably identified areas, and subject to normal
planning considerations.
ii. Support specific night-time uses subject to qualitative assessment
through the ‘Development Management function’ in order to
consider: the effects of such use on the vitality and viability of the
retail core; potential effects arising from proliferation or clustering of
similar night-time activities on the quality and character of the
streetscape; and potential for adverse environmental nuisances
such as noise, odour, vibration, lighting, accessibility and safety and
appropriate mitigation.
2.7 Use of cultural quarter designations
Town centre policy should include consideration of use of designated Cultural Quarters
to identify, preserve and enhance existing clustered attractions and/or landuses which
co-exist and provide artistic and cultural value within a defined area. Landuses in these
areas (which may include night-time activities) are bound by a common physical, artistic,
cultural, architectural or social theme, that collectively, contribute more to the character,
function and value of the area than its constituent parts or activities.
2.8 Planning for the Artist
The Development Plan should include a spatial policy objective to support provision of
artist live-work space in the manner pursued currently by Monaghan County Council with
‘Clones Artists Studios’ or to provide details to explore the provision of low-cost shared
living/workspaces for those formally engaged in the Arts and Culture industries.
Such policy could be provided through the spatial designation of creative hubs for artists;
or the designation of areas (within defined town centres such as ‘cultural quarters’ for
example) where land use policy supports the temporary use of vacant buildings and
properties for arts and cultural purposes.
2.9 Short-term ‘meanwhile use’ to address vacancy
The preparation of town centre plans in Monaghan should give consideration to the use
of ‘Meanwhile uses’ in certain instances where the opportunities and potential benefits
arise.
Temporary meanwhile use be facilitated through use of spatial designations or existing
landuse zoning provisions in central or commercial areas where, ‘meanwhile’ uses may
be acceptable for a defined or temporary period of time without necessity for to secure
planning permission for ‘change of use’ subject to compliance with normal planning
circumstances and environmental obligations.
‘Meanwhile Use’ refers to the short-term temporarily use of vacant or under-
utilised buildings or properties until they can be brought back into viable and
more permanent commercial use. Meanwhile uses can facilitate a temporary
activity without undermining the primary and intended function of that building,
property or space, the benefits of which may be more obvious to vacant
retail/commercial property within commercial centres.
The experience from the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that in certain
situations, pop-up cafes, shops, galleries, parklets and reprioritisation of our
street spaces can provide a boost to local economic activity resulting in positive
environmental effects and adding social value by reducing vacancy and
increasing footfall and local cultural provision. This approach could be scaled
in areas experiencing systemic economic, urban or social decline. It can also
be a catalyst for organic renewal by demonstrating the attractiveness or viability
of a place to future tenants or investment interests.
2.10 Use of development contributions to deliver Arts and Culture
Monaghan County Council should consider, as part of the preparation of its
‘Development Contribution scheme’, the application of Section 48(1) ‘Development
Contributions’ and/or the use of Section 48(2)(c) ‘Special Development Contributions’ in
certain specific instances which may facilitate or enable the provision of public art, formal
or informal Arts and Culture activity, or improve the quality of the physical environment
that can enable such activities to occur successfully such as roads, streets and civic-
spaces, streets pursuant to the outcome of the needs assessment prepared to inform
arts and cultural policy objectives (refer to Section 2.3 earlier).
I would be grateful if you could acknowledge receipt of this submission in due course.
Yours faithfully,
_____________
Sinéad O’Reilly
Head of Local, Place and Public Art