County Donegal Development Plan 2024–2030 (As Varied)

1. Page 221

   Cite this pagePDF p. 221 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 218 Chapter 11 Natural, Built and Archaeological HeritageChapter 11 Natural, Built, and Archaeological Heritage AH-P-2 Protect traditional shopfronts and signage and where required and appropriate, ensure new shopfronts are of a high-quality architectural design. AH-P-2A • Promote the maintenance and appropriate re-use of the existing buildings stock of buildings with architectural merit as a more sustainable option to their demolition and replacement. • Ensure that measures to upgrade the energy efficiency of protected structures and traditionally built historic structures are sensitive to traditional construction methods, employ best practice and use appropriate materials and methods that will not have a detrimental impact on the material, functioning or character of the building. AH-P-2B Preserve, protect and enhance the special built character and functions of the ‘Heritage Towns’ of Ardara, Ballyshannon, Moville, Ramelton and Raphoe. 11.3.2 Protected Structures Under Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) the Council must maintain a Record of Protected Structures (RPS). This record must include all structures or parts of structures in their functional area of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social, or technical interest. The purpose of the designation of protected structures status is to protect this architectural heritage and ensure that any changes are sensitively made using best conservation practice. Section 57(10) (b) of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended) states that the Council “shall not grant permission for the demolition of a protected structure or proposed protected structure, save in exceptional circumstances”. There are currently 466 structures that have been formally added to the RPS with a further 2550 structures to be considered for addition. Works that affect the character of a protected structure, must receive planning permission. An owner or occupier may make a written request to the Planning Authority to issue a Section 57 Declaration as to the type of works, which it considers would or would not materially affect the character of the structure. In addition, the Minister of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has instructed planning authorities to include National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) structures (see related section below) of Regional, National or International importance to their Record of Protected Structures (RPS). The Council is therefore proposing to add these structures to the RPS over the course of the plan. Objective AH-O-3 Protect all structures and parts of structures on the Record of Protected Structures and to extend the RPS where appropriate.

2. Page 222

   Cite this pagePDF p. 222 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 219 Chapter 11 Natural, Built and Archaeological HeritageChapter 11 Natural, Built, and Archaeological Heritage Policies AH-P-3 a. Protect all structures or parts of structures on the RPS to include protection of the curtilage, attendant grounds; and, b. Require that development proposals directly affecting structures on the RPS are appropriate in terms of architectural treatment, character, scale, and form to the existing protected structure and not detrimental to the special character and integrity of the protected structure and its setting save to the extent necessary to provide for strategic infrastructure projects including but not restricted to, the TEN-T Priority Route Improvement Project, Donegal, the Bridgend to County border project scheme, the Buncrana Inner Relief Road and Greenways, subject to such projects being in accordance with all relevant statutory and regulatory provisions. AH-P-4 a. Extend the Record of Protected Structures in order to provide a comprehensive schedule for the protection of structures of special importance in the County during the lifetime of the Plan; and b. Identify structures for inclusion in the Record of Protected Structures based on the criteria set out in the Architectural Heritage Protection, Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2011), the NIAH and Ministerial recommendations. AH-P-5 Any proposed development that includes proposed works to an RPS structure shall, where appropriate, provide for the works affecting the Structure to be carried out in the first phase of the development to prevent endangerment, abandonment and/or dereliction of the structure. 11.3.3 Architectural Conservation Areas An Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) is defined as a place, area, group of structures or townscape that is of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest or contributes to the appreciation of protected structures. The special character of urban areas generally derives from its collection of buildings and their setting as a whole rather than the presence of individual buildings in isolation. The Council must include an objective in its Development Plan to preserve the character of a place, area, group of structures, or townscape if it is of the opinion that its inclusion is necessary for the preservation of the character of that area. Work has been undertaken to identify additional ACAs through this plan in Donegal’s five designated Heritage Towns.

3. Page 223

   Cite this pagePDF p. 223 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 220 Chapter 11 Natural, Built and Archaeological HeritageChapter 11 Natural, Built, and Archaeological Heritage Objective AH-O-4 Preserve the special character of the Ardara, Ballyshannon, Buncrana, Bundoran, Letterkenny, Ramelton, Raphoe, and Moville Architectural Conservation Areas as identified on Maps 11.2 – 11.9 inclusive. Map 11.2 - Ardara ACA

4. Page 224

   Cite this pagePDF p. 224 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 221 Chapter 11 Natural, Built and Archaeological HeritageChapter 11 Natural, Built, and Archaeological Heritage Map 11.3 - Ballyshannon ACA Map 11.4 Buncrana ACA

5. Page 225

   Cite this pagePDF p. 225 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 222 Chapter 11 Natural, Built and Archaeological HeritageChapter 11 Natural, Built, and Archaeological Heritage Map 11.5 Bundoran ACA Map 11.6 Letterkenny ACA

6. Page 226

   Cite this pagePDF p. 226 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 223 Chapter 11 Natural, Built and Archaeological HeritageChapter 11 Natural, Built, and Archaeological Heritage Map 11.7 Ramelton ACA Map 11.8 Raphoe ACA

7. Page 227

   Cite this pagePDF p. 227 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 224 Chapter 11 Natural, Built and Archaeological HeritageChapter 11 Natural, Built, and Archaeological Heritage Map 11.9 Moville ACA Policy AH-P-6 a. Protect and enhance the special character of ACAs to include traditional building stock, material finishes, spaces, streetscape, shopfronts, landscape and settings therein. b. Protect all buildings, structures, groups of structures, sites, landscapes and all other features considered to be intrinsic elements to the special character of an ACA from unsympathetic demolition or alteration. c. Ensure appropriate and sensitive reuse and rehabilitation of buildings and sites, secure appropriate infill and new development, and require high quality architectural design within and adjacent to ACAs. d. Protect traditional shopfronts in ACAs and ensure new shopfronts are of a highquality architectural design. e. Ensure all new signage, lighting, advertising and utilities within ACAs are designed, constructed and located in such a manner as not to detract from the character of the ACA. f. Protect and reuse historic street finishes, furniture and features which contribute to the character of ACAs and associated areas of public realm. 11.3.4 National Inventory of Architectural Heritage Structures (NIAH) The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage established the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) on a statutory basis to identify, record and evaluate post-1700 built

8. Page 228

   Cite this pagePDF p. 228 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 225 Chapter 11 Natural, Built and Archaeological HeritageChapter 11 Natural, Built, and Archaeological Heritage structures across the country to aid the protection and conservation of built heritage. The Minister has recommended that all NIAH structures be included on the Record of Protected Structures. NIAH structures must therefore be protected in advance of being systematically assessed for inclusion on the Record of Protected Structures. Policies AH-P-7 Protect NIAH structures by requiring that development of structures on the NIAH including the curtilage, attendant grounds and setting of the structure are appropriate in terms of architectural treatment, character, scale, and form, and is not detrimental to the special character and integrity of the structure and its setting, save to the extent necessary to provide for strategic infrastructure projects including but not restricted to the TEN-T Priority Route Improvement Project, Donegal. the Bridgend to County border project scheme, the Buncrana Inner Relief Road and Greenways. This policy will be implemented by the Council in so far as same can be practicably and reasonably achieved within the context of said projects. AH-P-8 Ensure high quality architectural design of all new development relating to or which may impact on NIAH structures (and their setting) save to the extent necessary to provide for strategic infrastructure projects including but not restricted to the TEN-T Priority Route Improvement Project, Donegal, the Bridgend to County border project scheme, the Buncrana Inner Relief Road and Greenways. This policy will be implemented by the Council in so far as same can be practicably and reasonably achieved within the context of said projects. 11.3.5 Vernacular Architecture and Historic Traditional Building Stock Vernacular structures are traditional building forms and types, including modest rural and urban houses, built by local builders, using local materials, skills and building techniques. These buildings formed the main component of the 18th and 19th Century landscapes in County Donegal. The Built Vernacular Strategy now provides a national framework for the planning and development of such assets within the state. In Donegal many such structures consist of single storey, direct entry, one room deep, linear cottages. These cottages had low wall-heads and door heights and small irregularly placed windows, with rooms often added to either end extending the linear form and resulting in extended farmsteads such as the famous “Donegal Longhouse”. Other vernacular structures include farmsteads, limekilns, mills, forges, piers/quays and other built evidence of lifestyles in years past. Associated features can include designed gardens/garden features, masonry walls, railings, gates, bridges, shopfronts, pub fronts, hand painted signage and street furniture as well as street layouts, buildings lines and traditional plot widths. Donegal also boasts multiple Islands with unique vernacular landscapes. The special character of these islands includes their traditional building stock, material finishes, spaces, streetscape, landscape and setting. Vernacular structures and their associated features reflect the unique local history and character of a place, reflecting local traditions, available materials and craftsmanship.

9. Page 229

   Cite this pagePDF p. 229 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 226 Chapter 11 Natural, Built and Archaeological HeritageChapter 11 Natural, Built, and Archaeological Heritage Donegal’s traditional building stock includes all solid wall buildings that are constructed using natural permeable natural materials such as stone and lime mortars. The plan supports the protection, appropriate re-use and sympathetic extension of these structures within the County to meet sustainability goals, respect their important heritage value and the contribution they make to our architectural, historical, social and cultural heritage, local character and sense of place. The historic building stock in County Donegal can be defined as traditional buildings built with solid stone walls and other natural materials such as wood, slate and lime. These buildings uniquely reflect the social and cultural history of the area to which they belong and make a major contribution to the character of our countryside, villages and towns. In order to prevent further loss or destruction of this important heritage asset, there is a presumption against the demolition of traditional buildings which appear on historic maps (i.e. 1st , 2nd and 3rd edition Ordnance Survey). The Plan supports the appropriate re-use and sympathetic extension to these structures within the County to meet sustainability goals and to respect their important heritage value. Policies AH-P-9 Seek to protect, conserve and preserve vernacular structures, historic building stock and enhance the established character, forms, material features, and settings of vernacular buildings and historic building stock that are considered to be intrinsic elements of the character of a place, save to the extent necessary to provide for strategic infrastructure projects including, but not restricted to, the TEN-T Priority

10. Page 230

    Cite this pagePDF p. 230 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
    County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 227 Chapter 11 Natural, Built and Archaeological HeritageChapter 11 Natural, Built, and Archaeological Heritage Route Improvement Project, Donegal, the Bridgend to County border project scheme, the Buncrana Inner Relief Road and Greenways., including: a. Vernacular and traditional style farmhouse buildings including Clachans and local authority labourer’s cottages. b. Vernacular buildings, groupings of buildings on Donegal’s Islands. c. Historic thatch structures as a key component of the built heritage of the county. d. Historic Building Stock such as traditionally stone built buildings. This policy will be implemented by the Council in so far as same can be practicably and reasonably achieved within the context of said projects. AH-P-10 Seek to ensure that conversions or extensions to vernacular buildings and the provision of new adjoining buildings/traditional historic building stock shall be of a scale and form that complements the existing building and ensures that the distinctiveness and character of the vernacular form is retained and respected. 11.4 Archaeological Heritage 11.4.1 Introduction Archaeology is the study of past societies through their material remains and the evidence of their environment including both ancient (e.g. Neolithic, Iron Age) and more recent societies (e.g. industrial and military sites). Archaeological heritage is a crucial non-renewable historical and cultural resource which comprises all material remains of past societies including the remains of settlements, monuments, burials, ships and boats and portable objects of all kinds. It occurs in all environments, (e.g. urban and rural, upland and lowland, agricultural, forestry, wetland, and underwater) and may consist of upstanding or visible remains, or subsurface features. As such it is considered that the conservation and protection of archaeological heritage constitutes proper planning and sustainable development and should be robustly implemented by the development plan.

Source Donegal County Council: County Donegal Development Plan 2024–2030 (As Varied) (2024–2030) · Licence the publisher's termsText read from the publisher’s PDF; tables, maps and drawings do not survive as text, and page numbers are the PDF’s (its first page is 1). Check the original before relying on a passage.