Kildare County Development Plan 2023–2029 — Chapter 13: Landscape, Recreation and Amenity

1. Page 21

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   13.5 Scenic Routes and Protected Views Scenic routes provide views of the landscape of the county and many built and archaeological features. In addition to scenic routes there are a number of protected views throughout the county. These are located particularly along water corridors and to and from the hills in the countryside. Scenic routes and protected views consist of important and valued views and prospects within the county. These scenic routes, hilltop views and scenic viewpoints are listed in Table 13.5, 13.6 and 13.7 below and their locations can be seen on Map V1 - 13.3. The Council recognises the need to protect the character of the county by protecting views and scenic routes. However, it is acknowledged that in certain circumstances, some development may be necessary. In this regard, appropriate location, siting and design criteria should strictly apply. All proposals will be assessed taking into account the overall character of the scenic route and the character of the landscapes through which the route passes, in accordance with the criteria outlined in section 13.3.2. 13.5.1 Views to and from Hills As the landform of the county is generally flat, with very little variation in topography and predominantly low vegetation, extensive views can be obtained from hilltops, allowing vistas over long distances, and similarly from the lowland areas the eye is drawn to the primary and secondary ridgelines that define the skyline throughout the county. Ridgelines are conspicuous features of the natural landscape as they perform an important role as dominant landscape focal points. It is important that development does not interrupt the integrity of ridgelines. Development on steeply sloping land can be viewed over greater distances. 13.5.2 Views to and from Waterways River floodplains and canal banks are generally sensitive to development to varying degrees. Both the rivers and the canal corridors provide a contrast of form and colour on the landscape. Urban and rural development has taken place along some sections of the canals and rivers, interrupting the integrity of these linear landscape features and in some cases significantly affecting their scenic amenity value. It is important that development does not further interrupt the integrity of river and canal corridors – with the exception of specific areas that are zoned for development (i.e. in Local Area Plans). The protected views to and from the Royal Canal, Grand Canal, River Liffey, River Barrow and Rye River are listed in Table 13.7 below.459

2. Page 22

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   No. Description Location 01 Views of Old Kilcullen to the east and Dún Aillinne to the west, from the R418 Motorway Interchange to the south of Moortown House. Knockbounce, Knockaulin, Old Kilcullen, Glebe North, Moortown and Moortowncastle. 02 Views to the east of Yellowbogcommon, from the junction of R418/R448 to Halverstown crossroads. Yellowbogcommon and Glebe South. 03 Views across Curragh Plains, north and south, along R445, from the junction of R413/R445 to Colgan's Cut. Curragh 04 Views of the Curragh Plains: Little Curragh, a county road, the L7034, the L3006 and the L6075, from the Kildare Town boundary to Donnelly's Hollow and the R413 from Donnelly's Hollow to the Kildare Town boundary. Curraghfarm, Strawhall, Curragh and Little Curragh. 05 Views of the Moate of Ardscull along the R418 from Russelstown crossroads to Kilmead. Ardnsgross, Youngstown, Kilmead, Ardscull, Russellstown and Aghanure. 06 Views of Robertstown Countryside and views across the Canal, along the R415, L7075 and L7078. Kilmeague, Grangeclare east & west, Mylerstown, Lowtown, Littletown, Robertstown east. 07 Views of Blessington Lake along the N81 from Poulaphuca Bridge to County Boundary at Bishopslane and from the County Boundary at Glassing to the County Boundary at Glebe East. Bishopsland, Horsepasstown, Bishopslane, Ballymore Eustace East and Glebe east. 08 Views of Bogland Plains; the L3002 from Kilmoney crossroads to Feighcullen crossroads at Boston Hill. Kilmoney north & south, Drinnanstown north & south, Boston common and Feighcullen. 09 Views of the River Liffey along the R411 from the Liffey Bridge at Ballymore Eustace to the junction of the R411/L5043. Broadleas commons, Bishopsland and Ballymore Eustace west. 10 Views of the West Plains on the Oughterard Road (L2009 and L2008). Bishopscourt lower and Boston. 11 Views of the Upland Areas on the Oughterard Road (L6018 and L6021). Oughterard, Tuckmilltown, Blackchurch, Loyns and Pluckstown. 12 Views west of the Kildare Plains from the Redbog Area and views towards Caureen from Rathmore crossroads to Pipershall along the L6038 road. Greenmount, Redbog, Pipershall, Wolfestown, Rathmore west and Punchestown lower. 13 Views to the River Liffey on the R413 from Brannockstown crossroads to Ballymore Eustace. Moorhill, Grangemore, Brannockstown, Rochestown, Gaganstown, Ardenode east &460

3. Page 23

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   No. Description Location west, Longstown and Ballymore Eustace west. 14 Views to and from Dunmurry Hill and Red Hill and views of the Central Kildare Plains and Boglands on the R401 and adjoining roads from Thomastown crossroads to the Kildare Town Boundary. Thomastown west, Guidenstown south, Grangeclare, Killeagh commons, Redhills, Rahilla Glebe, Kildare town, Crockanure Glebe and Southgreen. 15 Views of the Plains of Kildare and West Central Boglands, to and from Newtown Hills (including county roads L5027, L50281, L5028, L1007). Newtown, Grange, Nicholastown, Cappagh, Corocoranstown, Ballynakill, Ballyvoneen and Cloncurry. 16 Views of the Chair of Kildare and views of the Central Kildare Plains and Boglands from the L7004 and L70061. Punchersgrange, Blakestown, Conlanstown and Canonstown. 17 Views of the Chair of Kildare and views of the Central Kildare Plains and Boglands along the R415, from the junction of the R415/Mill lane for 1.5km towards the north. Dunbyrne, Barnacrow, Milltown, Barnacrow, and Baronstown west. 18 Views of the Grand Canal, River Slate and surrounding countryside along the R414 from Rathangan Bridge to Spencer Bridge. Rathangan demesne. 19 Views to and from the Corballis Hills: Along county roads, the L8097, the L8095 and the L8053, from Carrigeen to Sheriffhill crossroads. Tankardstown, Corbalis, Ballynacarrick Upper, Ballynacarrick Lower, Aylmerstown and Sheriffhill. 20 Views to the north-west of the open countryside, from Kilteel Village to Rathmore Village. Furryhill, Kilteel upper & lower, Rathmore east & west and Segravescastle. 21 Views east at Brewel, along the L6096 from Kingsland Castle Ruins to Ballintaggart. Brewel East, Brewel West, Ballintaggart and Usk. 22 Views across the Barrow valley, along the L8017 from Pinhill crossroads to Burton crossroads (N78). Burton Big, Ballinadrum, Glassely, Ballyadams and Lynamsgarden. 23 Views to the north-west of the Kildare Plains along the R418, south of Moortown House to Tippeenan Lower. Moortown, Thomastown, Ballyshannon and Tippeenan Lower. 24 Views to and from Hughestown Hill (L8052). Hughestown, Carrigeen Hill, Ballynacarrick lower and Davidstown. 25 Views to the south of the open countryside from the L7081 Kilmeague crossroad to the junction of the L7081/L7078. Kilmeague, Coolaght and Mylerstown.461

4. Page 24

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   No. Description Location 26 Views from the county roads (L1005, L5019, L5018, L1006, L5017 and L5011) of Carbury Castle and Hill – Teelough road junction with the R402 and upland area at Mylerstown. Haggard, Calfstown, Mylerstown, Knockcor, Carbury, Coolcor, Ardkill, Balrinnet, Ballinderry, Nurney, Williamstown, Windmill and Freagh. 27 Views of the countryside and the East Kildare Uplands along the L6056 from Bishopshill Commons to Ballymore Eustace. Ballymore Eustace east and Bishopshill commons. 28 Views within the Carton Demesne Walls, to and from Carton House, the Lake and Woodland Areas. Carton demesne. 29 Views of the River Liffey from the Main Avenue of Castletown House. Castletown demesne. 30 Views to and from the Ridgeline of the East Kildare Uplands and views of the Central Plains along the L6030. Oldtown, Kilteel upper, Rathbane, Punchestown upper & lower, Furryhill, Caureen, Slatequarries, Hempstown common and Pipershall. 31 Views towards Lyons Hill, Liffey Valley, Clonaghlis and Oughterard, along the R403 from Barberstown crossroads to Saint Patrick’s Hill. Barberstown lower and Barberstown. 32 Views of Ballynafagh Lake along the L7095 from junction with L1021 to junction with L5072. Ballynafagh and Curryhills. 33 Views of Pollardstown Fen along the L7032 from Father Moore's Well to the Pollardstown Fen carpark. Rathbride and Pollardstown. 34 Views of the Bog of Allen and the Hills of Allen, Grange and Dunmurry along the R403 and R414 from Allenwood to Rathangan. Allenwood middle, Allenwood south, Lullymore East, Lullymore West, Barnaran, Drumsru, Cappanargid, Killyguire and Newtown. Table 13.5 - Scenic Routes in County Kildare No. Hilltop Views 01 Red Hill 02 Dunmurry Hill 03 Grange Hill 04 Allen Hill 05 Hill at Ovidstown 06 Hill at Killickaweeny 07 Kilteel Hill462

5. Page 25

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   No. Hilltop Views 08 Caurcen Hill 09 Slieveroe Hill 10 Carrigeen Hill 11 Brevel Hill 12 Hughstown Hill 13 Corballis Hill 14 Boston Hill 15 Dún Ailinne 16 Crosspatrick Hill 17 Carbury Hill Table 13.6 - Hilltop Views in County Kildare View Reference Bridge Location Views of the River Liffey from Bridges RL01 Leixlip Bridge Leixlip RL02 New Bridge Coneyburrow RL03 Celbridge Bridge Celbridge RL04 Straffan Bridge Lodgepark, Straffan RL05 Alexandra Bridge Abbeyland RL06 Millicent Bridge Castlesize RL07 Caragh Bridge Halverstown/ Gingerstown RL08 Victoria Bridge Moortown/ Yeomanstown RL09 New Bridge Droichead Nua (Newbridge) RL10 Athgarvan Bridge Rosetown/Athgarvan RL11 Kilcullen Bridge Kilcullen RL12 New Bridge Cramersvalley/Carnalway RL13 Ballymore Bridge Ballymore Eustace Views of the Rye Water River from Bridges RW01 Black Bridge Kellystown / Blakestown RW02 Carton Bridge Carton Demesne RW03 Sandfords Bridge Carton Demesne (L1014) RW04 Kildare Bridge Carton Demesne RW05 Carton Bridge Carton Demesne Views of the River Barrow from bridges, adjacent lands and roads RB01 Greese Bridge Jerusalem Newtownpilsworth RB02 Maganey Bridge Maganey Lower RB03 Tankardstown Bridge Grangemellon RB04 Bert Bridge Tyrellstown463

6. Page 26

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   View Reference Bridge Location RB05 Dunrally Bridge Lowtown RB06 Pass Bridge Passlands RB07 Mill Bridge Levitstown RB08 Baylough Bridge Monasterevin (R424) RB09 Bunberry Bridge Athy RB10 Monasterevin Bridge Monasterevin (R445) RB11 Crom Abu Bridge Athy Views to and from bridges on the Grand Canal GC1 Macartney's Bridge Coolsickin or Quinsborough GC2 Henry Bridge Clonaghris GC3 Ponsonby Bridge Barrowrath GC4 Devonshire Bridge Sherlockstown Common GC5 Digby Bridge Aghpaudeen GC6 Landenstown Bridge Landenstown GC7 Connaught Bridge Newtown GC8 Cock Bridge Goatstown GC9 Bonynge Bridge Mouds GC10 Binn’s Bridge Robertstown GC11 Fenton Bridge Lowtown GC12 Bond Bridge Derrymullen GC13 Hamilton’s Bridge Killinagh GC14 Ticknevin Bridge Ticknevin GC15 Harberton Bridge Littletown GC16 New Bridge Littletown GC17 Skew Bridge Ballyteige North GC18 Huband Bridge Grangeclare West GC19 Pim Bridge Newpark GC20 Pluckerstown Bridge Pluckerstown GC21 Milltown Bridge Milltown GC22 Ballyteige Bridge Ballyteige GC23 Glenaree Bridge Glenaree GC24 Rathangan Bridge Rathangan GC25 Wilson’s Bridge Kiltaghan North GC26 Ummeras Bridge Ummeras More GC27 Aylmer Bridge Kearneystown Upper GC28 High Bridge Old Grange GC29 Milltown Bridge Moatstown GC30 Tandy Bridge Naas464

7. Page 27

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   View Reference Bridge Location GC31 Abbey Bridge Naas GC32 Ploopluck Bridge Naas GC33 Limerick Bridge Naas GC34 Milltown Old Bridge Milltown GC35 Clogheen Bridge Monasterevin GC36 Shee Bridge Allenwood GC37 Spencer Bridge Rathangan GC38 27th Lock Bridge Monasterevin GC39 Leinster Aquaduct Sallins Views to and from bridges on the Royal Canal RC1 Bailey’s Bridge Maws RC2 Cope Bridge Newtown/Leixlip RC3 Louisa Bridge Easton/Leixlip RC4 Deey Bridge Collinstown RC5 Pike Bridge Railpark/Donaghmore RC6 Mullen Bridge Railpark/Maynooth RC7 Bond Bridge Maynooth RC8 Jackson’s Bridge Laraghbryan East RC9 Chambers Bridge Maws RC10 Shaw Bridge Kilcock RC11 Allen Bridge Boycetown RC12 Rye Water Aqueduct Leixlip RC13 Moyvally Bridge Moyvally Table 13.7 - Views to and from bridges465

8. Page 28

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   Scenic Routes and Viewpoints Stage This drawing is to be read in conjunction with the written statement Date Description Scale: N.T.S. Ordnance Survey Ireland data reproduced under OSi Licence number CYAL50250173 © Ordnance Survey Ireland/Government of Ireland/Kildare County Council Map Ref: V1-13.3 County Development Plan 2023-2029 Drawing No.: 200/22/1355 Scenic Routes Scenic Viewpoints Hilltop Views Kildare County Boundary Rivers and Canals Legend Drawn By: M O'Loughlin Date 28/01/2023 County Development Plan 28/01/2023 Date: January 2023 Date the Plan comes into effect Checked By: L Crawford Date 28/01/2023 County Development Plan 09/12/2022 Plan adopted by Elected Members Approved By: C O'Donnell Date 28/01/2023466

9. Page 29

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   13.5.3 Advertising in the Countryside The proliferation of signs and hoardings in the countryside detracts from the visual amenity of the Kildare rural landscape. This signage is a distraction to road users and may constitute a traffic hazard. Policy It is the policy of the Council to: LR P3 Protect, sustain and enhance the established appearance and character of all important views and prospects. Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: LR O32 Avoid any development that could disrupt the vistas or have a disproportionate impact on the landscape character of the area, particularly upland views, river views, canal views, views across the Curragh, views of historical or cultural significance (including buildings and townscapes), views of natural beauty and specifically those views listed in Tables 13.5 – 13.7 of this plan. LR O33 Ensure developments (due to excessive bulk, scale, inappropriate siting or siting on steep slopes i.e. >10%) do not have a disproportionate visual impact or significantly interfere with or detract from scenic upland vistas when viewed from nearby areas, scenic routes, viewpoints and settlements. LR O34 Control development that will adversely affect the visual integrity of distinctive linear sections of water corridors and river valleys and open floodplains. LR O35 Encourage appropriate landscaping and screen planting of developments along scenic routes. Where scenic routes run through settlements, street trees and ornamental landscaping may be required. LR O36 Strictly prohibit advertising structures and hoardings in the open countryside. The Council will use its enforcement powers under the Planning Acts to secure the removal of unauthorised advertising signs and hoardings including those that are affixed to trailers, wheeled vehicles etc. LR O37 Fencing, particularly in commonage, upland, highly scenic or amenity areas, will not be permitted unless such fencing is essential to the viability of farmland. The nature of the material to be used, the height of the fence, and in the case of a wire fence the type of wire to be used, will be taken into account. Stiles or gates may be required at appropriate locations. LR O38 Ensure unenclosed land which has not been fenced in the last 10 years remains not fenced as per the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, Art 9 (l)(a)(x) - Restrictions on exemption.467

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    Action It shall be an action of the Council to: LR A6 Review and update all Scenic Routes and Views in the county within two years of the adoption of this Plan (Tables 13.5 - 13.7 refer). LR A7 Prepare further detailed guidance in relation to views and prospects available along scenic routes occurring within the boundaries of Local Area Plans. 13.6 Recreation and Amenities Recreation and amenity areas within the county include natural, recreational and sporting amenities as well as social and community infrastructure. These facilities provide many cultural, social, economic and environmental benefits and provide a positive contribution towards quality of life. The provision of a range of amenities which can cater for the demands of an increasing population, and which will be accessible for all sectors and age groups of the population is a central element in the delivery of sustainable communities. The strategies for the provision of recreation and amenity resources in the county seeks; • To provide an opportunity for all sectors of Kildare’s population and visitors to the county, to avail of good quality recreational, sports and open space facilities, suitable to their needs while not compromising the ecosystem services provided by the natural environment; • To ensure that the natural resources which form the basis for countryside recreation are protected and effectively managed; and • To provide and maintain facilities in an economically and environmentally sustainable manner. Kildare Sports Partnership prepared a Strategic Plan 2017-2021 to promote participation in sport and physical activity in the county in a planned and co-ordinated way. 13.6.1 Countryside Recreation Countryside recreation includes a wide range of activities including horse riding, cycling, walking, picnicking, country drives, off-road biking, nature trails, bird watching, painting, photography, field studies, orienteering, para- and hang-gliding, rock climbing, adventure sports, camping, archaeological guided walks and water related activities which include swimming, boating, canoeing and kayaking. It is recognised that the countryside of Kildare provides an important resource in outdoor recreational facilities not only for the population of Kildare but also for those visiting the county. The Council recognises the significance of natural amenities as a major resource for visitors and local people. Commonage and other rough grazing land are important in terms of the agricultural, environmental and recreational resources they offer.468

Source Kildare County Council: Kildare County Development Plan 2023–2029 — Chapter 13: Landscape, Recreation and Amenity (2023–2029) · 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.