Development plan · Leitrim County Council
Leitrim County Development Plan 2023–2029
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards.
Leitrim County Council · 2023–2029 · 398 pages
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- 5.5 Greenways, Cycling and Walking Leitrim County Council, working with strategic partners at a national, regional and local level, is strongly committed to developing further walking and cycling tracks, recognising the benefits not only for the local community but also for generating tourism activity and the resulting economic impacts. There are several successful walking routes throughout the county such as Slí Liatroma (Leitrim’s Way), The North West Trail, the Beara-Breffni Way and the Miner’s Way, which facilitate access to the countryside for everyone. The Council is committed to completing the Carrick-on-Shannon to Leitrim Village boardwalk and the Ballinamore Walk to Aghoo Bridge. The development of Blueways and Greenways presents valuable opportunities for rural communities to attract more visitors. These values lie not only in the recreational opportunities that they offer but also in their potential to stimulate local businesses and regenerate local areas. Leitrim County Council is committed to the development of further Blueways and Greenways during the life of the County Development Plan. Further detail on Greenways, Blueways and Walking is provided in Chapter 8 – Transport including specific policies and objectives being pursued by the Local Authority. 121LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 5 Tourism
- 5.6 Adventure Tourism, Lakes and Waterways The value of the lakes and waterways in Leitrim from a tourism and amenity perspective is significant having regard to their scenic beauty, serene environment and natural heritage and habitat value. There is potential to expand public amenity in these areas to include car parking, information boards, toilets, viewing points, boardwalks and boat mooring. The Council will seek to facilitate increased visitor access and enjoyment of the lakes and waterways, through encouraging developments which provide visitor services and create stronger connections with towns and villages which can provide those services. These include water sport equipment hire, changing and toilet facilities and guided tours along with general services such as accommodation and restaurants. A new public boardwalk has been completed at Carrick-on-Shannon marina and the Council in conjunction with Waterways Ireland, has developed the Shannon Blueway from Acres lake to Lough Allen and the Shannon Erne Blueway from Leitrim Village to Kilclare (Lock 16 Killarcan to Lock 9 Kilclare). The quality of our water resources is of paramount importance to realising the potential of these assets for tourism. Keeldra Lake is Leitrim’s only EPA designated bathing water site having achieved ‘excellent quality’ status in the last 4 consecutive years. The lake provides for car parking, looped walks and angling facilities. Leitrim County Council developed the Lough Rinn rowing facility and hosted a Rowing Ireland led regatta in 2016 and 2017. The facility comprises of eight fixed lanes for rowing, two pontoons, sanitary services, car and trailer parking. Cruise-Ireland (Carrick Craft) and the Emerald Star/Le Boat provide commercial cruise hire along the River Shannon and Erne. There are mooring facilities along towns and villages making it a popular way of exploring Leitrim’s waterways. Leitrim is also recognised as being one of the outstanding angling destinations in Europe. Angling has been identified as having further growth potential and supports employment in rural parts of the county. Angling is identified in the Leitrim Tourism Strategy as a market in which Leitrim can and should reclaim its market leadership position. In addition to changing customer demands, the character of the product itself, i.e. the fishing waters, is also changing. These changes result in a need for a different approach. To successfully compete in international and domestic angling markets, Leitrim must respond to those changes. 122 LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 5 Tourism
- POLICIES ADV TOUR POL 1 To develop the water-based leisure sector in the region in a sustainable manner making the best use of existing and planned infrastructure and resources, in a manner that is sensitive to the natural and cultural heritage resources. ADV TOUR POL 2 To support the development of angling centres and associated infrastructure/products in the county to meet customer demands and expectations in every aspect of the angling experience. ADV TOUR POL 3 To maintain water quality and develop shared facilities at designated water bathing sites. ADV TOUR POL 4 To support both the enhancement of existing and development of new access to water locations in the county for recreation purposes. The provision of shared facility centres for water-based activities in the county shall be supported by the Council. OBJECTIVES ADV TOUR OBJ 1 To facilitate walking and cycling access to lakes and waterways from towns and villages where services are provided. ADV TOUR OBJ 2 To support the development of infrastructure and tourism enterprises which increase the tourism offering on waterways including boating, canoeing, angling, water sports, bird watching, and the provision of storage, shelters and other facilities to enhance the user experience subject to planning permission and only where it can be demonstrated that the development will not have significant adverse effects on the environment, including the integrity of the Natura 2000 network. ADV TOUR OBJ 3 To continue to develop and enhance the Shannon Erne Blueway from Leitrim Village to Ballinamore. ADV TOUR OBJ 4 To prepare Habitat and Visitor Management Plans for the protection of areas which are particularly sensitive to visitors subject to the availability of funding. The first such plan will be developed for Sheemore. ADV TOUR OBJ 5 To maximise the tourism potential of Glencar Lake and waterfall. ADV TOUR OBJ 6 To support and facilitate the continued development of the Greenways/Blueways and maximise the economic opportunities presented by Greenways/Blueways. ADV TOUR OBJ 7 To develop Fowley’s Falls and Glenfarne Forest Park as must-see tourist destinations. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 123 5 Tourism
- 5.7 Tourism Infrastructure and Visitor Services Carrick-on-Shannon is a key destination town and there are a variety of activities, accommodation and high quality services available in the town to cater for tourists. Recent public realm enhancements in the town improve the visitor experience and accessibility, encouraging increased dwell time and repeat visits. The Council seeks to improve signage and way finding throughout the county, linking towns and villages and connection with the waterways. POLICIES TOUR INF POL 1 To provide high quality experiences for visitors by supporting expansion in accommodation and facilities in Carrick-on-Shannon as a Destination Town and creating connections to Manorhamilton and Ballinamore via smaller towns and villages including improvements to the public realm and the sustainable development of our natural and built heritage. TOUR INF POL 2 To encourage the clustering of tourism products and services to contribute to the vitality of towns and villages and reduce leakage from the local economy. TOUR INF POL 3 To support the provision of visitor services within existing towns and villages, such as cafes, accommodation, and changing facilities, by providing linkages with greenways, blueways and trails where appropriate. TOUR INF POL 4 To facilitate the sustainable development of a variety of quality tourist accommodation including hotels, guesthouses, hostels, B&Bs, holiday homes, glamping/camping/caravan and campervans at suitable locations, throughout the county. TOUR INF POL 5 To provide signposting, information boards or interpretative signs and support the upgrade of access and other infrastructure of existing amenities to provide for development of quality public visitor infrastructure and public facilities at scenic amenity sites. TOUR INF POL 6 To support the implementation of new tourist facilities or upgrading/extension of existing tourist facilities at tourist sites within the county, within proper planning and sustainable development principles LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I124 5 Tourism
- OBJECTIVES TOUR INF OBJ 1 To identify opportunities for funding for infrastructural projects and facilities that support the tourism product of towns and villages and seek to maximise the benefit of such funding opportunities for the county. TOUR INF OBJ 2 To facilitate the development of various accommodation such as hostels, hotels, guesthouses, hostels, B&Bs, holiday homes, glamping/camping/caravan and campervans along established walking/hiking routes and adjacent to existing tourism/recreation facilities, subject to satisfying normal planning criteria. TOUR INF OBJ 3 To enhance the visitor offering in towns and villages and provide visitor interpretation, signage and public realm schemes unique to the town and village which provide tourists with a memorable ‘sense of place’. TOUR INF OBJ 4 To support the development of the night-time economy by supporting the Purple Flag initiative in Carrick-on-Shannon and collaborating with arts, music venues, festivals and events in centres across the county. TOUR INF OBJ 5 To support the development of new tourism products and facilities or upgrading /extension of existing tourist facilities at tourist sites. TOUR INF OBJ 6 To work with all relevant stakeholders and Fáilte Ireland to facilitate the erection of standardised signage for tourism facilities and tourist attractions as part of national and regional initiatives. 125LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 5 Tourism
- 5.8 Tourism and Climate Change The potential environmental effects of a likely increase in tourists/tourismrelated traffic volumes shall be monitored and mitigated as appropriate. Such a consideration shall include not only impacts on natural heritage but also potential impacts on existing infrastructure (including drinking water, wastewater, waste and transport) resulting from tourism proposals. The Council will endeavour to ensure that all activities are carbon neutral, climate friendly and contribute to the protection and enhancement of the environment to the maximum extent possible. OBJECTIVE TOUR CLIM OBJ 1 To encourage and support tourism providers, festival and event organisers to incorporate green initiatives and principles. 126 LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 5 Tourism
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- 6.1 Introduction The towns and villages in Co. Leitrim are at the heart of social, economic and community activity. They are places where people not only work, but also live, socialise, raise their families and engage in community activities. The towns and villages of Co. Leitrim vary in terms of their size, character and the range and scale of their commercial activities. They are the lifeblood of local economies and support businesses and employment with an impact that extends into their surrounding areas and communities. Vibrant towns are important catalysts for balanced regional development. For visitors, they are the gateways to our heritage, culture and natural environment. The strategic aim of this chapter is based on that contained in ‘Our Rural Future’, namely: To support the regeneration, repopulation and development of our towns and villages to contribute to economic recovery, and to enable people to live and work in a high quality environment. This strategic aim will be realised by investing in projects which support economic activity and increased footfall in our towns and villages, improve the public realm, encourage town centre living, and provide the necessary services infrastructure to support town and village regeneration and sustainable growth. This will continue the significant investment made through initiatives such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, and the CLÁR programme to support the regeneration of our towns and villages. The challenges faced by our towns and villages include the effect of vacant properties on the vitality and attractiveness of towns, the impact of online shopping on town centre retail, and the closure of services such as banks and post offices where providers have found it is no longer viable to maintain these services in certain areas. The impact of COVID-19 has created further challenges for commercial activity. One of the lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic is a renewed appreciation of the importance and value of our local towns and villages and of their businesses and local shops to the wider community. Investment in the revitalisation of our rural towns and villages as part of the post COVID-19 economic recovery has been acknowledged as a priority for Government. This investment will target measures to support the viability of local businesses and local jobs, increase economic activity and footfall, and encourage more people to return confidently to town centres to shop and socialise. It is also considered that a renewed emphasis on town centre living is critical to ensure a living town centre re-emerges to create vitality but also a sense of urban community. The Council will also seek to maximise the availability of funding programmes to revitalise town centres and by reviewing other options to bring vacant properties back into use for commercial or residential purposes. 128 LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I
- 6.2 Policy Overview 6.2.1 Project Ireland 2040 - National Planning Framework The National Planning Framework (NPF) in Chapter 6 ‘People, Homes and Communities’ outlines how location, place and accessibility influence the quality of life that people enjoy. Figure 6.1: Elements Supporting Quality of Life Quality of Life Material Living Conditions Economic and Physical Safety Overall Life Satisfaction Governance and Basic Rights Arts, Culture and Heritage Natural and Living Environment Leisure and Social Interactions Education Employment Health Source: National Panning Framework 6.2.2 NWRA Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 The RSES promotes a compact growth approach to ensure sustainable growth of more compact urban and rural settlements, supported by jobs, houses, services and amenities. A place-based approach seeks to unlock the economic potential of towns and villages and create healthier more sustainable environments. The strategy promotes accessible public spaces which promote both social and physical activity and cater for all demographics to ensure an inclusive society. 6.2.3 Framework for Town Centre Renewal 2017 The Framework for Town Centre Renewal sets out key characteristics of a successful town centre and includes an Action Plan for Town Centre Renewal. ‘Key Attributes’ for successful town centres are also listed which include the following Strategies: ● A Placemaking Strategy – to ensure that a town positions itself as an attractive location for investment, for talent and as a place to enjoy a good quality of life and the need for planning policy to place greater emphasis on placemaking for town centres at the key stages of development of Local Area Plans and Development Plans. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 129 6 Urban Settlements
- ● A Visual Appearance Strategy – to ensure that town centres are attractive places to visit if they are to succeed and thrive and in particular the importance of revitalising existing spaces incrementally rather than depending on large scale redevelopment. 6.2.4 The Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 The Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 resulted in significant changes to the social housing requirement under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. This included the removal of the options for developers to fulfil Part V obligations by making a financial contribution or making land available outside the development site. A Vacant Site Levy was also introduced under this legislation in response to issues of land management and housing supply generally, and to support Local Authority Development Plans. The levy was to be applied in respect of vacant sites from January 2018. The Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2018 increased the vacant site levy rate, from 3% of the market value of a vacant site for 2018, to 7% for 2019. The revenue generated can be used by Local Authorities for the provision of housing and regeneration development in the local area in which the vacant site is located. The Vacant Site Levy is designed to disincentivise land hoarding and to act primarily as a site activation measure, rather than an income generating mechanism. For a site to be considered vacant, it must meet certain criteria: ● For residential land, the site must be situated in an area in which there is a need for housing and a suitability for the provision of housing, and the majority of the site must be vacant. ● For regeneration land, the vacant site must exhibit an adverse effect(s) on existing amenities, or reduce the amenity provided by existing public infrastructure and facilities. The 2015 Act defines a site as ‘any area of land exceeding 0.05 hectares’, excluding a person’s home which is defined as a ‘dwelling in which the person ordinarily resides’. 6.2.5 Housing Action Plan ‘Rebuilding Ireland – An Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness’ A Housing Action Plan ‘Rebuilding Ireland – An Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness’ was published in 2016. This set out a series of measures and targets by the Government that aims to increase and accelerate the delivery of housing across the country. There is a target to double the annual level of construction to 25,000 units by 2020 and to deliver 47,000 units of social housing up to 2021. Other measures were also introduced by the Government such as the introduction of rent pressure zones, establishment of Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) contributing towards the construction of critical public infrastructure required to deliver housing on key development sites and fast tracking of planning applications for strategic housing developments (SHDs) of 100 or more housing units to be made directly to An Bord Pleanála. Such measures are not considered to be of significance to Co. Leitrim. 6.2.6 Our Rural Future – Rural Development Policy 2021-2025 The Department of Rural and Community Development published this document in March 2021 for a post COVID 19 recovery and development of rural Ireland over the next five years. The Plan recognises the importance of digital connectivity for rural communities and enterprises focussing on remote working, education and enterprise opportunities and reiterates the ambition of delivering high speed broadband to rural areas. The Plan seeks to regenerate rural towns and villages and provide more employment in rural areas. It includes a policy to develop 9 no. Regional Enterprise Plans and work with the IDA to target 400 no. investments and 19 no. Advanced Technology Buildings all in regional locations. The Plan seeks to provide improved public transport, heath care, housing and childcare in rural areas. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I130 6 Urban Settlements
Source Leitrim County Council: Leitrim County Development Plan 2023–2029 (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.