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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- The road component of the Preferred Transport Solution includes the development of a new urban street in Carrick-on-Shannon, linking the Castlecara Road just south of St. Mary’s GAA club to the Leitrim Road (R280) north of Lis Cara housing development, in addition to a Preferred Option Corridor in which the existing road infrastructure can be upgraded or new infrastructure can be built. The corridor deviates from the existing N4 to the west of Cortober, Co. Roscommon where it progresses off-line south of the existing N4, north of the Dublin-Sligo railway line. The corridor progresses east, crossing the R368 and subsequently crossing the River Shannon in the townland of Cordrehid on the Cortober side of the River Shannon over to the townland of Attirory on the Carrick-on-Shannon side of the River Shannon. The corridor joins the existing N4 again in the townland of Lisseeghan. The corridor then progresses eastwards along the line of the existing N4 and ceases in the townland of Faulties, as announced in May 2022. N16 National Primary Road The existing N16 national primary road is deficient in terms of alignment and surface condition, resulting in slow journey times and hazardous traffic conditions. On a strategic level, the RSES acknowledges the importance to develop a crossborder core east-west route and this is best served through a Sligo - Enniskillen – Dundalk corridor. RPO 6.8 of the RSES provides, inter alia, the delivery of a number of projects including the N16 from Sligo to Blacklion which shall be pursued, in consultation with and subject to the agreement of TII, through pre-appraisal, early planning and to construction as priority projects to be delivered to an appropriate level of service in the medium-term. Whilst it would not be expected that this would be realised within the life of this Plan, the Council are fully supportive of this policy. Route Reservations The Council will support the implementation of the TII projects as outlined above and will preserve free from development proposed road realignment/ improvement lines and associated corridors where such development would prejudice the implementation of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) or County Council plans. Access to National Roads National policy in relation to access to national roads is set out in the Spatial Planning and National Road Guidelines (2012) and is adhered to in this Plan. The Guidelines state (Section 2.5) that “The policy of the Planning Authority will be to avoid the creation of any additional access point from new development or the generation of increased traffic from existing accesses to national roads to which speed limits greater than 60kmh apply. This provision applies to all categories of development, including individual houses in rural areas, regardless of the housing circumstances of the applicant”. In order to safeguard the carrying capacity and safety of these roads, access for residential development will be restricted onto National Primary Roads. Regard shall be had to the requirement in the Spatial Planning and National Roads Planning Guidelines (2012), to preserve the carrying capacity of these routes and safeguard their strategic role. Exceptional Circumstances Government policy regarding access onto national roads as provided for in the Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines (2012) seeks to avoid the creation of any additional access point from new development/intensification of traffic from existing entrances onto national roads outside the 60 kph speed limit. Section 2.6 of the guidelines provides for exceptional circumstances to the above general policy provision. Planning Authorities may identify stretches of national roads where a less restrictive approach may be applied as part of the Development Plan process. The guidelines provide that a less restrictive approach may be adopted in the case of developments of national and regional strategic importance which by their nature are most appropriately located outside urban areas, and where the locations concerned have specific characteristics that make them particularly suitable for the developments proposed. It is not the intention of the Planning Authority to identify any such locations in the Plan. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 201 8 Transport
- 8.11.3 Strategic Links In addition to the 3 National Primary Roads referred to Section 8.11.1, the R280 Regional Road is also considered a ‘Strategic Link’ shown on the Core Strategy Map in Chapter 2. The R280 Regional Road runs along the backbone of the county, linking the N4, the N15 and the N16 National Primary Routes. This road connects Carrick-on-Shannon to Manorhamilton and onwards to the N15 at the Bundoran/Ballyshannon Bypass and it is a vital link for the north of the county to prosper. The Council will seek additional funding to prioritise this road for upgrading potentially to National Secondary standard and status. 8.11.4 Regional Roads Regional roads provide important strategic linkages within the county and to the national road network and other counties. In order to protect the investment in these roads and to maintain their strategic function, it will be necessary to exercise control over new development requiring access to these roads by restricting new access points to a minimum in the interests of road safety for all users. Strategic Regional Roads In addition to the R280, the following roads are considered of strategic importance: ● R201 regional road (N4 at Annaduff via Carrigallen to the Leitrim – Cavan county boundary) ● R202 regional road (Dromod - Enniskillen) ● R199 regional road (Ballinamore – near Killeshandra, Co. Cavan) These regional roads are likely to grow in significance as the economies and societies on both sides of the border are more closely integrated. The Council supports the upgrading of these routes. Investment in these roads will be prioritised and the creation of new access points onto these routes will be strictly controlled, in line with the policies currently set for national routes. Access to Regional Roads The consideration of new individual housing proposals affecting all Regional Roads shall have regard to the Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines (2005) as follows: ● In site selection, avoid the creation of unnecessary new accesses, where access can be provided off a nearby local road serving the same landholding. ● Ensure that necessary new entrances provide effective visibility for both users of the entrance and users of the public roads so that opportunities for conflicting movements are avoided, taking account of all relevant considerations such as traffic levels, typical vehicle speeds, plans for realignment, etc. ● Avoid the premature obsolescence of regional roads through creating excessive levels of individual entrances. 8.11.5 Local Roads Local roads serve an important economic role and have a valuable social and community function, as they are often the sole means of access for local economic activity. In its programme of spending over the Plan period, the Council will prioritise its spending on local roads which are deficient according to the strategic benefits and improved traffic and pedestrian safety which will result. The Council will have regard to the transportation needs of development generally, particularly that associated with agribusiness, tourism and the need to promote rural development and diversification in the prioritising of its spending. Access to Local Roads For new developments, access onto the road network is a key issue, particularly in rural areas. The intensification of use of an existing access is normally preferable to the creation of a new access onto a rural road. Where new entrances are necessary, the relevant road design standards will be applied (TII Publications Rural Road Link Design in rural situations and Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets 2019 in urban situations within the 50/60 kph zone). Such road standards are required to guarantee the safety of the public in the county and protect the carrying capacity of the road network. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I202 8 Transport
- POLICIES TRAN POL 1 To maintain and protect the safety, capacity and efficiency of national roads and associated junctions in accordance with the Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines for Planning Authorities (DECLG, 2012). TRAN POL 2 To protect the national road network from new access points and the intensification of existing accesses onto or adjacent to national roads in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.5 of Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines for Planning Authorities (DECLG,2012) to maintain traffic capacity, minimise traffic hazard and protect and maximise public investment in such roads. TRAN POL 3 To require all applications for significant development proposals to be accompanied by a Traffic and Transport Assessment (TTA) and Road Safety Audit (RSA), carried out by suitably competent persons, in accordance with the TII’s Traffic and Transport Assessment Guidelines. TRAN POL 4 To restrict the creation of new accesses onto Regional Roads, particularly the R280 and identified Regionally Important Roads (R199, R201 & R202) where access to a lower category road is available. TRAN POL 5 To avoid the creation of any additional access point from new development/intensification of traffic from existing entrance onto national roads outside the 60kph speed limit. OBJECTIVES TRAN OBJ 1 To support and provide for improvements to the national road network, in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, including reserving corridors for proposed routes, free of development, so as not to compromise the implementation of future road schemes. TRAN OBJ 2 To preserve a corridor to enable design options for national road improvements and upgrade projects to be advanced following the route selection process having been completed and to preserve such routes when identified free from development which would prejudice their construction. TRAN OBJ 3 To progress and develop, with the support and cooperation of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), the following schemes: N4 Carrick-on-Shannon to Dromod Project from Faulties townland to Drumharlow townland in Co. Roscommon (in conjunction with Roscommon County Council) N16 upgrades at Drummahan and Munakill To continue the programme of further upgrades to deficient sections of the N16 route through the county TRAN OBJ 4 To seek to progress the design and development of a sustainable transport solution to the N16 National Primary Road through Manorhamilton in conjunction with Transportation Infrastructure Ireland. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 203 8 Transport
- OBJECTIVES (CONTINUED) TRAN OBJ 5 To seek additional funding to upgrade substantial sections the R280 Regional Road identified in this Development Plan as being a Strategic Link and to pursue to upgrade the status of the road to National Secondary standard and status. TRAN OBJ 6 To seek additional funding to upgrade substantial sections of the R199, R202 and R202 Regional Roads identified in this Development Plan as being Regionally Important Roads. TRAN OBJ 7 To construct a new bridge over the River Shannon to replace the now deficient Hartley Bridge (in conjunction with Roscommon County Council) on the L3400 Local Road linking Carrick-on-Shannon to Cootehall. TRAN OBJ 8 To construct a new bridge over the Drowes River to replace the now deficient Lennox Bridge (in conjunction with Donegal County Council) on the R280 Regional Road linking Kinlough to Bundoran. TRAN OBJ 9 To seek to progress the design of individual link roads within towns subject to funding being available, to progress the link roads through the planning consent process, land acquisition and construction. TRAN OBJ 10 To complete the Inner Relief Road at Ballinamore to include bridge widening by progressing the scheme through design and funding subject to funding being identified. TRAN OBJ 11 To seek to progress the design and construction of a new pedestrian bridge over the River Shannon at Roosky on the R371 in conjunction with Roscommon County Council. TRAN OBJ 12 To continue the programme of pavement improvement and maintenance, safety measures, signage and markings and winter maintenance on roads within the county in accordance with the agreed annual Roads Programmes. TRAN OBJ 13 To co-operate with Roscommon County Council and other relevant stakeholders to prepare a Local Transport Plan for Carrick-on-Shannon/Cortober ensuring that this process is guided by the NTA/TII document ‘Area Based Transport Assessment’ to the extent required for a combined urban centre of this scale. TRAN OBJ 14 Provide cycle routes/lanes around Co. Leitrim under smarter travel/active travel measures. 204 LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 8 Transport
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- 9.1 Introduction The strategic aim of this chapter is “To identify the required physical infrastructure to be provided to facilitate the expected growth in households and employment levels outlined in the Core Strategy whilst ensuring that the receiving environment is protected to the maximum extent possible.” The achievement of this strategic aim includes the provision and maintenance of the necessary water, wastewater, surface water and flood alleviation infrastructure throughout the county provided by the Local Authority, in conjunction with the Office of Public Works and by Irish Water. In addition, the County Development Plan provides the supporting policy framework to facilitate the provision of highquality information communication technology to include, broadband, telecommunication information and an electricity network infrastructure to support and enhance the infrastructure and energy capacity of the county. 9.2 Water Infrastructure The provision of an adequate infrastructure and supply of water and wastewater facilities is critical to facilitate and sustain the growth of the county for the period of this Plan and beyond. In 2014, Irish Water became the regulatory body for water in Ireland. Irish Water is responsible for the provision and operation of public water supply, wastewater collection and treatment services nationally, including strategic planning, policy development and capital investment planning and delivery. It is an objective of Irish Water to provide both drinking water and wastewater capacity to facilitate growth in accordance with Core Strategies at county level, and with national and regional planning policies and objectives (subject to the constraints of the Irish Water Capital Investment Programme). Leitrim County Council retains its role in facilitating the provision of adequate water services, in conjunction with Irish Water, at a local level, through Service Level Agreements (SLAs). Leitrim County Council is responsible for the implementation of the Rural Water Programme (including group schemes, private regulated water supplies and well grants), surface water drainage, flooding and monitoring of surface water quality. The Council also remains the designated Water Authority for the assessment and approval of individual domestic on-site wastewater treatment systems in the county. 206 LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I
- The delivery, integration and implementation of water and wastewater projects and infrastructural improvements are the responsibility of Irish Water. Leitrim County Council will continue to work closely with Irish Water to ensure that there are adequate water and wastewater facilities in the county and to ensure that the projected growth in housing and economic development is facilitated through the provision of the required water services infrastructure. There has been investment in water and wastewater infrastructure in Co. Leitrim over the past 15 years which has been central in facilitating the extensive residential and economic development experienced during that period assisted through the Upper Shannon Rural Renewal Scheme. As a result of this substantial investment, there remains capacity available in most centres throughout the county to facilitate the continued, planned development and growth of the county. In addition to aligning with housing targets contained in the Core Strategy, the environmental appropriateness of further development, having regard to any constraints in water services infrastructure, will be assessed by the Council in conjunction with Irish Water, in the assessment of planning proposals. 9.3 Water Supply In terms of water supply, an adequate, potable and clean supply of water is essential. Irish Water is responsible for providing and maintaining adequate public water supply infrastructure. There are also numerous group schemes operating in the county. In areas that are unserviced by either a public water supply or a group water scheme, water supply comprises mainly of wells for single dwellings. In the interest of safeguarding public health, the Council restricts the sinking of private wells in areas where a public water supply is available. In general, there is sufficient water supply treatment capacity in the county to meet the needs of the target population identified in the Core Strategy. The public water supply in Leitrim is split into three Water Resource Zones (WRZs), the South Leitrim Regional Water Supply Scheme, the North Leitrim Regional Water Supply Scheme and the Kinlough Tullaghan Water Supply Scheme. Irish Water is preparing for the future by developing the National Water Resources Plan (NWRP). The strategic plan for water services will outline how we move towards a sustainable, secure and reliable public drinking water supply over the next 25 years, whilst safeguarding our environment. The NWRP will outline how Irish Water intends to maintain the balance between our supply from water sources and demand for drinking water over the short, medium and long-term. This will allow preparation for the future and ensure the provision of sufficient safe, clean drinking water to facilitate the social and economic growth of our country. A three-pillar approach will be used in the NWRP: 1 Lose Less - leakage reduction and network efficiency 2 Use Less - water conservation measures 3 Supply Smarter - sustainable supplies Following public consultation, the NWRP Framework Plan was adopted in Spring 2021. The next stage of the NWRP is now underway which will involve the development of four regional water resources plans which will identify plan-level approaches to address the identified need in a sustainable manner. The South Leitrim Regional Water Supply Scheme (SLRWSS) serves Carrick-on-Shannon, Drumshanbo, Mohill, Ballinamore, Leitrim Village, Dromod, Carrigallen, Cloone. Newtowngore, Rooskey, Drumsna and Jamestown. Ongoing monitoring of the Carrick-on- Shannon Water Treatment Plant (WTP) which serves the SLRWSS is required over the initial period of the Plan. As part of the National Water Resource Plan, it has been assessed that the SLRWSS, which supplies the key town of Carrick-on-Shannon, may require further investigative studies or interventions to facilitate significant new connections to the network. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 207 9 Infrastructure and Energy
- It is anticipated that ongoing and planned minor upgrade works, as well as leakage reduction activities, will provide capacity to accommodate growth in the short term. However, depending on the impact of these measures, a further upgrade at Carrick-on- Shannon water treatment plant may be required in order to accommodate the targeted growth in Carrickon-Shannon and environs over the full Plan period. It is envisaged that this would be undertaken in the 2025-2029 Investment Plan period, subject to funding approval. The North Leitrim Regional Water Supply Scheme (NLRWSS) serves Manorhamilton, Dromahair and Drumkeeran. The NLRSSS was recently upgraded and is more than adequate to provide for the projected level of growth in these towns. Finally, the Kinlough Tullaghan Water Supply Scheme is a small scheme supplying Kinlough and Tullaghan and Group Water Schemes along the coastal area of the county. This scheme has spare capacity at present of about 300m3/day. The Kinlough Tullaghan WRZ is likely to require further investigative studies or interventions to facilitate significant new connections to the network In relation to water networks, Irish Water and Leitrim County Council are continually progressing leakage reduction activities, mains rehabilitation activities and capital maintenance activities. Irish Water and Leitrim County Council will continue to monitor the performance of the networks to ensure that the most urgent works are prioritised as required. Mains rehabilitation works have been carried out in recent years on distribution and trunk mains through the county, including in Carrick-on-Shannon, Ballinamore, Mohill and Manorhamilton. 9.4 Waste Water The provision of well-maintained, quality wastewater treatment infrastructure is essential to facilitate sustainable development in the county in line with the Core Strategy. Irish Water has responsibility for the provision and management of wastewater facilities serving sewered towns and villages. Outside of the larger towns and villages most developments in Co. Leitrim are treated by individual proprietary wastewater treatment plants and septic tanks. Developments in these unserviced areas must demonstrate that the onsite wastewater treatment system can safely and adequately dispose of effluent in accordance with the relevant EPA Code of Practice. Projects have recently been completed at Drumshanbo, Mohill and Manorhamilton Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs). A further upgrade of the Carrigallen WWTP is being progressed under Irish Water’s Small Towns and Villages Growth Programme which is intended to provide growth capacity at WWTPs which would not otherwise be provided for in our 2020-2024 Capital Investment Plan. In relation to wastewater networks, while there may be some localised constraints, there are no significant known bottlenecks in the wastewater networks in Leitrim’s settlements. A strategic Network Development Plan will be prepared for Carrick-on- Shannon in 2021, which will help inform how zoned sites within the town can be serviced. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I208 9 Infrastructure and Energy
- POLICIES WI POL 1 To collaborate with Irish Water in the preparation and prioritisation of their Investment Plans to ensure that the required piped water services capacity and infrastructure in the county is provided in a timely manner to facilitate future growth in accordance with the Core Strategy. WI POL 2 To prohibit the discharge of additional surface water to combined (foul and surface water) sewers in order to maximise the capacity of existing collection systems for foul water. WI POL 3 To support Irish Water in the promotion of effective management of trade discharges to sewers in order to maximise the capacity of existing sewer networks and minimise detrimental impacts on wastewater treatment works. WI POL 4 To ensure that all new developments connect to the public wastewater infrastructure, where available, and to encourage existing developments that are in close proximity to a public sewer to connect to that sewer subject to obtaining a connection agreement with Irish Water. WI POL 5 To ensure the efficient and sustainable use and development of water resources and water services infrastructure, in order to manage and conserve water resources in a manner that supports a healthy society, economic development requirements and a cleaner environment. Water abstractions should ensure appropriate levels of environmental management and protection, including ensuring compliance with the Water Framework Directive and Habitats Directive. WI POL 6 To ensure that adequate water services will be available to service development and that existing water services are not negatively impacted upon prior to making a decision to grant planning permission. WI POL 7 To require all new development to provide a separate foul and surface water drainage system and to incorporate sustainable urban drainage systems where appropriate in new development and the public realm. WI POL 8 To require developments to connect to public water supplies where available. OBJECTIVES WI OBJ 1 To work closely with Irish Water to identify and facilitate the timely delivery of the water services infrastructure required to realise the development objectives of this Plan. WI OBJ 2 To pursue and support Irish Water in the upgrade of the Carrick-on-Shannon Water Treatment Plant as a project necessary to deliver the growth model outlined in the Core Strategy of this Plan. WI OBJ 3 To protect both ground and surface water resources including taking account of the impacts of climate change, and to support Irish Water in the development and implementation of Drinking Water Safety Plans and the National Water Resources Plan. WI OBJ 4 To promote water conservation and demand management measures among all water users, and to support Irish Water in implementing water conservation measures such as leakage reduction and network improvements. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 209 9 Infrastructure and Energy
- OBJECTIVES (CONTINUED) 27 Protected areas are those requiring special protection under existing national or European legislation, either to protect their surface waters or groundwater, or to conserve habitats or species that directly depend on these sites. WI OBJ 5 To ensure that adequate storm water infrastructure is provided in order to accommodate the planned levels of growth within the Plan area and to ensure that appropriate flood management measures are implemented to protect property and infrastructure. WI OBJ 6 To support the servicing of rural villages and graigs to include the development of serviced sites as an alternative to one-off housing in the countryside. WI OBJ 7 To facilitate the provision of appropriate sites for required water services infrastructure. WI OBJ 8 To proactively implement the Rural Water Programme and to transfer/transition rural schemes to Irish Water where possible and appropriate. 9.5 Water Quality Leitrim County Council has an important role to play in the protection, maintenance and improvement of water quality through the planning and management of future development. Water quality is a key issue that affects us all and its protection is the responsibility of all sections of society in conjunction with the Local Authority. The quality of water can be easily damaged and is difficult to restore, leading to often widespread and long-term effects. The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) sets out the protection and enhancement of the country’s water resources. This Directive establishes a framework for the protection of all waterbodies for the benefit of everyone, in terms of water quality and quantity. The protection of water for wildlife and their habitats is also included under the Directive. The WFD sets out the strategic response to the threat of pollution and its four objectives are: 1 prevent further deterioration of water quality 2 restore ‘good’ status of water quality and quantity for ground waters and ‘good’ or ‘high’ status for surface waters 3 reduce chemical pollution of water sources 4 achieve protected area objectives27 Management of water resources must be planned and implemented, through national River Basin Management Plans which set standards on what each EU member state must achieve. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I210 9 Infrastructure and Energy
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.