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 River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) 2018- 2021 was published in April 2018 and outlines the measures required to improve water quality and achieve ‘good’ ecological status in water bodies (rivers, lakes, groundwaters) by 2027. The RBMP takes an integrated approach to the protection, improvement and sustainable management of the water environment. The RBMP encompasses a new approach to catchment management and includes selected waterbodies for action. For the purposes of the WFD, most of Leitrim is located within the Upper Shannon WFD catchment whilst other parts of the county are within the Erne Basin WFD catchment and the Sligo Bay WFD catchment. Leitrim County Council is implementing the programme of measures to address significant pressures on water outlined in the RBMP and will for the subsequent RBMP 2022-2027. These measures include working with all relevant stakeholders to ensure appropriate measures are taken to provide adequate protection of both water quality and quantity. This work includes working with the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme and other agencies, stakeholders and the public to restore water quality status in Areas for Action identified in the RBMP (see Table 9.1) and protect water quality in areas outside of this network. Specific care is required for the protection for the High-Status objective waterbodies (near pristine waterbodies) in Co. Leitrim which may require additional measures to meet their specific requirements. Table 9.1: Prioritised Areas for Action - River Basin Management Plan for Ireland 2018 – 2021 Region Area for Action Local Authority Border Lough Allen Leitrim Duff Leitrim/Sligo Cullies Leitrim/Cavan Lough Melvin and Drowse Leitrim Yellow (Ballinamore) Leitrim Upper Bonet Leitrim Lough Gill Leitrim/Sligo Glencar Lake Leitrim/Sligo Western Killukin/ Shannon Leitrim Lough Rinn/Forbes Leitrim/Longford Source: River Basin Management Plan for Ireland 2018-2021 The Council has responsibility in the areas of maintaining, improving, enhancing and protecting the ecological quality of all waters in the county. The work includes implementation of pollution control measures, licensing of effluent discharges, implementing and monitoring compliance with environmental legislation, and drawing up pollution contingency measures, development control and forward planning. The Council supports the development of Drinking Water Protection Plans in line with the requirements of the WFD and the current and future cycles of RBMPs. In this regard, the Council supports mitigation and protection measures for all protected areas, including Drinking Water Protected Areas and associated Source Protection Plans. The Council will continue to take appropriate measures in relation to all development in order to prevent ground and surface water pollution and will implement the RBMPs for Ireland 2018-2021 and its successors. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 211 9 Infrastructure and Energy
- 9 .5.1 Blue Dot Programme The RBMP 2018-2021, sets out the targets and measures Ireland will implement to achieve the objectives of the WFD. One of the key measures to address the decline in high status waterbodies is the setting up of the “Blue Dot Catchments Programme” and associated Steering Group to specifically target the maintenance and restoration of high status waterbodies. Many of these high status waterbodies are located in headwaters in upland areas. This programme should have multiple benefits, including awareness-building and education regarding pressures, the initiation of small-scale projects within communities and the improvement of water quality and biodiversity. Figure 9.1: High Status Objective Waterbodies in Co. Leitrim Co. Leitrim has a number of Blue Dot designations primarily to the north of the county. Table 9.2: Co. Leitrim High Status Objective Waterbodies Water Body/Sampling Period SW 2007-2009 SW 2010-2012 SW 2010-2015 SW 2013-2018 Aghacashlaun_010 (River) High High High Good Bonet_020 (River) High High Good High Duff_010 (River) High High Good Good Duff_020 (River) High High Good High Glenaniff_010 (River) High High High Good Shanvaus_010 (River) High High Good Good Source: Catchments.ie LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I212 9 Infrastructure and Energy
- 9.6 Groundwater Groundwater is used to supply some water supply schemes and is also used by a significant number of households in the county who are dependent on private wells. A number of group schemes are also dependant on groundwater (aquifers). Groundwater also contributes to the river system. The Geological Survey of Ireland has not yet completed a Groundwater Protection Scheme for Co. Leitrim. The overall aim of a Groundwater Protection Scheme is to preserve the quality of groundwater, for drinking water, surface water ecosystems and terrestrial ecosystems, for the benefit of present and future generations. The groundwater protection schemes are based on information provided by a suite of maps, including: ● Groundwater protection zones, hydrogeological data; ● Aquifers; ● Vulnerability; ● Outcrop and depth to bedrock; ● Subsoils geology, and; ● Bedrock geology. It is considered important that a Groundwater Protection Scheme is prepared within the life of this Plan to provide guidance for Leitrim County Council in decision making on the location, nature and control of developments and activities in order to protect groundwater. The use of private wells to provide water to houses remains the responsibility of the house owner. Private wells are not regulated under the European Communities (Drinking Water) Regulations 2014 and Irish Water has no role to play. The Local Authority plays an advisory role solely on such matters. 9.6.1 Source Protection Areas Groundwater sources, particularly for public, group scheme and industrial supplies, are of critical importance. Consequently, Source Protection Areas are delineated around groundwater sources to provide protection by placing tighter controls on activities within those areas. Source Protection Areas are divided into Inner Protection Areas and Outer Protection Areas. Irish Water has adopted the World Health Organisation (WHO) Water Safety Plan approach. Drinking Water Safety Plans (DWSPs) seek to protect human health by identifying, scoring and managing risks to water quality and quantity; taking a holistic approach from source to tap. The ‘source’ component of DWSPs is a key component and a priority within Irish Water, as protecting and restoring the quality of raw water is an effective and sustainable means of reducing the cost of water treatment in line with Article 7(3) of the WFD. Development within Source Protection Areas shall be subject to stringent requirements in accordance with the Groundwater Protection Scheme and the Water Services Acts 2007 & 2012. Developments which include on-site wastewater treatment in Inner Source Protection Areas of Extreme Vulnerability shall be subject to strict Development Management requirements. In practical terms, protection of groundwater can be achieved through the encouragement of best practice in agricultural and industrial activities and through best practice in the installation and use of wastewater treatment systems. 213LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 9 Infrastructure and Energy
- POLICIES WQ POL 1 To protect existing groundwater sources and aquifers in the county and to manage development in a manner consistent with the protection of these resources. WQ POL 2 To support the preparation of Drinking Water Protection Plans and Source Protection Plans to protect sources of public water supply, in accordance with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive and the current and future cycles of River Basin Management Plans. In this regard, the Council supports mitigation and protection measures for all protected areas, including Drinking Water Protected Areas. WQ POL 3 In conjunction with Irish Water, to have regard to the EPA 2019 publication “Drinking Water Report for Public Water Supplies 2018” (and any subsequent update) in the establishment and maintenance of water sources in the county. WQ POL 4 To ensure that the delivery and phasing of water services are subject to the required appraisal, planning and environmental assessment processes and avoid impacts on the integrity of the Natura 2000 network. WQ POL 5 To encourage the use of catchment-sensitive farming practices, in order to meet Water Framework Directive targets and to comply with the objectives of the River Basin Management Plan. WQ POL 6 To discourage the over-concentration of individual septic tanks and treatment plants in any given area to minimise the risk of groundwater pollution. WQ POL 7 To seek to protect water quality in areas of high groundwater vulnerability in the consideration of development proposals which rely on individual wastewater treatment systems, and which would increase effluent loading from such systems within a concentrated area. WQ POL 8 To provide guidance and advice regarding the protection of water supply to private wells with the overall responsibility remaining with the householder. WQ POL 9 To permit new development only in instances where it has been demonstrated to the satisfaction of Irish Water that there is sufficient capacity (in compliance with the Water Framework Directive and River Basin Management Plan) for appropriate collection, treatment and disposal of waste water to cater for the anticipated loading arising from the proposed development. WQ POL 10 To assess proposals for development in terms of their impact on human health to include, inter alia, the potential impact on existing adjacent developments, on existing land uses and/or the surrounding landscape. Where proposed developments would be likely to have a significant adverse effect on the amenities of the area through pollution by noise, fumes, odours, dust, grit or vibration, or cause pollution of air, water and/or soil, mitigation measures shall be introduced in order to eliminate adverse environmental impacts or reduce them to an acceptable operating level. WQ POL 11 Where brownfield redevelopment is proposed, adequate and appropriate investigations shall be carried out into the nature and extent of any soil and groundwater contamination and the risks associated with site development work. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I214 9 Infrastructure and Energy
- OBJECTIVES WQ OBJ 1 To promote public awareness of water quality issues and the measures required to protect surface water, coastal and transitional waters and groundwater bodies from inappropriate and damaging development. WQ OBJ 2 To achieve our targets of attaining and maintaining a minimum of ‘good status’ in all water bodies in compliance with the Water Framework Directive and to co-operate with the implementation of the National River Basin Management Plan 2018- 2021, and subsequent replacement plans. This includes contributing towards the protection of Blue Dot catchments and drinking water resources whilst having cognisance of the EU’s Common Implementation Strategy Guidance Documents No. 20 and 36 which provide guidance on exemptions to the environmental objectives of the Water Framework Directive. WQ OBJ 3 To implement the measures of the River Basin Management Plan, including continuing to work with communities thought the Local Authority Waters Programme to restore and improve water quality in the identified areas of action. WQ OBJ 4 To ensure that development will not have an unacceptable adverse impact on water quality including surface water, ground water, designated source protection areas, river corridors and associated wetlands. WQ OBJ 5 To request the Geological Survey of Ireland to complete a Groundwater Protection Scheme for Co. Leitrim to assist in decision making by the Local Authority on the location, nature and control of developments and activities in order to protect groundwater. WQ OBJ 6 To promote the sustainable use of water and water conservation measures in existing and new development within the county and encourage demand management measures among all water users. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 215 9 Infrastructure and Energy
- 9.7 Wastewater Treatment and Disposal The EPA Practice Code of Practice for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (Population Equivalent ≤ 10) (March 2021) will be generally adhered to where applications for individual house development or replacement houses on unserviced lands are being considered by the Planning Authority. The installation standards of the wastewater treatment systems will be strictly controlled through assessment and certification by appropriately qualified persons. Due to the underlying nature of the sub soils which are present across the majority of Co. Leitrim (estimated at 87% of soils), the soil percolation tests tend to fail to meet the acceptable percolation rates required to comply with the EPA Code of Practice and the sites are deemed unsuitable for discharge of treated wastewater or effluent to ground. Leitrim County Council has been attempting to identify options that could be explored to provide a waste water treatment system solution that would be suitable, acceptable and affordable. In this regard, Leitrim County Council has been actively pursuing innovative solutions to facilitate the design of a wastewater treatment and disposal facility that would have the potential to have a zero discharge or near zero discharge of effluent and, if successful, allow sites with poor percolation characteristics to treat the discharge of treated wastewater in a manner which was not prejudicial to public health. This process involves the use of Integrated Constructed Wetlands and the transposition of a willow based facility, currently used in Denmark (and other European countries), to the Irish context. The successful testing of such facilities would be of significant importance to the county as much of the soil types in Co. Leitrim are such that effective percolation cannot occur and current environmental requirements prevents the installation of traditional wastewater systems (that have a discharge to ground) on such soil types. One further option now being considered would be the direct discharge form domestic wastewater systems to surface waters and provide appropriate levels of environmental protection with associated general application rules/alternative licensing system. Leitrim County Council have explored this option regionally (with Roscommon, Longford, Cavan and Monaghan County Councils) and subsequently then with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. A working group has now been established under the auspices of the CCMA Committee system to further explore this matter. The Council believes that there is the potential for an intervention in the Wastewater Pollution Regulations to accommodate a more suitable consent system for domestic scenarios. In order to protect human health and water quality from the risks of domestic wastewater treatment systems, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) National Inspection Plan for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems 2018-2021 requires each Local Authority to develop a local site selection plan. This plan documents the application of the site selection methodology and outlines the justification for the selection of priority areas and individual sites. The Council is acutely aware that poorly functioning septic tanks/effluent treatment plants can cause groundwater pollution that may lead to the contamination of wells, group water schemes and watercourses. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I216 9 Infrastructure and Energy
- POLICIES WWT POL 1 To ensure that private wastewater treatment plants, where permitted, are operated in compliance with the EPA Code of Practice for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (Population Equivalent ≤ 10) (March 2021), as may be amended. WWT POL 2 To promote the discontinuation of use of septic tanks/individual wastewater treatment systems and the connection of houses to piped foul sewers in all cases where this is feasible (subject to connection agreements with Irish Water) and require that all new developments utilise and connect to the piped wastewater infrastructure where available. WWT POL 3 The Planning Authority will consider where appropriate proposals for private communal sewerage schemes, subject to the protection of the receiving environment, in the following cases: In areas where Irish Water do not propose to carry out a piped wastewater collection and treatment scheme. In areas where Irish Water intend at a later stage to provide a piped wastewater collection and treatment scheme. In the latter case, schemes should be so designed as to be capable of being connected to the Irish Water scheme in due course. Such schemes shall be purpose designed, appropriate in scale, specification and capacity, designed to the needs of users and shall be subject to legally binding maintenance and bonding arrangements agreed with the County Council. Such proposals shall adhere to the EPA Code of Practice for Small Communities. OBJECTIVE WWT OBJ 1 To continue to research and trial options in conjunction with academic partners and other stakeholders to provide an acceptable waste water treatment system solution to the poor percolation characteristics of sub soils which affect the majority of the county that would be suitable, affordable and not represent a risk of pollution to ground or surface waters or to public health. 217LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 9 Infrastructure and Energy
- 9.8 Flood Risk Management Flooding is a natural phenomenon as part of the hydrological cycle. There are many factors that influence flood behaviour and the degrees of risk that it possesses. Like other natural processes, flooding cannot be completely eliminated, but its impacts can be minimised with proactive and environmentally sustainable management. The accepted national policy response to flood protection is now to manage the risk to life and property as sustainably as possible and to consider flood risk and its related impacts on development on a catchment basis, as well as on an individual location basis. This will facilitate sustainable development through the reduction of future flood damage, and hence reduce the associated potential economic and social costs. The management of flood risk focuses on the key sources of flooding which are identified as: ● fluvial or riverine flooding arising from rivers and streams ● pluvial flooding in low spots following heavy rainfall ● drainage flooding due to the failure or inadequacies of the drainage system ● groundwater flooding, occurring when the level of water stored in the ground rises to meet the ground surface and flows out over it, as a result of prolonged rainfall It is not considered that coastal flooding is a significant factor affecting our short coastline although erosion of the shoreline is affecting an area close to Tullaghan. The Planning Authority undertook a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) as part of the preparation of the Plan, consistent with “The Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines for Planning Authorities” (2009). This has informed land use zoning decisions in the Plan and will inform such decisions in the subsequent Local Area Plan for Carrick-on-Shannon/Cortober to ensure that land uses sensitive to the effects of flooding are avoided in areas identified as being at risk of flooding. Three key principles that are required to be adopted by Planning Authorities when considering flood risk are as follows: 1 Avoid the risk, where possible 2 Substitute less vulnerable uses, where avoidance is not possible 3 Mitigate and manage the risk, where avoidance and substitution are not possible Flood zones are geographical areas within which the likelihood of flooding is in a particular range, and they are a key tool in flood risk management within the planning process as well as in flood warning and emergency planning. There are three types or levels of flood zones defined for the purposes of the guidelines: ● Flood Zone A – where the probability of flooding is highest (greater than 1% or 1 in 100 for river flooding or 0.5% or 1 in 200 for coastal flooding) and where a wide range of receptors would be vulnerable; ● Flood Zone B – where the probability of flooding is moderate (between 0.1% or 1 in 1000 and 1% or 1 in 100 for river flooding and between 0.1% or 1 in 1000 year and 0.5% or 1 in 200 for coastal flooding), and; ● Flood Zone C – where the probability of flooding is low (less than 0.1% or 1 in 1000 for both river and coastal flooding). This Plan has relied on the first two principles and has avoided the risk or substituted less vulnerable uses to the effects of flooding as areas at risk of flooding. The SFRA includes details of the Justification Tests undertaken for land use zoning objectives included in the Plan. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I218 9 Infrastructure and Energy
- The Office of Public Works (OPW) is the lead State body responsible for the coordination and implementation of Government policy on the management of flood risk in Ireland. The OPW, in conjunction with Leitrim and other County Councils, undertook the National Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, through which Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs) and flood maps were prepared. This was the largest ever flood risk study in Ireland to date, undertaking a detailed engineering assessment of 300 areas or communities believed to be at significant risk of future flooding. The CFRAM Programme included analysis of flood risk in Ballinamore, Carrick-on-Shannon, Drumshanbo, Leitrim, Manorhamilton and Mohill. In 2018, the OPW published 29 Flood Risk Management Plans to address flood risk in Ireland. These plans include 118 additional Flood Relief Schemes, 4 of which are located in Co. Leitrim, namely Carrick-on-Shannon/Cortober, Leitrim Village, Mohill and Dromod. These schemes will be implemented under the ten-year €1 billion investment programme. Leitrim County Council have appointed consultants to prepare the schemes in Carrick-on-Shannon and Leitrim Village. At present the OPW is carrying out a detailed flood map review of the town of Mohill. This will identify areas of concern for flooding. Following this map review Leitrim County Council will advance a flood relief scheme to protect properties identified Dromod was not included in the first tranche of schemes announced for funding by the OPW. Leitrim County Council will continue to work with the OPW to progress a suitable scheme in Dromod over the life of this Plan. In preparing this Plan, the Local Authority had full regard to the proposed development of flood relief schemes in Carrick-on-Shannon, Leitrim village, Mohill and Dromod, to ensure that zoning or development proposals do not impede or prevent the progression of these measures. POLICIES FRM POL 1 To adopt a comprehensive risk-based planning approach to flood management to prevent or minimise future flood risk. In accordance with the Planning System and Flood Risk Management – Guidelines for Planning Authorities, the avoidance of development in areas where flood risk has been identified shall be the primary response. FRM POL 2 To ensure that a flood risk assessment is carried out for any development proposal, in accordance with the Planning System and Flood Risk Management (DoEHLG/OPW 2009) and Circular PL2/2014. This assessment shall be appropriate to the scale and nature of risk to the potential development. FRM POL 3 To consult with the OPW in relation to proposed developments in the vicinity of drainage channels and rivers for which the OPW are responsible, and to retain a strip on either side of such channels where required, to facilitate maintenance access thereto. In addition, to promote the sustainable management and uses of water bodies and avoid culverting or realignment of these features. FRM POL 4 To protect and enhance the county’s floodplains and wetlands as ‘Green Infrastructure’ which provides space for storage and conveyance of floodwater, enabling flood risk to be more effectively managed and reducing the need to provide flood defences in the future, subject to normal planning and environmental criteria. FRM POL 5 To protect the integrity of any formal flood risk management infrastructure, thereby ensuring that any new development does not negatively impact any existing defence infrastructure or compromise any proposed new defence infrastructure. FRM POL 6 To ensure that where flood risk management works take place that the natural, cultural and built heritage, rivers, streams and watercourses are protected and enhanced to the maximum extent possible. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 219 9 Infrastructure and Energy
- POLICIES (CONTINUED) FRM POL 7 To ensure each flood risk management activity is examined to determine actions required to embed and provide for effective climate change adaptation as set out in the OPW Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan Flood Risk Management applicable at the time. FRM POL 8 To consult, where necessary, with Inland Fisheries Ireland, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and other relevant agencies in the provision of flood alleviation measures in the county. FRM POL 9 To ensure that in assessing applications for developments, that consideration is had to the impact on the quality of surface waters having regard to targets and measures set out in the River Basin Management Plan for Ireland 2018-2021 and any subsequent local or regional plans. FRM POL 10 Development proposals will need to be accompanied by a Development Management Justification Test when required by the Guidelines. Where only a small proportion of a site is at risk of flooding, the sequential approach shall be applied in site planning, in order to seek to ensure that no encroachment onto or loss of the flood plain occurs and/or that only water compatible development such as ‘Open Space’ would be permitted for the lands which are identified as being at risk of flooding within that site. FRM POL 11 To require proposals for development to comply with requirements of the Planning System and Flood Risk Assessment Guidelines including providing detailed design specifications as may be required to assess the impact of development. a) Extensions of existing uses or minor development within flood risk areas shall not: obstruct important flow paths; introduce a number of people into flood risk areas; entail the storage of hazardous substances; have adverse impacts or impede access to a watercourse, floodplain or flood protection and management facilities; or increase the risk of flooding elsewhere. b) Applications for development within Flood Zones A or B, and on lands subject to the mid-range future scenario floods extents, as published by the Office of Public Works, shall be subject to site specific flood risk assessment. Such assessments shall consider climate change impacts and adaptation measures and shall provide details of structural and non-structural flood risk management measures, to include, but not be limited to specifications of the following: Floor Levels In areas of limited flood depth, the specification of the threshold and floor levels of new structures shall be raised above expected flood levels to reduce the risk of flood losses to a building, by raising floor heights within the building structure using a suspended floor arrangement or raised internal concrete platforms. When designing an extension or modification to an existing building, an appropriate flood risk reduction measure shall be specified to ensure the threshold levels into the building are above the design flood level. However, care must also be taken to ensure access for all is provided in compliance with Part M of the Building Regulations. Where threshold levels cannot be raised to the street for streetscape, conservation or other reasons, the design shall specify a mixing of uses vertically in buildings – with less vulnerable uses located at ground floor level, along with other measures for dealing with residual flood risk. Internal Layout Internal layout of internal space shall be designed and specified to reduce the impact of flooding [for example, living accommodation, essential services, storage space for provisions and equipment shall be designed to be located above the predicted flood level]. In addition, designs and specifications shall ensure that, wherever reasonably practicable, the siting of living accommodation (particularly sleeping areas) shall be above flood level. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I220 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.