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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- POLICIES (CONTINUED) FRM POL 11 (CONTINUED) With the exception of single storey extensions to existing properties, new single storey accommodation shall not be deemed appropriate where predicted flood levels are above design floor levels. In all cases, specifications for safe access, refuge and evacuation shall be incorporated into the design of the development. Flood-Resistant Construction Developments in flood vulnerable zones shall specify the use of flood-resistant construction aimed at preventing water from entering buildings – to mitigate the damage floodwater caused to buildings. Developments shall specify the use of flood resistant construction prepared using specialist technical input to the design and specification of the external building envelope – with measures to resist hydrostatic pressure (commonly referred to as “tanking”) specified for the outside of the building fabric. The design of the flood resistant construction shall specify the need to protect the main entry points for floodwater into buildings – including doors and windows (including gaps in sealant around frames), vents, air-bricks and gaps around conduits or pipes passing through external building fabric. The design of the flood resistant construction shall also specify the need to protect against flood water entry through sanitary appliances as a result of backflow through the drainage system. Flood-Resilient Construction Developments in flood vulnerable zones that are at risk of occasional inundation shall incorporate design and specification for flood resilient construction which accepts that floodwater will enter buildings and provides for this in the design and specification of internal building services and finishes. These measures limit damage caused by floodwater and allow relatively quick recovery. This can be achieved by specifying wall and floor materials such as ceramic tiling that can be cleaned and dried relatively easily, provided that the substrate materials (e.g. blockwork) are also resilient. Electrics, appliances and kitchen fittings shall also be specified to be raised above floor level, and one-way valves shall be incorporated into drainage pipes. Emergency Response Planning In addition to considering physical design issues for developments in flood vulnerable zones, the developer shall specify that the planning of new development also takes account of the need for effective emergency response planning for flood events in areas of new development. Applications for developments in flood vulnerable zones shall provide details that the following measures will be put in place and maintained: provision of flood warnings, evacuation plans and ensuring public awareness of flood risks to people where they live and work coordination of responses and discussion with relevant emergency services i.e. Local Authorities, Fire and Rescue, Civil Defence and An Garda Siochána through the SFRA; and awareness of risks and evacuation procedures and the need for family flood plans. Access and Egress During Flood Events Applications for developments in flood vulnerable zones shall include details of arrangements for access and egress during flood events. Such details shall specify that: flood escape routes have been kept to publicly accessible land; such routes will have signage and other flood awareness measures in place, to inform local communities what to do in case of flooding; this information will be provided in a welcome pack to new occupants. Further Information Further and more detailed guidance and advice can be found at https://www.flooding.ie and in the Building Regulations. c) In Flood Zone C, where the probability of flooding is low (less than 0.1%), site-specific Flood Risk Assessment may be required and the developer should satisfy themselves that the probability of flooding is appropriate to the development being proposed. The County Development Plan SFRA datasets and the most up to date information on flood risk, including that relating to climate scenarios, should be consulted by prospective applicants for developments in this regard and will be made available to lower-tier Development Management processes in the Council. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 221 9 Infrastructure and Energy
- POLICIES (CONTINUED) FRM POL 12 To require that Strategic Flood Risk Assessments and site-specific Flood Risk Assessments shall provide information on the implications of climate change with regard to flood risk in relevant locations. The Flood Risk Management – Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan (2019) shall be consulted with to this effect. FRM POL 13 To require the submission of site-specific Flood Risk Assessments for developments undertaken within Flood Zones A & B and on lands subject to the mid-range future scenario floods extents, as published by the Office of Public Works. These Flood Risk Assessments shall consider climate change impacts and adaptation measures including details of structural and non-structural flood risk management measures, such as those relating to floor levels, internal layout, flood-resistant construction, flood-resilient construction, emergency response planning and access and egress during flood events. FRM POL 14 To require the undertaking of site-specific flood risk assessments for applications for development on land identified as benefitting land which may be prone to flooding. FRM POL 15 To ensure that new developments proposed in Arterial Drainage Schemes and Drainage Districts do not result in a significant negative impact on the integrity, function and management of these areas. FRM POL 16 Any potential future variations to and review of the Plan shall consider, as appropriate any new and/or emerging data relating to flood risk. OBJECTIVES FRM OBJ 1 To implement and comply fully with the recommendations of the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment prepared as part of this Plan. FRM OBJ 2 To implement in conjunction with the Office of Public Works the recommendations contained in the Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMP’s), including planned investment measures for managing and reducing flood risk, subject to obtaining the necessary planning consent and undertaking the required environmental assessments. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I222 9 Infrastructure and Energy
- 9.9 Storm Water Management Surface water drainage systems are designed to channel stormwater (rainwater) to the nearest suitable river. Rain falling on impervious surfaces is usually directed into surface water drainage systems. Surface water drainage systems are effective at transferring surface water quickly, but they can cause the volume of water in the receiving watercourse to increase more rapidly thereby increasing flood risk. Best practice is to separate the surface water drainage system from the foul drainage system to maximise the efficiency of waste water treatment plants. Leitrim County Council is responsible for storm water management including surface water drainage. All new development proposals must demonstrate how surface water runoff will be appropriately managed and discharged. Leitrim County Council advocates the management of surface water through Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) in town and village centre locations. SuDs is widely recognised as a ‘Green Infrastructure’ based approach to drainage and storm water management and can also play a role in improving water quality. It aims to mimic the natural drainage of a site, to minimise the effect of a development on flooding and pollution of waterways, through various engineering solutions, including using porous surface treatments, ponds, swales, filter drains or other installations. SuDS can provide areas where the natural processes of rainwater interception, storage and infiltration can take place within the more built environment of town and village centres, offering a more sustainable approach to the management of urban storm water runoff from impermeable surfaces than the conventional underground pipe and storage based solutions. POLICIES SWM POL 1 To implement Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) in developments to encourage a more sustainable approach to storm water management. SWM POL 2 To resist the discharge of additional surface water to combined sewers and promote Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDs) and solutions to maximise the capacity of towns with combined drainage systems, where practicable. SWM POL 3 To require that new developments are adequately serviced with surface water drainage infrastructure which meets the requirements of the Water Framework Directive, associated River Basin Management Plans and CFRAM Management Plans. SWM POL 4 To limit the rate of surface water run off to pre development levels for all green-field developments. SWM POL 5 In the case of one-off rural dwellings, surface water shall be disposed of, in its entirety within the curtilage of the development site by way of suitably sized soak holes. OBJECTIVES SWM OBJ 1 To require the use of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) to minimise and limit the extent of hard surfacing and paving and require the use of sustainable drainage techniques where appropriate, for new development or for extensions to existing developments, in order to reduce the potential impact of existing and predicted flooding risks. SWM OBJ 2 To encourage the use of Green Roof technology particularly on apartment, commercial, leisure and educational buildings. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 223 9 Infrastructure and Energy
- 9.10 Waste Management Waste management involves measures to protect the environment and human health by preventing or reducing adverse impacts of the generation and management of waste. Waste management is regulated by national and European legislation, with policy and enforcement operated between the Department of the Environment, Climate Action and Communications, the EPA and Local Government. Waste management policy is predicated on the EU Waste Hierarchy of prevention, preparing for reuse, recycling, energy recovery and sustainable disposal. Maintaining economic progress in the county is contingent on a good environment and the availability of necessary waste management facilities. Co. Leitrim is located within the Connacht-Ulster Waste Management Region, governed by the Waste Management Plan 2015–2021. Leitrim County Council provides two civic amenity centres (Recycling Centres) at Mohill and Manorhamilton. A bring-centre is an unstaffed recycling centre where a range of recycling banks is available. There are currently 40 such bring-centres located throughout Co. Leitrim. This gives Leitrim one of the highest bring-centre per capita ratios in the country. At all our bring-centres, recycling banks for glass bottles/jars and drink cans are provided, while at some of our bring-centres, textile banks are also available. In line with the principles of sustainable development, the Council will continue to promote a waste prevention and minimisation programme to target all aspects of waste in the county, focusing on both commercial and domestic waste producers. It is considered that raising the awareness of citizens and businesses owners with regard to their responsibilities as producers of waste is essential. This accords with the transition to a more circular economy and bio economy, as espoused in national policy in the form of the Whole-of-Government Circular Economy Strategy launched in December 2021, where the value of bio- based products, materials and resources is maintained in the economy for as long as possible, and the generation of waste is minimised. This Plan supports the move to a more circular economy as this will save resources, increase resource efficiency, and help to reduce carbon emissions. The successful implementation of circular economy principles will help to reduce the volume of waste that the county produces. POLICIES WM POL 1 To support the implementation of the Connacht- Ulster Regional Waste Management Plan 2015- 2021 (as amended) or any replacement plan with particular emphasis on encouraging reuse, recycling and disposal of residual waste. WM POL 2 To encourage and support waste prevention, minimisation, reuse, recycling and recovery as methods of managing waste. WM POL 3 To facilitate the transition from a waste management economy to a green circular economy to increase the value recovery and recirculation of resources. WM POL 4 To encourage and support the provision of separate collection of waste in accordance with the requirements of the Waste Management (Food Waste) Regulations 2009, the Waste Framework Directive Regulations, 2011 and other relevant legislation. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I224 9 Infrastructure and Energy
- POLICIES (CONTINUED) WM POL 5 To promote and facilitate communities to become involved in environmental awareness activities and community based recycling initiatives or environmental management initiatives that will lead to local sustainable waste management practices. WM POL 6 To encourage the development of waste infrastructure and associated developments in appropriate locations, as deemed necessary in accordance with the requirements of the Connacht- Ulster Regional Waste Management Plan 2015- 2021 (as amended) or any replacement plan. WM POL 7 To require the provision of bring banks, bottle banks or other appropriate recycling facilities as part of the overall development in the case of new or extended commercial, employment, educational, recreational facilities and managed residential developments (in excess of 20 no. residential units). WM POL 8 To encourage the recycling of construction and demolition waste and the reuse of aggregate and other materials in future construction projects. WM POL 9 To facilitate high quality sustainable waste recovery and disposal infrastructure/technology including composting (anaerobic digester) plants for managing organic solid waste, at appropriate locations, within the county subject to the protection of the amenities of the surrounding environment including European Sites, and in keeping with the EU waste hierarchy. OBJECTIVES WM OBJ 1 To continue to maintain the level of provision of existing civic amenity sites in the county in accordance with Waste Management Plan 2015 – 2021 or any replacement plan. WM OBJ 2 To ensure that the Council fulfils its duties under the Waste Management (Certification of Historic Unlicensed Waste Disposal and Recovery Activity) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No 524 of 2008), including those in relation to the identification and registration of closed landfills. WM OBJ 3 To identify suitable sites for additional recycling centres and bring bank facilities subject to the availability of appropriate funding and infrastructure, through the public or private sector, as appropriate. WM OBJ 4 To facilitate the provision of appropriate waste recovery and disposal facilities in accordance with the principles set out in the appropriate Waste Management Plan applicable from time to time made in accordance with the Waste Management Act 1996 (as amended). WM OBJ 5 To continue to reduce incidents of littering through the continued implementation and updating of the Council’s Litter Management Plan. WM OBJ 6 To continue to support and work with local Tidy Towns groups in the maintenance and conservation of our towns and villages throughout the county. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 225 9 Infrastructure and Energy
- 9.11 Air Quality The Council recognise the need to ensure the highest standards of air quality. Air quality can deteriorate in town centre locations as a result of transport emissions, especially road transport emissions of NOx, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and black carbon arising from increase in diesel cars and buses; power generation and emissions from industry, agriculture and agricultural activities that lead to methane and nitrous oxide emissions; burning of fossil fuels e.g. gas, peat, and coal resulting in carbon dioxide emissions and the persistent problem of ‘smoky’ emissions from the use of solid fuel in homes and backyard burning. Air pollution is monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Leitrim County Council. Primary responsibility for monitoring air quality, as well as the nature and extent of emissions is assigned to the EPA. Under the Air Pollution Act 1987, primary responsibility for addressing local instances of air pollution is assigned to Local Authorities. The Council’s role in relation to air quality is therefore to promote a reduction in air pollution, through the implementation of relevant legislation and through the provision of advice and guidance on best practice. Results of air quality monitoring can be viewed on the EPA website. The EPA has introduced the National Ambient Air Quality programme (AAMP) which will see a greater number of monitoring locations established; one location has been introduced in Carrick-on-Shannon. POLICIES AQ POL 1 To promote the preservation of best ambient air quality compatible with sustainable development in accordance with the EU Ambient Air Quality and Cleaner Air for Europe (CAFE) Directive (2008/5/0/ EC) and ensure that all air emissions associated with new developments are within Environmental Quality Standards as out in the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2011 (SI No. 180 of 201) (or any updated/superseding documents). AQ POL 2 To promote air quality improvements, where practicable, through a shift to more sustainable modes of transport, reduced use of fossil fuels and a resulting reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I226 9 Infrastructure and Energy
- 9.12 Noise Pollution The Environmental Noise Regulations 2006 give effect to EU Directive 2002/49/EC relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise. The regulations set out to “provide for an implementation in Ireland of a common approach within the European Community intended to avoid, prevent or reduce on a prioritised basis the harmful effects, including annoyance, due to exposure to environmental noise” (Article 4(1) S.I No. 140/2006). As part of the regulations, a Noise Action Plan is required to be created and adopted. The Leitrim County Council ‘Noise Action Plan 2018-2023’ has been prepared primarily to address the environmental noise from major roads in the county. The action planning area covers the N4 (Dublin-Sligo) and N15 (Sligo-Letterkenny) national primary roads. The purpose of the Action Plan is to undertake to manage the existing noise environment and protect the future noise environment within the action planning area. Management of the existing noise environment may be achieved by prioritising areas for which further assessment and possible noise mitigation may be required. The Council will seek through the Development Management process to reduce noise levels and/ or vibration effects at site boundaries or within adjacent sensitive areas, especially residential areas, to acceptable limits/levels by measures such as layout, design and/or attenuation mechanisms. The Council will require the submission of Noise Impact Assessments where it is proposed to introduce noise creating uses in proximity to noise sensitive uses, such as residential areas, and may impose conditions mitigating such impacts where permission is being granted. Similarly, where noise sensitive uses are proposed within proximity to a noise source, such as national roads, rail lines, etc., proposals shall include noise and/or vibration attenuation measures in any planning application. The assessment of individual proposals will be governed by the criteria contained in Chapter 13 - Development Management Standards of this Plan. POLICIES NP POL 1 To support the implementation of the Noise Directive 2002/49/EC and associated Environmental Noise Regulations 2006. NP POL 2 To require industrial and warehousing development proposals to be assessed against the Noise Assessment Criteria contained in Section 13.12.2 of Chapter 13, Development Management Standards. NP POL 3 To have regard to acoustical planning in the planning process to ensure that future developments include provisions to protect the population from the effects of environmental noise in the interests of residential amenity and public health. NP POL 4 Development proposals should identify and implement noise mitigation measures, where warranted, for development proposed in the vicinity of existing or proposed national roads. The costs of implementing mitigation measures shall be borne by the developer, as the Authority will not be responsible for the provision of additional noise mitigation. OBJECTIVE NP OBJ 1 To implement the actions contained in the Leitrim Noise Plan 2018-2023 (or any replacement Plan) which seeks to address environmental noise from major roads in the county and which endeavours to maintain satisfactory noise environments where they exist. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 227 9 Infrastructure and Energy
- 9.13 Light Pollution The Council seeks to achieve an equilibrium between the need to ensure adequate lighting to contribute to safety and security in towns and villages with the need to protect residential amenity, protection of wildlife habitats, energy waste and carbon emissions. While adequate lighting is essential to a safe and secure environment, light spillage from excessive or poorly designed lighting is increasingly recognised as a potential nuisance to surrounding properties and a threat to wildlife, may pose a traffic hazard and can reduce the visibility of the night sky. Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) is a matter of increasing public interest in terms of environmental pollution. Co. Leitrim enjoys the lowest average light emissions in Ireland with a rate of 0.52 (nW/cm2/ sr) as measured in January 2019 (CSO, 2019). Lux levels are a measurement used to identify lighting levels. Details of lux levels should be required at planning application stage for floodlight installation, large scale external artificial lighting proposals and illuminated advertisements as outlined in Chapter 13 - Development Management Standards. POLICIES PL POL 1 To control lighting in urban and rural areas and in particular in sensitive locations, in order to minimise impacts on residential amenity, habitats and species of importance. PL POL 2 To require the use of energy efficient public/street lighting in all new development proposals. 228 LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 9 Infrastructure and Energy
- 9.14 Major Accident Directive The prevention of major accidents in establishments where dangerous substances are produced, used, handled or stored falls under the Major Accidents Directive (known as the Seveso III Directive28). 28 The Seveso III Directive, 2012/18/EU came into force in Ireland on 1st June 2015 replacing the Seveso II Directive, 96/82/EC. The Directive seeks to prevent accident hazards involving dangerous substances and limit the consequences to both people and the environment. However, as accidents may nevertheless occur, it also aims at limiting the consequences of such accidents not only for human health but also for the environment. The Directive covers establishments where dangerous substances may be present (e.g. during processing or storage) in quantities above a certain threshold. Excluded from the Directive are certain industrial activities which are subject to other legislation providing a similar level of protection (e.g. nuclear establishments or the transport of dangerous substances). Depending on the amount of dangerous substances present, establishments are categorised in lower and upper tier establishments, the latter are subject to more stringent requirements. At present, there are no Seveso II sites in the county. The Council is aware of its responsibilities regarding the Major Accidents Directive and will work closely with the Health and Safety Authority in the event of an establishment handling dangerous substances that falls within the meaning of such substances as defined by the EU (Control of Major Accident Hazards Involving Dangerous Substances) Regulations 2006 (S. I. No. 74/2006) being established within the county or likely to impact on the county. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) acting as the Central Competent Authority issues technical advice to Planning Authorities in respect to establishments designated as containing hazardous substances. In addition to normal planning requirements, the Planning Authority will seek to ensure that development complies with this advice. The Council reminds potential operators of their obligation to inform the Planning Authority and the Health and Safety Authority if their development is likely to be classified under the Major Accidents Directive and their obligation to obtain planning permission if an existing operation is expanded, changed or intensified in such a way as to be classified under the directive in the future. If such establishments are located within the county, or bordering the county, planning applications for other developments in the vicinity of the establishment will be referred to the HSA and the Council will generally follow the recommendations of the HSA in determining that application. POLICIES SEV POL 1 To comply with the Seveso III Directive in reducing the risk and limiting the potential consequences of major industrial accidents. SEV POL 2 To have regard to the advice of the Health & Safety Authority when considering proposals for new SEVESO sites. SEV POL 3 To permit new Seveso development only in low risk locations within acceptable distances from vulnerable residential, retail and commercial development. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 229 9 Infrastructure and Energy
- 9.15 Energy Networks Infrastructure – Electricity and Natural Gas The development of secure and reliable electricity transmission infrastructure is recognised as a key factor in supporting economic development and attracting investment to an area. The Council supports upgrading of the electrical transmission network both within the county and adjoining counties. The Council recognises that an adequate and reliable electricity and gas supply/infrastructure is essential if the county is to develop and compete nationally for investment and is committed to advocating and facilitating the extension and consolidation of networks in the county. EirGrid is responsible for power across the electricity transmission grid, ensuring a safe, secure and reliable supply of energy to homes, businesses and industry across the country. ESB is the asset owner of the transmission system and distribution system and ESB Networks provides the essential service of building, managing and maintaining the electricity networks in Leitrim and throughout Ireland. The Council recognises that essential electricity infrastructure upgrades are necessary. These have been detailed in EirGrid’s “Tomorrow’s Energy Scenarios 2019 Systems Needs Assessment” and the Council will support EirGrid where practicable in the delivery of their requirement to facilitate electricity targets set out in the Government’s Climate Action Plan 2019 and The National Energy and Climate Plan 2021 – 2030 An understanding of locations of the higher voltage electricity infrastructure is also useful when seeking to identify regional opportunities that may attract industries (e.g. data centres, renewables, etc.). This is acknowledged in the RSES which includes RPO 16 which states “The NWRA shall co-ordinate the identification of potential renewable energy sites of scale in collaboration with Local Authorities and other stakeholders within 3 years of the adoption of the RSES. The identification of such sites (which may extend to include energy storage solutions) will be based on numerous site selection criteria including environmental matters, and potential grid connections”. The county is also particularly rich in renewable energy resources as identified in the Renewable Energy Strategy. The electricity transmission grid brings power from where it is generated to where it is needed throughout Ireland. It is a consequence therefore of renewable energy production that additions to the electricity transmission grid in terms of transmission infrastructure will occur to harness the considerable renewable energy resource of our county. The vast majority of this renewable energy will come from wind farms and EirGrid is required by law to connect them to the national grid. One of EirGrid’s strategic projects within the NWRA is the North West Project known as the Renewable Integration Development Project which will traverse counties Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim. This is a cross border project to identify the optimum reinforcement of the electricity transmission grid in the north and the north-west of the island to cater for expected power output from renewable energy sources. This will require new power lines to be built. Co. Leitrim is not currently served by a gas network operated by Gas Networks Ireland. There are currently no network extensions under construction. Within the lifetime of the RSES, it is the stated ambition of our region to explore the extension of the network into counties Sligo, Roscommon, Donegal and Leitrim and in the first instance examine the feasibility and logistics of such an extension to supply potential domestic and business customers in additional locations. The secure supply of natural gas is in itself an important part of the suite of infrastructure necessary to assist in the improvement of regional accessibility generally. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I230 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.