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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- Unlike the amendments to the names and boundaries of the Landscape Character Types outlined in the preceding section, the naming and boundaries of the Landscape Character Areas were not altered in any meaningful manner. The identified Landscape Character Types in Co. Leitrim remain as follows: LCA 1: Tullaghan Coast LCA 2: Lough Melvin Lowlands LCA 3: Lough Macnean Upper LCA 4: Arroo and Mountain Outliers LCA 5: Tievebaun Uplands LCA 6: The Doons and Crockauns LCA 7: Benbo LCA 8: The Boleybrack Uplands LCA 9: The Northern Glens, Central Lowlands and Lough Allen LCA 10: Slieve Anierin LCA 11: Corry Mountain LCA 12: Ballinamore Loughlands LCA 13: South Leitrim Drumlins and Shannon Basin LCA 14: Corriga Uplands POLICIES LCA POL 1 To conserve and enhance the high nature conservation value of the Landscape Character Areas in order to create/protect ecologically resilient and varied landscapes. LCA POL 2 To protect, enhance and contribute to the physical, visual and scenic character of Co. Leitrim and to preserve its unique landscape character. LCA POL 3 To ensure that landscape sensitivity and the preservation of the uniqueness of a landscape character area (where appropriate) is an important consideration in determining the appropriateness of development uses and proposals in areas of landscape sensitivity, (scenery, nature conservation or archaeology) in conjunction with the siting, design and materials proposed. LCA POL 4 To seek to ensure that local landscape features, including historic features and buildings, hedgerows, shelter belts and stone walls, are retained, protected and enhanced where appropriate, so as to preserve the local landscape and character of an area, whilst providing for future development LCA POL 5 To require that landscape and visual impact assessments prepared by suitably qualified professionals be submitted with planning applications for development which may have significant impact on landscape character areas of medium or high sensitivity. OBJECTIVES LCA OBJ 1 To protect and enhance the quality, character, and distinctiveness of the physical, visual and scenic character of landscapes of the county in accordance with national policy and guidelines and the recommendations of the Leitrim Landscape Character Assessment (2020) which forms Appendix VII of this Plan. LCA OBJ 2 To ensure that the management of development will have regard to the value of the landscape, its character, importance, sensitivity and capacity to absorb change as outlined in Appendix VII of this Plan - Leitrim Landscape Character Assessment (2020) and its recommendations. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 281 11 Heritage & Biodiversity
- 11.15 Landscape Designations The previous County Development Plan 2015-2023 contained designated landscapes in the form of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Areas of High Visual Amenity. In June 2020, Leitrim County Council commissioned RPS Group to undertake a review of the designated landscapes published in the County Development Plan 2015-2023. This commission followed the review of the County Landscape Character Assessment outlined in the previous section of this Plan. The resulting report is entitled ‘Leitrim Review of Landscape Designations’ (May 2021) and focuses on the designated landscapes and presents the findings of a comprehensive review of these landscapes in Co. Leitrim. Section 4 of the report presents an analysis of each of the designated landscapes in turn followed by recommendations which include changes to the boundaries of a designated area and/or changes to the designation name to better reflect the special qualities therein. Table 21 of the report provides a summary of the recommendations regarding the County Development Plan 2015-2023 designated landscapes in Co. Leitrim including the abandonment of 2 no. previous designations. The designated landscapes are each documented in map and written format including short statement of importance and an account of their special qualities. The County Leitrim Landscape Designations (May 2021) forms Appendix VIII to the Plan. Capacity or sensitivity is the ability that a landscape has to absorb specific types of development. It is only possible to define actual capacity on a case-by-case basis because it will vary according to the type and form of development, its specific location in relation to the landscape character area in question, and its visibility from it. The sensitivity of a landscape is its overall resilience to sustain its character in the face of change and its ability to recover from loss or damage to its components. Sensitivity is evaluated using criteria ranging from ‘High’ to ‘Low’. A highly sensitive landscape is likely to be vulnerable, fragile and susceptible to change whereas a landscape with low sensitivity is likely to be more robust and/or tolerant of change. The individual landscape designations seek to conserve the special qualities of the individual landscapes and assist in guiding future management and change in these landscapes. Landscape designations are assigned to particular areas for the purpose of managing change whilst having regard for the full range of special qualities and natural and cultural values attached to these areas. Designation can help safeguard important and sensitive landscapes and landscape features which are particularly valued and may have limited capacity for change. The designation process can contribute to wider policies for guiding development, by specifically identifying and safeguarding areas of landscape which are of particular importance and sensitivity. 282 LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 11 Heritage & Biodiversity
- 11.15.1 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty A landscape is designated as being of outstanding natural beauty attributed largely to natural characteristics such as landform, vegetation cover and habitat, geological features, scarcity or absence of development or man-made built elements and areas of wilderness.Table 11.6 contains the identified Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Co. Leitrim. Table 11.6: Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Co. Leitrim Map Ref. Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty A1 Leitrim Coast A2 Lough Melvin A3 Mountains and Glens of North Leitrim A4 Lough Gill, Leean Mountain and Environs A5 Benbo A6 The Boleybrack Mountains A7 Lough Allen A8 Slieve Anierin and Bencroy 11.15.2 Areas of High Visual Amenity A landscape is designated as high visual amenity due to a range of factors including natural, cultural and man-made influences. Table 11.7 identifies the Areas of High Visual Amenity in Co. Leitrim. Table 11.7: Areas of High Visual Amenity in Co. Leitrim Map Ref. Area of High Visual Amenity B1 Farmed hinterland of Arroo and Tievebaun B2 Gulladoo Lake and Environs B3 Dough Mountain B4 Thur Mountain B5 Lough Macnean Upper and Environs B6 Sheemore B7 Corry Mountain B8 Laheen Lough, Kilnamar Lough and Environs B9 Lough Scur, St. John’s Lough and Environs B10 Lough Garadice and Environs B11 River Shannon and Lakes B12 Lough Rynn, Lough Errew and Environs The designated Areas of High Visual Amenity and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are shown on Figure 11.3. A larger map is depicted in Map No. 10 in the Book of Maps contained in Volume III. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 283 11 Heritage & Biodiversity
- 11.15.3 Development Management The Council will seek to preserve and enhance the landscape character of Areas of and Areas of High Visual Amenity, as far as is practicable, by careful management and by the operation of special controls over development in these areas. While the Council is committed to the protection of the character of these areas, it recognises that this character has evolved over centuries through traditional farming practices and that continuing human involvement is necessary to maintain that character. The Council is anxious to support the evolution of existing communities in these areas, while at the same time protecting the landscape from the pressures of speculative development. The capacity of the landscape to absorb development will depend, amongst other things, on the local topography, vegetation and the nature and extent of existing development. In assessing development proposals, the Council will seek to minimise negative impacts on the heritage and the environment and maximise economic and social gain for the local community. The Council will seek to ensure the provision of adequate access to features of particular interest or quality by the creation of rights of way, lay-bys, viewing areas and signage, as appropriate and as funding allows. 11.16 Views and Prospects The previous County Development Plan 2015-2023 contained a series of protected views and prospects. These protected views and prospects were continued from previous Development Plans. In June 2020, Leitrim County Council commissioned RPS Group to undertake a review of the designated landscapes and views and prospects published in the County Development Plan 2015-2023. This commission followed the review of the County Landscape Character Assessment outlined in Section 11.4 of this Plan. The report titled, ‘County Leitrim Views and Prospects’, presents the findings of a comprehensive review of the designated views in the county. The County Leitrim Views and Prospects forms Appendix IX to the Plan. Each existing view identified in the previous County Development Plan 2015-2023 was evaluated and a reasoned recommendation on adjustments, extensions or omissions were presented in Section 3 of the final report. Recommended adjustments applied throughout included the following: ● views were renamed to exclude local road references from the title and include the subject and or location of the view ● a small number of views were recommended to be removed from the County Development Plan as they did not meet the criteria set out in the agreed methodology - the subject of the view was not actually visible or the scenic quality of the available view was such that it did not merit inclusion in the list of proposed views to be contained in the Plan ● a small number of proposed additional views for inclusion on the list are set out in Section 4 of the report along with the proposed revised locations. The designated views and prospects are listed in Table 11.8 and illustrated on Figure 11.4 and in greater detail in Map No. 11 of Volume III (Book of Maps). The naming of views references national or regional roads where applicable as these are clearly legible on the OS base maps. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I284 11 Heritage & Biodiversity
- Figure 11.3: Designated Areas of High Visual Amenity and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty LEITRIM B1 B3 B7 B12 B4 B10 B9 B9 B6 B11 B5 B8 B2 A3 A6 A7 A8 A2 A4 A5 A1 Legend Leitrim County Boundary 'HVLJQDWHGAHVA 'HVLJQDWHG AONB ± A1 Leitrim Coast A2 Lough Melvin A3 Mountains and Glens of North Leitrim A4 Lough Gill, Leean Mountain and Environs A5 Benbo A6 The Boleybrack Mountains A7 Lough Allen A8 Slieve Anierin and Bencroy Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) B1 Farmed hinterland of Arroo and Tievebaun B2 Gulladoo Lake and Environs B3 Dough Mountain B4 Thur Mountain B5 Lough Macnean Upper and Environs B6 Sheemore B7 Corry Mountain B8 Laheen Lough, Kilnamar Lough and Environs B9 Lough Scur, St John's Lough and Environs B10 Lough Garadice and Environs B11 River Shannon and Lakes B12 Lough Rynn, Lough Errew and Environs Area of High Visual Amenity (AHVA) LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 285 11 Heritage & Biodiversity
- Table 11.8: Views and Prospects in Co. Leitrim View Ref. View Title V1 View towards Donegal Bay V2 View towards Tievebaun Truskmore & Kings Mountain V3 View towards Lough Melvin & Donegal Bay V4 View of Lough Melvin from Aghavoghil V5 View of Lough Melvin V6 View towards Glenade Lake & Valley V7 View towards Glenade Lake & Valley V8 View towards Glencar Lake V9 View towards Glencar Lake from N16 Road V10 View towards Benbo Mountain from the outskirts of Manorhamilton V11 View towards Lough Macnean Upper V12 View of Lough Gill from the R286 Regional Road V13 View of Lough Gill from Carrickanurroo V14 View of Lough Gill from the R288 Regional Road V15 View towards Carrigeencor Lough V16 View of Benbo from the R280 Regional Road V17 View of Benbo and mountains further north from O’Donnell’s Rock V18 View of Creevelea Abbey from the R288 Regional Road V19 View towards Belhavel Lake V20 View towards Arroo & Tievebaun Mountains from the farmed hinterland near the coast V21 View towards Lough Allen from the R280 V22 View of Lough Allen from the R207 Regional Road V23 View towards Slieve Anierin and Carrickevy Lough V24 View of Slieve Anierin & Lough Scur from the R209 Regional Road V25 View of Mountain & Glen Landscape of Tievebaun & Arroo from the R280 Regional Road V26 View of Lough Rynn V27 View towards Eagle’s Rock V28 View towards Sheemore from the outskirts of Leitrim village V29 View towards the Leean Mountain Range & Doon Lough from the R278 Regional Road The statement on the special qualities associated with each of the proposed views is documented along with a photograph of the view in Section 5 of ‘County Leitrim Views and Prospects’. The map locations are depicted in Figure 11.4. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I286 11 Heritage & Biodiversity
- Figure 11.4: Designated Protected Views V21 V3 V11 V26 V19 V22 V17 V24 V16 V28 V27 V10 V29 V4 V14 V2 V1 V15 V6 V9 V23 V5 V13 V12 V18 V20 V7 V25 V8 Leg end 'HVLJQDWHG3URWHFWHG9LHZV Photo Locations View Direction at Photo Location Road route on which view is available (continuous or intermittent) ± VIEW ID 'HVLJQDWHG3URWHFWHG9LHZVDQG3URVSHFWV V1 View towards Donegal Bay V2 View towards Tievebaun Truskmore and Kings Mountain V3 View towards Lough Melvin and Donegal Bay V4 View of Lough Melvin from Aghavoghil V5 View of Lough Melvin V6 View towards Glenade Lake and Valley V7 View towards Glenade Lake and Valley V8 View towards Glencar Lake V9 View towards Glencar Lake from N16 Road V10 View towards Benbo Mountain from the outskirts of Manorhamilton V11 View towards Lough Macnean Upper V12 View of Lough Gill from the R286 Regional Road V13 View of Lough Gill from Carrickanurroo V14 View of Lough Gill from the R288 V15 View towards Carrigeencor Lough V16 View of Benbo and Dough Mountain from the R280 Regional Road V17 View of Benbo from O’Donnell’s Rock V18 View of Creevelea Abbey from Friarstown V19 View towards Belhavel Lake V20 View towards Arroo and Tievebaun Mountains from the farmed hinterland near the coast V21 View towards Lough Allen from the R280 V22 View of Lough Allen from the R207 Regional Road V23 View towards Slieve Anierin and Carrickevy Lough V24 View of Slieve Anierin and Lough Scur from the R209 Regional Road V25 View of Mountain and Glen Landscape of Tievebaun and Arroo from the R280 Regional Road V26 View of Lough Rynn V27 View towards Eagle’s Rock V28 View towards Sheemore from the outskirts of Leitrim V29 View towards the Leean Mountain Range and Doon Lough from the R278 Regional Road. Note: The following Views & Prospects, designated under the 2015-2023 County Development Plan, are now removed from this Plan: V12 View of Fivemilebourne and Carrickanurroo V20 View from Gleaghnafarnagh from Local Road LT42533 V25 View of River Shannon from the N4 Faulties to Aughamore V27 View of River Shannon from Local Road LS07426 V28 View of River Shannon from the N4 in the townlands of Munkil and Tully. The rationale for removing each of the above Views and Prospects is outlined in the accompanying report. The Views and Prospects contained in this section and labelled V12, V20, V25, V27 and V28 are new Views and Prospects now included in the Plan in their place. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 287 11 Heritage & Biodiversity
- 11.16.1 Development Management The landscape of the county has many vantage points which offer attractive panoramic views of high-quality landscapes. These scenic views are of amenity and tourism value and contribute to our quality of life. It is not envisaged that the designation of a protected view would prohibit all development within the view, rather that any development proposed within the view should be designed and located so as not to obstruct the view or be unduly intrusive in the landscape as seen from these vantage points. POLICIES LD POL 1 To safeguard the protected views and prospects contained in Table 11.8 and identified on Map No. 11 (Volume III - Book of Maps) from intrusive development which would interfere unduly with the character and visual amenity of the landscape. LD POL 2 To protect Areas of Outstanding Beauty and Areas of High Visual Amenity from inappropriate development and reinforce their character, distinctiveness and sense of place. LD POL 3 To permit development in an Area of High Visual Amenity only where the applicant has demonstrated a very high standard of site selection, site layout and design and where the Planning Authority is satisfied that the development could not be accommodated in a less-sensitive location. LD POL 4 To require that a landscape and visual impact assessment, prepared by a suitably qualified professional, be submitted with planning applications for development which may have an impact on the landscape character of the area. LD POL 5 To ensure that development proposals have regard to the Landscape Character Assessment, the value of the landscape, its character, importance, sensitivity and capacity to absorb change. LD POL 6 To protect lakeshores from inappropriate development which would detract from the natural amenity of the area. LD POL 7 To permit development in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty where the applicant can satisfy the Planning Authority that it is not practicable to develop in a less-sensitive location and where it is demonstrated that the development will not impinge in any significant way on the character, integrity or uniformity of the landscape. OBJECTIVES LD OBJ 1 To protect the quality, character and distinctiveness of the landscapes of the county. LD OBJ 2 To provide and maintain facilities, including viewing areas, lay-bys, safe pedestrian access and/or car parking, and where appropriate, associated seats and signs in the immediate vicinity of views that are identified in this Plan and as funds allow. LD OBJ 3 To undertake and adopt a landscape capacity assessment of the county for commercial afforestation. LD OBJ 4 To protect Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Areas of High Visual Amenity from inappropriate forms of development. These areas are identified in Table 11.6 and Table 11.7 of this Plan and shown graphically on Map No. 10 ‘Landscape Designations’ in Volume III (Book of Maps). LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I288 11 Heritage & Biodiversity
- 11.17 Protection of the Built Environment The built environment refers to all features built by man including buildings and other structures such as bridges, archaeological sites and certain field boundaries. These structures have been influenced by the physical, climactic, technological, cultural and socio-economic circumstances of their creators and are a record of our continuous interaction with our environment. While not every structure is of sufficient importance to warrant protection, the conservation of special examples of the built heritage is vital if a sense of continuity with the past is to be maintained. Leitrim has a rich and diverse heritage and brings benefits to all that live in the county and those who visit. Along with forming our identity, heritage teaches us lessons from the past and brings economic benefits to the county by providing scenic landscapes, vernacular architecture and historic monuments for the tourist to enjoy. Retaining a wide diversity and quality of heritage resource may also be seen as a measure of success and competitiveness. The Shannon-Erne Waterway, Parke’s Castle, sweathouses, Creevelea Ironworks, the Black Pig’s Dyke, Lough Rynn Estate, Sliabh an Iarainn, Glenade Lough, Kingfisher Trail, pattern days and mumming festivals, landscapes, architecture, archaeology, nature, wildlife and cultural festivals all combine to make up a unique sense of Leitrim. Caring for our heritage helps fulfil the need for sustainable development by maintaining the quality of our landscapes, historic and cultural resources and the heritage of the manmade environment. There are many individuals and groups who are interested in and have responsibility for our heritage. The Council will seek to promote environmental awareness and good practices, together with high standards of design in all development proposals. The Council are generally favourably disposed towards developments/projects, in appropriate locations, which would enhance understanding of our county’s built, natural and cultural heritage. 11.17.1 Legislation Under Section 10 (2)(f) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, it is a requirement of all Development Plans to include objectives for: “the protection of structures, or parts of structures, which are of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest”. Under Section 10 (2)(g), it is a requirement of all Development Plans to include objectives for: “the preservation of the character of architectural conservation areas”. With regard to Protected Structures, Section 51 (1) states: “For the purpose of protecting structures, or parts of structures, which form part of the architectural heritage, and which are of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest, every Development Plan shall include a record of protected structures, which is, in the opinion of the Planning Authority, of such interest within its functional area”. 289LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 11 Heritage & Biodiversity
- 11.18 Record of Protected Structures 11.18.1 Background The term ‘architectural heritage’ is defined in the Architectural Heritage (National Inventory) & Historic Monuments Act, 1999, as ‘all (a) structures and buildings together with their settings and attendant grounds, fixtures and fittings, (b) groups of such structures, and (c) sites’, which are of architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest. A Protected Structure is a structure that Leitrim County Council considers to be worthy of protection from an architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical point of view. The built heritage is an important element in the character of Co. Leitrim and every Planning Authority is required to have a Record of Protected Structures for its functional area. The ‘Inventory of Appropriate Buildings/Structures for Inclusion in the New Record of Protected Structures’ prepared by CAAS in November 2000, the ‘National Inventory for Architectural Heritage in Co. Leitrim’ (Dúchas, the Heritage Service), the ‘Carrick-on- Shannon Architectural Heritage Study’ (Dúchas, the Heritage Service) and the Urban Framework Plans for Drumkeeran, Drumshanbo, Ballinamore, Mohill, Manorhamilton and Dromahair are stated as the basis for the preparation of the Record of Protected Structures contained in the previous County Development Plan 2015-2023. The findings of the ongoing architectural research and field work to inform The Buildings of Ireland, North Connect authoritative guide to the architecture of Leitrim, Roscommon and Sligo when completed will also be considered to inform subsequent reviews of the Record of Protected Structures. All structures of local, regional and national importance will be considered for protection. Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, if included in the Record of Protected Structures, the entire building is listed for protection. The protection afforded to a Protected Structure automatically includes all parts of the structure within the curtilage of the property and any other structures within its attendant grounds (including the interior and exterior of all structures, walls, gates and boundaries, etc.). Where a structure is a Protected Structure, all works (including those normally exempt) that affect the character of the structure or any element of the structure that contributes to its special interest require planning permission. The owner or occupier is entitled to a declaration from the Council, under Section 57 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, which will identify the works which may be undertaken to the Protected Structure without requiring planning permission. Particular attention will be paid to the alteration/ addition of buildings or structures listed in the Record of Protected Structures and these should reflect the setting, form, scale, mass, material and colouring of the original building. Development or redevelopment in close proximity to any building or structure listed in the Record of Protected Structures, must respect the setting and character of the Protected Structure. In this regard, the Council will offer advice on conservation. Any such applications should be accompanied by an assessment undertaken by an architect with recognised conservation expertise. There are also many historic structures of distinctive traditional styles found throughout Co. Leitrim which are not included in the Record of Protected Structures. Whilst these may not be included, they reflect the unique local history and character of place. Vernacular structures are very vulnerable due to the modern demands and changing needs. The re-use and adaption of existing buildings is preferable to their demolition. The owners and occupiers of a Protected Structure can avail of certain grant initiatives such as the Historic Structures Fund or the Built Heritage Investment Scheme to carry out certain works to repair and conserve historic structures. These schemes are administered by the Planning Authority on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I290 11 Heritage & Biodiversity
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.