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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- 11.18.2 Record of Protected Structures 34 The following numbers are omitted in the current Record of Protected Structures: 4, 78, 88, 99, 104, 113, 130, 132, 133, 134, 144, 169, 177, 194, 197, 198, 207, 211, 212, 218, 222, 226, 242, 251, 252, 269, 273, 275, 290 and 296. 35 Irish Transverse Mercator (ITM) is the geographic co-ordinate system for Ireland. It was implemented jointly by the Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi) and the Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland (OSNI) in 2001. An ITM co-ordinate is generally given as a pair of two sixdigit numbers where the first number is always the easting and the second is the northing. A total of 272 no. structures were included in the Record of Protected Structures (RPS) contained in the previous County Development Plan 2015-2023. A review of this previous RPS was undertaken in the preparation of this Plan which assessed the condition of several structures. Arising from this review, 9 no. structures were removed from the RPS with 11 no. structures subsequently added to the RPS as now contained in this Plan. The number of structures contained within the RPS is 274 no. structures. Each structure within the RPS of the County Development Plan 2015-2023 had a unique identifying number from no. 1 to no. 302. The sequencing of the numbering omitted a total of 30 numbers.34 It is understood that the numbers omitted related to structures which were previously included in the RPS but have been deleted at some stage in the past. The RPS contained in this Plan has renumbered the structures contained in the register. In the review, the townland is which each structure is located has been verified and corrected, and ITM co-ordinates included to reflect the location of the structure more accurately.35 The Plan proposes a total of 274 no. structures each numbered sequentially from 1 to 274 accordingly. 11.19 Streetscapes and Areas of Good Urban Design In addition to protecting individual buildings and structures, the Council is aware that many other buildings, while not of sufficient merit to warrant individual listing, are nevertheless important in the context of their contribution to the streetscape and the character of the towns and villages within which they are located. The demolition of any building in a defined streetscape area will not normally be permitted unless in exceptional circumstances, such as: ● the building or structure is beyond reasonable repair ● demolition would be a positive benefit to the areas’ enhancement ● permission has been granted and an agreement entered into for the erection of an appropriate replacement building appropriate to the design and character of the area Generally, in town and village centres new development will be expected to respect established building lines, eaves and ridge heights, roof pitches and fenestration patterns. New development can be more successfully absorbed into established streetscapes when attention is paid to details such as chimneys, eaves overhangs and shop fronts. The Council does however welcome high-quality modern architectural designs which demonstrate an affinity with these settings. Ideally new buildings should reflect both the era in which they are built and respect the context in which they are located. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 291 11 Heritage & Biodiversity
- POLICIES BH POL 1 To protect all structures in the Record of Protected Structures (Volume IV of this Plan). BH POL 2 To promote best conservation principles and practice with regard to protecting Leitrim’s considerable architectural heritage. BH POL 3 To encourage the sympathetic retention, reuse and rehabilitation of Protected Structures and their setting. BH POL 4 To ensure that proposed development within the curtilage or attendant grounds of a Protected Structure respects the Protected Structure and its setting. BH POL 5 To have regard to the Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning Authorities (October 2011) or replacement Section 28 Guidelines as may be issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage when assessing proposals for development affecting a Protected Structure and buildings listed in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. BH POL 6 To require the preparation of an Architectural Impact Assessment undertaken by an architect or other suitably qualified professional with conservation expertise, where appropriate, for developments which include or relate to a Protected Structure or their curtilage and attendant grounds. BH POL 7 To promote the principles of best practice in conservation in terms of use of appropriate materials, repair techniques, and thermal upgrades by adhering to the guidelines as set out in Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht’s Advice Series publications or their replacement. BH POL 8 To promote awareness and the appropriate adaptation of the county’s architectural and archaeological heritage to deal with the effects of climate change. OBJECTIVES BH OBJ 1 To seek the protection of all structures within the county that are of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest as contained in the Record of Protected Structures (Volume IV of this Plan). BH OBJ 2 To maximise funding opportunities for the conservation and restoration of Protected Structures. BH OBJ 3 To administer grant schemes which provide funding opportunities for the conservation and restoration of Protected Structures. BH OBJ 4 To support and implement the actions listed in the County Heritage Plan 2020 – 2025, and subsequent heritage plans, during the lifetime of this Plan, subject to the availability of specific funding and resources. BH OBJ 5 To seek the appointment of a Conservation Officer to improve the level of expertise available to the Council and to support the protection and conservation of the rich built and cultural heritage within the county. However, the Council will seek to develop in-house expertise in the interim in the absence of this appointment. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I292 11 Heritage & Biodiversity
- 11.20 Architectural Conservation Areas An Architectural Conservation Area is ‘a place, area, group of structures or townscape, taking account of building lines and heights, that is of architectural, historical, artistic, archaeological, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest or that contributes to the appreciation of a Protected Structure, and whose character it is an objective of a Development Plan to preserve. A Planning Authority recognises, by making provision in the Development Plan for the protection of these areas, that in many cases the protection of the architectural heritage is best achieved by controlling and guiding change on a wider scale than the individual structure, in order to retain the overall architectural or historic character of an area’ (Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning Authorities, DoECLG, 2004). Each Development Plan must include a policy objective to preserve the character of Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs) within its functional area. The purpose of designating an area as an ACA is to manage change, affording greater control over the form of development and reducing instances of inappropriate development and demolition. The character of an ACA is often derived from the collective value of an area’s buildings, their setting, landscape and other locally important features developed gradually over time. Within these areas the priority will be to preserve and/or enhance those buildings, structures, trees, open spaces, archaeological remains, views and other elements, which contribute to the unique character of the area. The purpose of an ACA is to ensure the following: ● high standard of civic amenity and civic design ● preservation and protection of the environment, including architectural, archaeological and natural heritage ● streetscape improvement ● control of layout of areas, density, building lines and treatment of spaces ● control of design, colours and materials ● promotion of maintenance, repair or cleaning of structures ● promotion of mixed uses ● control of changes in use ● promotion of the development or redevelopment of derelict or vacant sites ● control of advertisements Where appropriate, the Council will encourage the retention and restoration of the external fabric of these buildings. articular attention will be paid to the retention (and repair if necessary) of original natural slate roofs, chimneys, cast iron rainwater goods and railings, external renders, original timber sash windows and shop fronts (including the use of appropriate colours). The Council will pursue such grant aid as may be made available in support of this policy. In recognition of the importance of such areas, the Council has designated a portion of some of the towns and villages in the county as Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs). The extent of these areas has been reviewed as part of the preparation of this Plan and the extent of these areas has been reduced to ensure that the importance of the fabric of these areas is not diluted. The Architectural Conservation Areas are provided at the end of this chapter. Table 11.9: Architectural Conservation Areas in Co. Leitrim 1 Ballinamore 2 Carrick-on-Shannon 3 Dromahair 4 Drumshanbo 5 Drumkeeran 6 Jamestown 7 Manorhamilton 8 Mohill There may be other Architectural Conservation Areas designated within the lifetime of this Development Plan. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 293 11 Heritage & Biodiversity
- A general set of policies for all ACAs within the county is set out below. A Statement of Character will be developed for each of these ACAs in order to identify the character that is worthy of protection within 2 years of the Plan coming into effect. Any works proposed to the exterior of a building within an ACA which would affect the special character of the area would not be considered exempted development. For example, replacement of timber sash windows with inappropriate alternatives (e.g. uPVC) would not be exempted development within an ACA. Where applications are made for works outside an ACA which would have the potential to impact on the character of the ACA, these applications will be assessed using the criteria set out in the Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines. POLICIES ACA POL 1 To ensure the preservation of the special character of each Architectural Conservation Area listed in this Plan (See Table 11.9) by exercising specific design control with particular regard to building scale, proportions, historical plot sizes, building lines, height, general land use, fenestration, signage, and other appendages such as electrical wiring, building materials, historic street furniture, paving and shop fronts. ACA POL 2 To have regard to the Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning Authorities (October 2011) or replacement Section 28 Guidelines as may be issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage during the life of this Plan when assessing proposals for development affecting the character of an Architectural Conservation Area. ACA POL 3 To ensure the retention, repair and the regular maintenance, rather than replacement, of original/ early features in buildings which contribute to the character of an Architectural Conservation Area such as chimney stacks, roof coverings, roof profiles, external wall treatments, doors and windows, shop fronts and pub fronts, while ensuring appropriate materials and repair techniques are used when repairs are being carried out. ACA POL 4 To ensure that inappropriate materials for windows, doors and rainwater goods constructed in aluminium or uPVC are not introduced to buildings within Architectural Conservation Areas. ACA POL 5 To encourage high quality, contemporary design and materials where appropriate when new buildings are being introduced into an Architectural Conservation Area and the retention of the historic scale and plot size. Such buildings should contribute to the visual enhancement of the area and respect the character of the Architectural Conservation Area as set out in the statement of character (when prepared). ACA POL 6 To ensure that new fascia boards inserted in the shopfront entablature are seamless without visible vertical joints or fixing materials. Hand painted fascia are encouraged and will be favoured over glossy, reflective signage. ACA POL 7 To retain historic items of street furniture where they contribute to the character of the Architectural Conservation Area, such as, post boxes, benchmarks, gates, plaques, milestones, railings, etc. ACA POL 8 To facilitate the removal of overhead cables throughout the Architectural Conservation Areas. ACA POL 9 To ensure the embodied energy of the current building stock within Architectural Conservation Area are acknowledged when considering proposed developments, and to encourage the reuse of these building over demolition. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I294 11 Heritage & Biodiversity
- OBJECTIVES ACA OBJ 1 To prepare a Statement of Character for each of the listed Architectural Conservation Areas in Table 11.9 within 2 years of the County Development Plan having come into effect in order to identify the character that is worthy of protection for each. ACA OBJ 2 To designate additional Architectural Conservation Areas where appropriate and provide a local policy framework for the preservation of the character of these areas. Consideration will be given to Lough Rynn and Drumsna in the first instance. ACA OBJ 3 To review the Co. Leitrim Shopfront Guidelines within the life of the County Development Plan. 11.21 Archaeological Heritage Archaeology is the scientific study of past societies, their cultures and their relationship with the environment through an examination of the material remains of our predecessors. All remains and objects and any other traces of humankind from past times are considered elements of the archaeological heritage. The archaeological heritage is a resource, which can be used to gain knowledge and understanding of the past. The archaeological heritage is therefore of great cultural and scientific importance. Table 11.10: List of National Monuments in Co. Leitrim RMP No. Townland Description Status National Mon. No. LE002-019 Aghaderrard West Druid’s Alter Passage Grave Ownership 477 LE008-013 Corracloona Megalithic Tomb Guardianship 405 LE014-004001 Creevelea Franciscan Friary Ownership 69 LE025-09601 Fenagh (Commons) Fenagh Abbey Ownership 68 LE005-014 Lattone/Gortnaderrary Worm Ditch or Black Pigs Race Ownership 653 LE010-037001 Kilmore (Drum. By) Sramore E.D. Parke’s Castle Ownership 390 LE008-032 Laghty Barr Teach Mhic Dhiarmada Ownership 508 LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 295 11 Heritage & Biodiversity
- Table 11.11: List of Preservation Orders (PO) on Monuments in the County RMP No. Townland Description No. of PO LE025-096001, LE025-096002, LE025-096003, LE025-096004, LE025-096005, LE025-096008 Commons Monastic Enclosure 3/1994 LE0008-013 Corracloona Corracloona Cairn 45/1936 LE027-054001, LE027-054002, LE027-054003 Sheemore Sheemore Passage Grave Cemetery 10/1978 Sites and monuments of archaeological significance are recorded in the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP). The RMP is compiled by the Archaeological Survey of Ireland and is a statutory inventory of sites and areas with accompanying maps on which sites and monuments are marked and numbered. The Record includes all identified monuments such as megalithic tombs, ring forts and castles in Co. Leitrim, dating to before 1700 A.D. and some sites post-dating 1700 A.D. There are approximately 1,400 sites and monuments identified in the RMP for Co. Leitrim. Each monument is encircled by a zone of archaeological potential. The duties of the owner of a recorded monument are detailed in the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994. The RMP is available for viewing on the National Monuments Service website using the Historic Environment Viewer. It should be noted that any direct impacts on national monuments in State or Local Authority care or subject to a preservation order will require the consent of the Minister for Housing, Local Government & Heritage and under Section 14 of the National Monuments Act 1930 as amended by Section 5 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 2004. The archaeological heritage of Co. Leitrim includes, according to the European Convention for the Protection of Archaeological Heritage, 1992 (Valetta Convention) structures, constructions, groups of buildings, developed sites, all recorded monuments as well as their contexts, and moveable objects; situated both on land and under water. This means that the archaeological heritage is not confined to the archaeological sites within the Record of Monuments and Places, but also includes any archaeological site that may not have been recorded yet, as well as archaeology beneath the ground surface, underwater archaeological heritage, as well as the context of any site. Co. Leitrim has a rich underwater archaeological heritage that includes protected wrecks that lie off the coast of the county, log boats and artefacts that have been recorded from the county’s lakes and inland waterways, crannóga, fish-traps, riverine and lacustrine built heritage and many other forms of underwater archaeological heritage. One underwater heritage order in the county (UHO 1/90), which refers to Lough Donogher, located to the north east of Cloone. Table 11.12: List of Underwater Heritage Orders (UHO) in the County Location Townland Date of Order UHO No. Lough Donogher – LE 29 N/A 14/09/1990 1/90 LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I296 11 Heritage & Biodiversity
- 11.22 Archaeological Assessment The Council will protect all such sites and monuments and their settings from inappropriate development. All planning applications likely to interfere with such a recorded site, protected wreck or underwater archaeological heritage site, monument or zone of archaeological interest will be referred to the Development Applications Unit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, An Taisce and the Heritage Council. Regard will be given to the advice and recommendations of these bodies in respect of whether planning permission should be granted and the nature of conditions to be attached to any grant of planning permission. All aspects of archaeological heritage and underwater cultural heritage, in all environments, shall be considered in the development process, including impacts on unidentified elements of the archaeological and underwater cultural heritage. Areas that have developed around watercourses, including rivers and lakes may contain known and/or previously unknown underwater archaeological sites, structures, features or artefacts, and this should be considered when reviewing the existing Development Plan and developing policies for the new plan. Likewise, reclaimed areas may also contain previously unknown, buried archaeology that could be revealed during development impacts. Any plan should include this in its policy and objectives section. Sites such as slipways, historic quays, quay furniture, fixtures and fittings, fish traps, harbours with associated marine infrastructure, including causeways, as well as specific sites such as shipwrecks, log boats, etc., singular sites such as rock cut platforms and steps, and of course artefactual material associated with sites or as individual depositions in underwater environments, etc. can all be retained and preserved in intertidal/foreshore and underwater contexts or on land previously covered by water (e.g. reclaimed areas). The Council will also have regard to the guidance document Framework and Principles for the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage, as published by the National Monument Service in 1999. Proposed development on, or in close proximity to, a site and monument of archaeological significance will only be allowed where development does not adversely affect their character and setting. Where allowed, the Council will use planning conditions and agreements to enable an archaeological assessment, on site monitoring, testing and/or excavation by a licensed archaeologist. 11.23 Industrial Archaeology and Canals The Council is aware of the cultural importance of the county’s industrial heritage and in particular of the canal and waterway systems that traverse the county. Canals, lough gates and associated structures are fine examples of 19th century industrial engineering, which have mellowed over time to form an intrinsic part of the county’s landscape. The importance of protecting these structures is all the greater given the increased importance of the canal and navigation network as a tourism and recreational resource. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 297 11 Heritage & Biodiversity
- POLICIES ARCH POL 1 To secure the preservation (i.e. preservation in-situ or in particular circumstances where the Council is satisfied that this is not possible, preservation by record as a minimum) of all archaeological remains and sites of importance such as National Monuments, Recorded Monuments, protected wrecks and underwater archaeological heritage, to include their setting and context. ARCH POL 2 To promote public awareness of the rich archaeological heritage that exists in Co. Leitrim. ARCH POL 3 To protect and enhance public accessibility to the county’s industrial heritage. ARCH POL 4 To protect, preserve and promote the archaeological value of underwater archaeological sites and objects in rivers, lakes, intertidal and subtidal environments. In assessing proposals for development, the Council will take account of the archaeological potential of rivers, lakes, intertidal and sub-tidal environments. Where flood relief schemes are being undertaken, the Council will have regard to the ‘Archaeological Guidelines for Flood Relief Schemes’ (DHLGH and OPW 2021). ARCH POL 5 To support community initiatives and projects regarding preservation, presentation, publication of and access to archaeological heritage and underwater cultural heritage, provided such are compatible with appropriate conservation policies and standards, having regard to the guidance and advice of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. OBJECTIVES ARCH OBJ 1 To promote the county’s archaeological heritage as a tourism resource, in partnership with tourism organisations and stakeholders. ARCH OBJ 2 To ensure that any development (above or below ground or underwater), within the vicinity of a site of archaeological interest or protected wreck or area of underwater archaeological heritage shall not be detrimental to the archaeological remains, character of the site or its setting. ARCH OBJ 3 To require, where appropriate, that an archaeological assessment or underwater archaeological impact assessment be carried out by a suitably qualified person prior to the commencement of any activity that may impact upon archaeological heritage, including underwater archaeological heritage. ARCH OBJ 4 To protect the zones of archaeological potential, as identified in the Record of Monuments and Places, protected recks and underwater archaeological heritage. ARCH OBJ 5 To protect archaeological sites, protected wrecks and underwater archaeological heritage discovered since the publication of the Record of Monuments and Places, which are recorded in the Sites and Monuments Record. ARCH OBJ 6 To support research and the production of a Conservation Management Plan for the Black Pig’s Dyke in Co. Leitrim. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I298 11 Heritage & Biodiversity
- Figure 11.5: Ballinamore Architectural Conservation Area LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 299 11 Heritage & Biodiversity
- Figure 11.6: Carrick-on-Shannon Architectural Conservation Area LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I300 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.