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 development, continuation of use or diversification of activities relating to the extractive industry will be assessed having regard to the ‘Quarrying and Ancillary Activities Guidelines’ (DoEHLG, 2004) (or any superseding national policy document), ‘Guidelines for Environmental Management in the Extractive Industry’ (EPA, 2006), ‘Guidance on Biodiversity in the Extractive Industry (NPWS), ‘Geological Heritage Guidelines for the Extractive Industry’ (GSI, 2008), the Archaeological Code of Practice (2009) and the Irish Concrete Federation Environmental Code (2005) and any other relevant superseding policy guidance. Applicants should submit the following information at application stage: ● Map showing total site area, highlighting area to be excavated, and any ancillary proposed development, nearest dwellings, or any other development (within 1 km of the site) ● Description of the aggregate(s) to be extracted, method of extraction, any ancillary processes (such as crushing, concrete manufacture, etc.), equipment to be used, stockpiles, storage of soil and overburden, storage of waste materials and proposed/existing settling ponds ● Total and annual tonnage of extracted aggregates, expected life of the extraction, maximum extent and depth of working and proposed phasing programme ● Description of development works (buildings, fixed and mobile plant, roads, fuel tanks, water supply and drainage, earth mounds, etc.) ● Description of water courses and water table depth, natural and cultural heritage, traffic impact and waste management ● Description of cumulative impact when taken together with other quarries in the vicinity ● Likely environmental effects including the preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment Report where relevant ● Proposed mitigation measures ● Phased restoration and after-care proposals, and ● Proposals for surface water management and flood risk minimisation. Where proposals for the working out of minerals and aggregates are submitted in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) or an Area of High Visual Amenity (AHVA), existing landscape quality shall remain the overriding priority and such proposals must illustrate that the benefits of the development will outweigh any adverse environmental consequences. The Planning Authority shall evaluate the need to conserve the environment, character and natural beauty of AONBs and AHVAs and the extent to which the proposed development would materially damage these qualities. It shall also examine the national need for that specific mineral or aggregate substance to be worked and the availability of the resource in less sensitive locations. The Council may require the submission of an EIAR for sub-threshold development where it is considered that the development would be likely to have significant effects on the environment. The restoration of disused pits and quarries to productive agricultural use will be encouraged where appropriate having regard to all appropriate environmental considerations. Other possible post closure uses may be considered such as recreational facilities and natural habitat areas. A condition requiring the lodgement of a financial bond will be included in any grant of permission to ensure the satisfactory reinstatement of the site following the completion of extraction. A Special Development Contribution in accordance with Section 48 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended), may be imposed for the upgrade or maintenance of the local road network to facilitate the proposed development. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 381 13 Development Management Standards
- 13.19 Tourism Related Development While seeking to ensure that most tourism development locate in or close to towns and villages, the Council recognises that by its nature, some tourism development may require other rural locations. Developments that may be open to consideration outside settlement centres include indoor and outdoor recreation facilities, golf courses, swimming, angling, sailing/boating, pier/marina development, equestrian and pony trekking routes, adventure/ interpretative centres and associated ancillary uses, tourist related leisure facilities including walking and cycling. In these circumstances, the Council shall promote, where possible, the reuse of existing buildings outside of settlements for holiday homes/guest accommodation where it can be demonstrated that the redevelopment work replicates and/or is similar in scale and design to the existing building and will not have a significant adverse impact on the environment. Any application for such developments shall be accompanied by: ● A comprehensive justification of the need for the development by its nature and space requirements to be located outside of towns and villages ● Evidence that the proposed development will not have an adverse impact upon the scenic value, heritage value and the environmental, ecological or conservation quality of primary tourism asset(s) and their general environment, and ● Evidence that potential environmental effects of a likely increase in tourists/tourism-related traffic volumes in particular locations/along particular routes, have been considered and mitigation measures proposed. Such a consideration should include potential impacts on existing infrastructure (including drinking water, wastewater, waste and transport) resulting from tourism proposals. In general, standalone holiday orientated development schemes or new tourism facilities which cannot demonstrate connectivity to existing settlements shall not be permitted in the open countryside. In exceptional cases, where it can be demonstrated that the facility is dependent on physical or locational factors which are site specific, consideration may be given to such facilities. 13.19.1 Caravan, Glamping and Camping Developments Caravan, camping/glamping sites shall generally be located within the development boundary of established towns, villages and graigs. Consideration will be given to small scale facilities in appropriate locations outside of such centres subject to a demand and need for the facility being demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Planning Authority. Applications for caravan, glamping and camping developments shall address the following in addition to the information outlined in Section 13.9: ● A high standard integrated design and layout linking pitches to well-located communal areas and on-site facilities and amenities ● A detailed hard and soft landscaping plan for the overall site ● Mitigation plans for noise and litter, and ● Details of wastewater disposal for the site. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I382 13 Development Management Standards
- 13.19.2 Self-Catering Developments Applications for self-catering tourism accommodation shall address the following: The layout of the development shall be of a high standard, incorporating well laid out communal open spaces, significant and appropriate landscaping maintaining existing site features such as hedgerows and trees, car parking provision, segregated waste storage and public lighting. The design of units should be high quality and respect the character of the area in which they are located. Suburban type developments will not be favoured. Courtyard type developments will be particularly encouraged. 13.19.3 Marina Development Marinas should be located in areas where boating activity is already present or where there is substantial demand for such a facility. Marinas should provide adequate water depth at all times, berthing arrangements for pleasure craft, direct access/ walkway to boats, navigation aids, pontoon lighting, fire safety equipment, car parking, administration services, toilet facilities, and pump out facilities. Marina developers will be expected to enter into Section 47 agreements with the Planning Authority to facilitate a number of berths (generally 20%) remaining available for public use at a reasonable cost. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 383 13 Development Management Standards
- 13.20 Energy, Telecommunications and Services 13.20.1 Wind Energy The Council recognises the importance of wind energy as a renewable energy source and its potential in contributing to reductions in fossil fuel dependency and greenhouse gas emissions. Chapter 12 - Climate Action and Renewable Energy and Appendix IX–Leitrim County Renewable Energy Strategy, of this Plan detail policies and objectives for this sector over the period of this Plan. When assessing planning applications for wind energy developments, the Council will have regard to the ‘Wind Energy Development Guidelines for Planning Authorities’ (DoEHLG, 2006), and any updates to these Guidelines which may be made, and the ‘Interim Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Statutory Plans, Renewable Energy and Climate Change’ (DoHPCLG, 2017). Applications shall be accompanied by all relevant environmental assessments. Applications will also be required to ensure that development is in accordance with the guidance provided in Chapter 11: Heritage & Biodiversity and Appendix VII – County Leitrim Landscape Character Assessment and Appendix VIII – County Leitrim Landscape Designations with regard to compatibility between the land use and the principal Landscape Character Areas of the county and the proximity to Landscape Sensitivity Factors. In addition to the above, the following considerations will be taken into account by the Council in relation to any planning application for wind energy development: ● Impact on the visual amenities of the area ● Impact on the residential amenities of the area ● Scale and layout of the project, any cumulative effects due to other projects and the extent to which the impacts are visible across the local landscape ● Visual impact of the proposal with respect to protected views, scenic routes and designated scenic landscapes ● Impact on nature conservation, water quality, ecology, including an assessment of impacts on collision risk species (birds and bats), soil, hydrology, groundwater, air quality, archaeology, built heritage and public rights of way ● Impact on ground conditions and geology ● Impact on peat stability and robust geotechnical assessment of potential for peat slippage ● Consideration of falling distance plus an additional flashover distance from wind turbines to overhead transmission lines ● Impact of development on the road network in the area ● Impact on human health in relation to: ● Noise disturbance (including consistency with the World Health Organisations 2018 Environmental Noise Guidelines for the European Region), ● Shadow flicker (for wind turbine developments, including detailed Shadow Flicker Study) This list is not exhaustive, and the Council may consider other requirements contained in the chapter on a case-by-case basis with planning applications should the need arise. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I384 13 Development Management Standards
- 13.20.2 Solar Energy Chapter 12 - Climate Action and Renewable Energy and Appendix X –Leitrim County Renewable Energy Strategy, of this Plan recognise the potential availability of potential solar resources in the county and detail policies and objectives for this sector over the period of this Plan. The Council will consider applications for solar renewable energy development having regard to the following criteria: ● Any future Section 28 Ministerial Guidance ● Site suitability ● Any environmental sensitivities ● Landscape Character Areas of the county ● Visual impact, zones of influence including cumulative visual impact/zones of influence of existing/permitted solar farms and associated infrastructure such as road access ● Glint and Glare impacts on roads, dwellings, national monuments, Protected Structures and other sensitive receptors ● The need to protect the existing level of residential amenities enjoyed by adjoining properties ● Archaeological Impact Assessment and Heritage Impact Assessment ● Ecological Impact Assessment ● Landscaping plans to appropriately integrate the development into the landscape ● Security requirements such as CCTV, security lights, fencing, etc. ● Impacts from lighting ● Construction impacts ● Impacts on drainage patterns and water tables ● Suitability of and access to the electricity grid, and ● Decommissioning Statement. 13.20.3 Telecommunications and Supporting Infrastructure Proposals for telecommunications antennae and support structures will be assessed in accordance with the ‘Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures – Guidelines for Planning Authorities’ (DoELG, 1996), as revised by Circular Letter PL 07/12, and any other publications and material as may be relevant in the circumstances. Planning applications for new facilities should include: ● A reasoned justification regarding the need for the particular development at the proposed location. This shall detail the significance of the proposed development to the telecommunications network, including a map of the area and existing coverage in the area. A technical explanation shall be provided of the reasons why coverage cannot be provided by existing antennae ● Details of efforts (i.e. written correspondence) made to share installations or co-locate/cluster with existing structures; this should reference a map showing the location of all existing structures within a minimum 2km radius of the proposed site ● Evidence of consideration of alternative sites and explanation of their unsuitability ● Visual impact assessment and mitigation measures (e.g. landscape screening, colour treatment of masts/antennae), and ● Any impacts on rights of way and walking. 13.20.4 Undergrounding of Cables Where undergrounding of cables is being pursued, proposals should demonstrate that environmental impacts including the following are minimised: Habitat loss as a result of removal of field boundaries and hedgerows (right of way preparation) followed by topsoil stripping (to ensure machinery does not destroy soil structure and drainage properties) Short to medium term impacts on the landscape where, for example, hedgerows are encountered Impacts on underground archaeology Impacts on soil structure and drainage, and Impacts on surface waters as a result of sedimentation. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 385 13 Development Management Standards
- 13.21 Seveso Sites Planning Authorities are required to have regard to the potential effects of relevant development in terms of the risks or consequences of a major accident for public health and safety. Planning applications pertaining to or in proximity to Seveso sites are referred to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) for their input. In assessing such proposals, the Planning Authority will have regard to the technical advice of the HSA in relation to proposed development and proposed land use(s). The Planning Authority will consider the need to maintain an appropriate safe distance of such establishments from residential areas, areas of public use, and areas of particular natural sensitivity, and will also consider the need to minimise risk to strategic infrastructure. For some types of development, particularly those involving large numbers of people and vulnerable occupants, the Planning Authority will consider the societal risk, i.e. the risk of large numbers of people being affected in a single accident from such a facility. Developers of Seveso sites and any sites adjacent to Seveso sites are encouraged to consult with the HSA at the pre-planning stage to assess the impacts of their proposals. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I386 13 Development Management Standards
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- Leitrim County Development Plan - www.leitrim.ie Áras an Chontae Carrick-on-Shannon County Leitrim T: +353 (0)71 9620005 Comhairle Chontae Liatroma Leitrim County Council
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.