Development plan · Longford County Council

Longford County Development Plan 2021–2027

The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards.

Longford County Council · 2021–2027 · 486 pages

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Chapter 9: Rural Economy��259 9�1 Introduction �� 260 9�2 Policy Context �� 260 9�2�1 Project Ireland 2040 – National Planning Framework �� 260 9�2�2 Eastern and Midland Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2019-2031 �� 260 9�2�3 Realising our Rural Potential: Action Plan for Rural Development �� 261 9�2�4 Energising Ireland’s Rural Economy �� 261 9�2�5 Food Wise 2015-2025 �� 262 9�2�6 Delivering a Connected Society – A National Broadband Plan for Ireland �� 263 9�3 County Longford Rural Economic Development Strategy�� 263 9�3�1 Rural Enterprise and Economy �� 264 9�3�2 Agriculture�� 266 9�3�3 Forestry �� 270 9�3�4 Horticulture �� 272 9�3�5 Equine Industry �� 273 9�3�6 Renewable Energy �� 274 9.3.7 Extractive Industries �� 274 9�3�8 Rural Tourism �� 277 9�4 Rural Economy Climate Change Change Context and Associated Actions�� 277 Chapter 10: Tourism ��281 10�1 Introduction �� 282 10�2 Aim �� 282 10�3 Background�� 282 10�3�1 Tourism in Ireland�� 282 10�3�2 Tourism in County Longford �� 284 10�4 Policy Context �� 285 10�4�1 People, Place and Policy: Growing Tourism to 2025, Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport �� 285 10�4�2 Tourism Action Plan 2019-2021, Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, 2018 �� 285 10�4�3 Tourism Development & Innovation, A Strategy for Investment 2016- 2022, Fáilte Ireland, 2016�� 285 10�4�4 National Planning Framework (NPF), 2040 �� 285 10�4�5 Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy, (RSES) Eastern & Midland Regional Assembly, 2019 �� 285 10�4�6 Strategy for the Future Development of National and Regional Greenways, (Department of Tourism, Transport and Sport, 2018)�� 286 County Development Plan 2021–2027 ix
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10.4.7 Action Plan for Rural Development, Realising our Rural Potential (DAHRRGA, 2017) �� 286 10�4�8 Longford Tourism Strategy 2017-2022 �� 286 10�4�9 The Shannon, Mighty River of Ireland, A Tourism Masterplan for the Shannon 2020 – 2030 (Feb. 2020) �� 287 10�4�10 Just Transition (2020) �� 287 10�5�2 Sustainable Tourism and Ecotourism Principles for Tourism Development �� 288 10�5�3 General Tourism Development Policy Objectives�� 290 10�6 Destination Towns �� 292 10.7 Tourism Infrastructure and Visitor Services �� 295 10�8 History, Heritage and Ancient Sites �� 297 10�9 Lakes, Bogs, Forests and Waterways �� 299 10�10 Greenways, Cycling and Walking �� 302 10�11 Arts, Sport, Culture, Environment, Food and Festivals �� 304 10�12 Tourism Climate Change Context and Associated Actions�� 305 Chapter 11: Built and Cultural Heritage��307 11�1 Introduction �� 308 11�2 Statutory Context �� 308 11�2�1 Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) �� 308 11�2�2 The National Monuments Acts 1930 – 2004 �� 308 11�3 Planning Policy Context �� 308 11�3�1 National Planning Framework (NPF) �� 308 11�3�2 Eastern and Midlands Regional Assembly: Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) 2019-2031 �� 310 11�4 Other Relevant Plans and Guidelines �� 311 11�4�1 National Heritage Plan (2002) and the New National Heritage Plan (Draft 2019) �� 311 11�4�2 Framework and Principles for the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage (1999); Policy and Guidance on Archaeological Excavation (1999) �� 311 11�4�3 Government Policy on Architecture �� 312 11�4�5 The Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines 2011 �� 312 11�4�6 The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH)�� 312 11.4.7 Longford County Heritage Plan 2019-2024 �� 312 11�5 County Longford Built and Cultural Heritage�� 313 11�6 Architectural Heritage �� 313 11.7 Record of Protected Structures and Architectural Conservation Areas�� 315 11.7.1 Protected Structures �� 315 11.7.2 Architectural Conservation Areas (ACA) �� 318 11.7.3 Historic Gardens, Demesnes and Designed Landscapes �� 319 11.7.4 Vernacular Architecture �� 320 11.7.5 Industrial and Agricultural Heritage �� 321 11�8 Financial Support for Built Heritage and National Monument Assets �� 322 Longford County Council x
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11�9 Archaeological Heritage�� 322 11�10 County Longford Archaeological Sites and Monuments�� 322 11�10�1 National Monuments in County Longford �� 323 11�10�2 Monuments Protected Under Preservation Orders �� 323 11�10�3 Monuments of Archaeological, Historical and Cultural Interest �� 324 11�11 Built and Cultural Heritage Climate Change Context and Associated Actions �� 327 Chapter 12: Natural Heritage and Environment ��329 12�1 Introduction �� 330 12�2 Statutory Context �� 330 12�2�1 Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) �� 330 12�2�2 EU Birds and Habitats Directives (The Habitats Directive) �� 330 12�2�3 Wildlife Act 1976, (as amended) �� 330 12�2�4 Flora (Protection) Order, 2015 �� 330 12�3 Policy Context �� 330 12�3�1 National Heritage Plan (2002) and the Draft National Heritage Plan (2019)�� 330 12�3�2 Appropriate Assessment of Plans and Projects in Ireland – Guidance for Planning Authorities 2009 (revised 2010) �� 330 12�3�3 All Ireland Pollinator Plan 2015 �� 332 12�3�4 National Peatlands Strategy 2016 �� 332 12�3�5 National Biodiversity Action Plan 2017 �� 332 12�3�6 National Planning Framework (NPF) �� 332 12.3.7 Eastern and Midlands Regional Assembly: Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy �� 333 12�3�8 County Longford Heritage Plan and Biodiversity Action Plan 2020-2024 �� 333 12�4 Natural Heritage in County Longford �� 334 12�5 Designated Sites �� 334 12�5�1 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) �� 335 12�5�2 Special Protection Areas (SPAs) �� 336 12�5�3 European Sites and Appropriate Assessment �� 337 12�5�4 Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs) �� 337 12�6 The Importance of Non-Designated Sites �� 341 12�6 Geological Sites �� 342 12.7 Wetlands, Turloughs, Wetlands, Watercourses and Fens �� 342 12�8 Inland Lakes, Waterways and Broad Zone Areas �� 346 12�9 Peatlands �� 348 12�10 Mid Shannon Wilderness Park �� 350 12�11 Biodiversity and Nature Conservation �� 350 12�12 Trees, Woodlands and Hedgerows �� 352 12�13 Invasive Species �� 354 12�14 Prevention of Environmental Pollution and Emissions to the Natural Environment �� 355 County Development Plan 2021–2027 xi
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12�15 Water Quality �� 356 12�16 Groundwater Protection�� 358 12.17 Surface Water Management �� 361 12�18 Air Quality�� 361 12�19 Noise and Light Pollution �� 362 12�20 Soil Protection �� 364 12�21 Natural Heritage and the Environment Associated Climate Actions �� 365 Chapter 13: Green Infrastructure ��367 13�1 Introduction �� 368 13�2 Statutory Context �� 368 13�2�1 Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) �� 368 13�3 Policy Context �� 368 13�3�1 EU Green Infrastructure Strategy 2013 �� 368 13�3�2 EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy �� 368 13�3�3 Strategy for the Future Development of National and Regional Greenways �� 368 13�3�4 National Biodiversity Plan 2017-2020 �� 368 13�3�5 CEDRA 2012 ‘Energising Ireland’s Rural Economy’ �� 370 13�3�6 Inland Fisheries Ireland (2020) on “Planning for watercourses in the Urban Environment” �� 370 13.3.7 Action Plan for Rural Development – Realising our Rural Potential – 2017 �� 370 13�3�8 National Planning Framework (NPF) �� 370 13�3�9 Eastern and Midlands Regional Assembly: Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) �� 370 13�4 County Longford Green Infrastructure �� 371 13�5 The Benefits of Green Infrastructure �� 372 13�6 Creation of New and Additional Green Infrastructure �� 375 13.7 County Longford’s Network of Blueways, Greenways and Peatways �� 376 13�8 Green Infrastructure Strategy for Longford �� 377 13�9 Public Rights of Way, Walking and cycling routes, Trails�� 378 13�10 Green Infrastructure Climate Context and Associated Actions �� 381 Chapter 14: Landscape Character ��383 14�1 Introduction �� 384 14�2 Statutory Context �� 384 14�3 Policy Context �� 384 14�3�1 National Planning Framework – Project Ireland 2040 �� 384 14�3�2 Eastern Midlands Regional Assembly – RSES �� 384 14�3�3 European Landscape Convention and National Landscape Strategy 2004 �� 384 14�3�4 National Landscape Strategy 2015-2025 �� 384 14�4 Landscape Character Assessment �� 385 Longford County Council xii
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14�5 Landscape Sensitivity and Capacity �� 385 14�6 County Longford Landscape Character Areas �� 389 14�6�1 Landscape Unit 1 – Northern Drumlin Lakeland �� 389 14�6�2 Landscape Unit 2 – Northern Upland �� 391 14�6�3 Landscape Unit 3 – Shannon Basin/Lough Ree �� 393 14�6�4 Landscape Unit 4 – Central Corridor �� 394 14�6�5 Landscape Unit 5 – Inny Basin �� 396 14�6�6 Landscape Unit 6 – Peatlands �� 396 14.6.7 Landscape Unit 7 – Open Agricultural �� 398 14.7 Protected Views and Prospects �� 400 14�8 Landscape Character Climate Context and Associated Actions �� 402 Chapter 15: Monitoring, Evaluation and Implementation �� 405 15�1 Introduction �� 406 15�2 Statutory 2-year Review of Development Plan�� 406 15�3 Approach and Priorities for Monitoring �� 406 15�4 Recommendations from Oversight Bodies: OPR, EMRA and NOAC �� 406 15�5 Securing Funding Initiatives�� 409 15�5�1 Project Ireland 2040 (NPF) Funds �� 409 15�5�1�1 Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) �� 409 15�5�1�2 Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) �� 410 15�5�1�3 Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund �� 410 15�5�1�4 Climate Action Fund �� 410 15�5�2 Other Funding Streams �� 410 Chapter 16: Development Management Standards ��411 16�1 Introduction �� 412 16�2 Statutory Context �� 412 16�2�1 Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), and Planning and Development Regulations, 2001, (as amended) �� 412 16�2�2 Environmental Assessments�� 412 16�2�3 Appropriate Assessments (AA) �� 412 16�2�4 Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR)�� 412 16�2�5 Other Assessments�� 412 16�3 Pre-planning Consultations �� 413 16�4 General Development Management Standards �� 413 16�4�1 Climate Change and Sustainable Buildings�� 413 16�4�2 Urban Design �� 415 16�4�3 Shopfronts �� 416 16�4�4 Residential Development �� 417 16�4�4�1 Residential Density�� 417 County Development Plan 2021–2027 xiii
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16�4�4�2 Building Height�� 417 16�4�4�3 Site coverage �� 418 16�4�4�4 Plot Ratio�� 418 16�4�4�5 Private Open Space �� 418 16�4�4�6 Public Open Space �� 419 16.4.4.7 Overlooking�� 419 16�4�4�8 Overshadowing �� 420 16�4�4�9 Design and Layout �� 420 16�4�4�10 Apartments �� 422 16�4�4�11 Street Lighting and Public Utilities �� 423 16�4�4�12 Refuse and Construction Waste Management �� 423 16�5�6 Other Residential Developments �� 424 16�4�5�1 Upper Floors / ‘Living over the Shop’�� 424 16�4�5�2 Infill Sites in Urban Areas: �� 425 16�4�5�3 Backland Sites in Urban Areas �� 425 16�4�5�4 Corner/Side Garden Sites�� 425 16�4�5�5 Extensions to Dwellings �� 426 16�4�5�6 Family ‘Granny’ Flat Extensions �� 427 16.4.5.7 Rural Housing �� 427 16�4�6 Community Facilities �� 431 16�4�6�1 Sheltered Accommodation/Step Down Housing, Residential Care Homes, Retirement Homes, Nursing Homes, Retirement Villages �� 431 16�4�6�2 Healthcare Facilities �� 432 16�4�6�3 Childcare Facilities�� 432 16�4�6�4 Schools and Education Facilities �� 434 16.4.7 Road Safety and Access �� 435 16�4�8 Car parking �� 438 16�4�9 Cycle Parking �� 440 16�4�10 Retail �� 441 16�4�11 Service Stations �� 444 16�4�12 Fast Food/Takeaway Outlets �� 446 16�4�13 Industrial, Warehousing, Business Parks and Enterprise Hubs �� 448 16�4�14 Home Based Economic Activity �� 449 16�4�15 Rural Enterprise �� 450 16�4�15�1 Agricultural Development �� 450 16�4�15�2 Forestry �� 451 16�4�15�3 Extractive Industry �� 452 16�4�16 Renewable Energy Developments �� 453 16�4�16�1 Wind Energy�� 453 16�4�16�2 Solar Energy �� 453 Longford County Council xiv
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16.4.17 Telecommunications and Broadband �� 455 16�4�18 Applications Proximate to Overhead Power Lines �� 455 16�4�19 Tourism and Recreation�� 456 16�4�20 Built and Cultural Heritage �� 457 16�4�20�1 Protected Structures �� 457 16�4�20�2 Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs) �� 458 16�4�20�3 Archaeology �� 459 16�4�21 Natural Heritage Protection �� 460 16�4�22 Landscape Character �� 460 16�4�23 Flooding�� 461 County Development Plan 2021–2027 xv Quick Find Guide Rural Housing Need Policy 99 Core Strategy Table 110 Parking Standards 438 Land Use Zonings - Volume 2, Appendix 1 Key Town - Appendix 1A: Longford Town 11–16 Self-Sustaining Growth Town - Appendix 1B: Granard Town 17–24 Self-Sustaining Towns - Appendix 1C: Ballymahon Edgeworthstown Lanesborough 25-46 26-32 33-38 39-46 Towns and Villages - Appendix 1D: Aughnacliffe Ballinalee Drumlish Keenagh Legan Newtownforbes 47-77 48-53 54-58 59-64 65-68 69-73 74-77 Serviced Rural Villages - Appendix 1E: Abbeyshrule Ardagh Ballinamuck Clondra 78-98 79-83 84-88 89-93 94-98 Rural Settlement Clusters - Appendix 1F: Abbeylara, Ballycloughan, Ballywillan, Barry, Bunlahy, Carrickboy, Carriglass, Colehill, Coolarty, Cullyfad, Derraghan, Dring, Enybegs, Forgney, Killashee, Kilnatraun, Legga, Lisryan, Melview, Moydow, Moyne, Mullinalaghta, Newtowncashel, Ratharney, Stonepark, Taghshinny 99-126
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Longford County Council xvi Joint Foreword This County Development Plan provides a clear direction and focus for development over the next six years (2021-2027), while setting the scene for ongoing growth in the context of the Region and Country as a whole. The Plan represents the culmination of an intensive two-year process that involved many sections of society in County Longford. Input from interested groups, organisations and individuals over the preparation period of the Plan has guided its direction and indicates the depth of pride and interest that is shared by the people of Longford in their locality� The Development Plan is the single most important policy document for the County as it represents an agreed economic, social, cultural and environmental blueprint for the future planning, growth and development of County Longford, particularly taking account of the period of economic uncertainty as we emerge from the global Covid-19 pandemic. The challenge for this County Development Plan is to help make Longford the best place it can be, for everyone, now and in the future. This is not an easy challenge, but something that this County Development Plan has sought to outline a framework for. The policy objectives of this plan aim to maintain and enhance the strong sense of identity in the development of the County and promote a strong and vibrant outlook for its future. Economic sustainability is an important consideration in the current climate and the wise use of resources is a recurrent theme throughout the Plan. The Elected Members and Executive of Longford County Council will work together to realise the Vision of the Plan and secure the future vitality of the County, improve its quality of life and make Longford a better place to live, visit and do business. Mr� Paddy Mahon Cllr� Peggy Nolan Chief Executive Cathaoirleach
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County Development Plan 2021–2027 xvii Terms of Reference and Plan Layout All planning authorities in Ireland are obliged under the law to make a development plan for their area every six years� These plans set out how the area’s resources can be managed and developed to give the people the best possible services and quality of life� How is the Plan made? The following steps are followed in preparing a new plan: 1� A review of the current Longford County Development Plan 2015-2021. Each Development Plan has a six-year life, of which the review process starts after the plan has been in place for four years. Therefore, the review of the 2015 – 2021 Development Plan began in 2019. 2� As part of the review process, a number of assessments are carried out e.g., environmental assessments, flood risk assessments etc. 3� A consultation process was carried out and there are a number of public consultation stages in the review process: a� Statutory bodies in the form of prescribed bodies and non-statutory bodies in the form of relevant stakeholders (service providers, local community groups, voluntary groups) are notified about the review process. b� The general public are informed about the review through newspaper advertising, website and social media notifications, and public meetings. 4� The views and comments of the relevant bodies, general public and interested groups are fed back to the elected members, who then have 10 weeks to contribute their ideas and recommendations. 5� The plan is drafted and put on public display for 10 weeks, allowing the public and interested groups to provide feedback. 6� After this second consultation process, amendments are made and reviewed by the elected members. 7. The final plan is drafted and put into effect. The Longford County Development Plan 2021-2027 was finalised on 19th October 2021 and came into effect on 30th November 2021. Can the plan change over time? Yes, the plan must be in line with regional, national and European strategies and laws and could, therefore, change if the higher level policies change. Longford County Development Plan 2021-2027 Layout The Development Plan sets out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of Longford County and consists of a written statement and supporting maps and appendices, indicating the development objectives for the County in order to facilitate and achieve balanced and sustainable growth over the plan period and beyond. The Development Plan is presented in four Volumes: Volume 1: Written Statement takes account of national, regional and county level plans and other relevant guidance as required. It incorporates the national and regional strategic vision in its policy objectives in its content and Vision Statement. The Development Plan sets out policies and strategies to strengthen and develop the economic, social and cultural life of the County in a way that can be sustained to safeguard the quality of life for future generations. The County Profile Chapter sets out the key demographic and socio-economic trends. Subsequent chapters set out the issues facing the County and associated policies taking account of national and regional guidance to respond to same in in relation to: ■ Climate Change; ■ Housing and Settlement Strategy; ■ Infrastructure, Transport, Energy and Communications; ■ Regeneration; ■ Placemaking; ■ Economic Development; ■ Rural Enterprise; ■ Tourism; ■ Built and Cultural Heritage; ■ Natural Heritage and Environment; ■ Green Infrastructure; ■ Landscape Character; ■ Monitoring, Evaluation and Implementation; ■ Development Management Standards.
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Longford County Council xviii Volume 2: Appendices consists of nine appendices in the form of mapping and visual content, with some associated written content (land use zoning, various designations). The maps which accompany this written document aim to show what the Plan facilitates. They are representative of and show in a visual and appealing way, the quality and offer that exists in Longford, the types of development that may be considered and areas of opportunity within the County and in the towns and villages that form the settlement hierarchy. Volume 3: Annexes consists of eleven annex documents they contain references to specific reports and individual support studies and include amongst others the Housing Strategy, Retail Strategy, Infrastructure Assessment Report and Shopfront Design Guidelines etc. and other written support studies and material. Volume 4: Environmental and Flood Reports consists of the Strategic Environmental Assessment, Environmental Report, Natura Impact Report and Strategic Flood Risk Assessment. Maps The maps aim to show what the Plan facilitates. They are representative of and show in a visual way, the quality and offer that exists in Longford, the types of development that may be considered and areas of opportunity and prospect within the County and urban areas. MyPlan�ie MyPlan.ie is an initiative of the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government on behalf of the planning authorities across the country. It provides an online public information system with an interactive map viewer which provides a one-stop shop for information about plans and provides other information which is relevant to planning decision-making. Information includes data with regard to census, heritage sites, patterns of housing developments, and land use zonings. As such MyPlan incorporates many different sets of spatial information and is innovative in its ability to overlay and analyse the data in a web browser environment. Myplan.ie should always be used in conjunction with Longford County Council’s statutory Development Plans and all other Local Area Plans, which are available on the council website www.longfordcoco.ie.

Source Longford County Council: Longford County Development Plan 2021–2027 (2021–2027) · 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.