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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- open countryside is and will continue to be, a living and lived-in landscape focusing on the requirements of rural economies and rural communities, based on agriculture, forestry, tourism and rural enterprise, while at the same time avoiding ribbon and overspill development from urban areas and protecting environmental qualities. CPO 4.18 CPO 4.16 CPO 4.19 CPO 4.17 CPO 4.20 CPO 4.21 CPO 4.22 CPO 4.23 Rural Settlement Clusters - County Policy Objectives It is the County Policy Objective to: Support housing and repopulation taking place within Serviced Rural Villages in a consolidated, sustainable and sequential manner, and to promote the provision of serviced sites supported by Irish Water in order to attract people to build their own homes and live in Serviced Rural Villages, whilst also managing the levels of growth at an appropriate scale to ensure compliance with the Core Strategy Table. Facilitate the expansion of and provision of new mixed-use and employment-generating development within Serviced Rural Villages at an appropriate size and scale subject to normal planning requirements. Consider small developments of residential schemes in Serviced Rural Villages in respect of their scale, their locations within the settlement context, their visual harmony with the built environment of the subject settlement, including their ability to consolidate and enhance existing settlement character. Prepare Policy and Design Statements for each of designated Rural Settlement Clusters within the lifetime of this County Development Plan, having regard to any pending programme developed under National Policy Objective 18b of the National Planning Framework and in collaboration with public infrastructure providers and relevant stakeholders. Support housing taking place within designated Serviced Rural Villages and Rural Settlement Clusters to act as a viable alternative to one-off housing in the open countryside in accordance with Regional Policy Objective 4.78 of the Eastern and Midland Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy. Consider proposals for development in Rural Settlement Clusters in respect of their scale, their locations within the settlement context, their visual harmony with the built environment of the subject settlement, including their ability to consolidate and enhance existing settlement character. Only small-scale residential developments (maximum of 4 no. residential units in one individual proposal) and limited local-level services, such as neighbourhood shops and schools etc., shall be considered in these settlements. Support the sustainable development of rural areas in County Longford by encouraging growth and arresting decline in areas that have experienced low population growth or decline in recent decades and by managing the growth of areas that are under strong urban influence to avoid over-development, while sustaining vibrant rural communities. Proposals for sensitive rehabilitation of disused vernacular houses will not be subject to the Rural Settlement Strategy for housing in the countryside that applies to new dwellings, assuming that their vernacular character is not compromised, that their fabric is repaired using appropriate techniques and materials, and that the structure was previously a dwelling. Where a building is derelict, measures should be taken to support and protect the building from collapse prior to and during works. Also refer to CPO 5.17 in respect of the need to adhere to the provisions of official policy in relation to development accessing national roads.County Development Plan 2021–2027 101
- 4.8.12 Rural Settlement Strategy A key principle underpinning the Settlement Strategy is the sustainable development of rural areas by encouraging growth and arresting decline in areas that have experienced low population growth or decline in recent decades and by managing the growth of areas that are under strong urban influence to avoid overdevelopment, while sustaining vibrant rural communities. The NPF prescribes national policy in relation to the development of rural housing and requires that a distinction is made between areas under urban influence and rural areas elsewhere (NPO 19). The RSES sets out regional policy that requires Local Authorities to ‘manage urban generated growth in Rural Areas Under Strong Urban Influence (i.e. the commuter catchment of Dublin, large towns and centres of employment) and Stronger Rural Areas by ensuring that in these areas the provision of single houses in the open countryside is based on the core consideration of demonstrable economic or social need to live in a rural area, and compliance with statutory guidelines and plans, having regard to the viability of smaller towns and rural settlements’. Having regard to this, rural typology mapping has been undertaken for County Longford which is consistent with national and regional policy and guidance. This typology map is based on the following 2 no. categories of rural areas: Rural Areas under Strong Urban Influence Areas which exhibit characteristics such as proximity to the immediate environs or close commuting catchment of large towns within the county with evidence of considerable pressure for development of housing owing to their proximity to such settlements. The policy in these areas is to facilitate housing development by people who have strong links to the particular rural area, who are an intrinsic part of the rural community. Such persons would normally have spent substantial periods of their lives living in the rural area as part of the established rural community, e.g. people employed in the rural area including farmers and their sons and daughters, people originally from the rural area and wishing to return, people wishing to reside near elderly parents to provide security and care, elderly parents wishing to live near other family members, people who would have grown up in rural areas seeking to build their home close to other family members, people working in rural areas such as teachers in rural schools. Rural Areas Elsewhere These areas are the residual rural areas of the county not under Strong Urban Influence which can range from strong rural areas where population levels are generally stable within a well-developed town and village and in the wider rural areas around them to structurally weaker rural areas which exhibit characteristics such as persistent and significant population decline as well as a weaker economic structure based on indices of income, employment and economic growth. The Rural Typology Map for County Longford (Figure 4.5), illustrates the extent of lands which are encompassed within these defined areas for the purposes of informing policy in relation to the delivery of rural housing over the plan period.Longford County Council 102
- Legan Ardagh Keenagh Clondra Granard Drumlish Longford Ballinalee Ballymahon Ballinamuck Abbeyshrule Aughnacliffe Lanesborough Newtownforbes Edgeworthstown © Ordnance Survey Ireland County Leitrim County Cavan County Westmeath County Roscommon Copyright Acknowledgements Includes Ordnance Survey Ireland data reproduced under OSi Licence Number 2020/OSi_NMA_145 LongfordCountyCouncil. Unauthorised Reproduction infringes Ordnance Survey Ireland and Government of Ireland Copyright. © Ordnance Survey Ireland, year 2021 . 0 5 10 15 202.5 Kilometers Title: Rural Typology Map County Longford Draft Longford County Development Plan 2021 - 2027 Legend Towns County Boundary Rural Areas Elsewhere Areas under Urban Influence Areas based on Electoral Divisions Figure 4.5: Rural Typology MapCounty Development Plan 2021–2027 103
- The Council will manage sustainable growth in designated ‘Rural Areas Under Strong Urban Influence’ and facilitate the provision of single houses in the countryside based on the core consideration of demonstrable economic or social requirement to live in a rural area, as well as compliance with siting and design criteria for rural housing and with statutory guidelines and plans, having regard to the viability of smaller towns and rural settlements. In respect of ’Rural Areas Elsewhere’, the Council aims to accommodate rural housing demand from individuals for permanent residential development, subject to good planning practice by applying a more flexible approach in the assessment of planning applications which are primarily based on sustainable planning principles (appropriate siting and design and negligible impacts to existing amenities or sensitive environments). The requirement to demonstrate local housing need will not apply to applications within this designated area. Dwellings and structures in the countryside need to be sited and designed to impact minimally on their setting. The utilisation of existing features, natural and manmade, can assist in integrating new development into its established setting. Design standards are outlined in Chapter 16: Development Management Standards and Annex 7: Rural Design Guidelines for Residential Developments in Rural County Longford. Furthermore, the Landscape Character Assessment (Chapter 14, Appendix 9 and Annex 11) assess the sensitivity and capacity of the different character areas ability to absorb and facilitate rural residential development. In respect of ’Rural Areas Elsewhere’, the Council aims to accommodate rural housing demand from individuals for permanent residential development, subject to good planning practice by applying a more flexible approach in the assessment of planning applications “ Leisure Centre, The Mall, LongfordLongford County Council 104
- CPO 4.26 CPO 4.24 CPO 4.27 CPO 4.25 Rural Housing - County Policy Objectives It is the County Policy Objective to: Accommodate demand from individuals for permanent residential development in defined ‘Rural Areas Under Strong Urban Influence’, subject to good planning practice, environmental carrying capacity and landscape protection considerations. Applicants seeking permission for the development of single dwelling rural housing in areas defined ‘Rural Areas Under Strong Urban Influence’ must satisfy the following criteria: 1. The applicant was born within the local rural area or is living or has lived in the local rural area for a minimum of 5 years at any stage prior to making the planning application. It includes returning emigrants seeking a permanent home in their local rural area. The ‘Local Rural Area’ for the purpose of this policy is defined as the area generally within an 8km radius of where the applicant was born, living or has lived. For the purpose of this policy, the rural area is taken to include ‘Rural Settlement Clusters’ listed in the Settlement Hierarchy, but excludes the Key Town, Self-Sustaining Growth Town, Self-Sustaining Towns, Towns and Villages and Serviced Rural Villages listed in the Settlement Hierarchy. 2. The applicant has a functional economic or social requirement to reside in this particular rural area such as in any of the following 2 situations: (a) Economic requirements will normally encompass persons referred to in the revision to the Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines 2005 and, if applicable, circulars. It includes persons involved in full-time farming, horticulture or forestry as well as similar ruralbased part-time occupations where it can be demonstrated that it is the predominant occupation. (b) Social requirements will normally encompass persons referred to in the revision to the Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines 2005 and, if applicable, circulars. Pending the making of the revised Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines by the Minister, a Functional Social Requirement in County Longford shall be taken as compliance with point 1 above. Special consideration shall be given in cases of exceptional health circumstances- supported by relevant documentation from a registered medical practitioner and a disability organisation proving that a person requires to live in a particular environment or close to family support, or requires a close family member to live in close proximity to that person. 3. The applicant does not already own or has not owned a house in the open countryside. 4. If the site is located within an Area of Special Control, there is no alternative site outside of Areas of Special Control. 5. High quality siting and design. In line with Circular Letter PL 2/2017, review rural housing policy in line with Development Plan or other relevant Guidelines issued by the Minister in this area having regard to NPO 19 of the NPF. Accommodate demand from individuals for permanent residential development in defined ‘Rural Areas Elsewhere’, subject to sustainable planning principles (appropriate siting and design and the demonstration of negligible impacts to existing amenities or sensitive environments). Assess residential development in rural areas on the suitability of the area in terms of its sensitivity, its ability to accommodate development in a sustainable manner and compliance with the relevant technical criteria.County Development Plan 2021–2027 105
- CPO 4.28 CPO 4.29 CPO 4.30 CPO 4.31 CPO 4.32 CPO 4.33 CPO 4.34 Rural Housing - County Policy Objectives It is the County Policy Objective to: Attach an occupancy condition to planning permissions in respect of rural housing applications in identified ‘Rural Areas Under Strong Urban Influence’, pursuant to Section 47 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, restricting the use of the dwelling to the applicant, as a place of permanent residence. The period of occupancy will be limited to a period of 7 years from the date of first occupation. Restrict residential development on a landholding, where there is a history of development through the speculative sale or development of sites, notwithstanding the applicant’s compliance with the local need criteria. Recognise and promote the agricultural and landscape value of the rural area and prohibit the development of urban generated housing in the rural area. Encourage the appropriate re-use and adaptation of the existing rural residential building stock in preference to new build. Discourage ribbon development (defined as five or more houses alongside 250 metres of road frontage). The Council will assess whether a given proposal will exacerbate such ribbon development, having regard to the following: a) The type of rural area and circumstances of the applicant. b) The degree to which the proposal might be considered infill development. c) The degree to which existing ribbon development would coalesce as a result of the proposed development. d) Local circumstances, including the planning history of the area and development pressures. Notwithstanding the above, special regard will be given to the circumstances of immediate family members of a landowner on single infill sites in a line of existing dwellings with 5 or more houses along a 250 metres of road frontage. Consider applications for the provision of a recessed cluster form of development. The cluster shall be designed in such a way that is appropriate to the rural context and shall be set back into the landscape from the public road. Clusters shall not exceed five houses and will be subject to normal, planning, siting, design and local need considerations. Where there is a likelihood of more than one applicant seeking planning permission over a period of time, the Council will engage with the landowner to provide for an appropriate site layout capable of accommodating a recessed cluster development. Only consider family members for backland development. The proposed development shall have no negative impact on third parties/ neighbouring property owners and viable sites with sufficient independent percolation areas will be required in order to meet technical guidelines. Sufficient screening will be required to screen the house from adjacent homes and this has to be in place prior to occupation of the house. Only single storey bungalow (including attic accommodation) type houses will be allowed in such backland locations to limit visual impact and overlooking.Longford County Council 106
- CPO 4.37 CPO 4.35 CPO 4.38 CPO 4.39 CPO 4.40 CPO 4.36 Rural Housing - County Policy Objectives It is the County Policy Objective to: Have regard to the Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines for Planning Authorities, April 2005, and any replacement guidance which require that new houses in rural areas be sited and designed to integrate well with their physical surroundings and be generally compatible with: a) The protection of water quality in the arrangements made for onsite wastewater disposal facilities; b) The provision of a safe means of access in relation to road and public safety; c) The conservation of sensitive areas such as natural habitats, the environs of protected structures and other aspects of heritage. In regard to septic tanks, the Planning Authority will be positively disposed towards the use of septic tanks and/or with additional package treatment systems, where necessary, with Irish Agrèment Board Certification. In order to protect groundwater, all site suitability tests shall be carried out in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s ‘Code of Practice- Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems Serving Single Houses (p.e. <10)’ (2009), or any subsequent update. Preserve and protect the open character of transitional lands outside of settlements in order to prevent linear sprawl near towns, villages and settlements and to maintain a clear demarcation and distinction between urban areas and the countryside. This will not apply to persons building on family land where another family site is not available to them. Consider applications for the provision of a recessed cluster form of development. The cluster shall be designed in such a way that is appropriate to the rural context and shall be set back into the landscape from the public road. Clusters shall not exceed five houses and will be subject to normal, planning, siting, design and local need considerations. Where there is a likelihood of more than one applicant seeking planning permission over a period of time, the Council will engage with the landowner to provide for an appropriate site layout capable of accommodating a recessed cluster development. Restrict new accesses for one-off dwellings onto regional roads, where the 80km/hr speed limit applies in order to avoid the premature obsolescence of regional roads through the creation of excessive levels of individual entrances and to secure investment in non-national roads. Strictly control developments which require vehicular access from public roads that were formerly towpaths or from existing towpaths along the Royal Canal. This is in addition to restrictions relevant to the Canal’s designation as a Natural Heritage Area. It is policy to consider housing applications for established families only along roads that were formerly towpaths along the Canal and that such developments will be strictly controlled. Require that the design of entrance gateways should be in keeping with the rural setting. All applications for a dwelling in a rural area should include detailed drawings and specifications for entrance treatments. The roadside boundary should ideally consist of a sod/earth mound/ fencing planted with a double row of native hedgerow species e.g. Hawthorn, field maple, holly, blackthorn, hazel etc. High block walls and gates and ornamental features will not be permitted.County Development Plan 2021–2027 107
- CPO 4.41 CPO 4.42 CPO 4.43 23 The structure, including walls must be intact and capable of restoration. 24 Structure is in a ruinous or dangerous condition. CPO 4.44 CPO 4.45 Rural Housing - County Policy Objectives It is the County Policy Objective to: Encourage the sensitive restoration of a derelict23 traditional vernacular structure as an alternative to the construction of a one-off dwelling elsewhere subject to the following: a) The vernacular dwelling must be capable of being suitably restored to habitable accommodation in keeping with its original character without the necessity to demolish or significantly alter it. b) Documentary evidence to include a structural survey and photographs. c) The distinctive character and original historic fabric of the structure is retained using appropriate traditional construction methods and materials. d) Normal planning, siting and design considerations will be taken into consideration. Accept the replacement of a dwelling other than a vernacular dwelling in circumstances where such a dwelling house is habitable, subject to the following: a) The structure must last have been used as a dwelling and the internal and external walls and roof must be intact. b) A report from a suitably qualified competent person shall be submitted to verify that the dwelling is habitable, but that replacement of the dwelling is the most sustainable option. c) Documentary evidence of the most recent date of occupation should be submitted with the application. d) The design of the proposed replacement house shall be of a high standard and its scale and character appropriate to the site and to existing development in the vicinity and to the rural area. e) Normally a condition to demolish the existing dwelling will be included in any grant of permission. f) Require applicants in defined ‘Rural Areas Under Strong Urban Influence’ to comply with local need criteria identified in CPO 4.24 of this plan. Normal planning considerations will be taken into account in the assessment of planning applications for replacement dwellings. g) In cases where an applicant/occupant wishes to replace an existing habitable dwelling on the same footprint and of the same or similar floor area there will be no requirement to comply with local need criteria identified in this plan. Facilitate the sensitive replacement of a structurally unsound derelict dwelling as an alternative to the construction of a one-off dwelling24 elsewhere in the countryside. The scale of the replacement dwelling shall have regard to the site size. Documentary evidence in the form of a structural survey and photographs shall be submitted to accompany the application. The proposed applicant shall comply with local need criteria identified in the Plan and shall be subject to an occupancy condition. Prepare an updated ‘Rural Design Guidance for Residential Developments in Rural County Longford’ over the lifetime of the Plan. Until such time as this is prepared, all new housing in the rural countryside shall achieve the highest quality of layout and design in accordance with the Development Management Standards set out in Chapter 16 of this plan and the current Rural Design Guidance for Residential Developments in Rural County Longford set out in Annex 7 of this Plan. Encourage innovative design, and layouts that promote solar gain subject to protecting the character of the landscape.Longford County Council 108
- 4.9 Core Strategy Map The Core Strategy Map (Figure 4.6) provides a diagrammatic visualisation of the settlement distribution throughout the county and identifies the Settlement Hierarchy in the context of how Longford is envisaged to develop over the plan period in line with the availability and integration of services, transport, infrastructure and economic activity whilst also preserving its natural environment and amenities. Figure 4.6: Core Strategy Map ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! P P P P P # P P # # P # P P PLegan Ardagh Keenagh Clondra Granard Drumlish Longford Ballinalee Ballymahon Ballinamuck Abbeyshrule Aughnacliffe Lanesborough Newtownforbes Edgeworthstown N55 N63 N55 N4 N5 Barry Dring Moyne Moydow Forgney Melview Lisryan Bunlahy Leggagh Cullyfad Ennybegs Colehill Coolarty Killashee Derraghan Stonepark Ratharney Abbeylara Carrickboy Ballycloghan Newtowncashel Mullinalaghta County Leitrim County Cavan County Roscommon County Westmeath . Copyright Acknowledgements Includes Ordnance Survey Ireland data reproduced under OSi Licence Number 2020/OSi_NMA_145 LongfordCountyCouncil. Unauthorised Reproduction infringes Ordnance Survey Ireland and Government of Ireland Copyright. © Ordnance Survey Ireland, year 2021 Title: Core Strategy Map Longford County Development Plan 2021 - 2027 0 3.5 7 10.5 141.75 Kilometers Legend P Key Town P Self Sustaining Growth Town P Self Sustaining Town P Towns & Villages # Serviced Rural Villages ! Rural Settlement Clusters National Primary Roads National Secondary Roads Regional Roads Local RoadsCounty Development Plan 2021–2027 109
- 4.10 Core Strategy Table The Core Strategy Table, as set out in Table 4.15 indicates the distribution of future population and housing across the settlements and tiers of the county in accordance with the defined Settlement Hierarchy. Table 4.15: Core Strategy Table Hierarchy Tier and Density Settlement Pop. 2016 Pop. Growth to 2027 Pop 2027 New HST (Housing Supply Targets) Units 2021- 2027 30% of Required Residential Units within Existing settlement Quantum of Land Required for New Residential Units to 2027 (Ha) Quantum of Land Zoned for new Residential Units under this plan (Ha) Quantum of Land Zoned within existing settlement Footprint (Brownfield Infill) (Ha) Potential Units that can be delivered withing existing settlement (Brownfield/ Infill) Housing Yield – ‘Other Lands’25 Quantum of Land (Ha.) Potential No. of units26 Key Town (35-40 units/ha) Longford Town 10008 +2502 12510 1304 391 34.77 35.33 35.33 1304 105.91 0 Self-Sustaining Growth Town (25 units/ha) Granard 1096 +274 1370 143 43 5.71 6.40 5.31 133 25.90 10 Self-Sustaining Towns (25 units/ ha) Edgeworthstown 2072 +311 2383 162 49 6.48 7.10 7.10 162 15.60 0 Ballymahon 1877 +282 2159 147 44 5.87 6 5.20 130 38.97 17 Lanesborough 757 +151 908 79 24 3.95 4.42 1.87 47 7.40 32 Town & Villages (20 units/ha) Aughnacliffe 177 +32 209 17 5 0.83 0.85 0.40 8 4.96 9 Ballinalee 347 +62 409 33 10 1.63 2.26 2.26 33 12.62 0 Drumlish 931 +140 1071 73 22 3.64 3.68 3.15 63 19.376 10 Keenagh 581 +105 686 55 16 2.73 2.95 2.95 55 7.68 0 Legan 215 +34 249 18 5 0.90 1.15 0.43 9 1.25 9 Newtownforbes 778 +140 918 73 22 3.65 3.96 3.51 70 13.11 3 Abbeyshrule 224 +34 258 19 - 1.17 1.21 - - - - Ardagh 210 +32 242 16 - 1.09 1.64 - - - - Ballinamuck 232 +35 267 18 - 1.21 1.29 - - - - Clondra 449 +67 516 35 - 2.34 2.62 - - - - Rural Settlement Clusters/Open Countryside 20919 +727 21646 379 - - - - - - - Total 40873 +4927 45800 2568 770 75.96 - - - - 25 ‘Other Lands’ relates to ‘Town Centre’ and ‘Strategic Residential Reserve’ zoned lands. 26 Residential yield on ‘other lands’ will be subject to variation taking account of the NPF Tiered approach to zoning and sequential development approach and ‘Compact Growth’ in making up the overall housing supply target but will not result in an exceedance of overall HST figures.Longford County Council 110
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.