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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- CPO 10.10 CPO 10.13 CPO 10.12 CPO 10.15 CPO 10.16 CPO 10.14 CPO 10.11 Prepare and update a comprehensive tourism mapping and signage plan for the County, in collaboration with Fáilte Ireland, ensuring that new signage is consistent and complementary to signage planned for Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands Regional Experience Brand. Signpost and waymark walking and cycle routes with appropriately designed quality signage and information boards and public lighting where appropriate shall be developed. To support the future development of Destination Experience Development Plans (DEDP’s) which may be developed by Fáilte Ireland during the lifetime of this development plan and to ensure continued collaboration and alignment with Fáilte Ireland and tourism stakeholders to ensure successful implementation and delivery of these DEDP’s. Support opportunities for increased local tourism and the move to more sustainable home holidays as a result of climate change and warmer summers, within limits of existing infrastructure and sensitive habitats. Monitor and manage any increase in visitor numbers and/or any change in visitor behaviour in order to avoid significant detrimental impacts, including loss of habitat and disturbance. Visitor/Habitat Management Plans will be required for proposed projects as relevant and appropriate. Consider applications for tourism development in line with the planning criteria as set down in this plan (see Chapter 15: Development Management Standards), and which will also be subject to high standards of design and materials particularly given their sensitive locations. Support and promote the use of the Sustainable Tourism and where appropriate, ‘Ecotourism Principles of Tourism Development’ in all proposed tourism activities in the County. Ensure the potential environmental effects of a likely increase in tourists/tourism-related traffic volumes in particular locations/along particular routes shall be considered and mitigated as appropriate. Such a consideration should include potential impacts on existing infrastructure (including drinking water, wastewater, waste and transport) resulting from tourism proposals. Nanny Murphy’s Cottage, Ballyduffy, MoyneCounty Development Plan 2021–2027 291
- 10.6 Destination Towns Visitors to Longford can be assured that there will be plenty of quality activities for them to see and do along with a range of accommodation options and restaurants. Longford’s destination towns and villages including Longford, Granard, Edgeworthstown, Ballymahon and Lanesborough all offer high-quality visitor services incorporating a range of accommodation, restaurants, cafes, visitor attractions and guided tours. To attract increasing numbers of visitors, the provision of these facilities to serve tourism will need to be promoted and increased. Longford Town: Longford Town is the primary destination for visitors with its strong commercial, arts and cultural scene. It has many must-visit attractions including St. Mel’s Cathedral, the Albert Reynolds Peace Park (commonly and historically referred to as ‘the Mall’ Park and the Royal Canal Greenway. Highquality local food and beverage is available, with a concentration of many restaurants, pubs and its very own craft beer brewery. There is an historic walking trail around Longford Town to compliment a visit to Longford Cathedral and highlight the many buildings and locations of interest in the county town. Granard: The vibrant market town of Granard has a rich history and legacy since the earliest of times including the Norman period, the rebellion of 1798, the Michael Collins and Kitty Kiernan story, and in more recent times Eddie Macken and his prize-winning horse ‘Boomerang’. All have the potential of telling this great towns story to visitors and locals alike. Granard Norman Motte Visitor Centre, ‘Knights & Conquests’ is currently being developed to present a unique experience of Norman life in Ireland adjoining the Motte, a National Monument in close proximity to the town centre. The Motte site itself and public access to it, and given its sensitivity, shall be managed by the National Monuments Service of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the Office of Public Works. Edgeworthstown: Edgeworthstown is another attractive town at the gateway to Longford from Dublin. The Maria Edgeworth Festival is held every May and the visitor centre in Edgeworthstown gives an interesting insight into the history of the town and its role in the development of education in the world. This centre has been developed to give a glimpse into the life of Maria Edgeworth and her groundbreaking development of education provision as well as her writings and novels. The fine town of Edgeworthstown with the estate house, rectory and its new library offers a wonderful visitor experience to learn the story of this unique town. Knights and Conquest Heritage Centre in GranardLongford County Council 292
- Ballymahon: The Goldsmith Festival and Centre in the Library in Ballymahon presents an insight into the life and career of Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774), a literary genius and a native son of Longford. There is an annual festival associated with Goldsmith in Ballymahon every June bank holiday weekend and a celebration of his birthday in November. The town itself with its fine Georgian layout and architecture, River Inny, Bog Lane theatre, pubs restaurant and community is primed to be developed as a tourism and cultural centre for the Midlands Region. Lanesborough: Lanesborough is a beautiful town located at the top end of Lough Ree where it links into the River Shannon. As well as its vibrant main street it has the Commons North Amenity Park running along the lake shore with native woodland and reed beds. A Lough Ree Visitor Centre shall be developed in the town to tell the storey of Lough Ree and its unique position not only in human life and experiences but also as a nature reserve for common, rare and endangered wildlife species and biodiversity. Lough Ree Power Station and the Bord na Móna work depots in Lanesborough offer opportunities for repurposing for tourism opportunities. With the ending of peat harvesting by Bord na Móna and the impending closure of the power station at Lanesborough the potential of the related industrial heritage sites for tourism is being investigated and should be considered as part of the Just Transition process. The Bord na Móna work depots offer opportunities for reuse as visitor centres, in addition to the provision of tourism and glamping facilities on the Bogs and associated peatlands. The power station has the potential for utilising the existing station for various activities including a museum, zip wire and a viewing tower across the Shannon. This ties in with Chapter 6: Regeneration and Chapter 9: Rural Enterprise. Other Towns and Villages: Other towns and villages such as Newtowncashel, Keenagh, Ardagh, Ballinalee and Ballinamuck etc. all offer unique experiences for the visitor to enjoy. The Ardagh Heritage and Creativity Centre provides educational facilities and training particularly for the young. LanesboroughCounty Development Plan 2021–2027 293
- CPO 10.17 CPO 10.18 CPO 10.19 CPO 10.22 CPO 10.21 CPO 10.26 CPO 10.24 CPO 10.23 CPO 10.27 CPO 10.20 CPO 10.25 Destination Towns – County Policy Objectives It is the County Policy Objective to: Continue to support the development and promotion of Longford and its destination towns as urban tourism destinations, providing memorable and high-quality visitor experiences in their own right and providing services for visitors to the range of attractions and activities in the surrounding area. Support and promote Longford’s destination towns by maximising the impact of branding and marketing through providing and sharing resources. Encourage the celebration of the unique attributes of our towns and villages in the design and delivery of all visitor interpretation, signage and public realm schemes in order to provide tourists with a strong ‘Sense of Place’ and a more memorable visit. Support the development and promotion of Longford town as the principle visitor services centre and hub for Fáilte Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands in the County. Promote and develop its historical and cultural attractions and its recreation and amenity potential having regard to its natural amenities including the River Camlin, the Royal Canal and its links to the Longford Bogs and River Shannon. Facilitate the enhancement and development of Longford’s Camlin Quarter, as a location where cultural heritage and artistic visitor attractions can be clustered, offering a unique and marketable tourism proposition. Promote the location of the Camlin River, Connolly Barracks and the unique Mall Park on the town trail as part of the Longford Rebel Trail. Support community projects and industry-led collaborative tourism initiatives which aim to enhance and promote the visitor offering in towns and villages. These shall include trail heads for the Rebel Trail, Literary Trail and Mid Shannon Wilderness Park (see Appendix 5: Tourism - Literary & Rebel Trail Map) Support the development and promotion of Granard’s Knights & Conquests Heritage Centre, Edgeworthstown’s Maria Edgeworth Centre, Ballinalee, Corlea, Ballinamuck visitor centres and Ardagh Heritage and Creativity Centre. Support the local community and businesses to expand and enhance the visitor offering at Lanesborough, taking account of the natural heritage at this location and to animate the story of Bord na Móna and the power station. Support the repurposing of the Lough Ree Power Station and Bord na Móna Mount Dillon infrastructure and associated work depots for alternative uses in association with the Just Transition process. A Lough Ree Visitor Centre shall be developed in Lanesborough to tell the storey of Lough Ree and its unique position not only in human life but also its importance for natural heritage. Support the development of a strong evening and night-time tourism economy, in collaboration with arts and music venues, festivals and events committees, the Longford and local Chambers of Commerce and Town Teams. This shall include support for various festivals including the Marquee in Drumlish, the Padraic Colum, the Goldsmith and Edgeworth Literary Festivals and the Lanesborough food festival ‘The Taste of the Lakelands’. Develop public open spaces in all of Longford’s towns that have good connectivity and are accessible for safe, secure walking and cycle routes. To facilitate, where appropriate, proposals to improve access for all at existing tourism sites and facilities, and to require all new tourism related developments to ensure the development is accessible to everyone, regardless of their age, or ability. It is an objective of the Council to support the provision of accessible tourism and to achieve this, all projects and improvements will adopt the principles of Universal Design. The Council shall undertake an Accessibility Audit within the lifetime of the Development plan to inform Accessible Tourism priority investments at key tourism hubs subject to the necessary resources.Longford County Council 294
- CPO 10.33 10.7 Tourism Infrastructure and Visitor Services The provision of appropriate and high-quality infrastructure to meet the needs of visitors is fundamental to Longford reaching its potential for a thriving tourism sector. In general, such developments shall be encouraged to locate within or in close proximity to existing towns and villages where they can avail of existing public services, commercial and community facilities providing for a suitable range and critical mass of services. It is recognised, however, that sometimes tourism developments are more appropriately located in alternative locations subject to the provision of the relevant required infrastructure. The Council recognises the potential for pressure being placed on the County’s natural and heritage amenities through increased tourism. In this regard it is important that our precious heritage is protected and that the provision for increased tourism activity is in line with the provision of the required infrastructure to support such development. The Council shall ensure that our natural amenities are enhanced and remain protected and unspoiled. Tourism-related development proposals will be required to demonstrate a high standard of design, with strong consideration given to a proposal’s potential impact on its surroundings in terms of scale, intensity and the potential for the proposal to add significantly to the quality of the visitor experience. The Council recognises that the provision of accommodation such as hotels, guesthouses, hostels, and glamping sites are essential to enable growth in the tourism sector. The Council shall support the development of tourism in the county by encouraging the provision of a wide range of tourist accommodation types and restricting development that would be likely to reduce the capacity of the resource and/or have a detrimental impact on the local environment. CPO 10.29 CPO 10.30 CPO 10.28 CPO 10.32 CPO 10.31 Tourism Infrastructure and Visitor Services – County Policy Objectives It is the County Policy Objective to: Facilitate the development of high-quality tourist accommodation such as hotels, hostels, B&B’s / guesthouses, camping and glamping etc. at suitable locations, in both urban and rural settings throughout the county, subject to ensuring a high standard of design, layout, landscape and environmental protection, the provision of adequate infrastructure. Encourage the upgrade of existing accommodation facilities including to meet Fáilte Ireland’s Standards’ as appropriate, subject to development management standards as set out in this plan, ensuring that new and existing developments do not negatively impact on sensitive environments. Facilitating the development of visitor infrastructure linked to natural physical, geological and heritage environments, while ensuring that it does not detract from the status, quality and value of these environments. Support, implement and require best-practice environmental management and climate proofing of tourism related developments and activities, such as accommodation, restaurants, activity providers, festivals and events and tourism enterprises, to include zero climate impact, energy efficiency, waste management, and recycling. Support rural tourism initiatives such as agri-farm tourism, health and wellbeing centres, glamping, trekking and trails together with new opportunities to promote food and nature tourism, in order to sustain employment in rural areas. Encourage landowners and private businesses to cooperate with the development of off-road tracks and trails and tourism infrastructure in rural areas. Where necessary to ensure the provision and completion of this infrastructure the Council shall use its CPO powers to acquire the required property. The Council will endeavour to exhaust all options of voluntary agreements before considering using these CPO powers.County Development Plan 2021–2027 295
- The creation of stronger linkages between attractions, activities, visitor services and accommodation is critical to increasing visitor dwell Oliver Goldsmith memorial statue at Pallas, near BallymahonLongford County Council 296
- 10.8 History, Heritage & Ancient Sites Many of Longford’s heritage and cultural assets which are of significant importance and value and are already open to the public including St. Mel’s Cathedral, Corlea Trackway Centre, Granard’s Knights & Conquests, Edgeworthstown’s Maria Edgeworth Centre and the Ballinamuck Visitor Centre. Increased marketing, investment and support is required in order to increase revenue generated to the local economy from these attractions, both directly and indirectly. The creation of stronger linkages between attractions, activities, visitor services and accommodation is critical to increasing visitor dwell time and encouraging multi-day visits to the county with resulting economic benefit. The Rebel Trail presents North Longford’s wonderful and unique history of involvement in insurrections and rebellions from the time of the Normans up to the War of independence. The Rebel Longford Trail identifies all of the important locations and presents their history in an easy and enjoyable way to follow. The trail can be joined at any of the key locations such as Edgeworthstown, Granard, Clonfin, Ballinalee, Longford Town and Ballinamuck. There is an annual celebration of The Táin Trail which passes through Clondra, Longford Town and on to Granard. The Literary Trail presents the rich literary tradition of County Longford which encompasses connections with Jane Austin and Oscar Wilde. Also, the renowned author Maria Edgeworth was based in Edgeworthstown and her story is well presented in the Old School House in the town. Oliver Goldsmith is represented in Ballymahon Library. There is also a John Keegan Casey trail identifying the various locations where he wrote poetry and the various schools where he thought. Padraic Colum, poet, novelist, collector of folklore and one of the leading figures of the Irish Literary Revival, is celebrated in Longford Town as his place of birth. Longford’s natural heritage cannot be underestimated for its tourism value. Our wellpreserved natural environment, and traditional farming can be found in abundance along our waterways, lakeshores, bogs, greenways and trails. Activities such as back to nature, bird- watching and foraging are becoming increasingly popular as ‘slow and experiential tourism’ becomes more prevalent internationally. Visitors targeted under the Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands brand proposition are those who want this more relaxed pace of holiday, where they can attune with nature and go ‘off grid’. Adequate recognition of the value of investing in heritage conservation will reduce the potential conflict with loss of authenticity and appreciation of a place, tourism provision and more informed planning decisions. Investing in heritage in terms of placemaking will benefit not just tourism but the local citizen. The protection and conservation of the County’s heritage assets and features will be of paramount importance, including natural and cultural heritage, in order to safeguard the quality of assets into the future. (see Chapter 11; Built and Cultural heritage and Chapter 12: Natural Heritage and Environment). CPO 10.34 CPO 10.35 CPO 10.36 History, Heritage and Ancient Sites - County Policy Objectives It is the County Policy Objective to: Support the implementation of the County Heritage Plan by encouraging sustainable tourism enterprise development associated with rural lifestyle, landscape, natural and heritage locations to develop the Longford’s infrastructure and gain the benefit from increased visitors, subject to development management standards. Prepare and implement a strategy for access to heritage routes by identifying, promoting and supporting the development of a network of heritage trails, with a focus on publicly accessible heritage sites and attractions in co-operation with community groups, landowners and other stakeholders incorporating features of heritage interest. Identify locations where heritage interpretation would add to the visitor experience and take account of Fáilte Ireland’s Toolkit for Storytelling Interpretation in the design and delivery of interpretation media, with a focus on animating stories and encouraging greater engagement with our heritage.County Development Plan 2021–2027 297
- CPO 10.39 CPO 10.38 CPO 10.43 CPO 10.41 CPO 10.40 CPO 10.44 CPO 10.45 CPO 10.37 CPO 10.42 Continue to promote and develop the Corlea Trackway Centre as a sustainable visitor offering and enhanced access to the site, including an extension to the premises and the creation of walking and cycling connections with Ballymahon and Lanesborough across the proposed Bog Greenway. Promote the enhancement and development of Granard’s Knights & Conquests, Edgeworthstown’s Maria Edgeworth and Ballinamuck Visitor Centres as world-class visitor attractions, enabling visitors to have an enjoyable and engaging experience, while protecting the cultural heritage, natural environment and landscape value. Continue to develop and promote the Rebel Trail, Literary Trail, Tain Trail and the Mid Shannon Wilderness Park as part of Longford’s primary tourism offer and experience (see Appendix 5: Tourism - Literary & Rebel Trail Map and Mid-Shannon Wilderness Park Map). Support appropriate protection and conservation works to planned/designed landscapes heritage structures, historic properties, historic urban centres and other built heritage assets, in order to safeguard these amenities for the long term. In this regard the five themes of the National Policy on Architecture shall be taken into account including mitigating the negative impact of new developments on the historic character of areas and buildings. Support the conservation and development of Newcastle House, Carrigglass Manor and demesnes and other heritage structures by way of facilitating appropriate development that contributes to their economic viability and tourism potential. Support sustainable initiatives and projects that enable visitors to enjoy and connect with our natural heritage, including walking or cycling trails, glamping, viewing points, facilities for birdwatching and angling, tours and events, subject to the requirements for protecting this valuable and sensitive heritage. Support enhanced access to state, semi-state and private lands such as Bord na Móna bogs, forests, waterways, together with National Monuments and Historic Properties, for recreation and tourism purposes. Access should be planned and managed in a sustainable manner that protects heritage, environmental sensitivities, ecological corridors, and the ability of local infrastructure to support increased tourism. Continue to engage with the Waterways Ireland, NPWS, Coillte, ESB, Bord Na Móna and other stakeholders and agencies with regard to tourism related uses of Lough Ree, forests, cut-away peatlands, restored bogs and related infrastructure and support the development of greenways/ peatways and blueways at appropriate locations (see Appendix 5: Tourism - Longford County Trails Map). Support the diversification and innovation of our tourism product with opportunities arising for the development of new tourism offerings such as nature, culturally curious and slow tourism.Longford County Council 298
- 10.9 Lakes, Bogs, Forests and Waterways Longford is well known for its bogs, rivers and lakes dotted throughout the County. Lough Ree and the Mighty Shannon form the western boundary of the County while Lough Gowna and the chain of ‘Neck Lace’ Lakes along the Leitrim county border form the northern boundary. The value of the lakes from a tourism and amenity perspective is significant having regard to their scenic beauty, serene environment and natural heritage and habitat value. The county’s rivers are also of great value with the Mighty Shannon running north to south and the River Inny and Camlin meandering east to west. The historic Royal Canal traverses the county on its journey from Dublin city to Longford and is navigable on its route through the county. The Mid Shannon Wilderness Park and proposed Biosphere represents one of Longford’s primary tourism offerings going forward (see Annex 10: Mid Shannon Wilderness Park). The Corlea Amenity Park represents a first step in the development of the Mid Shannon Wilderness Park. Much of the land involved is in State ownership. Existing natural amenity areas such as Lough Ree, the Shannon, the Royal Canal and the future rehabilitated Bord na Móna bogs, can be combined to create the Mid Shannon Wilderness Park. This sustainable development project shall be mutually inclusive of any future uses that Bord na Móna might pursue for their land bank including renewable energy projects. The use of the existing bog rail banks as additional walking/cycling tracks are currently being investigated and developed (2020). Public amenity areas have been developed at numerous locations along our waterways, many of which include car parking, information panels, toilets, viewing points and boat mooring. Boating facilities along the Royal Canal have been developed and the Royal Canal Blueway in Clondra was launched in 2015. Visitors to Derrycassin Wood on Lough Gowna and the Commons North Park on the shoreline of Lough Ree at Lanesborough can enjoy beautiful walks along the lake shoreline through native woodland. Newcastle Woods Forest Walks have also been developed to enable exploration of the River Inny with its associated greenway linking directly to the Royal Canal. Abbeyshrule and Ballymahon on the Inny have their Kayak clubs and white-water facilities. As part of this waterbased experience in the county, leisurely cruises, watersports, bird watching, angling and kayaking can be enjoyed. Longford has some of the best inland fishing rivers and lakes in Ireland which are relatively unknown. The River Inny is a top-class coarse fishery and also between Ballymahon and Abbeyshrule the Inny is a productive wet and dry fly trout fishery. Lanesborough and the North Longford lakes have been traditionally popular for international fishing visitors. This has great potential to be developed as a tourism resource. Angling in the North Midlands also requires a cross regional approach which is currently focus of USEFE, the Upper Shannon Erne Future Economy Project in association with Inland Fisheries Ireland, Waterways Ireland and Fáilte Ireland. Corlea trackwayCounty Development Plan 2021–2027 299
- The Council will seek to facilitate increased visitor access and enjoyment of Longford’s lakes and waterways, through encouraging developments which provide visitor services and / or create stronger connections with towns and villages which can provide those services. Such services may include bike, boat and watersport equipment hire, changing and toilet facilities and guided tours, along with general services such as accommodation and restaurants etc. This will require support for the establishment of small-scale enterprise development in a sustainable manner. This poses a challenge, given the inherent environmental sensitivities at such locations. CPO 10.48 CPO 10.47 CPO 10.52 CPO 10.50 CPO 10.49 CPO 10.46 CPO 10.51 Lakes, Bogs and Waterways – County Policy Objectives It is the County Pwolicy Objective to: Facilitate increased access to Longford’s waterways, from towns and villages where visitor services are located, with an emphasis on providing a strong visitor experience associated with the lakes and waterways and their heritage and amenity value, including trails, bird hides, and water sports facilities, subject to the protection of environmentally sensitive areas and the requirements of the Habitats Directive. Support the provision of infrastructure to enable increased tourism activity associated with Longford’s waterways, including boating, marina/berthing, kayaking, angling, blueways and harbour amenities while ensuring that such provision does not negatively impact on sensitive environments and subject to the requirements of the Birds and Habitats Directives. Provide for small-scale enterprise development that will provide for visitor engagement in water-based activities, subject to development management principles, the requirements of the Habitats and Birds Directives and the protection of sensitive environments. Prioritise development proposals which support the Shannon Tourism Masterplan’s Gateway, Towns and villages and utilise existing infrastructure and disused structures in close proximity to Longford’s waterways for the provision of visitor services, including changing facilities, boat storage, glamping, where appropriate. (See Appendix – Tourism Map No. 5 Longford County Waterways). Support development, in co-operation with various stakeholders to promote, preserve, improve, encourage public access to lakes, islands, riversides, uplands and other areas that have been traditionally used for outdoor recreation and extend recreational amenities including riverside and canal walks and walking and cycling routes. This shall include the provision of walking and cycling links between lakes, rivers, bogs and nearby towns, villages and visitor attractions, provided such developments do not negatively impact on sensitive environments. Continue to work with Waterways Ireland and local communities in the enhancement and promotion of the Royal Canal, including the provision of ancillary infrastructure and services for blueway and greenway users, such as water access, bike and boat storage, rest areas, shelters, toilets, wet rooms, changing and other facilities which will enhance the user experience (see Appendix 5: Tourism - Longford County Waterways Map). Continue to work closely with Fáilte Ireland, Waterways Ireland and neighbouring counties to realise the potential of Lough Ree and the Mid-Shannon region for tourism, taking account of recommendations arising from the Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands ‘Shannon Tourism Masterplan’ and ‘Spirit Level’ and the Longford Tourism Strategy. However, the Council will encourage and seek to create stronger connections between water-based amenities and nearby population centres, and the reuse of existing structures where visitor services can be best accommodated. The quality of our water resources is of paramount importance to realising the potential of these assets for tourism. All tourist related development in the vicinity of any of the lakes in the County shall be subject to the requirements of the Habitats Directive.Longford County Council 300
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.