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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- 11.7.5 Industrial and Agricultural Heritage Within and throughout the County there are many examples of industrial and agricultural heritage assets that have helped shape and define our County. In terms of industrial heritage, the rail line, the Royal Canal and the road network are legacy assets that have had a significant influence on the form and character of the County, and in respect of the rail and road network have been adapted to meet modern times and needs. The Royal Canal is a man-made waterway linking Dublin to the River Shannon near Tarmonbarry, with a spur branching off to connect with Longford town. It is one of two major canal navigation systems in Ireland, the other being the Grand Canal. In terms of industrial heritage, former disused quarries provide a rich tapestry of former industry of times past. In this regard County Longford boasts a significant industrial heritage site in the form of disused quarries in Lanesborough and on the islands of Lough Ree. Other structures and buildings of agricultural heritage are easily identifiable within our settlements and include mills and store houses. CPO 11.42 CPO 11.43 CPO 11.44 CPO 11.45 Industrial and Agricultural Heritage Policies - County Policy Objectives It is the Policy Objective of the Council to: Create and maintain an inventory of Industrial and Agricultural Heritage assets within the County. Support the retention and appropriate repair/maintenance of historic bridges and other significant industrial heritage features in the County. Encourage appropriate change of use and reuse of industrial heritage structures provided such a change does not seriously impact on the intrinsic character of the structure and that all works are carried out in accordance with best conservation practice, subject to compliance with normal planning criteria. Encourage the retention and appropriate re-use of vacant traditional farm buildings, where appropriate, and encourage the retention of the original fabric such as windows, doors and other significant features of interest. Webb’s Bridge Royal Canal, Abbeyshrule HarbourCounty Development Plan 2021–2027 321
- 11.8 Financial Support for Built Heritage and National Monument Assets In terms of ensuring the protection and enhancement of the built and cultural heritage of County Longford, all efforts will be made to secure suitable funding initiatives where possible. These are subject to review and replacement by other schemes, but some of the current available grant schemes include the following: ■ The Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) 2020 is a grant scheme available for RPS, pRPS, ACA structures and or National Monuments. ■ The Historic Structures Fund (HSF) 2020 is a grant scheme typically available for RPS structures but is also available for built heritage and thatched cottages. ■ Heritage Council Grant Scheme – The Heritage Council allocates around €1 million of National Lottery funding towards their public grant schemes. These include: – Community Grants – Heritage Management/Maintenance Grants – Thatching Repair Grant – Grant Scheme for the Museum Standards Programme of Ireland participants. ■ Conservation of Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme & Green Low-Carbon Agri- Environment Scheme (GLAS) - this grant is not solely for Protected Structures and is a fund source enabling the repairs of traditional farm buildings and structures. CPO 11.46 Financial support Incentives for Built Heritage and National Monument assets Policies - County Policy Objectives It is Policy Objective of the Council to: Ensure the protection and enhancement of the built and cultural heritage of County Longford by securing and promoting the provision of suitable funding initiatives where possible. 11.9 Archaeological Heritage Archaeological heritage of an area includes monuments, sites, and objects on land or under water. There are a large number of sites spread across the County representing a variety of time periods. This rich and valuable archaeological heritage provides a valuable cultural, educational and tourism resource creating an important sense of place. Each site and monument have a unique character and contribution to make to the landscape of the County and adds meaning to our understanding of the environment. The appropriate management of archaeological remains is essential to ensure the survival of these finite and nonrenewable features. 11.10 County Longford Archaeological Sites and Monuments Within the County there are over 1,700 archaeological sites and monuments identified and recorded in the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP). The identified sites and monuments are currently protected in the following ways: 1. The Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) – There are over 1,700 monuments on the RMP for County Longford.70 2. The Register of Historic Monuments (RHM) – There are 380 no. monuments in the County (which are also on the RMP).71 3. The site is a national monument in the ownership or guardianship of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht or a Local Authority. 4. The site is a national monument subject to a preservation order (or temporary preservation order). 70 (National Monuments Service’s Archaeological Survey Database: https://www.archaeology.ie/). 71 Ibid.Longford County Council 322
- 11.10.1 National Monuments in County Longford National Monuments in State ownership or guardianship are compiled by the DoELG. There are 6 no. national monuments located within the County detailed below: Table 11.1: National Monuments in County Longford Site Description Nat. RMP Number Monument Number Status Land Ownership Inchcleraun Early Monastery LF021-048001 91 State ownership Larkfield Ringfort LF006-021 640 State ownership Sonnagh Ringfort LF006-031 598 State ownership Aghaward Ringfort LF009-006 630 State ownership Granard -Moatfield Motte & Bailey LF010-080001 LF010-080002 LF010-080003 LF010-080004 263 State Guardianship Corlea – Cloonbrean Bog Trackway LF022-058 677 State ownership 11.10.2 Monuments Protected Under Preservation Orders There are 10 no. monuments protected under Preservation Orders within the County detailed accordingly: Table 11.2: County Longford Monuments Protected Under Preservation Orders No. of Order Monument Townland O.S. Map Date Order 10 Dolmen & associated standing stones Aughnacliffe 6 05/01/33 1/64 Ringfort Dring 6 13/02/64 6/73 Deserted Town Site Granard Kill 10:12 11/05/73 2/78 Ringfort Bawn, Killoe 9:5 22/06/78 3/79 Monastic Enclosure Aghafad 13:12 08/03/79 5/81 Monastic Cashel Inchcleraun 21:14 30/10/81 4/83 Stone Circle Cloughchurnel 11 27/04//83 4/85 Ringfort Feraghfad 14:9:5 02/04/85 5/85 Ringfort Feraghfad 14:9:5 02/04/85 6/85 Ringfort Feraghfad 14:9:5 02/04/85County Development Plan 2021–2027 323
- 11.10.3 Monuments of Archaeological, Historical and Cultural Interest There are 57 no. monuments of Archaeological, Historical and Cultural Interest within the County detailed below: Table 11.3: County Longford Monuments of Archaeological, Historical and Cultural Interest Map Townland Site Description Grade 1 Aughnacliffe Cromlech Good Condition – preservation order no. 10/1933 A 2 Cleenrath Diarmuid & Grainne’s bed Well preserved A 3 Melkagh Diarmuid & Grainne’s bed Well preserved A 4 Cartronbore Standing Stone B 5 Creevy Standing Stone B 6 Cartronbrack Standing Stone A 7 Dalystown Standing Stone B 8 Aughnagarron Druids Altar Remains of Megalithic tomb C 9 Cartronbore Druids Circle A 10 Cloughumal Druids Circle B 11 Corboy Moated house site Preservation order no. 7/72 A 12 Breany Ringfort Triple rampart A 13 Clonfin Ringfort B 14 Dring Ringfort Preservation order no. 1/1964 A 15 Toneymore North Ringfort A 16 Higginstown Ringfort B 17 Granardkille Old Town of Granard Site of Medieval Town A 18 Glen Moat B 19 Moatfield Moat of Granard National Monument no. 263 A 20 Lissardowling Moat Rampart Allegedly O’Farrell site A 21 Bawn Killoe Ringfort Preservation Order A 22 Park Place Doonphilip Mound C 23 From Lough Kinale to Lough Gowna Dun Clai (Black Pig’s Dyke) Linear earthworks A 24 Bawn Mountain Mound Raised circular area B 25 Lisnagrish Moataward Possible ringfort A 26 Ballinakill Abbey (in ruins) Early Church site C 27 Killeen Caldragh Stone Cross in centre of ringfort B 28 Cashel Church (in ruins) Early Church site C 29 Iniscleraun (Lough Ree) Templedermot National monument no. 91 A 30 Inchmore (Lough Gowna) Abbey & church (in ruins), Columbcille’s Stone Remains of early and later churches A 31 Legan Stone Ballaun Stone BLongford County Council 324
- Map Townland Site Description Grade 32 Legan Lady Well Chapel (site) Inscribed stone built into surrounding wall 33 Abbeyshrule Cross Early Cross A 34 Ardagh Pedestal of Cross Base of cross C 35 Abbeyderg Abbey (in ruins) Circa 13th century Augustinian abbey A 36 Abbeylara Abbey (in ruins) Cistercian Abbey A 37 Abbeyshrule Abbey (in ruins) 13th Century Cistercian Abbey A 38 Clondra Abbey (in ruins) Late medieval Church A 39 Moatfarrell Church (in ruins) Medieval Church site B 40 Saint’s Island Church (in ruins) Site of Augustinia Church B 41 Ballinalee Bully’s Acre Burial Ground C 42 Derrydarragh Altar Mass Rock C 43 Derrynagallia Altar Mass Rock C 44 Agharra Burial ground 45 Abbeyderg Tomb Megalithic 46 Lisardowling Moat 47 Ballymahon Courthouse 48 Ballinalee Forge 49 Ballymacormack Abbey 50 Ballinamore Burial Ground 51 Gurteen Old School Building 52 Rathcline Building Feature 53 Forgney Hill of Forgney, Forgney Church 54 Castlerea Castle (in Ruins) 55 Mornin Castle (in Ruins) 56 Rathcline Castle 57 Ballinamuck Battlefield site 1798 Archaeological structures may, in some situations, also be considered as architectural heritage and therefore may appear on both the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) and the Record of Protected Structures (RPS). Maps for the County showing the numbers and locations of these sites have been produced and are presented in Appendix 6: Built and Cultural Heritage. Within the County there are 2 no. specific archaeological sites of specific importance as follows: Corlea Bog Trackway: One of the most significant archaeological heritage sites and assets in the County is Corlea Bog Trackway. The Visitor Centre located on the site conserves an Iron Age bog road, which was built in the year 148 BC across the surrounding bogland. The oak road is one of the largest of its kind to have been uncovered in Europe. Inside the visitor centre building, an 18-metre stretch of preserved road is on permanent display.County Development Plan 2021–2027 325
- Granard – Norman Motte In 2018 supported by the local authority and Fáilte Ireland, a new visitor and interpretative centre was opened in the town of Granard in the northeast of the County, which celebrates Ireland’s highest Norman motte built in 1199. The centre which has a large appeal range, is particularly focussed on school going age and is to be developed further in the future with the development of an interpretative park. Archaeological remains provide valuable information about our past and the people who lived here before us. The archaeological resource is non-renewable, as excavation of an archaeological site or feature results in its destruction and removal from its landscape setting. Where new development is being considered, the archaeological potential of the site should be considered in the very earliest stages of planning by checking the National Monuments Service’s Archaeological Survey Database: https:// www.archaeology.ie/. CPO 11.47 CPO 11.48 CPO 11.49 CPO 11.50 CPO 11.51 CPO 11.52 CPO 11.53 CPO 11.54 CPO 11.55 CPO 11.56 CPO 11.57 Archaeological Heritage Policy – County Policy Objectives It is the Policy Objective of the Council to: Protect known and unknown archaeological areas, sites, structures, monuments and objects in the County. Protect the integrity of the settings of archaeological areas, sites, structures, monuments and objects in the County. Protect the National Monuments and monuments protected under Preservation Orders in the County (see Table 11.1: National Monuments In County Longford, Table 11.2: Monuments Protected under Preservation Orders and Appendix 6: Built and Cultural Heritage). Protect the monuments of Archaeological, Historical and Cultural Interest in the County (see Table 11.3: County Longford Monuments of Archaeological, Historical and Cultural Interest and Appendix 6: Built and Cultural Heritage). Encourage and promote the appropriate management and enhancement of the County’s rich archaeological heritage, to include community initiatives. Encourage and promote access to and understanding of the archaeological heritage of the County. Seek to increase awareness, appreciation and enjoyment of the archaeological heritage for all, through the provision of information to landowners and the community generally, in cooperation with statutory and other partners. Investigate and promote the provision of improved access to important archaeological sites. Presume in favour of the physical preservation in-situ of archaeological remains and their settings, where appropriate, feasible and in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the County. Consult with the National Monuments Service in relation to proposed developments adjoining archaeological sites. Contribute, as appropriate, towards the protection and preservation of underwater archaeological sites in riverine or lacustrine locations.Longford County Council 326
- Locally, adaptive measures include the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the Historic Structures Fund (HIS) tasked with providing financial aid for the conservation and restoration of heritage properties, and a pilot scheme within BHIS 2020 for routine maintenance and minor repairs. Aside from the climatic threat to our built heritage, we must respond to the current energy efficiencies of all existing building stock if we are to meet out 2050 target of carbon neutrality. Today 35% of the building stock in Europe is over fifty years old and 75% inefficient in its energy use72. Therefore, contribution from our cultural built heritage sector, if refurbished, has the potential to significantly reducing GHG emissions. Furthermore, our existing building stock offers its greatest asset in its ability to be recycling for alternative use and thereby reducing the need for demolition and construction, and subsequently generation of carbon dioxide. Buildings and the construction industry are responsible for 39% of all carbon emissions in the world, with operational emissions (from energy used to heat, cool and light buildings) accounting for 28%. The remaining 11% comes from ‘embodied carbon’ emissions, or upfront carbon that is associated with materials, construction and demolition73. Failing to consider embodied carbon in a proposal has been shown to underestimate the entire carbon emission of a new build by up to 31%. Similar research has discovered that the construction of a traditional terrace house produced thirteen more times more embodied carbon than the refurbishment of a traditional terrace house. This equates to around 16.4 tonnes of CO₂, which is the equivalent of the emissions released from driving 60,000km74. 72 European Commission (2019), ‘Energy performance of buildings directive’, 16 May 2019 https://ec.europa.eu/energy/topics/energy-efficiency/energy-efficient-buildings/energy-performance-buildings-directive_en 73 World Green Building Council (2019), ‘Bringing embodied carbon upfront – Coordinated action for the building and construction sector to tackle embodies carbon’, September 2019 https://www.igbc.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/2.-WorldGBC_Bringing_Embodied_Carbon_Upfront_CONFIDENTIAL_180919_ media-release-v4-with-IGBC-logo.pdf 74 Historic England (2020), ‘Buildings Must Be Recycled and Reused to Help Tackle Climate Change’, 26 February 2020. https://historicengland.org.uk/whats-new/news/recycle-buildings-tackle-climate-change/ 11.11 Built and Cultural Heritage Climate Change Context and Associated Actions In accordance with the format set out in Chapter 3: Climate Change of this Plan the following is an assessment of the content of this chapter in a climate change context and associated actions. Built heritage is one of our most important cultural assets and can be defined as any group of buildings, structures, monuments, or installation or remains, that are of architectural, social political, economic, or military significance. The increasing occurrence of extreme weather events mean that all structures, particularly those in a ruinous or dilapidated state are most susceptible to the effects of climate change. Rainfall presents the greatest threat, particularly wind-driven rain, while the subsequent rising water levels increase the moisture content of soils and potentially lead to weakened building foundations, subsidence, erosion and even landslide. Conversely, long, dry summers with lowered water tables have the potential to damage building foundations and increased likelihood of wildfires and landslides. Flood waters may erode foundations and damage structural fabric while prolonged periods of wetness, especially if associated with winter warmth, have implications for several decay mechanisms, including salts and biological action. Cumulative deterioration due to the mobilisation of salts is likely to increase in western Europe because of an increase in critical humidity fluctuations. In response, the CAP 2019 includes twelve Sectoral Adaptation Plans based upon the National Adaptation Framework (NAF) 2018 of which the ‘Built and Archaeological Heritage’ is included and has been developed using the six step adaptation planning process as described in sectoral Planning Guidelines for Climate Change Adaptation, as published by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, and implemented by the Department of Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht.County Development Plan 2021–2027 327
- A11.1 A11.4 A11.3 A11.6 A11.2 A11.5 Built and Cultural Heritage Climate Actions Longford County Council shall: Adopt the principles of conservation-led regeneration by applying the Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Architectural Heritage Protection (2011). Seek enrolment on all future Historic Towns Initiatives (HTI). Notify owners of Protected Structures of the increased threat climate change presents, while reminding them of their continued and legal requirement to ensure the structure(s) do not become endangered through neglect, decay, damage or harm (Practical advice on basic methods of conservation should accompany the notice). Require the proposed demolition of any structure or part thereof, as considered of merit by the Planning Authority, to be accompanied by a report from a registered / chartered professional within a related discipline justifying same, to the satisfaction of the planning authority. Require the submission of a life-cycle cost report with all applications in excess of 500 sq. m, new build construction, unless deemed otherwise by the Planning Authority. Require the submission of a cost benefit analysis by a charted quantity surveyor justifying any demolition or refurbishment of 100 m3 of construction and demolition waste, or above, unless deemed otherwise by the Planning Authority. Ballinamuck 1798 Memorial Monument outside the visitor centreLongford County Council 328
- Natural Heritage and Environment CHAPTER 12 Royal Canal towpath
- 330 12.1 Introduction The County’s rich natural heritage and biodiversity is of importance at the local, national and international level. It includes geology and forms a central component of the landscape of the County. Protecting and enhancing our biodiversity and landscapes is vital to the health, well-being and quality of life of our communities and assists societal adaption to the challenges of climate change. This Plan sets out to contribute towards the protection and enhancement of the natural heritage and the biodiversity of designated ecological sites within the County and to provide a wide range of environmental, social and economic benefits. The natural environment determines the physical character of the County and create a sense of place. While it is inevitable that our landscape will continue to change in response to the needs of our society, it is essential that a balance is reached between development and ensuring that there are no detrimental impacts to the natural heritage and biodiversity of the County. The Council is committed to the conservation, preservation and enhancement of the environment and will seek to continue to protect the natural resources of the county in accordance with higher level national and regional policy outlined. 12.2 Statutory Context 12.2.1 Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) Development Plans must include mandatory objectives for the conservation of the natural heritage and for the conservation of European sites and any other sites which may be prescribed. 12.2.2 EU Birds and Habitats Directives (The Habitats Directive) The Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora, better known as ‘The Habitats Directive’, provides legal protection for habitats and species of European importance. It protects habitats and species of community interest through the establishment and conservation of an EU-wide network of sites, known as Natura 2000; Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs). The Habitats Directive sets out decision-making tests for plans and projects likely to affect European Sites and establishes the requirement for Appropriate Assessment (AA). 12.2.3 Wildlife Act 1976, (as amended) The Wildlife Act 1976, as amended is the principal national legislation providing for the protection of wildlife and the control of some activities which may adversely affect wildlife. 12.2.4 Flora (Protection) Order, 2015 This sets out the current list of plant species protected by Section 21 of the Wildlife Act, 1976, as amended. 12.3 Policy Context 12.3.1 National Heritage Plan (2002) and the Draft National Heritage Plan (2019) Both of these Plans identify and recognise that heritage is a communal and mutually shared asset to be protected by the actions of all. 12.3.2 Appropriate Assessment of Plans and Projects in Ireland – Guidance for Planning Authorities 2009 (revised 2010) This guidance is intended to assist and guide planning authorities in the application of Article 6(3) and 6(4) of the Habitats Directive as it relates to their roles, functions and responsibilities in undertaking Appropriate Assessment of plans and projects. It applies to plans and projects for which public authorities receive an application for consent, and to plans or projects which a public authority wishes to undertake or adopt. It sets out the different steps and stages that are needed in establishing whether a plan or project can be implemented without adversely affecting the integrity of a European Site. The guidance addresses issues of mitigation and avoidance of impacts, and also the Article 6(4) derogation provisions for circumstances in which there are no alternatives and for which there are imperative reasons of overriding public interest (IROPI) requiring a plan or project to proceed.Longford County Council 330
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.