Development plan · Louth County Council
Louth County Development Plan 2021–2027
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards.
Louth County Council · 2021–2027 · 548 pages
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- Chapter 9 – Built Heritage and Culture Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 9-8 9.3.3 Walled Towns Ardee, Carlingford, Drogheda and Dundalk are all former walled towns in County Louth, which were founded between the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. Each of these walled towns is regarded as a single recorded monument and all are Zones of Archaeological Potential. Maps of the Walled Towns of Drogheda, Ardee and Carlingford are available in Volume 3, Appendix 10. With the exception of Dundalk, Conservation and Management Plans were prepared by the Council, with support from the Irish Walled Towns Network, (part of the Heritage Council), for all of the walled towns. Town walls and other defences are categorised as National Monuments under the National Walled Towns Policy 2008. Maps of the Walled Towns for Drogheda, Ardee, and Carlingford are available in Volume 3, Appendix 10. The upstanding remains of the walled towns in Drogheda, Ardee and Carlingford are identified as Protected Structures and included in the Record of Protected Structures, Volume 4. Policy Objective BHC 1 To protect and enhance archaeological sites and monuments, underwater archaeology, and archaeological objects listed in the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP), and/or the Register of Historic Monuments and seek their preservation (i.e. presumption in favour of preservation in situ or in exceptional cases, at a minimum, preservation by record) through the planning process and having regard to the advice and recommendations of the National Monuments Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the principles as set out in the ‘Framework and Principles for the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage' (Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands 1999). Policy Objective BHC 2 To protect the built heritage assets of the county and ensure they are managed and preserved in a manner that does not adversely impact on the intrinsic value of these assets whilst supporting economic renewal and sustainable development. Policy Objective BHC 3 To protect known and unknown archaeological areas, sites, monuments, structures and objects, having regard to the advice of the National Monuments Services of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Policy Objective BHC 4 To promote awareness and knowledge of the archaeological resources of the County and support initiatives where appropriate that provide better access to the historic built environment.
- Chapter 9 – Built Heritage and Culture Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 9-9 Policy Objective BHC 5 To protect all sites and features of archaeological interest discovered subsequent to the publication of the Record of Monuments and Places (i.e. preservation in situ or in exceptional circumstances, at a minimum preservation by record) having regard to the advice and recommendations of the National Monuments Section of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Policy Objective BHC 6 To ensure any development, either above or below ground, adjacent to or in the immediate vicinity of a recorded monument or a Zone of Archaeological Potential (including formerly walled towns) shall not be detrimental to or detract from the character of the archaeological site or its setting and be sited and designed to protect the monument and its setting. Where upstanding remains exist, a visual impact assessment may be required. Policy Objective BHC 7 To require applicants seeking permission for development within Zones of Archaeological Potential and other sites as listed in the Record of Monuments and Places to include an assessment of the likely archaeological potential as part of the planning application and the Council may require that an on-site archaeological assessment is carried out by trial work, prior to a decision on a planning application being taken. Policy Objective BHC 8 To protect and preserve in situ all surviving elements of medieval town defences (both upstanding and buried) and associated features in accordance with the Conservation and Management Plans as applicable and with 'National Policy on Town Defences' (Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government 2008). Policy Objective BHC 9 To retain the surviving medieval street pattern, building lines and burgage plot widths in historic walled towns. Policy Objective BHC 10 To require, as part of the development management process, archaeological impact assessments, geophysical surveys, test excavations and monitoring, as appropriate, where development proposals involve ground clearance of more than half a hectare or for linear developments over one kilometre in length or for developments in proximity to areas with a density of known archaeological monuments and history of discovery, as identified by a licensed archaeologist.
- Chapter 9 – Built Heritage and Culture Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 9-10 9.3.4 Battlefield Sites Albeit that they represent historically transient events, the importance of famous battlefield sites as key locations in Irish history is widely recognised. Historically, Louth has been the scene of several major battles, none more so than the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. The conservation, management and protection of Battlefield Sites is complex, and an emerging field of study nationally. The ‘Irish Battlefields Project’ is a study researching key battlefield sites in Irish history, their location, extent, and historical and archaeological backgrounds, all of which will increase our knowledge and understanding of such momentous events. Its work has been completed and currently with the National Monuments Service. If published during the lifetime of the Plan, it is the intention of the Council to propose a variation of the Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 for its incorporation. The Boyne Battlefield Sites are illustrated on Map 9.1. Policy Objective BHC 11 To work in partnership with Meath County Council, relevant agencies and the public to promote, understand, conserve and sustainably manage the Battlefield site of the Battle of the Boyne whilst protecting and enhancing its cultural landscape. Policy Objective BHC 12 To propose a variation of the Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027, if required, to make appropriate amendments to the Plan, as a result of any recommendations arising from the publication of ‘The Irish Battlefields Project’. Policy Objective BHC 13 To seek to protect historic and archaeological landscapes including battlefields, from inappropriate development.
- Chapter 9 – Built Heritage and Culture Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 9-11 Map 9.1: Battle of the Boyne Sites
- Chapter 9 – Built Heritage and Culture Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 9-12 9.3.5 UNESCO World Heritage Site – Brú na Bóinne Brú na Bóinne is one of the world’s most important archaeological landscapes, and Europe’s largest and most important concentration of prehistoric megalithic art, a fact recognised by its inscription in 1993 by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site (WHS). It is an archaeological landscape, also known as “The Bend of the Boyne,” containing the three main prehistoric sites of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. This WHS covers a Core Area and a Buffer Zone the majority of which is situated in County Meath. However, an area contained within the Buffer Zone is located in County Louth in the townland of Littlegrange as illustrated on Map 9.2. The World Heritage Site of Brú na Bóinne is 4.8km west of Drogheda and almost the same distance from Slane in County Meath.
- Chapter 9 – Built Heritage and Culture Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 9-13 Map 9.2: Brú na Bóinne UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Chapter 9 – Built Heritage and Culture Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 9-14 9.3.6 Outstanding Universal Value The inscription of the World Heritage Site obliges the State to protect the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Brú na Bóinne to the highest international standards. The Outstanding Universal Value of a site is derived from; statements on universal value, how it fits UNESCO criteria, and statements on authenticity and integrity. The OUV forms the basis for the protection, management and conservation of a World Heritage Site, its core area and buffer zones, as identified in the inscription. The Archaeological Ensemble of the Bend of the Boyne was assessed by UNESCO to be of Outstanding Universal Value, meeting three of the six criteria regarding cultural heritage as outlined below: Criterion (i): The Brú na Bóinne monuments represent the largest and most important expression of prehistoric megalithic plastic art in Europe. Criterion (iii): The concentration of social, economic and funerary monuments at this important ritual centre and the long continuity from prehistory to the late medieval period makes this one of the most significant archaeological sites in Europe. Criterion (iv): The passage grave, here brought to its finest expression, was a feature of outstanding importance in prehistoric Europe and beyond. 9.3.6.1 Sustaining the Outstanding Universal Value The first Management Plan for the UNESCO World Heritage Site - Brú na Bóinne was published in December 2002 by the Department of the Environment Community and Local Government (DECLG). In accordance with the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention (2019), each nominated property should have an appropriate management plan or other documented management system which must specify how the Outstanding Universal Value of a property should be preserved, preferably through participatory means. The current Brú na Bóinne Management Plan, 2017 which is a non-statutory plan, was submitted to UNESCO by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. The planning authority is cognisant of the potential irreversible and adverse cumulative impact of incremental piecemeal development in this unique landscape. It is critically important that further new development is not permitted to erode the heritage significance of this landscape. Rural Policy Zone 1 covers, inter alia, the sensitive landscape of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Brú na Bóinne, the Tentative World Heritage Site of Monasterboice and the battlefield site of the Battle of the Boyne, which seeks to protect its heritage and cultural landscape. In this regard it is the intention of the Council to prepare a Framework Plan for this area.
- Chapter 9 – Built Heritage and Culture Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 9-15 Policy Objective BHC 14 To work in partnership with Meath County Council, relevant agencies and the public to promote, understand, conserve and sustainably manage the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Brú na Bóinne to maintain its Outstanding Universal Value (OUV). Policy Objective BHC 15 To ensure no development which might have significant deleterious impacts upon the character of the World Heritage Site is permitted. Policy Objective BHC 16 To protect the northern ridgeline (Chapter 13, Map 13.1) which frames the views within and from the World Heritage Site of Brú na Bóinne from visually intrusive and inappropriate development, subject to the Development Management Assessment Criteria detailed in Chapter 13 and using view-shed analysis as a tool to guide and inform development management. Policy Objective BHC 17 To encourage the retention, appropriate re-use and conservation of vernacular buildings in Rural Policy Zone One in preference to their replacement or the construction of new buildings on green-field sites and require all development herein to be subject to the Development Management Assessment Criteria as detailed in Chapter 13. Policy Objective BHC 18 To prepare a Framework Plan for the protection, development and promotion of lands subject to Rural Policy Zone One (as applicable to the lands including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Brú na Bóinne, the Tentative World Heritage Site of Monasterboice, and the Battle of the Boyne Battlefield site). 9.4 EXEMPTED DEVELOPMENT Development is not exempt from the obligation of applying for planning permission, if it would; interfere with the character of a landscape, or a view or prospect of special amenity value or special interest, the preservation of which, is an objective of the Plan, or consist of the excavation, alteration or demolition of places, caves, sites, features or other objects of archaeological, geological, or historical, scientific or ecological interest, the preservation of which is an objective of the Plan. As it is an objective of this Plan to protect and enhance the landscape, views and prospects in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Brú na Bóinne, many developments, which would be considered exempt in other areas may require planning permission. Those considering undertaking development works within the area of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Brú na Bóinne should first consult Louth County Council before commencement of any works.
- Chapter 9 – Built Heritage and Culture Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 9-16 9.5 TENTATIVE WORLD HERITAGE SITES A Tentative List is an inventory of properties, which a country intends to consider for nomination to the World Heritage List. The most recent Tentative List was submitted to UNESCO in 2010 with one site in Louth included therein, which is: • Early Medieval Monastic Sites (including Monasterboice). While formal designation of Monasterboice and other sites is likely to be many years away, it is important that this Plan protects the landscape and other values contributing to the site’s nomination and ensure that this is not damaged in any way. The Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht invited applications for Ireland’s Tentative List of properties for potential future nomination to the World Heritage List 2020-2030. The nomination of any property from the new Tentative List for inscription on the World Heritage List will only take place after consultation with relevant stakeholders, interested parties and local communities. The Tentative World Heritage Site of Monasterboice is illustrated in Map 9.3. Policy Objective BHC 19 To maintain the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the Tentative World Heritage Site of Monasterboice and support its nomination as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Map 9.3: Tentative World Heritage Site, Monasterboice
- Chapter 9 – Built Heritage and Culture Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 9-17 9.6 ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE Our architectural heritage is an irreplaceable resource and a valuable expression of our past, whose sustainable appropriate maintenance and reuse has economic and environmental benefits, and which serves as historic evidence of social changes through time. Architectural heritage encompasses that which is designated or included within the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH), NIAH Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes, Records of Protected Structures and Northern Ireland’s Listed Buildings and Northern Ireland’s Historic Parks, Gardens and Demesnes. Also encompassed are intervisibility and interrelationships between architectural heritage within the wider landscape, including cross-border intervisibility and interrelationships. Further details in relation to the NIAH can be found at www.buildingsofireland.ie. County Louth is fortunate to host a rich and varied heritage of buildings and structures of architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical importance. The principle mechanism for protection of these buildings and structures is by inclusion in the ‘Record of Protected Structures’. This affords positive recognition of the structures importance, whilst seeking the protection of its special character from adverse impacts. In accordance with Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) the Council is required to maintain a Record of Protected Structures (RPS). Unless otherwise stated it includes: • The exterior and interior of the structure; • The land lying within its curtilage; • Any other structures and their interiors lying within that curtilage; and • All fixtures and features, which form part of the interior or exterior of any of these structures. The RPS is a live register and structures may be added and deleted from the RPS during the review process of the Development Plan (Section 12) and outside of the review process (Section 55). This Plan includes the full RPS for the County in its entirety including the urban areas of Drogheda, Dundalk and Ardee. The RPS is both listed and mapped in Volume 4. The placing of a structure on the RPS seeks to ensure the character of the structure is maintained and any changes or alterations to it are carried out in such a way as to retain and enhance its character. This does not mean that development or alterations to a protected structure are not possible, but rather, if proposed works would materially affect the character of a protected structure, planning permission will be required. Exempted development regulations may not apply to protected structures. Owners or occupiers of protected structures can seek a Declaration under Section 57 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) to list the type of works that do and do not affect the character of the structure and therefore do or do not require planning permission. The Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) places the onus on owners and occupiers of protected structures to ensure that the structure (or any element of the structure, which contributes to its special interest) is not endangered, either through neglect or inappropriate works.
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