Development plan · Monaghan County Council
Monaghan County Development Plan 2025–2031
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards.
Monaghan County Council · 2025–2031 · 376 pages
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- 109 Following the detailed analysis of the socio-economic profile of the County, a consultation process and review of existing policy, six high level goals have been adopted for the Monaghan LECP: 1. Support and promote diversity, equity and respect, to enhance inclusion and wellbeing in communities across the County. 2. Transition to a more sustainable County based around climate action, biodiversity, decarbonisation, clean energy and environmental responsibility. 3. Increase access to training and educational resources to promote opportunities for personal and professional development. 4. Prioritise the targeted regeneraton of the County’s towns and villages to address economic and communty decline in rural areas. 5. Grow and diversify the economy and attract and create high value sustainable employment. 6. Foster, develop and invest in arts, culture, and the creative sector and unlock County Monaghan’s tourism potential to support economic growth and sustainable development. 5.3 COMMUNITY FACILITIES The importance of community participation in the improvement and maintenance of community facilities is recognised by Monaghan County Council. The community voluntary sector in association with relevant statutory bodies sustains vital facilities for the population, playing a vital role in the future development of the County. Community buildings and facilities are vital to fostering a sense of community identity and wellbeing. Continued growth in population has implications for community services as the needs of the population base change. It is essential that through the planning process adequate measures are taken to secure community services to improve the quality of life experienced by the population of County Monaghan. A flexible and supportive approach will be adopted towards proposals for community facilities on suitable sites within other land use zoning categories, where such a proposal is suitably located within the settlement boundary and is easily accessible for all sections of the community. Monaghan County Council shall continue to provide support for local and community initiatives to prevent and mitigate Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence in accordance with the 3rd National Strategy on Domestic Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Implementation Plan to ensure there is zero tolerance in our society for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. 5.4 EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES The provision of national and post primary schools in County Monaghan are the responsibility of the Department of Education (DoE). Third Level Education, Youth Reach services, Adult Education and literacy promotion are all operated by the Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB). The Council will continue to ensure that school sites are made available as required, as well as providing for the expansion of existing school sites by land use zoning provision and by any other means as may be necessary. The provision of high quality third level education facilities in County Monaghan is critical to retaining the youth population, who might otherwise leave the County to attend third level institutions elsewhere. It also benefits local employers and industry by providing skilled graduates for the job market. The enhancement of third level facilities provides scope for effective engagement between institutions and employers through access to research, development and innovation. communitychapter 05 COMMUNITY FACILITIES OBJECTIVE CFO 1 To assist and promote community groups in determining local projects that will engage and support local community development, and to support them in any funding application opportunities which may arise.
- 110 CFO 2 To facilitate, promote and encourage the development of all levels of educational facilities in County Monaghan with a particular focus on third level and further education facilities. CFO 3 To ensure that suitable and sufficient lands are available in appropriate and accessible areas in the larger settlements of County Monaghan for the provision, expansion and/or improvement of educational facilities, with a particular focus on third level and further education. CFO 4 To co-operate with relevant educational authorities in developing additional facilities in the towns to improve the availability of further education. EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES OBJECTIVES To restrict development adjoining existing public educational facilities which would hinder the planned future expansion of such facilities and any associated ancillary infrastructure. CFP 1 To facilitate the implementation of the Department of Education programme of capital investment in schools in line with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area and in compliance with the following, or any subsequent related publications, in terms of location, siting and design: a) The provision of Schools and the Planning System – A Code of Practice for Planning Authorities, the Department of Education and Science and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, January 2020. b) Technical Guidance Documents (TGD) TGD20 - TGD27, Department of Education (as amended). c) Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, January 2024. CFP 2 EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES POLICIES Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031
- 5.5 SPORTS FACILITIES County Monaghan has a strong sporting tradition and physical recreation is an important part of everyday life and wellbeing. The high-quality natural amenities which exist throughout the County provide unique spaces for physical recreation, particularly in the larger parks. The Peace Link in Clones is an iconic state of the art sports facility with an extensive range of classes and facilities that will reach out to all ages within the County and beyond. The strong tradition for Gaelic sports within County Monaghan continues to thrive and the County training grounds at Cloghan provide a central headquarters for all Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) activities within the County. Monaghan Sports Partnership was established in 2006 under the direction of the Irish Sports Council (now known as Sport Ireland) and operates under a Heads of Agreement between Sport Ireland and Monaghan County Council to increase levels of participation in sport and physical activity in County Monaghan for all ages and abilities. This Development Plan supports this partnership approach to the delivery of sports and recreational activities and will support the provision of additional facilities at suitable locations throughout the County. The National Sports Policy 2018-2027 sets out the targets of government in this regard, including the development of a Local Sports Plan in every County that will include the identification and assessment of sports facilities in the County to allow long term planning in the sector. Action 22 of the National Sports Policy states that ‘as part of the Local Sport Plans (LSPs), Local Authorities will also lead on other collaborative initiatives to improve access locally e.g. Local Authorities and LSPs will combine to see how recreational areas can be utilised more fully by local communities for sport and physical activity’. 5.6 ARTS AND CULTURE Monaghan County Council aims to encourage and assist in the development of the Arts within the County, supporting the ongoing development of cultural infrastructure and encouraging the provision of appropriate public art in all forms throughout the County. The Arts Development Plan ‘Renewing the Case for the Arts’ provides a five-year framework for strategic actions to be implemented on behalf of Monaghan County Council. The Council will support the ongoing development of cultural infrastructure in the County with the support from relevant Government Departments. Monaghan County Councils shared strategic actions in Arts delivery with the Arts Council are: k Supporting Artists - Value and support the work of artists and extend the range of opportunities for artists to develop their practice. k Young people and the Arts - Increase opportunities for children and young people to create, access and participate in great art. k Creating Capacity - Investing in the professional development of venues, festivals and organisations providing high-quality arts experiences. Cultural facilities, libraries, and arts services all play an important role in aiding local communities to become better places to live, where people feel connected and a part of the broader community. County Monaghan boasts a wealth of history and culture with a range of established heritage groups, cultural festivals and activities operating successfully throughout the County. Through the Arts Office, the Council works to nurture and create the conditions in which great art can happen, while at the same time ensuring that as many people as possible can engage with the arts and discover what art can do for them. The recently opened Monaghan Peace Campus is a shared community space encompassing a four-storey community building and parking in the centre of Monaghan Town, which includes a cultural heritage centre, temporary exhibition/event space and external event space. In addition to this, the three principal venues for arts activities within County Monaghan are, The Market House, The Garage Theatre in Monaghan Town and Iontas in Castleblayney. Smaller venues at, the Courthouse Clones, the Workhouse Carrickmacross, Patrick Kavanagh Centre Inniskeen as well as, the Libraries and the County Museum also provide alternative spaces for arts projects. 111 SPORTS FACILITIES OBJECTIVE CFP 3 To promote the assessment, provision, improvement and expansion of sports facilities within the County, subject to normal planning criteria and the proper planning and sustainable development of the County. communitychapter 05
- Furthermore, the Tyrone Guthrie Centre at Annaghmakerrig is a unique feature of the artistic landscape in County Monaghan while the newly renovated Clones Arts Studios at the Old Clones Post Office provide additional opportunities for residents and the wider community. Through the Creative Ireland Programme, Creative Communities, supports the partnership between the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (DTCAGSM), the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH), and Ireland’s Local Authorities. This partnership enables citizens and communities to explore their culture and creativity at local level and, where appropriate, leverage that creativity to strengthen wellbeing, advance social cohesion and support economic development. The program ‘Creative Communities’ is also innovative in deploying creativity to achieve greater integration across targeted policy priorities. This has delivered new creative engagement initiatives in relation to, for example, children and young people, older people, climate action and local economies. Individuals’ and communities’ perception about the role and value of culture and creativity as central to our wellbeing in its broadest sense is being enhanced. The opportunity embraced within the Monaghan Culture and Creativity Strategy 2023– 2027 is to support people’s participation, inclusion, and expression within communities, and further strengthen local creative economies. It enables local people to enjoy creativity, arts, and culture on their own doorstep, which facilitates access to creative and collaborative learning, and becomes a place where artists and creators can prosper and contribute to society, by placing culture and creativity at the heart of the community. Monaghan County Council supports the practice of creativity in whatever form or medium and recognises that a vibrant cultural sector can enhance the socioeconomic achievement of our County. It also recognises that creativity and culture can play a role in furthering our aspirations in respect of climate change, health and wellbeing. To this end, these Creative Ireland Pillars will be woven into the strategic priorities developed for the pillars of Creative Communities, Creative Youth and Creative Industries. The Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021 was enacted in December 2021 to introduce changes to the Official Languages Act 2003. The purpose of this legislation is to increase the obligations on public bodies to promote the use of Irish language for official purposes. This new legislation is a strengthening of the Official Languages Act 2003, and it is widely recognised that it will make a significant contribution to the quality of services in Irish provided to the public by State bodies. The key objectives of the Act are as follows: k 20% of recruits to the public sector will be competent in the Irish language by the end of 2030, k All public services provided in and for Gaeltacht areas will be provided through Irish, k All public offices in the Gaeltacht will operate through the medium of Irish, and k A National Plan for Irish language Public Services will be developed. Under the Act, it is intended to improve and increase the provision of public services through the medium of Irish, as well as create significant employment opportunities for those with a competency in the language. Through this work, it is hoped to greatly increase the Irish language customer experience, empowering Irish speakers to use the language in all aspects of their daily life - particularly in their dealings with the State. Monaghan County Council aims to promote Irish Language in accordance with the Act. 112 Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031
- 113 CFO 6 To encourage and assist in the development of the arts within County Monaghan, to support the ongoing development of cultural infrastructure, and to encourage the provision of public art in all forms throughout the County. CFO 7 To support, promote and invest in the arts, entertainment, language and culture across the County by facilitating development in appropriate locations. CFO 8 To support the rollout and awareness of the Monaghan Culture and Creativity Strategy 2023-2027 in a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach. CFO 9 To take a lead role in identifying, supporting and the development of, cultural facilities in the County. CFO 10 To continue to support and develop greater access to our historical and heritage resources through an online infrastructure which collates, preserves, and celebrates County Monaghan heritage and culture and to develop an Archive Strategy. CFO 11 To promote the new Peace Campus facility which includes a library, museum, youth, and community services. ARTS AND CULTURE OBJECTIVES 5.7 MONAGHAN COUNTY MUSEUM Monaghan County Museum opened its doors to the public in 1974 becoming the first full time staffed, Local Authority funded museum in the Republic of Ireland. Monaghan County Museum is part of a network of twelve Local Authority museums around the Country that are all part of the Local Authority Museums Network (LAMN). For over 50 years the award-winning museum has diversified to match the needs of a changing community. The museum has a professional commitment to excellence in caring for and displaying County Monaghan’s rich culture and heritage, as well as making its collection as accessible as possible, both intellectually and physically. The Museum was originally housed in the Courthouse in the centre of town; however, following a fire which gutted the building in 1981 the collection was rescued and temporarily moved to the Christian Brothers Secondary School. It was stored there temporarily, and a limited display was continued until the move to Hill Street in August 1986. The gallery held temporary displays until the fully refurbished museum was opened in June 1990. The Hill Street building was originally two large town houses that underwent extensive reconstruction and offered a unique experience to visitors as they explored the history of the County in the permanent exhibition galleries until June 2023. Following a full year’s closure, which involved the painstaking logging, categorising and relocation of over 50,000 artefacts accumulated over the Museum’s 50-year history, Monaghan County Museum now has a new home at the state-of-the-art Peace Campus in Monaghan Town, which opened in June 2024. communitychapter 05
- 114 5.8 LIBRARY SERVICES Monaghan County Council provides a countywide network of library services providing accessible, neutral spaces for communities to avail of a range of activities and services and plays an important role in the social, economic and cultural wellbeing of the County. The library service was first established in 1928 and was the first service in Ireland to introduce a rural mobile library in 1956. Monaghan County Library Service is administered from a stateof-the-art modern facility at the County Library Headquarters in Clones. Additional libraries are in Monaghan Town, Carrickmacross, Castleblayney and Ballybay. A focus to expand services of the County Monaghan library service continues with public ICT facilities, WiFi access as well as the new Digital Library Service, Community Outreach and Education Programming, Sensory Programming, Local History and Genealogy, Creative and Cultural Programming, My Open Library, Early Years and Schools Service and upgrading of buildings/facilities. 5.9 CHILDCARE FACILITIES Childcare may be defined as full day care, session facilities and services for pre-school children and school going children, during out of school hours. Childcare facilities are an essential element of the economic and social wellbeing of our population in that, they enable people to return to the workforce and promote social inclusion. Furthermore, the provision of high-quality childcare contributes to the social and educational development of children as well as providing opportunities for employment and education for those who work within these services. Monaghan County Childcare Committee (MCCC) is the local agents of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) and are the support and advice agency for Early Learning and Care (ELC), Childminders and School Age Childcare (SAC) services in County Monaghan. They support the development and delivery of accessible high-quality early childhood care and education services throughout County Monaghan for the overall benefit of children and their parents. Through the Development Plan, Monaghan County Council will support the MCCC in the delivery of additional childcare places mainly by zoning lands for community facilities in suitable locations within settlements. Every effort should be made to locate ELC and SAC services in the vicinity of concentrations of workplaces, such as industrial estates, business parks and any other locations where there are significant numbers working. However, it is acknowledged that given the rural nature of the population of County Monaghan, where over two thirds of the population live in rural areas, consideration will be given to established rural communities and the creation of private childcare provision that meet policy (CFP 3) along with the policy standards set out in Chapter 15 Development Management Standards. The Childcare Facility Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2001) advocate a more pro-active role by the Council in the promotion of increased childcare provision. The guidelines recommend that a twentyunit creche or childcare facility should be provided for every seventy-five (75) houses within new residential developments. Where it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Council that there are sufficient childcare spaces available in the locality, developers will be required, in lieu, to provide other community benefits by way of direct provision or financial contribution agreed with the Council. CFO 12 To support the continued improvement to the library service in County Monaghan to meet the current and future needs of all members of the community and to strengthen links with socially excluded members and groups of our society. CFO 13 To implement the County Monaghan Library Strategy 2024-2028 and any new or updated/subsequent version(s). CFO 14 To promote and develop existing and new library, community, and cultural spaces within the County. LIBRARY SERVICES OBJECTIVES Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031
- 115 5.10 CYCLING AND WALKING In relation to cycling and walking, consideration must be given to the distinct ways in which these modes are used in everyday life. In keeping with the principles of sustainable development, they are the most realistic alternative modes of transport to the private car within County Monaghan, where public transport provision is low. The Council must consider solutions which enable the population to walk or cycle instead of using the car. There has been an increase in the number of greenways and walking festivals nationally, demonstrating that these types of recreational facilities can make a significant contribution to the tourism offering in County Monaghan. Monaghan County Council has prepared a Walking and Cycling Strategy for the County in response to the increasing demand from the community sector for more walking and cycling infrastructure and amenities, both to facilitate leisure activity and commuting. Strategies have also been prepared in Monaghan, Carrickmacross and Castleblayney Towns. The County’s first Greenway opened in 2013, when Phase 1 of the Ulster Canal Greenway, a 4.2km section through Monaghan Town opened. Since then, Monaghan County Council has developed proposals for a long-distance Ulster Canal Greenway Network in partnership with Waterways Ireland, Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council, Cavan County Council, Fermanagh & Omagh District Council and Mid Ulster District Council. The 190km Ulster Canal Greenway Network Strategy proposes to develop a greenway along the towpath of the Ulster Canal and along several disused railway lines to connect the main towns and villages throughout the region. The Ulster Canal Greenway Network is intended to be delivered on a phased basis. Phase 2 (Monaghan to Northern Ireland Border) is scheduled for completion in 2025 and Phase 3 (Clones to Monaghan) is scheduled for completion in 2027. CHILDCARE FACILITIES POLICIES CFP 3 To facilitate and support, where a need is identified, and in cooperation with the Monaghan County Childcare Committee, the provision of childcare facilities in appropriate locations, and where possible within towns and villages and/or adjacent to existing community facilities to facilitate localised provision, accessibility and sustainable development. FIGURE 5.1 ULSTER CANAL GREENWAY NETWORK ROUTE MAP Source: Ulster canal Greenway Strategy communitychapter 05
- 116 CFO 15 To promote and facilitate the sustainable development of walkways, cycleways and recreational routes, to suit all levels of ability, in appropriate locations throughout the County, in accordance with the objectives of the County Walking and Cycling Strategy 2021-2026 and any new or updated/subsequent version(s), having due regard to relevant environmental considerations, including the need to protect and enhance biodiversity, prevent habitat fragmentation, and maintain and enhance ecological connectivity. CFO 16 To promote and encourage the sustainable development of walks and cycle ways in accordance with the National Sustainable Mobility Policy (SMP), Department of Transport, 2022 and to protect established routes from development which would adversely impact upon them. CFO 17 To develop, in co-operation and consultation with adjoining Local Authorities and cross border bodies, sections of the Ulster Canal Greenway Network to connect the main urban centres throughout central Ulster. CFO 18 To work with in conjunction with adjoining local authorities including Meath, Louth and Cavan to develop the border kingdoms route across Dundalk, Inniskeen, Carrickmacross, Kingscourt, Nobber, Navan and Drogheda and the Lakelands Greenway. CFO 19 To support the provision of safe routes between schools and surrounding residential areas to facilitate safe routes to schools, park and stride and other active travel initiatives. CFO 20 To protect established/historic railway corridors and other disused transport infrastructure routes throughout the County, primarily for strategic infrastructure provision and recreational development. Where these corridors have already been compromised by development, adjacent lands which could provide opportunities to bypass such an impediment and reconnect these routes for amenity purposes shall be protected for this purpose. CYCLING AND WALKING OBJECTIVES RECREATION, PARKS AND PUBLIC OPEN SPACES OBJECTIVES 5.11 RECREATION, PARKS AND PUBLIC OPEN SPACES The importance of outdoor recreation spaces and facilities are recognised by the County Council as being essential for the health and wellbeing of our population. The wealth of natural amenities such as lakes, rivers, forest and trails make the County an ideal location for outdoor sport and recreation, both active and passive. However, these amenities need to be augmented by parks, playing fields, playground and greenways for walking and cycling that should be accessible to both the rural and urban population of the County. Such facilities need to be protected from unacceptable development for current and future users. Monaghan County Council will therefore resist development on, or the removal of existing playing fields, pitches and designated areas of public open space. Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031
- 117 CFO 21 To protect and enhance public open spaces and established recreational green areas. CFO 22 To support the protection of lands zoned as amenity/open space to resist the loss of existing designated areas of public open space except where a higher quality of designated open space is being provided in lieu of its loss. CFO 23 To promote and support the development of cycling facilities, including a potential pump track, at appropriate locations in the County. CFO 24 To identify and preserve existing public rights of way to recreational areas and to commence the process of mapping and listing public rights of way in the County within the first four years of this Development Plan, under the provisions of Section 14 of the Act 2000 (as amended). PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY POLICY 5.12 PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY It is a requirement of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) (the Act) to include an objective for the preservation of public rights of way by the identification on maps and by listing of such public rights of way. Public rights of way constitute an important recreational amenity for local people and visitors and their enjoyment of landscapes, natural heritage as well as providing linkages to lakes and forests. The Council recognises the importance of protecting existing public rights of way and their role in facilitating the development of walking trails in areas of high amenity value. Several walking routes exist throughout the County which provide important access networks. This is an important recreational resource, the integrity of which should be protected. The impact of any proposed development on these routes should be taken into account when considering applications for permission for developments in their vicinity. communitychapter 05
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