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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- 259 10.5 SAINT LOUIS CONVENT The acquisition of part of the Saint Louis Convent Campus by Monaghan County Council, offers a unique opportunity to develop the site and enhance public access to it. The 11.5 hectare site includes a cluster of buildings, a formal green space, lake, native woodland surrounds and a conifer plantation and is located close to the town centre as well as the Monaghan Town Greenway. In recognition of the importance of this asset to the town, and to ensure the sensitive re-development of the site, it is an objective of Monaghan County Council to prepare a Masterplan and Development Framework for the Saint Louis Convent site in conjunction with all relevant stakeholders. 10.6 RETAILING Monaghan Town is identified as a Tier 1 town in the retail hierarchy as set out in the Monaghan County Retail Strategy 2016-2022. The Strategy indicates that a total of 32,522sq.m of retail floor space is provided in Monaghan Town with a 20% vacancy rate for retail premises in the town. The Monaghan County Retail 2016-2022 sets out the policy context for retail development within County Monaghan. New retail development within Monaghan Town shall be compliant with the objectives and policies contained within the strategy. 10.7 INDUSTRY, ENTERPRISE AND EMPLOYMENT Monaghan Town has many traditional industries which have provided constant employment, notably in the engineering, furniture and agri-food industries. Employers in the town include Combilift, Kingspan Century Homes and IJM Timber Engineering Ltd. These industries provide employment for a substantial proportion of the working population of Monaghan Town. The Industrial Development Authority (IDA) has a serviced estate at Knockaconny, including small cluster units, which are occupied by a mix of tenants. Knockaconny Business and Technology Park, a thirtyacre serviced industrial hub which contains M: Tek I and II, an Advanced Technology Unit and a Bioconnect Research and Innovation Centre, is located on the edge of Monaghan Town. The M:TEK I and M:TEK II facilities at Knockaconny provide high quality business working space on the edge of the town. Recognising the strategically important parcel of zoned Industry, Enterprise and Employment lands at Tullygrimes and Cornecassa Demesne, Monaghan County Council will facilitate and promote the sustainable development of these lands to consolidate, expand and complement existing significant enterprise activities at this location. The Monaghan Land Use and Transportation Study (MLUTS) recommend the relocation of the 60kph speed Limit westwards on the N54. To facilitate this the following is required: k the relocation of the 60kph speed Limit zone 440m west of its existing location, and k a new gateway to the west of Monaghan Town. MTO 6 To prepare and implement a Masterplan and Development Framework for the Saint Louis Convent site which will act as a blueprint for its evolution and ensure that the development of the site takes place in a sustainable manner. SAINT LOUIS CONVENT OBJECTIVE MTO 7 To extend the retail base of Monaghan Town as the Principal/Key Town in the County and maintain its Tier 1 designation as identified in the County Retail Strategy 2016-2022 and any new or updated/subsequent versions. MONAGHAN RETAILING OBJECTIVE MTO 4 To encourage development proposals which seek to refurbish existing buildings and backland areas in order to eliminate dereliction and reinforce the town centre. MTO 5 To encourage and promote a diverse range of retail services within the town centre. Environment, Energy and Climate ActionEnvironment, Energy and Climate Actionmonaghan town settlement planchapter 10
- 260 In recognising the strategically important parcel of zoned Industry, Enterprise and Employment lands at Knockaconny, Monaghan County Council will facilitate and promote the sustainable development of the town as well as consolidating, expanding and complementing existing significant enterprise activities at this location. Approximately 237 hectares of land has been zoned for Industry, Enterprise and Employment development in Monaghan Town as indicated on Map MTDP1 of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031. The provision of sufficient zoned Industry, Enterprise and Employment lands will provide certainty and clarity for all potential developers and encourage the location of new industries in the town. 10.8 POWER AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS Monaghan Town benefits from good communication infrastructure including Project Kelvin, an extensive submarine and terrestrial cable deployment which connects directly and securely to Canada, the US, UK and mainland Europe. The Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) has also been provided in Monaghan Town. E-net are the wholesale company charged with maintenance of the MAN network, operating through a series of retail broadband providers. This infrastructure provides access to dedicated high speed and secure, broadband networks. This offers opportunities for the development of e-working centres throughout the region in line with the Smarter Travel policy of reducing the number of journeys to work by car. High speed broadband is also available in the town. The M:Tek buildings located at Knockaconny are part of the Armagh Monaghan Digital Corridor with a broadband 1Gb link between the A Tek (Armagh) and M:Tek. High speed fibre broadband is also available in the town. SIRO, a joint venture between ESB and Vodafone, has completed the build of their full fibre network which can deliver high speed broadband services to homes and business throughout the town. Eir/Openeir has completed the upgrade of their fibre broadband networks within the town area. 10.9 ROADS, TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND ACTIVE TRAVEL Monaghan Town is located at the intersection of the N2 Dublin-Derry/Letterkenny and N12/N54 Belfast-Galway National Routes, linking Dublin to the North-West and Belfast to the Midlands, respectively. The town is also located along a key east-west corridor linking Dundalk and Newry to Sligo and South Donegal. Monaghan Town is linked by the improved national and regional road network to Cavan Town as well as Enniskillen, Omagh, Dungannon and Armagh in Northern Ireland. The M1 Dundalk-Dublin motorway, Carrickmacross bypass, Castleblayney by-pass, and Monaghan by-pass have strengthened the town’s strategic position and connectivity to the Belfast-Dublin Economic Corridor. The Monaghan Town (N2) by-pass has removed most north-south through traffic from the town centre. However, national road traffic travelling between the N54 and N2/N12 continues to travel through the town centre, as well as traffic using key regional routes. This through traffic presents a challenge when balancing the carrying capacity of those strategic routes and meeting the needs of other road users, commercial activity and residential developments. While traffic management solutions have been implemented such as restrictions on the movement of Heavy Goods Vehicles on some urban streets, direct intervention may be needed to facilitate traffic and transportation, to achieve active travel and climate action targets, and to facilitate the development and growth ambitions of the town. Government policies now encourage modal shift, where possible, away from private car use and towards more sustainable transport modes such as walking, wheeling or cycling, also known as active travel. Government investment in active travel has increased significantly in recent years. The provision of quality cycling, wheeling and walking facilities can provide an MTO 8 To promote Monaghan Town as the key industrial and employment centre of the County in line with its ‘Key Town’ status as designated in the Northern and Western Regional Assembly Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (NWRA RSES). MONAGHAN INDUSTRY, ENTERPRISE AND EMPLOYMENT OBJECTIVE Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031
- 261 economical, non-polluting, and flexible form of transport which can deliver improvements to overall health and wellbeing and reduce congestion and carbon emissions. The provision of active travel and recreational walking and cycling infrastructure, such as designated cycle paths, greenways, walking paths and trails, also supports recreation and tourism. The development of active travel and recreational walking and cycling routes in and around Monaghan Town will contribute toward Government objectives around active travel. A land use and transportation study has been prepared for Monaghan Town. The Monaghan Land Use and Transportation Study (MLUTS) sets out the transport and land use options for the town to cover the period of this development plan and beyond 2031. This study was a response to resolving the competing demands for more housing and employment generating land uses with the provision of better transportation, environment and community facilities in the MLUTS Area. In conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA), Monaghan County Council is currently developing a Local Transport Plan (LTP) to identify transport requirements and solutions for Monaghan Town and its environs. The LTP will set out the outcomes of an Area Based Transport Assessment (ABTA) with the overall aim of improving the current sustainable transport offering in Monaghan Town and its environs for all travel modes. Recommendations from the MLUTS and the LTP will be taken into account when considering road proposals. New road and upgrade proposals for Monaghan Town are as follows: k Monaghan Town Northern link road, connecting the N54 Clones Road to N2/N12 National Primary Routes. k Extension of Oriel Way Southern link road to provide transport connectivity between the N54 Clones Road to R188 Cootehill Road. k Development of a Southern link between the R162 Ballybay Road and the N2 Dublin Road. k Development of a link road from N12 Armagh Road to provide a connection to the N2 Monaghan Town bypass. k Widening of Annahagh Lane to facilitate development and active travel. k Development of a link road from Roosky Vale to the rear of Dublin Street. k Development of a mid-town transport connection between development lands at Annahagh Roundabout and Old Cross Square. k Upgrade of Black Lane. The potential routes of these new roads and upgrade proposals are identified by indicative lines on Map MTDP1 of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031. As the potential new links will be subject to options selection and detailed design and will be taken through the relevant consent procedures, these indicative lines represent the centre line of a 100 metre wide preliminary corridor. Provision for active travel will be a key consideration in the delivery of all new and upgrade road proposals. To provide for such projects, new development that may prejudice the delivery of these projects will not be permitted, and development that impacts potential route options, preferred route corridors, or designed alignments for transport projects identified in national/regional policies will be resisted. A key objective of this Development Plan is to relieve traffic congestion and divert through traffic, particularly commercial traffic and heavy goods vehicles, from residential areas and the town centre by providing alternative routes around the town. A Walking and Cycling Strategy for Monaghan Town, adopted in 2012, sets out a vision to develop a network of safe and convenient walking and cycling routes that will improve the quality of living for everyone in the community. Environment, Energy and Climate ActionEnvironment, Energy and Climate Actionmonaghan town settlement planchapter 10
- 262 MTO 9 To prepare a Local Transport Plan for Monaghan Town using the Area Based Trasport Assessment process by 2025. MONAGHAN ROADS AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES MTO 13 To investigate the feasibility of creating a Monaghan Town Centre ‘hub’ that caters for public bus, park and ride facilities and taxi connections. MONAGHAN PUBLIC AND SHARED TRANSPORT OBJECTIVES MTO 14 To plan for and develop infrastructure which will facilitate access to and encourage the increased use of public and shared transport. MTO 10 To vary the Development Plan to incorporate the objectives and measures of the Local Transport Plan for Monaghan Town when finalised, and to implement its objectives and measures, during the lifetime of this plan. MTO 11 To undertake feasibility and viability studies regarding the options for potential relief roads around Monaghan Town during the lifetime of this plan, subject to resources. MTO 12 To protect, design and develop new road and road upgrade projects identified during the lifetime of this plan, subject to resources. 10.9.1 PUBLIC AND SHARED TRANSPORT Monaghan County Council recognise that the current public and shared transport facilities in the town could be improved. It is an objective of this Plan to consider the development of infrastructure and supports which could increase public and shared transport use including the provisions of a public hub and taxi rank at the Lower Courthouse carpark. 10.10 TOURISM Monaghan Town needs to establish itself as a tourist destination by improving the visitor facilities and amenities on offer. This can be achieved by focusing on protecting the built environment, capitalising upon the vibrant shopping status the town holds as well as its growing reputation as a food destination. There are a number of hotels in Monaghan Town, all of which provide high quality accommodation and service, notwithstanding this provision, there remains a shortage in bed nights for tourists at peak times. The town centre should continue to be developed as an attractive place to visit, with the linking of the older parts of the town through a series of connecting walkways and newly built courtyards, creating a safe and pleasant environment for pedestrians. The redevelopment of the backland areas of Dublin Street and improvements to the existing amenities around Peter’s Lake will contribute to an improved environment, which coupled with the conservation and restoration of buildings and monuments in the town, will add to the experience of the visitor. The potential benefits of recent investment which has resulted in the provision of the Peace Campus and the Church Square town performance space should be maximised through the delivery of an Events Strategy for Monaghan Town which would animate these town centre sites for festivals and events as well as helping to support the night time economy. Key festivals which take place in Monaghan Town include the Country Music Festival, Féile Oriel, and the Harvest Time Blues Festival. These events will continue to be supported by Monaghan County Council as they are significant generators of both visitor numbers and revenue. The re-opening of the Ulster Canal would constitute a large engineering project which would provide significant direct and indirect benefits in the areas of tourism, heritage and economic development. A canal basin could be formed thus providing a vital source of recreation and economic spin-off to the town, and generating new development opportunities in the town centre and an appropriate location for a marina type development within the settlement boundaries should be investigated. Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031
- 263 MTO 15 To support sustainable and well-planned festivals and events and to encourage the delivery of increased bed nights in suitable locations in Monaghan Town. MONAGHAN TOURISM OBJECTIVES MTO 16 To support the re-opening of the Ulster Canal in Monaghan Town and any complementary developments along its route, including the Ulster Canal Greenway network. MTO 17 To develop an Events Strategy for Monaghan Town within the lifetime of the Plan, subject to available resources. MTO 18 To support and encourage the development of appropriately scaled alternative forms of tourism accommodation on suitable sites within the town subject to Chapter 15 Development Management Standards. While Monaghan Town Centre has a number of attractions of interest to the visitor, there are also many more located on its doorstep. Strategic planning is now required to ensure that links between these assets and the town are enhanced/improved for the visitor, whether they are travelling on foot, bicycle or public transport. 10.11 RECREATION AND AMENITY Monaghan Town offers a range of cultural and civic facilities including the County Museum, the Library, the Garage Theatre and the Market House. There are two public exhibition spaces in the town, one in the Museum and one in the Market House. The Garage Theatre provides a home for drama and the arts, and a multi-screen Cinema is located on the edge of the town. Coral Leisure Complex is the largest health and fitness centre in the area providing public swimming and gymnasium facilities. There are also two private leisure facilities, one at the Four Seasons Hotel and one at the Hillgrove Hotel as well as a number of private gyms along with facilities for GAA, rugby and soccer. The recent purchase of part of the St Louis Convent Campus by Monaghan County Council, offers a unique opportunity for the Council to enhance public access to this unique asset and capitalise on its proximity to the Town Centre. Outdoor recreational pursuits such as angling, walking and golf are related primarily to the natural amenities around the town. Rossmore Golf Club, an 18-hole golf course, is located on the outskirts of the town. Other facilities in Monaghan Town include an all-weather playing pitch, a skateboard park, and a picnic area located at Oriel Way. 10.11.1 OPEN SPACE The Council will endeavour to protect and preserve areas of high amenity and open space value and restrict overdevelopment of urban land as well as seeking to develop further amenity areas in the town. The Council will seek to maintain existing rights of way and investigate the creation of additional public rights of way either, by agreement or by use of compulsory powers. 10.11.2 ULSTER CANAL GREENWAY The first phase of the Ulster Canal Greenway project opened in 2013. The 4.5km route passes through Monaghan town along the disused towpath of the Ulster Canal. The greenway has proved very successful with walkers and cyclists. The facility is used by several walking groups and is utilised during several recreational and charity events throughout the year including Darkness into Light and the Greenway Challenge. Phase 2 of the Ulster Canal Greenway project will add a further 7.3km of new greenway to Phase 1 and extend it eastwards towards the border with Northern Ireland. Phase 2 is scheduled for completion in 2025. Phase 3 of the project will add a further 21.6km of new greenway to Phase 1 and extend it westwards towards Clones Town. Phase 3 is scheduled for completion in 2027. Environment, Energy and Climate ActionEnvironment, Energy and Climate Actionmonaghan town settlement planchapter 10
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- 265 Environment, Energy and Climate ActionEnvironment, Energy and Climate Actionmonaghan town settlement planchapter 10 10.11.3 ROSSMORE FOREST PARK Rossmore Park (320 hectares in size) is a beautiful natural resource situated at the edge of Monaghan Town. The park was purchased by the Irish Forestry Division (now Coillte) from the barony of Rossmore in 1950. Most of the estate was replanted with broadleaved and conifer species by Coillte. Within the park are a number of walks and trails along with a series of excellent coarse fishing lakes namely Priestfield Lake and Castle Lake. The park provides excellent views of the local countryside, and it is a sanctuary for a large number of birds, animals and plant life. The park is a largely unspoiled recreational and natural amenity, which is convenient for both locals and visitors coming to Monaghan Town. The significance of the estate’s history plays a central part in the protection of this amenity and the park has a number of significant megalithic tombs within its area. Rossmore Park is not within the settlement envelope of Monaghan Town but is recognised as an important asset to the town. It is designated an Area of Secondary Amenity Value as identified on Map 6.1 Secondary Amenity Areas, Chapter 6 Heritage, Conservation and Landscape in this Plan. Rossmore Forest Park boasts an adventure playpark which is suitable for children up to 12 years of age. There is a variety of play equipment in the park including swings, zip lines, climbing frames and seesaws and there are also other opportunities for exploration. The playpark contains natural play items which encourage initiative, creativity and selfconfidence with log piles, willow tunnels, and beehive huts all waiting to be explored. Another key feature in the park is its resident giants and associated Giant Sculpture Trail. Recent developments to the park include, The Rossmore Family Cycle Trail and three new walks, Silver Lakes Trail, Lost Castle Trail and Wild Woodland Trail. Car parking facilities, picnic areas and a coffee dock providing on site refreshments are also available within the park and help to enhance the visitor experience. 10.12 NATURAL HERITAGE The setting of Monaghan Town is shaped by the natural topography which provides it with a unique natural environment. There are natural amenities such as Peter’s Lake and a number of important deciduous woodlands scattered throughout the town. Rossmore Park and its environs is located on the outskirts of the town while Wright’s Wood, a proposed Natural Heritage Area, and Tom Young’s Wood are situated along the Clones Road. A number of important trees and woodlands in Monaghan Town are provided in Appendix 3(b). MTO 19 To protect Peter’s Lake and its environs as a key amenity area within the town. MONAGHAN RECREATION, AMENITY AND OPEN SPACE OBJECTIVES MTO 20 To provide sufficient open space and amenity areas within and adjacent to the town. MTO 21 To encourage and facilitate the provision of appropriate and sensitive recreational development within Rossmore Forest Park and to enhance connections to Monaghan Town. MTO 22 To support appropriate recreation and amenity developments within the Convent Lands site.
- 266 Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031 10.13 BUILT HERITAGE Monaghan Town has a wealth of buildings of architectural interest. The present layout of Monaghan Town is striking in its unconventional triangular branching from the centre. The town centre consists of a series of four urban spaces of quite different character, Market Square, Church Square, Old Cross Square and the Diamond. The open space of the Diamond, with the Rossmore Memorial at the centre provides the main focus of the town. The prevalence of softly rounded corners on buildings is one of the most striking and unique features of the town’s architecture, a feature to be repeated in the redevelopment of corner sites. Another interesting architectural feature is the arch, a typical feature of the town’s buildings. Both the open arch and the arch incorporated into the wall, the arch at first floor level and segmented arches at ground level are all worthy architectural features. The streetscape is characterised by a narrow plot width with buildings of two and three storeys forming narrow wedges along a uniform building line. Monaghan Town Historic Towns Initiative Report was adopted by the Monaghan Municipal District Elected Members in November 2024 and is a positive road map for the successful heritage led regeneration of Monaghan, helping it to fulfil its potential as a historic town. This plan focusses on the historic core of Monaghan and aims to enhance the streets, buildings and monuments that make up the unique character of Monaghan town. The plan suggests a number of actions which draw on Monaghan town’s heritage assets and offers guidance on its future growth. Where relevant, regard shall be given to the report, however in the event of any conflict or ambiguity between the documents, the objectives and policies contained within the Development Plan shall take precedence. There are eleven Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs) within Monaghan Town as indicated in Table 6.9 of Chapter 6 Heritage, Conservation and Landscape of this Plan. Within ACAs the repair and refurbishment of existing buildings will be favoured over demolition and new build. New development should be sympathetic in scale, massing and detailed design to the existing character of the area. Guidance in relation to new development/works situated within an ACA is provided in Chapter 15 Development Management Standards of this Plan. A list of Protected Structures located within Monaghan Town is contained in Appendix 1. 10.14 ARCHAEOLOGY Monaghan Town is a fine example of a seventeenth century plantation town and much of the street pattern of this time has survived. Dublin Street, the Diamond, Glaslough Street, Mill Street, Park Street and Market Street all appear to be of seventeenth century origin. The “Zone of Archaeological Potential” within the town, which comprises the area of the seventeenth century town together with the area around the site of Mullaghmonaghan Fort, is delineated on Map MTDP3 of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031. Within this area there is a possibility of discovering archaeological deposits such as seventeenth century house foundations, refuse pits, industrial areas and workshops. Consequently, archaeological surveys maybe required before any development is commenced in these areas. Developers should also refer to the County Monaghan Urban Archaeology Survey which details other known archaeological findings in the urban area. A list of protected monuments and places is contained in Appendix 4. MTO 23 To protect natural amenities such as Peter’s Lake, Rossmore Park, Tom Young’s Wood, and Wright’s Wood from intrusive development that would detrimentally impact upon them or their designation. MONAGHAN NATURAL AND BUILT HERITAGE OBJECTIVE
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Source Monaghan County Council: Monaghan County Development Plan 2025–2031 (2025–2031) · 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.