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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- 289 and while under this lease in 2010 the Castle was extensively damaged in an arson attack. Hope Castle Gates & Gate Lodges These structures form the entrance to Muckno Park and help to define the break between the urban fabric of the town and its rural hinterland. Both Gate Lodges have recently been restored. The Coach House/Annex next to Hope Castle This was built in the 1860s by Henry Thomas Hope. Its special character owes much to its stonework and ironwork and its carriage archways. First Presbyterian Church, Lakeview The Presbyterian Church in Castleblayney was built in 1787 on land donated by Lord Blayney. Its barn style design has gothic influences. The Hope Arms Hotel Located on West (Main) Street directly opposite the entrance to Lough Muckno this former hotel is registered as being operational since 1824. The building’s plain frontage belies its impressive interior and detailed fittings. It also has an attractive set of wrought-iron railings. Its most notable guest was Charles Stewart Parnell who resided in the hotel in 1883 during the Monaghan By-Election of that year. Hope Temple Located at Concra, this building was a resting/summer house for the Blayney and the Hope families. There is only one side of the structure remaining. Convent of Mercy The Sisters of Mercy arrived in Castleblayney in 1905 and opened a school on New Street. The Convent was built in 1910 on the former site of an old Brewery. The Almshouses Built in 1879 the Castleblayney Almshouses are prominently located at the entrance to the town from the Carrickmacross and Dundalk direction. Their redbrick appearance, symmetrical form and extensive lawn have a prominent setting on the rising ground of Connabury Hill. Their design attributes include five towering chimney stacks and arched doorways. The caretaker’s lodge at the front of the site is designed in sympathy with the Almshouses. This building has been refurbished and the residential use has been reestablished. The Rounded Corner at Market Square The unusual, rounded configuration of this road and its ascent from Muckno Street into West (Main) Street has resulted in an unusual, curved frontage which characterises this part of the town. The Corner House at the junction of Market Square and Henry Street This building is unusual in Castleblayney in that its form curves with the street. This feature is more commonly found in Monaghan Town. Building adjoining Bank of Ireland, West Street This building with a vertical emphasis, massing and regular window pattern complements the adjoining Bank of Ireland property. Its interior also retains much of the dimensional character of the late nineteenth century. Church Street Cottages This row of stone landlord cottages was built in 1877 for the labourers of the Hope Estate. Their exteriors are in good condition, and they constitute one of the most attractive streetscapes found within the town. Church Street Gate Lodge and Pillars to Hope Castle This Gate Lodge and Pillars, which date from 1877, were the Church Street entrance to Hope Castle. This structure has been refurbished for residential use. The Caretakers Residence at Saint Maeldoid’s Built in the style of the landlord cottages, its brickwork and gothic finishing complement the building line of the landlord cottages. The Seven Houses Located on Keady Road, these have now been consolidated into four houses, consisting of a terraced row of three cottages and a detached two storey building known as “Forest View”, which has distinctive window shutters, barge boards and dormer windows. McGuigan’s Boutique, Muckno Street The traditional pilaster, stall riser and entablature of this shop front set it apart from the adjoining frontage on this side of Muckno Street. Bank of Ireland, West Street The cut stone/brick façade is enhanced by intricate fenestration and door detailing, with the windows varying in size and shape in each storey. The bank is built in a style quite similar to the Muckno Gate Lodges whereby a cut stone pattern forms the base of the ground floor and the red-bricked frontage on the upper floors is adorned with quoin stones. Row of Five Houses in Market Square at Muckno Gates Wrought ironwork forms part of the property railings and window frames. The White House guesthouse is one of the finer properties found in the square. The nearby oriel window above the archway also contributes to the special character of this area. castleblayney town settlement planchapter 12
- 290 Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031 Former Castleblayney Town Council Offices and Property on Opposite Side of Archway, West Street. These early nineteenth century buildings are located at either side of a pedestrian archway accessible to the largest backland public car park in Castleblayney. While both buildings have good door cases and wrought iron railings, the former Town Council building also has a fine bay window. Post Office, West Street Good traditional proportions. Mallon Solicitor’s Office, Main Street Pleasing red-brick façade with good roof detailing and single bay window. Market Square Architectural Conservation Area The group of buildings at Market Square adjacent to the entrance to Lough Muckno are designated as a proposed Architectural Conservation Area. 12.13 ARCHAEOLOGY There will be a presumption against development that would adversely affect sites of archaeological importance and their settings, unless there are exceptional circumstances to indicate otherwise. The uncovering of archaeological objects will be closely linked to explorations and investigations in the Muckno area. CBO 12 To encourage and facilitate the sensitive restoration and refurbishment of Hope Castle and its annex buildings during the Plan period. CASTLEBLAYNEY NATURAL AND BUILT HERITAGE OBJECTIVES CBO 13 To limit development within the environs of Lough Muckno, unless in exceptional circumstances, where it has been proven to the satisfaction of the Planning Authority that the integrity of the Lough and its surrounding landscape will not be threatened or where the development complies with any subsequently adopted Masterplan. CBO 14 To protect and conserve the River Fane and Gas Lake and their environs from inappropriate development. CBO 15 To encourage and facilitate the sensitive restoration and refurbishment of the Courthouse during the plan period subject to resources being available.
- 291 Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031 chapter 13 clones town settlement plan 2025–2031
- Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031 clones town settlement plan 2025–2031 292
- 293 clones town settlement planchapter 13 CLSO 1 To promote and develop Clones as a service town to create a self-sufficient sustainable and vibrant community which will act as a local economic and service centre for the Border and the West Monaghan catchment hinterlands whilst protecting the significant built and archaeological heritage of the town. CLSO 2 To ensure that the following priorities for the town are delivered within the lifetime of the development plan:- k the preparation and implementation of a Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan for the town. k the preparation and implementation of a Town Centre First Plan for the town. k the preparation of a feasibility study in respect of proposed road links within the town. CLONES SETTLEMENT PLAN STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 13.0 LOCATION AND CONTEXT Clones Town serves the economic needs of a large rural hinterland, which extends into County Fermanagh. The overall character of Clones is typified by a contrast of the grandiose formal buildings fronting onto The Diamond and the small scale residential and retail properties adjacent to this. Due to the topography of the town, the surrounding landscape is often visible, and this provides a rich contrast to the developed town and built form. The streets vary in character from a built-up urban form such as with Fermanagh Street, to the rural nature of Ball Alley, typified by the high dry-stone wall which surrounds the abbey ruins set against views into the adjacent landscape. An interesting feature throughout the historic town of Clones are the number of arches and archways that link the backland areas of the main streets with interesting and appealing spaces, once vibrant and full of residential activity. The town has retained the feel of a principal town, typified by the dominance of the two churches and the scale of the public space at its heart. The planned nature of its layout, and the scale of its civic buildings, particularly in The Diamond, harks to a more prosperous past than most towns. Clones, located along the N54 midway between the towns of Cavan and Monaghan, and 35km from Enniskillen, must increase its population and develop its weak urban structure, to sustain its role as a service and employment centre. The development of the town as a vibrant, residential centre is critical to its future. In addition, Clones must provide social, recreational and economic facilities that encourage residential development in and around the town. 13.1 HISTORICAL CONTEXT Clones is associated with the monastic settlement of its patron, Saint Tiarnach, who established a Church and monastery named Cluain Eois in the sixth Century. However, the ring fort located on the hill overlooking these ruins indicates a much earlier pre-Christian settlement on this site. The Abbey (of Saints Peter and Paul) was established by Saint Augustine’s canons in the early twelfth century and the ruins of this Abbey are still to be found at the junction of Abbey Street and Mac Curtain Street. A Norman Motte and Bailey located to the west of The Diamond exists from this era and a Planter’s castle erected and garrisoned by English settlers in the 17th century overlooks O’Duffy’s Street. In recent centuries much of the development of the modern town and surrounding abbey can be traced to the efforts of the agents who represented its absentee landlords, the Barrett-Lennards. Linen production was successfully introduced to the town and its environs, and Clones assumed its position as the market centre for a wide hinterland in both counties Monaghan and Fermanagh. During the first half of the nineteenth century St. Tiarnach’s Church of Ireland was built in a commanding position at the top of The Diamond. The completion of the courthouse and a new and more substantial market house provides evidence of affluence and confidence. Such confidence was encouraged by the opening of the Ulster Canal in 1841 and by the immediate arrival of the railway. As it entered the twentieth century, Clones was comfortably situated, with its by then well-established market and rail communications with Belfast and Dublin. This was the situation until the partition of Ireland changed the relative geographical location and importance of Clones when it became a border town with its commercial hinterland almost sliced into two halves.
- 294 13.2 REGENERATION OF CLONES Clones Regeneration Partnership (CRP) was formed in December 1999 and with support from Clones Town Council sought to break the cycle of decline and contribute to good quality of life by generating and retaining the confidence of those living and willing to invest in the town, as well as those willing to provide services and facilities. CRP produced the Regeneration Strategy Report for the town which outlined a way forward for the continued regeneration of the economy of the town and its hinterland. The years since the establishment of CRP have seen positive advancements in infrastructure and property developments in Clones arising out of the vision of the Strategy including the Clones Business Technology Park, which focused upon attracting technology-based industries into the town, the provision of broadband, the development of the Peace Link facility and the redevelopment of the Canal Stores. The principal achievement of the CRP was to revive hope and vision within the community of Clones. The Clones Regeneration Partnership was replaced with the Clones Town Team in October 2017, who in turn developed a Town Plan for Clones. The Ballybay-Clones Erne East Partnership (BCEEP) was established in June 2014 and involves collaboration between Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and Monaghan County Council. The primary objective of the Partnership is to provide a mechanism to work together on issues of commonality to achieve more effective solutions on a cross-border basis and in order to try collectively to impact on the social and economic improvement of the area. The Clones Renewal Scheme, an award-winning project, has reinvigorated Clones Town by transforming derelict sites and providing social housing in the centre of the town. Various sites were acquired by Monaghan County Council through negotiated purchase and the provisions of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 to resolve the derelict nature of properties in the town centre. The scheme resulted in the renewal or replacement of eleven derelict buildings across six sites and the construction of twenty four housing units of varying tenures, with each building configured to address the unique urban pattern and challenging topography of Clones. The scheme has delivered multiple positive impacts, and has helped to sustain the town population, improve the vibrancy and vitality of the town and help to stimulate development opportunities on adjoining sites. 13.3 STRATEGY AND VISION The purpose of the Clones Settlement Plan is to support the regeneration of Clones Town Centre and facilitate the development of the town by supporting the expansion of services to meet the needs of its locality. Census 2022 recorded a population of 1,885 for the settlement of Clones, an increase of 205 persons from the previous census recording in 2016 and representing a significant population increase of 12%. Of the total housing stock for Clones Town, Census 2022 recorded a vacancy rate of 18%, a decrease in vacancy rates of 2% from the previous Census results. It is an objective of this plan to address vacancy rates by encouraging residential development within the settlement including the regeneration of brownfield sites and derelict properties. Table 2.4 in Chapter 2 Core Strategy of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031 projects that the population of Clones will grow to 2,259 persons over the plan period. A housing land requirement of almost 8 hectares is provided for within the settlement boundaries in order to accommodate this projected growth. In the Core Strategy Clones is identified as a Tier 3 service town where the regeneration and renewal of the town centre is being promoted to enable it to continue its function in providing local services. CLO 1 To support Clones Town Team and encourage development which will reverse the economic and social decline of the town and provide an improved quality of life for the people of Clones and its hinterland population. CLONES REGENERATION OBJECTIVE Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031
- 295 13.5 TOWN CENTRE There is a high level of vacancy and dereliction in the retail core of Clones including along Fermanagh Street. Dereliction is also present in a number of other areas such as the backlands between Fermanagh Street and ’98 Avenue, and the rear of The Diamond and Mac Curtain Street. The closure of Ulster Bank in 2016 after 120 years of occupation in the town represented the loss of financial services in the town, however there is scope to promote a new use for this building which occupies a prominent position between Monaghan Street and The Diamond. Monaghan County Council will continue to encourage development and use its statutory powers to tackle dereliction in the centre of the town and to regenerate the commercial centre of the town. The Council has previously used its statutory powers to purchase a number of derelict properties in Clones town as part of the successful Clones Renewal Scheme. There are opportunities to provide new uses for vacant buildings within the town centre. An encouraging example of this is the redevelopment of the former post office building in The Diamond into a centre for the Arts. The centre offers modern studios and a large exhibition/theatre space while still maintaining the integrity of the building. The studios are available to artists and community groups engaging in the Arts and is also used in conjunction with the annual Clones Film Festival. The town centre contains numerous opportunities for urban housing developments. Derelict and vacant properties to the rear of Fermanagh Street, ’98 Avenue, Mac Curtain Street and Cara Street provide ideal locations for town housing, apartments over business premises and infill developments. The Clones Courthouse was adapted to allow the building to function as a multi-purpose community resource and as a venue for social and cultural events. The Courthouse is used for screenings during the annual Clones Film Festival and for similar cultural events throughout the year. This innovative adaptation provides for the sustainable future use of a formerly underutilised public building. Monaghan County Council recently received funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund to redevelop the former Lennard Arms Hotel into a museum and visitor centre and to construct a new business hub on a derelict site on Fermanagh Street. The funding will afford for the regeneration of two interlinked and strategic sites within the Town Centre and will also further improve the tourism offerings of the town. 13.4 EDUCATION Clones has two national schools and one secondary school. CLO 2 To prioritise and encourage development on brownfield lands and derelict sites. CLONES TOWN CENTRE OBJECTIVES CLO 3 To regenerate the town centre as a residential, retail and service centre, with particular emphasis on Fermanagh Street and The Diamond and encourage the refurbishment, renewal and re-use of existing buildings and derelict sites. 2022 POPULATION POPULATION AS A % 2031 PROJECTED PROJECTED % OF COUNTY OF COUNTY MONAGHAN POPULATION MONAGHAN POPULATION POPULATION 2022 2031 1,885 2.88% 2,259 3.2 % TABLE 13.1 CLONES TOWN POPULATION PROJECTIONS TABLE 13.2 ENROLMENT FIGURES FOR SCHOOLS IN CLONES TOWN 2023-2024 NAME OF SCHOOL .................................................................................................No. of Students ST. TIARNACH’S PRIMARY SCHOOL........................................................................... 265 GAELSCOIL EOIS .................................................................................................................... 129 LARGY COLLEGE ................................................................................................................... 488 clones town settlement planchapter 13
- 13.6 RETAILING Clones Town trading consists of one supermarket on Fermanagh Street and a limited number of comparison shops in the town. There are two filling stations on the eastern side of the town with ancillary retail and deli facilities. There is currently one hotel and one B&B in the town centre. The variety and range of shops and offices in Clones needs to be broadened and expanded. The viability of local businesses does however depend on achieving and maintaining a sustainable population and catchment area. Whilst dereliction and passing trade are issues that need to be addressed, the town has the potential to develop its function as a vibrant residential centre to sustain its retail and service sectors. The Council will continue to encourage the location of town centre retail and service businesses within the zoned area and will through the development management process, restrict non-town centre business from locating within the town centre. The Council will in collaboration with the business sector and local traders, improve and develop the town centre shopping facilities as resources become available. The County Monaghan Retail Strategy 2016-2022 identified specific actions to address the issues in Clones such as the preparation of a co-ordinated marketing strategy to build on the town’s key attractions, the need to tackle vacancy and dereliction, and to provide enhanced parking in the vicinity of Fermanagh Street. 13.7 INDUSTRY, ENTERPRISE AND EMPLOYMENT Clones has a number of core industries which have provided constant employment, notably in the food processing and engineering/steel industries. The largest employers are Allied Beef Producers (ABP) and Feldhues GmbH. The John Matthews Enterprise Centre in the centre of Clones provides small incubator work units to a number of small family operated businesses in the town. The Clones Business Technology Park was funded by the International Fund for Ireland, Border Action, Clones Town Council and Monaghan Enterprise Fund, and was facilitated by the Clones Regeneration Partnership. The 750 sqm modern business park provides attractive, modern office accommodation divided into nine units varying with flexibility to combine some of the units into larger work areas. The Technology Park aims to attract technology-based service industries to locate in Clones particularly since there is a keen information technology expertise available locally. 296 Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031
- According to the 2022 Census the principal occupations of the workforce in Clones are employed in manufacturing (42.6%), Professional Services (21.6%) and Commerce and Trade (15.2%). Approximately 39 hectares of land has been zoned for Industry, Enterprise and Employment (Refer to Map CDP1 of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031). These areas include existing industrial sites within the town, with the remaining areas provided to accommodate all proposed industry in the town during the plan period 2025-2031. Most of this land is adjacent to the N54, within the 60kph speed limit. 297 13.8 POWER AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) have been provided in Clones. MANs is a network that consists of telecom ducting and fibre optic cable that allows licensed telecom providers to connect their equipment to commercial premises and buildings. MANs infrastructure provides opportunities for the development of e-working centres throughout the region thereby reducing the number of journeys to work by car. Clones is included as part of Eir/Openeir’s IFN fibre rollout programme which delivers high speed fibre broadband services to industry, consumers and to business owners within the town. In addition, there are also extensive wireless broadband networks in and around Clones Town. Monaghan County Council will review the options for telecommunications infrastructure within the town and continue to co-operate with statutory and regulated bodies in the provision of power and communication facilities throughout the town. 13.9 ROADS AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT Clones is located along the N54 National Secondary Route linking Belfast to Galway. It is also linked to its hinterland, both north and south by four regional roads (to Enniskillen, Roslea, Scotshouse and Newbliss) and a local road (to Magheraveeley). As the N54 route passes through the town centre, it can lead to high volumes of commercial vehicles and through traffic in 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 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 Clones Town will contribute toward Government objectives around active travel. Public and shared transport also has the potential to enhance sustainability and reduce carbon emissions. Access to and facilities for public and shared transport may need to be improved to support the increased use of public and shared transport. Subject to funding and resources, the Local Authority plans to develop a Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan for the town. A key objective of this plan will be to promote active travel and public and shared transport. Implementing the Sustainable Mobility Plan may require other interventions, such as traffic management and traffic calming, the re-allocation of road space and changes to traffic priority. CLO 4 To promote the development of start-up enterprises within Clones Town. CLONES INDUSTRY, ENTERPRISE AND EMPLOYMENT OBJECTIVE clones town settlement planchapter 13
- 298 Throughout the year, Clones attracts large volumes of visitors to the town attending G.A.A. matches in St. Tiarnach’s Park. The development of a new road access to the ground and enhancement of the approaches to St. Tiarnach’s Park, is a key priority for the further development of Clones Town. The improvements to these roads, will ensure that visitors attending matches particularly on Ulster Final day, can enter and access St. Tiarnach’s Park with ease. Details of the proposed link road is provided below: k Link Road from the Monaghan Road (N54) to the Roslea Road (LP2110), and the extension of the Monaghan Road (N54) – Roslea Road Link Road (around St. Tiarnach’s Park). This potential link to the north of the N54 Clones- Monaghan Road, east of the existing Feldhues plant, would open up a substantial parcel of land for industrial and residential use and has the potential in future to link directly with the Roslea Road, with a possible further link to Millbrook and the Magheraveeley Road. Such a route would also ease access to St. Tiarnach’s Park GAA ground. Recognising the strategically important parcel of zoned industry, enterprise and employment lands to the northeast of Clones adjoining the N54 national road where an 80km/h speed limit currently exists, 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. To facilitate this, the following will be considered and appropriate measures put in place: k The N54 will be traffic calmed in accordance with TII Standards, including Design Report requirements in accordance with TII publications DN-GEO-03030. This will include a review of speed limits and provision of infrastructure to compliement any traffic calming proposals. Any speed limit review will be undertaken in adherence to ‘The Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits in Ireland’. k Any work regarding traffic calming shall be in accordance with TII Standards and Safety Audit requirements. k Any proposals for traffic calming retrofitted onto existing pavements shall not compromise the structural integrity of the existing pavement. The installation of coloured surfaces that are trafficked shall comply with the requirements of TII Publication DN-PAV-03023 and CC-SPW00900. All pavement works on the national road network shall comply with TII Specification for Roadworks CC-SPW-00900. k The costs of implementation works, including any subsequent relocation of the speed limit and traffic calming, shall be a matter for the Council and/or applicant/developer as TII will not be responsible for funding or undertaking works for the benefit of private development interests. k The phasing and delivery of the above requirements shall be agreed between the Council and TII in advance of any planning permission. CLO 5 To undertake feasibility and viability studies regarding the options for potential relief roads around Clones Town during the lifetime of this plan, subject to resources. CLONES ROADS AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES CLO 6 To undertake a feasibility study of the indicative link road from the Monaghan Road (N54) to the Roslea Road (LP2110), and the extension of the Monaghan Road (N54)- Roslea Road Link Road around St. Tiarnach’s Park, during the lifetime of this plan, subject to available resources. CLO 7 To prepare a Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan for Clones Town using the Area Based Transport Assessment process, completed by 2025. CLO 8 To vary the Development Plan to incorporate the objectives and measures of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan for Clones Town when finalised, and to implement its objectives and measures during the lifetime of this Plan. Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031
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.