Monaghan County Development Plan 2025–2031

1. Page 351

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   Environment, Energy and Climate ActionEnvironment, Energy and Climate Actionintroductionchapter 01 349 15.19 TELECOMMUNICATIONS ANTENNAE AND SUPPORT STRUCTURES The provision of telecommunication services is essential to promoting commercial and industrial development, enhancing social inclusion and improving personal and household security. It is therefore a policy of the Council to facilitate development involving telecommunications provided it does not detrimentally impact on the natural and built environment or the character of the area. The Council encourages engagement between telecommunication providers and local residents, prior to the installation of telecommunication infrastructure. Proposals for telecommunications antennae and support structures shall generally comply with the following: a) The ‘Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures – Guidelines for Planning Authorities’ (1996) and Circular PL 07/12, or any new or updated/subsequent versions. b) Best practice in siting and design to ensure the visual amenity and the landscape character of the area is protected. c) Be located to benefit from the screening afforded by existing tree belts, topography or buildings. d) On more obtrusive sites, alternative designs of mast shall be employed, unless where its use is prohibited by reasonable technical reasons. e) Have due regard to the location of antennae or other support structures in sensitive landscapes, scenic routes, Areas of Primary or Secondary Amenity, Special Protection Areas, Special Areas of Conservation, Architectural Conservation Areas, or on or near protected structures or recorded monuments and places. f) The co-location on other antennae support structures and sites, unless it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Planning Authority that the colocation is not feasible. g) Be accompanied with a Communication Strategy which indicates how the proposal has been discussed with relevant stakeholders such as the local community. Proposals for extractive industry shall normally be resisted in the following circumstances: a) Where it is located within an Area of Primary or Secondary Amenity, Special Protection Area Special Area of Conservation, Natural Heritage Area or Proposed Natural Heritage Area, Architectural Conservation Area or on or near protected structures, recorded monuments and places, unless in exceptional circumstances where the Planning Authority is satisfied that the need for the resource outweighs the environmental impact. b) Where it is located in close proximity to existing developments where potential sources of nuisance are considered to be incompatible. c) Where it may have a detrimental impact on the natural or built environment or matters of acknowledged public importance. Proposals for extractive industry shall as a minimum be accompanied by the following information: a) Map(s) detailing the total site area, the area of excavation, any ancillary proposed development, the location of all dwelling(s) and/or any other development within 1km of the application site b) Description of the aggregate/mineral to be extracted, method of extraction and any ancillary processes (crushing etc), as well as details of equipment to be used, stockpiles, storage of soil and overburden, and storage of waste materials. c) Total and annual tonnage of extracted aggregates/minerals expected lifetime of the extraction, maximum extent and depth of workings and an extraction phasing programme. d) Details of water courses within or adjoining the site of extraction, water table depth and hydrological impacts, natural and cultural heritage impacts, traffic impact and waste management. e) An assessment of cumulative impact when taken with any other extractive operations in the vicinity. f) Details in respect of the likely environmental effects, proposed mitigation measures, and restoration and aftercare proposals. EIP 1 Proposals for extractive industry shall comply with Section 15.18 of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031. EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRY POLICY TASP 1 Proposals for telecommunications antennae and support structures development shall comply with Section 15.19 of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031. TELECOMMUNICATIONS ANTENNAE AND SUPPORT STRUCTURES POLICY Environment, Energy and Climate ActionEnvironment, Energy and Climate ActionDevelopment management standardschapter 15

2. Page 352

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   Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031 350 EGP 1 Proposals for electricity and gas infrastructure development and any ancillary development shall comply with Section 15.20 and Policy EGP2 of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031. ELECTRICITY AND GAS INFRASTRUCTURE POLICIES EGP 2 The undergrounding of electricity transmission lines must be considered in the first instance, as part of a detailed consideration and evaluation of all options available in delivering and providing this type of infrastructure. The development shall be consistent with international best practice with regard to materials and technologies that will ensure a safe, secure, reliable, economic, efficient and high-quality network, and mitigation measures shall be provided where impacts are inevitable. 15.20 ELECTRICITY AND GAS INFRASTRUCTURE Electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure is essential to ensuring growth of the local and national economy, as well as being central to everyday life. The development of a secure and reliable electricity transmission/distribution infrastructure is a key factor for supporting economic development and attracting investment into an area. However, the need to accommodate electricity infrastructure must be balanced against a requirement to protect the environment. In addition, the importance of gas as an energy supply for industry, and potentially for residential properties, is recognised. Certain classes of development carried out by statutory undertakers are exempted development under the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended), however, major electricity infrastructure provision requires planning permission. It is a policy of the Council to facilitate development involving electricity and gas infrastructure, provided that it does not detrimentally impact on the natural or man-made environment or on the character of its setting. Proposals for electricity and gas infrastructure development and any ancillary development shall be resisted where there is: a) An adverse impact by the proposal on the visual amenities of the area and surrounding landscape. b) An adverse impact by the proposal on the residential amenities of the area. c) A cumulative adverse visual impact when considered with other similar projects across the local landscape. d) An adverse visual impact by the proposal upon Areas of Primary and Secondary Amenity, scenic routes and any other designated scenic landscapes. e) An adverse impact by the proposal on nature conservation, ecology, soil, hydrology, groundwater, archaeology, built heritage and public rights of way. f) An adverse impact by the proposal on the road network in the area. Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031

3. Page 353

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   Environment, Energy and Climate ActionEnvironment, Energy and Climate Actionintroductionchapter 01 351 DSP 1 Proposals for ducting, servicing and public lighting shall comply with Section 15.21 of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031. DUCTING, SERVICING AND PUBLIC LIGHTING POLICY 15.21 OPEN ACCESS DUCTING, SERVICING AND PUBLIC LIGHTING The Council shall require that open access is made available to all ducting networks provided to support a competitive telecommunications service and to safeguard existing roads and footpaths from unnecessary future excavation. Public lighting shall be provided by the developer in accordance with the specifications required by Monaghan County Council. The developer shall agree the details, location and specification for public lighting provision prior to the commencement of development and shall undertake an energy efficient design for public lighting. The Council will consider the potential for light pollution from new development and the intensification or alteration of existing development. The prevention of light pollution is important in the interests of nature conservation, residential amenity and energy efficiency. Proposals incorporating ducting, servicing and public lighting shall comply with the following: a) Open access ducting for broadband and telecommunications shall be provided in all new developments and infrastructure projects in compliance with the EU Gigabit Infrastructure Act. b) All services shall be located underground and in easily accessible locations for future maintenance, in accordance with the specifications required by Monaghan County Council. c) In respect of public lighting, i. performance low energy lighting shall be provided in all new development proposals ii. it shall be controlled in sensitive locations, to minimise impacts on residential amenity, habitats and species of importance, such as bats. iii. fixtures shall provide only the amount of light necessary for personal safety and be designed to avoid glare or emitting light above a horizontal plane. 15.22 GENERAL DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT STANDARDS This section contains policies and guidelines that shall be considered in respect of all applicable developments. 15.22.1 RENEWABLE ENERGY REQUIREMENT The Council shall require the provision of at least one energy efficient measure in the design of all new developments (solar panels, geo-thermal, passive design, wood burning installation, etc.). 15.22.2 RESIDENTIAL AMENITY All developments must have regard to their potential impact upon the residential amenity of existing and permitted residential land uses in the vicinity of the development. Development which has the potential to detrimentally impact on the residential amenity of properties in the vicinity of the development, by reason of overshadowing, overbearing, overlooking, dominance, emissions (e.g. noise, smell, pollution) or general disturbance, shall be resisted. RERP 1 Proposals for all development shall comply with Section 15.22.1 of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031. RENEWABLE ENERGY REQUIREMENT POLICY RAP 1 Proposals for all development shall comply with Section 15.22.2 of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031. RESIDENTIAL AMENITY POLICY Environment, Energy and Climate ActionEnvironment, Energy and Climate ActionDevelopment management standardschapter 15

4. Page 354

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   Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031 352 15.22.3 ALL RURAL ACCESSES The location and design of a rural access can have a significant visual impact on the countryside. Proposals for all new rural accesses shall comply with the following: a) Be positioned to minimise loss of hedgerow/trees. b) Where possible follow alongside existing boundaries/hedgerows. c) Follow the natural contours of the site and avoid sweeping driveways. d) Use existing lanes where practical. 15.22.4 LANDSCAPING AND BOUNDARY TREATMENT Landscaping plans should be submitted with all planning applications and the inclusion of semimature trees in larger development schemes shall be required. Walls, fences, railings and gates used to define spaces can have a significant impact on the visual character of the area and as such should be carefully considered as part of the overall design concept. Hard landscaping, including paving and street furniture is an important element in defining the character of open spaces. Materials must be appropriate and of good quality and as such careful consideration should be given to the design of hard surfaces such as streets, open spaces, paved areas and footpaths. Development proposals shall generally comply with the following: a) The submission of a comprehensive landscaping plan commensurate to the scale of development being proposed. At a minimum, landscaping plans shall include the number, species, location, height at planting, height at maturity and an implementation timescale for all proposed planting. b) New planting schemes should consist of local native plant types which will enhance the visual amenity and the biodiversity of the area. c) Where sites contain mature trees and/or substantial hedgerow(s) a detailed tree and hedgerow survey should be submitted clearly outlining the extent of what will be retained and replaced. Any existing mature trees to be retained shall be protected during site development works and incorporated into the scheme design. d) The removal of hedgerows to facilitate development must be clearly identified on the application drawings and a satisfactory, detailed replanting proposal submitted. e) The use of inappropriate or ornate boundary treatments, gates and piers which incorporate concrete balustrades, brickwork, blockwork or other unsympathetic materials should be avoided. f) Hard landscaping proposals for public areas in accordance with the principles of Urban Design Manual Best Practice Guide (2009) as appropriate and the use of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) to minimise run off and maximise efficient management of surface water. g) Where removal of extensive hedgerow and trees is proposed, existing site boundaries shall be supplemented. Where new site boundaries need to be created, or where landscape mounds are proposed, a costed landscape plan, prepared by a suitably qualified, competent, technical professional with landscaping expertise shall be submitted where appropriate. A bond may be applied in the event of a grant of permission to ensure the satisfactory completion of the landscaping. RRP 1 Proposals for all new rural accesses shall comply with Section 15.22.3 in Chapter 15 of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031. RURAL ACCESSES POLICY LCP 1 Proposals for landscaping and boundary treatments shall comply with Section 15.22.4 of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031. LANDSCAPING AND BOUNDARY TREATMENT POLICY Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031

5. Page 355

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   Environment, Energy and Climate ActionEnvironment, Energy and Climate Actionintroductionchapter 01 353 15.22.5 ON-SITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS On-site wastewater treatment systems should be located, constructed and maintained to the highest standards to ensure minimal impacts on water quality, including groundwater and surface water. Private wastewater treatment facilities serving more than one house will not be permitted. Proposals for on-site wastewater treatment systems shall normally comply with the following: a) All planning applications must be accompanied by a Site Characterisation Form, which has been completed by a suitably qualified, competent, technical professional. b) In respect of a rural dwelling, the Environmental Protection Agency Code of Practice - Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems Serving Single Houses (PE≤10) (2021), or any new or updated/subsequent versions. c) In respect of all other developments, the Environmental Protection Agency Wastewater Treatment Manual – Treatment Systems for Small Communities, Business, Leisure Centres and Hotels (1999) or any new or updated/subsequent versions. d) Include details and assess impacts on nearby private wells or water extraction points for human consumption. 15.22.6 WATER PROTECTION Development management can play a significant role in the prevention of further deterioration of water status and in the protection of existing high and good quality waters. Therefore, developers should adequately assess environmental risks, take account of site limitations and prepare a water protection plan. Site selection should take account of sensitive areas and sensitive water bodies. Water protection plans should aim to prevent contamination of storm water, minimise soiled and waste waters, install proper containment for material storage, install appropriate treatment and disposal arrangement for soiled and waste waters and take account of legal requirements for discharges to ground and surface waters. Soft engineering solutions such as Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) should be integrated into drainage system designs to enhance water quality protection. Developments in the vicinity of waterbodies should include appropriate riparian protection corridors and in-stream works should be avoided. Where necessary, in stream works should be carried out under the guidance of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) document ‘Requirements for the Protection of Fishery Habitat During Construction and Development Works at River Sites’. IFI should be consulted prior to the submission of any plans involving works close to waterbodies. All planning applications shall be accompanied by a completed Water Protection Plan Checklist (Refer to Appendix 6) and site drainage plan, to help identify aspects of the development which are likely to pose a risk to water. While guidance on water protection is available from a number of sources, developers will also need to seek professional advice and assistance in the preparation of plans and in assessing measures to deal with wastewaters. Sediment pollution is an issue impacting a significant proportion of water bodies. A Construction and Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) which includes soil management and water protection measures for the construction phase is a vital component of water protection. The preparation of a CEMP, where appropriate, is critical to ensure water protection during the construction phase. Developments generating trade effluents (waste waters) or discharging domestic type wastewater in unsewered areas may be subject to the discharge licensing system under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts 1977 and 1990. Such developments must address the requirements of the European Communities Environmental Objectives (Surface Waters) Regulations, 2009 (S.I. No 272 of 2009) and the European Communities Environmental Objectives (Groundwater Regulations, 2010 (S.I. No 9 of 2010) for the entire site. All wastewater discharges, including storm water discharges which come within the scope of the Wastewater Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations are required to be licensed. Incorporation of water conservation measures into developments would contribute to minimisation of wastewater generation. WWTP 1 Proposals for all on-site wastewater treatment systems shall comply with Section 15.22.5 of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031. ON-SITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT POLICY Environment, Energy and Climate ActionEnvironment, Energy and Climate ActionDevelopment management standardschapter 15

6. Page 356

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   Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031 354 Development proposals shall: a) Not be permitted where it would have an unacceptable impact on the water environment, including surface water and groundwater quality and quantity, river corridors and associated wetlands. b) Not be permitted within 200 metres of any lake, that is the source of a water supply, where any part of that development has the potential to pollute the lake. c) Ensure that there is no adverse impact on the quality of surface waters having regard to the targets and measures set out in the draft River Basin Management Plan for Ireland 2022-2027 (and any finalised version) and any subsequent local or regional plans. d) Ensure compliance with the European Communities Environmental Objectives (Surface Waters) Regulations, 2009 (S.I. No 272 of 2009) (as amended), and the European Communities Environmental Objectives (Groundwater Regulations, 2010 (S.I. No. 9 of 2010), as amended. e) Consider the impact on the quality of water reserves having regard to the recommended approach in the Groundwater Protection Response Schemes published by Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI), the methodology identified in the ‘Groundwater Protection Scheme Reports for County Monaghan public supply sources’ (available at www.gsi.ie), and the ‘Guidance on the Authorisation of Discharges to Groundwater’ (available at www.epa.ie) where appropriate. f) Ensure that industrial or intensive agricultural developments generating manure, organic fertilisers, or sludge, that are dependent on off-site recovery or disposal, take account of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidance document Land preading of Organic Waste, EPA Pollution Impact Potential maps and the sensitive area maps within the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031 including lands with impaired drainage/percolation properties, steeply sloping topography and lands where rock outcrops and extreme vulnerability of groundwater are present. g) Avoid the use of imported manure, slurry or organic fertilisers into water supply source catchments, high status waterbodies and “At Risk” water bodies, unless it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Planning Authority that no adverse impacts would occur on water quality. h) Include, where appropriate, a Water Protection Plan Checklist, a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) and detailed site drainage plans. i) Where appropriate, include provisions for a protective buffer to prevent further degradation of habitats within riparian corridors and to prevent any in stream works, or culverting of waterways, unless in accordance with Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) guidance document ‘Requirements for the Protection of Fishery Habitat During Construction and Development Works at River Sites’. j) Where appropriate, incorporate details of land spreading arrangements including a fertiliser plan for manures, organic fertilisers, or sludge arising from industrial or intensive agricultural development. k) Not be permitted within the vicinity of groundwater or surface water dependant Natura 2000 sites where there is potential for a likely significant impact upon the groundwater or surface water supply to the Natura 2000 site, unless demonstrated with hydro-geological evidence, that the proposed development will not adversely affect the quality or quantity of groundwater or surface water supply to the Natura 2000 sites. l) Be required to connect to the public sewer and public water network where available. Connections to Uisce Éireann infrastructure will be subject to an executed connection agreement with Uisce Éireann. m) Require all agricultural developments to submit the Supplementary Planning Application Form for Agricultural Development. n) Be resisted within a high-status waterbody catchment, where there is a potential for a reduction in status of a waterbody. o) Ensure that there is no adverse impact on the water environment, including surface waters, groundwater quality and quantity, river corridors and associated woodlands, and be cognisant of, where relevant, the EU’s Common Implementation Strategy Guidance Document No. 20 and 36 which provides guidance on exemptions to the environmental objectives of the Water Framework Directive. WPP 1 Proposals for developments shall comply with Section 15.22.6 of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031. WATER PROTECTION POLICY Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031

7. Page 357

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   Environment, Energy and Climate ActionEnvironment, Energy and Climate Actionintroductionchapter 01 355 SWDP 1 Development proposals shall include provision for SuDS in accordance with Section 15.22.7 of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031. SURFACE WATER DRAINAGE POLICIES SWDP 2 Development proposals shall ensure the capacity and efficiency of the public road network drainage regimes in County Monaghan will be safeguarded for road drainage purposes. 15.22.7 SURFACE WATER DRAINAGE All development proposals are required to be adequately serviced with surface water drainage infrastructure and water recycling and conservations measures as appropriate to minimise the effect of a development on flooding and pollution of existing waterways. Developments (including amendments/extensions to existing developments) will generally be required to incorporate Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) as part of the development/design proposals. SuDS are effective technologies, which aim to reduce flood risk, improve water quality and enhance biodiversity and amenity. The systems should aim to mimic the natural drainage of the application site to minimise the effect of a development on flooding and pollution of existing waterways. SuDS include devices such as swales, permeable pavements, filter drains, storage ponds, constructed wetlands, soakways and green roofs. In some exceptional circumstances, where it is demonstrated that SuDS devices are not feasible, approval may be given to install underground attenuation tanks or enlarged pipes in conjunction with other devices to achieve the required control of water discharge. Such alternative measures will only be considered in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the Planning Authority. Proposals incorporating Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) shall: k Include best practice in the design, construction and operation of expanding and new developments to ensure minimum effects on the aquatic environment, to ensure both water quality protection and flood minimisation. k Require that all development proposals, where appropriate, are accompanied by a comprehensive SuDs assessment that addresses run-off quantity, run-off quality and its impact on the existing habitat and water quality. k Ensure that all storm water/run-off discharges are restricted by onsite attenuation and/or other measures to maintain pre-development run-off levels. In all new developments, all attenuated storage volumes shall take into consideration climate change. All new developments in urban areas will be required to implement nature-based solutions in accordance with Nature Based Management of Urban Rainwater and Urban Surface Water Discharges – A National Strategy 2024 where appropriate. Public road surface water drainage regimes are constructed with the objective of disposing of road surface water, it is important that capacity in the drainage regime is retained to address this function. 15.22.8 FLOOD ZONES AND APPROPRIATE USES The Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines for Planning Authorities sets out a sequential approach and justification test for development proposed in areas at risk of flooding. A Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) was prepared to inform the land use zonings in this Development Plan and has identified areas at risk of flooding. It is essential that flooding issues are properly considered, and development shall be restricted and/or limited in areas which are at risk of flooding. Monaghan County Council will restrict development in areas susceptible to flooding except where: a) The proposed development can be justified on strategic grounds. b) The proposed development has addressed the flooding concerns which exist. c) The flood risk can be managed to an acceptable degree and without increasing flood risk beyond the site itself. d) Appropriate and detailed mitigation measures can be implemented to remove/minimise flood effects. All development proposals in flood risk areas should be supported with a site-specific Flood Risk Assessment (FRA), in accordance with the DECLG The Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2009) and Departmental Circular PL2/2014 (or any new or updated/subsequent versions). Environment, Energy and Climate ActionEnvironment, Energy and Climate ActionDevelopment management standardschapter 15

8. Page 358

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   Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031 356 Source: Table 3.2 of The Planning System and Flood Risk Management – Guidelines for Planning Authorities (November 2009). FLOOD ZONE A FLOOD ZONE B FLOOD ZONE C Highly vulnerable development Justification Test Justification Test Appropriate (including essential infrastructure) Less vulnerable development Justification Test Appropriate Appropriate Water-compatible development Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate FIGURE 15.1 MATRIX OF VULNERABILITY VERSUS FLOOD ZONE TO ILLUSTRATE APPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENT AND THAT REQUIRED TO MEET THE JUSTIFICATION TEST In respect of Figure 15.1: k Highly Vulnerable Development includes houses, schools, hospitals, residential institutions, emergency services, essential infrastructure, etc. k Less Vulnerable Development includes economic uses (retail, leisure, warehousing, commercial, industrial, non-residential institutions etc), land and buildings used for agriculture or forestry, local transport infrastructure, etc. k Water Compatible Development includes docks, marinas, wharves, water-based recreation, and tourism excluding sleeping accommodation, amenity open space, sports and recreation, flood control infrastructure, etc. Where developments/land uses are proposed that are considered inappropriate to the Flood Zone in Figure 15.1, a Development Management Justification Test and a Site-specific Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) will be required in accordance with the Guidelines. Where developments/land uses are proposed that are considered appropriate to the Flood Zone, a sitespecific Flood Risk Assessment will be required in accordance with the Guidelines. Where all criteria of the justification test cannot be satisfied, proposals involving existing development will be limited to minor development only as outlined in Section 5.28 of the Flood Risk Management Guidelines, new development in Flood Zone A will be limited to water compatible uses, and new development in Flood Zone B will be limited to water compatible and less vulnerable uses. Table 6.4 of the SFRA accompanying this development plan specifies design level requirements for highly vulnerable and less vulnerable receptors. In some instances, where an alternative minimum design level requirement can be demonstrated to be appropriate for the type and / or scale of the development and site characteristics, the freeboard requirements specified in Table 6.4 of the SFRA may be relaxed if justified as part of a Site Specific Flood Risk Assessment and adequate mitigation (including emergency planning) is included in overall site design. Consultation with the Council must take place prior to submission of a planning application in relation to any proposal where a reduction of this minimum design level requirement is proposed. Compensatory flood storage provision or the provision of flood defences will not override the need for completion of the justification test. A site-specific FRA will also be required for development proposals on lands identified within groundwater and pluvial (PFRA) areas for County Monaghan. Flood Risk Assessments shall: k Be undertaken by a competent person, such as a suitably qualified hydrologist, flood risk management professional or specialist water engineer as early as possible in the planning process. k Be proportionate to the risk, scale, nature and location of the development. k Be supported by appropriate data and information, including historical information on previous events, but focusing more on predictive assessment of less frequent or more extreme events, taking the likely impacts of climate change into account. k Clearly identify the risk to people and development, and how that risk will be managed over the lifetime of the development. k Include any mitigation measures proposed to remove/minimise flood effects upon the proposed development. k Demonstrate that the proposed development will not exacerbate flood risk in the wider area. Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031

9. Page 359

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   Environment, Energy and Climate ActionEnvironment, Energy and Climate Actionintroductionchapter 01 357 15.23 ROAD ACCESS STANDARDS A well-designed access is important for the safety and convenience of all road users, those proceeding on the public road, as well as those using the access. When the Planning Authority considers proposals for a new access or the intensification1 of use of an existing access, it will have a number of requirements to promote safety and avoid excessive delay. These requirements are outlined in this section. In the event that the National Standards are changed during the lifetime of this plan, any new standards shall take precedence and be applied to proposed developments. 15.23.1 VISIBILITY SPLAYS AGREEMENT It is the Council policy to only grant planning permission for development involving the creation of an access and/or the provision of visibility splays, where the applicant is able to demonstrate control, or the reasonable prospect of acquiring control of any land required for the provision of any access and/or visibility splays. Proposals requiring works on third party land must be accompanied by a written legal agreement, in accordance with Appendix 13. This legal agreement and accompanying maps shall be signed by all parties and witnessed by a Solicitor. 15.23.2 MINIMUM VISIBILITY STANDARDS FOR NON-URBAN ROADS The minimum visibility standards for a new access or intensification of an existing access onto non-urban roads2 shall comply with the standards set out in Table 15.4. These requirements are in accordance with National Standards as set out in TII publications DN- GEO-03060 ‘Geometric Design of Junctions’ (2017) and DN-GEO-043031 ‘Rural Road Link Design’ (2017). The distance back from the edge of a minor road into the access from which full visibility is measured is known as the ‘X’ distance. The ‘Y’ distance is the distance a driver can see in each direction along the major road from the specified set-back (X) in the centre of the access. The sight distances shall be measured to the near-side edge of the carriageway in both directions from a height of between 1.05m – 2.0m above the ground and from a point 2.4m/3.0m (Table 15.4) back from the edge of the road.3 FRP 1 Proposals for developments shall comply with Section 15.22.8 of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031. FLOOD RISK POLICY RASP 1 Proposals for new accesses or the intensification of use of an existing access shall comply with Section 15.23 to 15.23.8 of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031. ROAD ACCESS STANDARDS POLICY 1 Intensification is considered to occur where a proposed development would increase the traffic flow using an access by 5% or more. 2 An urban road is a road which is in a built-up area with a speed limit of 60 kph or less. 3 Range is to allow for vehicle type (car/lorry) and classification of public road (national road, local road, etc). Environment, Energy and Climate ActionEnvironment, Energy and Climate ActionDevelopment management standardschapter 15

10. Page 360

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    Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031 358 15.23.3 MINIMUM REQUIRED SIGHT DISTANCES FOR URBAN ROADS Within the speed limits of the urban areas, the required sight distances for new access or intensification of existing accesses shall comply with the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS, 2019), or any new or updated/subsequent versions. 15.23.4 VISIBILITY ARRANGEMENTS AT THE ACCESS Good visibility is essential to enable drivers emerging from the minor road (access) to see and be seen by drivers proceeding along the priority road (public road). Figure 15.2 illustrates how visibility splays are achieved. Throughout this section the access is referred to as the minor road and the public road which it joins is called the priority road. Visibility is required over the shaded area shown in Figure 15.2. The X distance is measured along the centre line of the minor road from the edge of the running carriageway of the priority road. The Y distance is measured along the near edge of the running carriageway of the priority road from the centre line of the minor road. Where the access is on the outside of a bend, an additional area will be necessary to provide splays which are tangential to the road edge as shown in Figure 15.3. ROAD CATEGORY DESIGN SPEED Y DISTANCE X SET BACK EYE HEIGHT / (km/hr) (m) DISTANCE (m) OBJECT HEIGHT (m) NATIONAL (UPGRADED)* 100 215 3.0 1.05 – 2.0M NATIONAL (NOT UPGRADED) 85 160 3.0 1.05 – 2.0M REGIONAL (UPGRADED)* 85 160 3.0 1.05 – 2.0M REGIONAL (NOT UPGRADED) 85 120 2.4 1.05 – 2.0M LOCAL PRIMARY (80KM/HR) 85 90 2.4 1.05 – 2.0M LOCAL PRIMARY (60KM/HR) 70 70 2.4 1.05 – 2.0M LOCAL SECONDARY 70 70 2.4 1.05 – 2.0M LOCAL TERTIARY 60 50 2.4 1.05 – 2.0M CUL-DE-SAC 42 35 2.4 1.05 – 2.0M TABLE 15.4 MINIMUM VISIBILITY STANDARDS * Upgraded to TII standards FIGURE 15.2 VISIBILITY SPLAY DIAGRAM The standards set out in Table 15.4 may be reduced where it is satisfactorily demonstrated by way of a site-specific survey and accompanying report completed by a suitably qualified, competent technical professional, that a reduced standard would be appropriate and safe. In these circumstances the required ‘Y’ distance shall be calculated on the basis of the 85% percentile speeds on the applicable road. Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031

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