Development plan · Roscommon County Council
Roscommon County Development Plan 2022–2028
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards.
Roscommon County Council · 2022–2028 · 238 pages
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- REGIONAL SPATIAL AND ECONOMIC STRATEGY The Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) for the Northern and Western Region aims to deliver effective regional development for all our communities, focusing on functionality, regardless of administrative boundaries. At its core the RSES recognises the weak urban infrastructure in the region and the fact that it has not prospered economically to the same extent as the rest of the country. The RSES has introduced the concept of a Growth Framework that incorporates ‘Five Growth Ambitions’ with a focus on People and Places namely: Vibrant Region, Natural Region, Connected Region, Inclusive Region and Enabling our Region (refer to Figure 1.2). The RSES uses a place based approach to tap into the potential of cities, towns and their rural hinterlands to contribute to national development. In terms of the broad settlement strategy for the Northern and Western Region, the RSES promotes the development of urban places of regional scale. In this context the RSES includes a Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan (MASP) for Galway and tailored Regional Growth Centre Strategic Plans for Letterkenny, Sligo and Athlone. The Strategic Plan for Athlone is an integral part of the RSES for the Northern and Western Region, and it has taken due cognisance of the equivalent RSES strategy prepared by the Eastern and Midlands Regional Assembly (EMRA). The RSES also includes Regional Policy Objectives (RPO’s) which provide for the future planned development of Athlone through a Joint Urban Area Plan, as well as a planned 40% population increase in line with the Roadmap for the Implementation of the National Planning Framework. The RSES notes that this translates to a population target of “at least 1,500 by 2031 for the western part of Athlone (within the functional area of Roscommon)”. The RSES has also identified Key Towns in the Region, which will have a targeted population growth of 30%. This target is to be considered when preparing plans for Roscommon town as well as relevant parts of Carrick-on- Shannon and Ballinasloe, all of which are identified as Key Towns in the Northern and Western Region. As noted in the RSES, the identified target population growth needs to be matched by the delivery of critical enabling infrastructure and services. Through such a co-ordinated approach, places will be equipped to grow as successful significant employment centres and service locations, benefitting both the urban area and the wider hinterlands it serves. With regard to rural development Section 3.5 of the RSES advises that development plans should “reflect on providing for vibrancy and vitality of rural areas, how to realise their potential and to re-imagine these areas”. The role of smaller towns and regeneration of those towns is also to be supported, as is the provision of serviced sites within these settlements, as an alternative to oneoff rural dwellings. CORE STRATEGY POLICY OBJECTIVES It is a policy objective of Roscommon County Council to: CS 2.1 Ensure that the future development of Roscommon is in accordance with the National Planning Framework and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020- 2032 for the Northern and Western Region. 2121Roscommon County Development Plan 2022-2028 – Volume I Chapter 2: Core Strategy and Settlement Policy
- 2.5 Population Projections Census 2016 results show that the population of County Roscommon is 64,544 persons. This is an increase of 479 or 0.7% from Census 2011. 11 Guidelines issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). The Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework has a target population for County Roscommon of 70,500-71,500 by 2026 which represents a population increase for the county of between 6,000 and 7,000 people for the period. As noted, in the context of national and regional policy considerations, Athlone is designated as a Regional Growth Centre and Roscommon town is a Key Town in the region. The population of the entire Athlone settlement was 21,300 in 2016, of which almost 4,500 persons resided in County Roscommon. The recorded population in Roscommon town in Census 2016 was 5,900. The RSES has included growth projections for both of these settlements with the population of Athlone and Roscommon projected to grow by 40% and 30% respectively. This Plan adopts an approach to population growth that is linked to the implementation of the NPF, the Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework and the RSES. In addition to the parameters set in the foregoing strategies, the methodology set out in the Housing Supply Target Methodology for Development Planning – Guidelines for Planning Authorities (DHLGH, December 2020)11 has been employed as part of the development of the Core Strategy. The Guidelines highlight the need, in planning effectively for future development, to ensure that a comprehensive and coordinated approach is taken to estimating what the scale and nature of what future needs will be. The Guidelines set out a consistently applicable methodology (using an enhanced evidence base of detailed housing demand projection scenarios modelled by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI)), that enables NPF population targets to be translated into household demand projections and integrated housing supply targets at both national and local levels. The projected NPF population distribution forms the basis for one of the housing demand projection scenarios modelled by (ESRI), and this remains the preferred national development scenario to 2040. Appendix 1 of the Circular provides projected housing demand for each local authority area for the period 2020-2031 based on the NPF Scenario. The Core Strategy has been prepared in accordance with the population projections outlined in the Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework as well as the housing demand projections identified by the ERSI, subject to the methodology set out in Section 4.0 of the Guidelines and adjusted for the period of the plan The projected housing demand for County Roscommon and the distribution of future population in the county is outlined in Table 2.2. Appendix 2 contains further detailed methodology calculations based on the requirements of the Housing Supply Target Methodology for Development Planning – Guidelines for Planning Authorities. In summary, the Core Strategy has taken the following into account: g Compliance with the NPF and RSES; g The settlement hierarchy for the county as detailed in Table 2.3, which advocates an emphasis on: i. Promoting sustainable growth in Athlone, as a designated Regional Growth Centre; ii. Supporting employment and residential growth in Roscommon as a designated Key Town; g Accommodating local growth at a scale appropriate to the settlement size and function in the Self-Sustaining Growth Towns <2000 population; g Facilitating residential development in serviced and unserviced settlements as an alternative to rural one-off housing; g Accommodating locally generated housing need in the open countryside; and g Climate change and sustainability. 22Roscommon County Development Plan 2022-2028 – Volume I22 Chapter 2: Core Strategy and Settlement Policy
- Table 2.2: Core Strategy Allocations 12 RPO 3.7.17 of the NWRA RSES outlines a minimum density rate of 50 units per hectare in the town centre area and a default rate of 35 units per hectare otherwise. Settlement 2016 Population Population Growth 2022-2028 Population Growth 2028-2031 New Residential Units Proposed Densities Residential zoned land requirement Units to be delivered on infill/ brownfield lands Settlement Type: Regional Growth Centre Athlone (Monksland/ Bellanamullia) 21,300 (4,350 in Monksland / Bellanamullia) 1,380 420 515 50/35 units/Ha12 10.3 Ha - 14.7 Ha12 206 Settlement Type: Key Town Roscommon 5,900 1,608 (27%) 170 600 35 units/Ha 17.15 Ha 180 Carrick-on- Shannon (Cortober) 4,100 (640 in Cortober) 172 (27%) 20 64 35 units/Ha 1.8 Ha 19 Settlement Type: Self- Sustaining Growth Town >2000 Population Boyle 2,570 514 (20%) 280 190 20 units/Ha 9.5 Ha 57 Settlement Type: Self- Sustaining Growth Towns <2000 Population Castlerea 1,990 354 (19%) 180 132 20 units/Ha 6.6 Ha 40 Ballaghaderreen 1,800 340 (19%) 175 127 20 units/Ha 6.35 Ha 38 Strokestown 825 155 (19%) 80 58 20 units/Ha 2.9 Ha 17 Elphin 565 107 (19%) 55 40 20 units/Ha 2 Ha 12 4,622 1,380 1,726 569 Settlement Type: Serviced Villages (See Table 2.3) 240 90 Settlement Type: Unserviced Villages (See Table 2.3) 80 30 Settlement Type: Rural Areas 1,360 507 Totals 6,302 2,353 569 2323Roscommon County Development Plan 2022-2028 – Volume I Chapter 2: Core Strategy and Settlement Policy
- Map 2.1: Core Strategy Map Monksland / Bellanamullia Roscommon Cortober Boyle Strokestown Elphin Castlerea Ballaghaderreen Tulsk Athleague Ballyfarnon Cootehall Frenchpark Loughglynn Ballintober Castleplunket Roosky Lecarrow Ballyforan Hodson Bay / Barrymore Knockcroghery Ballinameen Bellanagare Arigna Croghan Keadue Ballinlough Cloonfad Ballyleague Tarmonbarry Castlecoote Curraghboy Dysert Four Roads Taughmaconnell Brideswell Garranlahan © Ordnance Survey Ireland Planning Section, Roscommon County Council, Áras an Chontae, Roscommon. Telephone: (090) 6637175 www.roscommoncoco.ie Date: April 2022 Author: P.S. Scale: N.T.S © Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSI). All rights reserved. Licence number 2021/18/CCMAI Roscommon County Council. NOTE: Unauthorised reproduction infringes OSI and government of Ireland copyright.±Legend ! Regional Growth Centre ! Key Town ! Self-Sustaining Growth Town " Self-Sustaining Growth Town # Serviced Villages # Unserviced Villages County Boundary Areas Under Urban Influence Roscommon County Development Plan 2022-2028 Core Strategy Remaining Rural Areas >2000 population <2000 population 24Roscommon County Development Plan 2022-2028 – Volume I24 Chapter 2: Core Strategy and Settlement Policy
- 2.6 Settlement Hierarchy The policies and objectives included in this Development Plan relate to and are consistent with the higher level national and regional policies and strategies. The Core Strategy population targets and housing unit requirements set out in Table 2.2, identify the relevant population figure, housing unit numbers and housing land requirement for each of the settlements in the Settlement Hierarchy. The distribution of future population and household growth in this Plan is based on the key principles of the NPF and RSES of delivering more compact growth, improving the alignment of population and employment growth, and concentrating growth in the large urban centres that have the capacity to support growth. The Regional Growth Centre of Athlone and the Key Town of Roscommon will be particular focus areas in which growth will be accommodated, with more sustainable localised growth to take place in the remaining identified settlements. The growth strategy of this Plan also supports the consolidation of development in the larger settlements in order to facilitate the economic growth of the county and broaden its employment base. As advocated by the NPF and RSES, the growth strategy for the county will focus less on ‘targets’ and ‘numbers’ and more on identifying settlements that have the capacity and greatest potential for growth on a sustainable platform. In addition, there will be greater co-ordination between land use zoning and infrastructure availability through the implementation of the ‘Tiered Approach to Land Use Zoning’ set out in Appendix 3 of the NPF. The delivery of housing will be supported through the implementation of the Active Land Management Strategy for the county, in addition to the promotion and identification of infill and brownfield sites for redevelopment and strategically located green field sites that would support the principles of consolidated growth. CORE STRATEGY POLICY OBJECTIVES It is a policy objective of Roscommon County Council to: CS 2.2 Implement all land use planning policy and objectives consistent with the Core Strategy, in order to accelerate a transition to a greener, low carbon and climate resilient county, with a focus on reduced travel demand through the promotion of sustainable settlement patterns. CS 2.3 Direct growth towards designated settlements, subject to the availability of infrastructure and services as far as practicable. CS 2.4 Ensure that sufficient zoned lands are available to satisfy the housing requirements of the county in designated settlements over the lifetime of the Plan. CS 2.5 Support the regeneration of town centre and brownfield/infill lands along with the delivery of existing zoned and serviced lands to facilitate population growth and achieve sustainable compact growth targets of 30% of all new housing to be built within the existing urban footprint of targeted settlements in the county. At least 40% of all new housing will be targeted within the the existing built-up footprint of the Regional Growth Centre of Athlone (Monksland/Bellanamullia). 2525Roscommon County Development Plan 2022-2028 – Volume I Chapter 2: Core Strategy and Settlement Policy
- CS 2.6 To promote, support, and facilitate the re-use of under-utilised or vacant lands, or lands identified for regeneration, through a coordinated approach to active land management between the Council and stakeholders. CS 2.7 To establish a database of strategic brownfield and infill sites and to promote and monitor their re-development, as part of an active land management process. Table 2.3: Settlement Hierarchy Settlement Type Description Settlement Regional Growth Centre Large towns with a high level of selfsustaining employment and services that act as regional economic drivers and play a significant role for a wide catchment area. Monksland/Bellanamullia (as part of the Athlone Regional Growth Centre) Key Town Large economically active service and/or county towns that provide employment for their surrounding areas and with high quality transport links and the capacity to act as growth drivers to complement the Regional Growth Centres. Roscommon Town Self-Sustaining Growth Town >2000 population Towns with a moderate level of jobs and services – includes sub-county market towns and commuter towns with good transport links and capacity for continued commensurate growth to become more Self-Sustaining. Boyle Self-Sustaining Growth Town <2000 population Towns that play an important role in supporting the social, economic and cultural life within rural communities. Ballaghderreen, Castlerea, Elphin, Strokestown Serviced Villages Settlements that are serviced by public sewerage and have a capacity to facilitate a degree of residential demand. Arigna, Athleague, Ballinlough, Ballinameen, Ballintober, Ballyfarnon, Ballyforan, Ballyleague, Bellanagare, Castleplunket, Cloonfad, Cootehall, Croghan, Frenchpark, Hodson Bay, Keadue, Knockcroghery, Lecarrow, Loughglynn, Roosky, Tarmonbarry, Tulsk. Unserviced Villages Settlements that are not serviced by public sewerage and have a limited capacity to facilitate a degree of residential demand. Taghmaconnell, Four Roads, Dysert, Curraghboy, Brideswell, Castlecoote, Garranlahan. Rural Areas Smaller clusters and the open countryside Smaller clusters and the open countryside 26Roscommon County Development Plan 2022-2028 – Volume I26 Chapter 2: Core Strategy and Settlement Policy
- Map 2.2: Settlement Hierarchy Monksland / Bellanamullia Roscommon Cortober Boyle Strokestown Elphin Castlerea Ballaghaderreen Tulsk Athleague Ballyfarnon Cootehall Frenchpark Loughglynn Ballintober Castleplunket Roosky Lecarrow Ballyforan Hodson Bay / Barrymore Knockcroghery Ballinameen Bellanagare Arigna Croghan Keadue Ballinlough Cloonfad Ballyleague Tarmonbarry Castlecoote Curraghboy Dysert Four Roads Taughmaconnell Brideswell Garranlahan © Ordnance Survey Ireland Planning Section, Roscommon County Council, Áras an Chontae, Roscommon. Telephone: (090) 6637175 www.roscommoncoco.ie Date: April 2022 Author: P.S. Scale: N.T.S © Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSI). All rights reserved. Licence number 2021/18/CCMAI Roscommon County Council. NOTE: Unauthorised reproduction infringes OSI and government of Ireland copyright.±Legend ! Regional Growth Centre ! Key Town ! Self-Sustaining Growth Town " Self-Sustaining Growth Town # Serviced Villages # Unserviced Villages Roscommon County Development Plan 2022-2088 Settlement Hierarchy >2000 population <2000 population 2727Roscommon County Development Plan 2022-2028 – Volume I Chapter 2: Core Strategy and Settlement Policy
- 2.7 Settlement Strategy REGIONAL GROWTH CENTRE As part of the policy of promoting consolidation and compact growth, future growth will be concentrated in the higher tier settlements in the hierarchy. Athlone, as an identified Regional Growth Centre in the RSES, (with Monksland/Bellanamullia and the surrounding area being an integral part of Athlone), has capacity to deliver residential and economic development in strategic locations. In recognition of the requirement for a coordinated strategy to maximise the growth potential of Athlone, Regional Policy Objective (RPO) 3.7.1 in the RSES sets out the requirement for the preparation of a Joint Urban Area Plan (JUAP) for Athlone, to be prepared by Roscommon and Westmeath County Councils, as the two constituent Local Authorities, in collaboration with the Northern and Western and the Eastern and Midlands Regional Assemblies. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES FOR ATHLONE g To support the role of Athlone as a Regional Growth Centre and to facilitate the continued expansion and growth of the town based on the principles of balanced, sustainable development that enables the creation of employment, supports economic investment, and creates an attractive living and working environment. g To support the continued growth of Athlone as a regional economic driver and to facilitate any infrastructural investment or employment generating sustainable development that will strengthen the role of the town and maintain its competitiveness. g To promote Athlone as a sustainable transport hub, of national and regional importance. g To support the development of Athlone as a key tourism destination in the midlands, building on Fáilte Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands brand and the forthcoming Shannon Tourism Masterplan to develop the recreation and amenity potential of waterways CORE STRATEGY POLICY OBJECTIVES It is a policy objective of Roscommon County Council to: CS 2.8 Support the continued growth of Athlone, with a focus on quality of life and securing the investment to fulfil its role as a key Regional Growth Centre and economic driver in the centre of Ireland, with a target population of 30,000 up to 2040. CS 2.9 Prepare a statutory Joint Urban Area Plan for Athlone with Westmeath County Council, in collaboration with NWRA and EMRA. 28Roscommon County Development Plan 2022-2028 – Volume I28 Chapter 2: Core Strategy and Settlement Policy
- KEY TOWNS The designated Key Town of Roscommon is the county town, the largest settlement and one of the primary growth centres in County Roscommon. The town is strategically located relative to the Galway Metropolitan Area and the Regional Centres of Athlone and Sligo. This Plan will continue to support the economic development of the town, promoting a strengthening of its position as a centre of enterprise and employment. Alongside the economic growth of the town, residential lands will be identified for development which will increase the critical mass of the population required. A new Local Area Plan (LAP) to guide and support the future development of Roscommon will be prepared during the lifetime of this County Development Plan. Carrick-on-Shannon, the majority of which lies within County Leitrim, has also been designated as a Key Town in the RSES. The settlement of Cortober in County Roscommon forms part of the wider Carrick-on-Shannon settlement and will continue to support the future overall development of the town. A key future priority of the RSES is the preparation of a Joint Local Area Plan for Carrickon-Shannon This LAP will deliver an integrated f ramework for the future development of the settlement. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES FOR THE FUTURE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF ROSCOMMON TOWN: g To ensure that the growth planned for the town up to 2030 and beyond occurs in a sustainable and sequential manner, while prioritising a low carbon, compact, consolidated and connected pattern of development. g To develop Roscommon as a vibrant and culturally rich town supported by an inclusive sustainable residential community. g To create a distinct sense of place and community in which people will continue to choose to live, work, do business and visit. Movement, connectivity and permeability to key destinations within the town and wider region will be prioritised and a greater emphasis on safe active transport routes and an enhanced public transport network. g To deliver and facilitate the regeneration and redevelopment of Core Regeneration Areas in tandem with a radically improved public realm and rejuvenated town centre while having regard to and optimising the heritage assets of the town. g Enhance and build on Roscommon’s role as the primary location in the county for the service and administration sector. CORE STRATEGY POLICY OBJECTIVES It is a policy objective of Roscommon County Council to: CS 2.10 Support the continued growth and sustainable development of Roscommon, to act as a growth driver in the region and to fulfil its role as a Key Town and to function as the County Town. CS 2.11 Prepare a Local Area Plan (LAP) for Roscommon, to align with the RSES and this Core Strategy. CS 2.12 Prepare a Joint Local Area Plan (LAP) for Carrick-on-Shannon, in conjunction with Leitrim County Council, to align with the RSES and this Core Strategy. 2929Roscommon County Development Plan 2022-2028 – Volume I Chapter 2: Core Strategy and Settlement Policy
- SELF-SUSTAINING GROWTH TOWN >2000 POPULATION In the Self-Sustaining Growth Settlement of Boyle there will be a focus on consolidation and the provision of employment opportunities, in tandem with population growth in order to allow the town to become more self-sufficient. The availability of inf rastructural services and community infrastructure will also be an important factor in determining the amount of new housing and population growth that can be accommodated. The designation of Boyle as a Self-Sustaining Growth Town >2000 population in this Plan will enable it to act as a counter balance to the economic and population drivers of the larger settlements in the south of the county. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES FOR THE FUTURE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF BOYLE: g Promote the development of Boyle as a driver of economic growth for the North Roscommon region and fulfil its role as a designated Self-Sustaining Growth Town. g Support the expansion of a range of services and facilities available to residents and the wider rural hinterland. g Implement the objectives of the “Boyle 2040” Town Enhancement Plan to deliver and the regeneration and redevelopment of the town centre. g Maximise the potential of developing Boyle as a tourist destination by facilitating the expansion of tourist attractions and developing a coordinated tourism product based on existing amenities within the town and its rural environs. CORE STRATEGY POLICY OBJECTIVES It is a policy objective of Roscommon County Council to: CS 2.13 Ensure that Boyle is a driver of growth and prosperity within its catchments, by consolidating the residential, retail and service bases, protecting and enhancing the distinctive town centre character and the natural landscape settings, and maximising its role for growth. CS 2.14 Prepare a Local Area Plan (LAP) for Boyle within the lifetime of this Plan. 30Roscommon County Development Plan 2022-2028 – Volume I30 Chapter 2: Core Strategy and Settlement Policy
Source Roscommon County Council: Roscommon County Development Plan 2022–2028 (2022–2028) · 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.