Development plan · Westmeath County Council
Westmeath County Development Plan 2021–2027
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards.
Westmeath County Council · 2021–2027 · 634 pages
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- LANDSCAPE AND LAKE AMENITIES 13 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 415 of Delvin and running south along the Meath Border is characterised by cutover, cutaway bogs and small tracts of intact bog. Settlements within this area include Clonmellon, Delvin, Killucan-Rathwire and Raharney which are located within the eastern commuter belt to Dublin. This part of the county has a strong historic landscape component with several demesne landscapes occurring within the area. Two main road corridors the N51 and N52 traverse the area. A number of quarries are also operational in the area. 13.10 Character Area 4 Central Hills and Lakes The Central Hills and Lakes Character Area is located to the north of the centre of the county. This area is typified by undulating hills and lakes, the most prominent of which are Lough Derravaragh and Lough Owel. These lakes are designated Areas of High Amenity, SAC and SPA. A number of fens occur throughout the area, the most notable being Scragh Bog which is of international importance. The high scenic quality and amenity value of this area is reflected by the high number of preserved views. There are a number of demesne landscapes in the area and associated valuable areas of semi-natural woodland, including oak on some upland areas, such as around Lough Derravaragh at Knockeyon and Crookedwood. This area has a number of small settlements such as Crookedwood, Multyfarnham and the larger settlement of Castlepollard. The Character Area reflects the historic landscape from Bronze Age Sites on Lough Derravaragh and Frewin Hill at Lough Owel to the monastic associations of Portloman Abbey and the Franciscan Friary at Multyfarnham. The lake edges are attractive locations for recreation and amenity. 13.11 Character Area 5 Royal Canal Corridor The Royal Canal has been a historic feature of the Westmeath landscape since the early 1800’s, flowing east to west through the county and is an important amenity feature. The canal flows through low-lying areas with the surrounding corridor typified by grassland, peatland and some areas of conifer plantation. The canal corridor is largely rural in nature, apart from the urban centre of Mullingar. To the west of Mullingar, the canal traverses a rural landscape of high scenic quality with undulating landform and a mature vegetation cover of hedgerows and trees. Some large conifer plantations border the canal towpath and dominate the visual corridor where present. The canal corridor includes features of vernacular architecture and industrial heritage such as stone bridges, lock keeper’s cottages, lock gates and milestones which enhance the waterway. Westmeath County Council in cooperation with Waterways Ireland and funding from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport have developed a 47.6km length of the Royal Canal towpath as a walking and cycling route which extends to the County boundaries of Meath and Longford. 13.12 Character Area 6 Lough Ree/Shannon Corridor This area includes Lough Ree, the Shannon corridor both north and south of Athlone and associated callows. To the east of the area, Waterstown Lake, Lough Mareegan and the lakeside
- LANDSCAPE AND LAKE AMENITIES 13 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 416 villages of Ballykeeran, Glasson and Tubberclare are also included. Areas of pastureland are scattered throughout the remainder of the area along with small patches of inland marshes, coniferous forestry and other agricultural uses. A significant area of intact bog remains to the southeast of Athlone and worked out peatland areas are located to the north and south of the Character Area, adjacent to the callows and Lough Ree. The area has significant conservation status, as SPA, SAC and NHA are all present therein. The Shannon and Lough Ree are important in terms of their recreational and amenity value, as well as their natural heritage importance, thus the quality of these assets must be protected. As development pressure increases around the lakeshore and floodplain, the risk of landscape deterioration also increases. 13.13 Character Area 7 Western Lowlands The character of this area contains a variety of landscape features including eskers, lakes and bogs. This landscape is generally low-lying but is characterised by a gently undulating topography, particularly around Mount Temple and to the northwest of Moate. Visual containment in the landscape is created by elevated areas and glacial kames, irregular ridges or mounds of gravel deposited by melting glaciers feature at intervals. Low-lying areas, however, are generally contained visually due to high quality, species rich hedges that dominate field boundaries in the area, limiting the extent of views across the landscape. This area includes the settlements of Moyvore, Ballymore, Mount Temple, Moate and Ballinahown and is bounded to the east by the change in topography that characterises the South-Central Hills Character Area at Ballymore and west of Rosemount. 13.14 Character Area 8 South Central Hills This Character Area includes the hilly pasture land that exists to the east of Ballymore, stretching almost as far as Lough Ennell, north as far as the Royal Canal Corridor and is bounded to the south by an area predominantly characterised by esker systems. The area is typified by smooth, gentle hills and undulating pastures, with occasional northwest, south-east ridges. The highest point within this area is 200 metres, which is at Knockastia, Coolatore, a volcanic outcrop just south of the Hill of Uisneach, which also has the steepest slopes in the Landscape Character area. This hilltop allows panoramic views across neighbouring counties and the approach to the hill, particularly from the Ballymore Road offers impressive opportunities to appreciate its scale. The Character Area also includes part of a system of eskers at Streamstown, which are displayed though a series of low ridges traversing the landscape in a northerly direction, resulting in a rural feel to these local roads as the land rises on either side. The area contains a number of small villages and clustered settlements but has remained quite rural in nature. 13.15 Character Area 9 Hill of Uisneach The Hill of Uisneach, a nationally significant archaeological landscape, is located 14.5 kilometres west of Mullingar, north of the Mullingar to Ballymore Road. It has a central place, historically, geographically and metaphorically in the annals of Ireland and is internationally considered to be an important cultural landscape.
- LANDSCAPE AND LAKE AMENITIES 13 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 417 The Character Area includes the area surrounding the hill, from Killare and south to include the cultural landscape of features including the deserted ‘famine village’ and also incorporating a number of recorded monuments and the zone of archaeological potential around Uisneach. The land in the vicinity is in agricultural use and land cover on, and surrounding the Hill is predominantly that of pastureland with species rich hedges acting as field boundaries. Traditionally Uisneach was the epicentre of Ireland where the five provinces met, and legend has it that Ireland was divided from this point in ancient times. The large stone on the side of the hill is known as The Stone of Divisions or ‘Ail na Mireann’. This stone is said to be at the exact centre of Ireland and the boundary lines of the provinces were said to meet here. In recognition of the exceptional archaeological and cultural significance of the Hill of Uisneach, the site has been designated as a High Amenity Area. The elevation of the Hill of Uisneach confers both panoramic views, as well as visual prominence, which ensures that the site and its immediate context is very sensitive to adverse visual impacts. The Council recognise the significance and sensitivity of the Hill of Uisneach and given that the site is listed on the tentative list for UNESCO status since 2010, further protection has been afforded to the site by designating the area as a High Amenity Area with views from the perimeter skyline ridge identified as a Protected Panoramic View. Figure 13.2 below indicates the protected panoramic view indicated by the red dash line and arrows. Figure 13.2 Hill of Uisneach panoramic view and visual buffer zones The extent of the High Amenity Area at the Hill of Uisneach is highlighted in turquoise above and contains Core and Buffer Areas with associated protective policies. From a landscape perspective, core and buffer areas are identified as locations where any development is likely to significantly alter the appearance and context of monuments [Core] and areas where developments should be carefully
- LANDSCAPE AND LAKE AMENITIES 13 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 418 scrutinised to anticipate and avoid significant changes to landscape context of the monuments or to the inter-relationship between the core area and relevant monuments in the surrounding landscape. • An Inner Core High Amenity Area [yellow shaded area] that comprises the interior of the hilltop plateau that is visually isolated from the surrounding countryside. • An Outer Core High Amenity Area [olive shaded area] that contains the majority of monuments can be readily identified by observing the field boundaries that enclose areas above the 160m contour. • A High Amenity Buffer Area [turquoise shaded area] can be identified within the adjoining townland boundaries as follows: - Ushnagh Hill - Mweelra - Rathnew - Kellybrook See Section 14.5 in relation to the Hill of Uisneach and the UNESCO bid. Hill of Uisneach Policy Objectives It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 13.7 Ensure that any significant, industrial and or infrastructural developments (excluding residential; agricultural buildings; tourism; greenway; cultural; educational or community buildings), which would impact upon Uisneach and or its protected views will not be permitted due to the sensitivity of the site. Footnote: CPO constitutes a ‘policy’ of the Plan as envisaged under Section 1.1 of the plan. 13.16 Character Area 10 Lough Ennell and South East Corridor This Character Area comprises pasture land of mixed productivity. Lough Ennell is situated to the western side of this Landscape Character Area (LCA) and is designated as an Area of High Amenity, SPA and SAC. A number of preserved views are listed from the R446 between Tyrrellspass and Rochfortbridge. The area around Lough Ennell and particularly to the south of the lake is characterised by scrub land with a mixture of marsh, bog and poor pasture land. There is also a large tract of bog to the east of Rochfortbridge and Milltownpass along the county boundary. The bog areas in this LCA are mainly exploited but some have been left intact. This area has a large number of old demesnes, which are easily recognisabl]e in the landscape with the existence of fine mature hardwood trees and estate walls in some cases. Settlements within this landscape have developed mainly along the main road network. These include Kinnegad, Milltownpass, Rochfortbridge, and Tyrrellspass along the former N6. Recreational areas have been developed on the shores of Lough Ennell including Ladestown, Lilliput and Tudenham. The M6 traverses the southern part of the LCA. The N52 By-Pass has also added to the transport corridor around Mullingar.
- LANDSCAPE AND LAKE AMENITIES 13 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 419 13.17 Character Area 11 South Westmeath Eskers This landscape type occupies the southernmost area of the County and is distinguished by the prevalence of esker ridges. The area extends from Castletown-Geoghegan to Ballinagore, Rahugh and Horseleap. The area is bisected by the former N6 and the M6. Apart from the N6/M6 and the Ballynagore - Kilbeggan road, the area is traversed by a network of tertiary roads which in places run parallel to the esker ridges and create an enclosed and intimate landscape. See Section 12.13 in relation to policy context for geological sites. Specific objectives in relation to the Landscape Character Assessment are set out hereunder. Landscape Character Assessment Policy Objectives It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 13.8 Protect the landscapes and natural environments of the County by ensuring that any new developments do not detrimentally impact on the character, integrity, distinctiveness or scenic value of their area. Any development which could unduly impact upon such landscapes will not be permitted. CPO 13.9 Ensure the preservation of the uniqueness of a landscape character type by having regard to the character, value and sensitivity of a landscape in new development proposals. CPO 13.10 Ensure development reflects and, where possible, reinforces the distinctiveness and sense of place of the landscape character types, including the retention of important features or characteristics, taking into account the various elements which contribute to their distinctiveness. CPO 13.11 Explore the potential for natural resource tourism, such as fishing, boating, walking, cycling, nature trails, natural and cultural resource tourism etc., in conjunction with relevant tourism bodies such as Waterways Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, Community Development Agencies and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. CPO 13.12 Require a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment for proposed developments with the potential to impact on significant landscape features within the county. CPO 13.13 Landscape Character Area 1: Consider the provision of walkways around Lough Lene, subject to impacts on biodiversity being fully addressed and subject to screening for Appropriate Assessment. CPO 13.14 Landscape Character Area 2: Explore the potential for funding to examine the feasibility of developing the River Inny basin as a biodiversity heritage area. CPO 13.15 Landscape Character Area 5: Continue to work with Waterways Ireland to enhance and protect the visual corridor of the Royal Canal, by incorporating a
- LANDSCAPE AND LAKE AMENITIES 13 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 420 visual buffer zone on each side of the bank of the canal. CPO 13.16 Landscape Character Area 6: Explore the feasibility of promoting Lough Ree and its islands as a model for a living Biodiversity Reserve. CPO 13.17 Minimise impact on the ecological, archaeological, biodiversity and visual amenity surrounding quarry sites and quarrying of sensitive sites within the Landscape Character Areas including the lake valley landscape, eskers and canal corridor. CPO 13.18 Protect and enhance the setting of the Hill of Uisneach and support increased public access to the site. Only sensitive development that does not undermine the archaeological and cultural significance of the site will be permitted. CPO 13.19 a. Protect and sustain the established appearance and character of views associated with the High Amenity Area around the Hill of Uisneach. b. Require any development proposals within the High Amenity Area around the Hill of Uisneach to demonstrate that no adverse effects will occur on the established appearance or character of this feature as viewed from either the Protected Panoramic Views or from surrounding public roads. 13.18 Areas of High Amenity (High Landscape Value) Much of Westmeath’s landscape, particularly its lake landscape is highly regarded for its amenity and recreational value and should be protected. In recognition of this, the Council have specifically designated the following lakes as Areas of High Amenity (HAA): - - Lough Ree High Amenity Area - Lough Lene High Amenity Area - Lough Owel High Amenity Area - Lough Ennell High Amenity Area - Lough Derravaragh High Amenity Area The high amenity areas are mapped in Map 64 in Volume 2. Policies in relation to the provision of housing in High Amenity Areas is contained in Chapter 9. The Hill of Uisneach is also a designated High Amenity Area in recognition of its archaeological and cultural significance. Policies pertaining to the Hill of Uisneach HAA are contained in CPO’s 13.18 and 13.19 above.
- LANDSCAPE AND LAKE AMENITIES 13 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 421 High Amenity Areas Policy Objectives It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 13.20 Protect High Amenity areas from inappropriate development and reinforce their character, distinctiveness and sense of place. CPO 13.21 Protect and preserve designated High Amenity Areas from inappropriate urban generated housing development or any other development which would be injurious to or detract from the natural amenity of Areas of High Amenity. CPO 13.22 Protect lakeshores from any inappropriate development which would detract from the natural amenity of the area. CPO 13.23 Protect and enhance the special landscape character and exceptional landscape value of the Lough Ree Islands, including their significant archaeological, cultural and natural heritage value. Support the preparation for a Plan for the Islands in conjunction with the National Monuments Service and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. CPO 13.24 Cooperate with adjoining Local Authorities in the preparation of Habitat Management Plans to guide future development in relation to Lough Ree and Lough Sheelin Areas of High Amenity. CPO 13.25 Promote, in association with Fáilte Ireland, the sustainable tourism potential of Areas of High Amenity centered around the Lakelands. CPO 13.26 Protect existing public rights of way in Areas of High Amenity. CPO 13.27 Cooperate with Coillte, Bord na Mona, Waterways Ireland and other state agencies in establishing access ways, nature trails, etc. with a view to opening up state lands for recreational use. CPO 13.28 Maintain existing navigation channels within Areas of High Amenity for the benefit of recreation and amenity related uses. 13.19 Lake Amenities Westmeath is uniquely positioned given its majestic lakes, the River Shannon and the Royal Canal. Internationally renowned as the ‘Lake County’ the lakes of Westmeath are of local, national and international status and are a significant asset and resource to the county. The unprecedented growth in population and development in the last two decades in the county has placed a significant pressure on the environmental and landscape quality of the lakes. The five most important lakes in Westmeath are Lough Ennell, Lough Owel, Lough Derravaragh, Lough Lene and Lough Ree. All of the identified lakes are within designated High Amenity Areas, Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas and Natural Heritage Areas.
- LANDSCAPE AND LAKE AMENITIES 13 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 422 Lough Ree is one of the largest lakes in Ireland and is shared between Westmeath and neighbouring counties Roscommon and Longford. Lough Owel and Lough Lene have a particularly important function as public water supply sources. Most of Westmeath’s lakes are contained within the Shannon River catchment whilst Lough Lene is within the Boyne catchment. Implementation of the lake policies listed below shall comply with the requirements of the Habitats and Birds Directives. Lake Amenities Policy Objectives It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 13.29 Protect the County’s lakes and their shorelines, islands, amenity and biodiversity from inappropriate development. CPO 13.30 Protect the scenic quality of lakes from any inappropriate development between public roads and lakeshores that would interrupt a view of the lake or adversely affect its setting or its wildlife habitat. Any development in such instance must be sensitively sited and designed and screened from the lake by existing topography or vegetation. CPO 13.31 Improve access to the lakes and around the lakeshore and increase public accessibility, subject to ecological sensitivities and constraints being addressed. CPO 13.32 Continue to develop, in consultation with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), the Westmeath Way to include the lakes of the County. Any proposed route in the vicinity of the White Lake will be subject to prior agreement with the NPWS and in connection with Irish Trails. CPO 13.33 Continue to develop a connected network of greenways to the principal lakes in the County and their respective lakeshores subject to ecological sensitivities and constraints being addressed. CPO 13.34 Continue to advance a network of navigable blueways within the County subject to ecological assessment. CPO 13.35 Promote and enhance the lakes within Westmeath and to develop their natural occurring resources and heritage. 13.20 Lough Ree Lough Ree is the second largest lake in the River Shannon System after Lough Derg. It forms part of the Shannon Navigation System within Athlone, the most important settlement and service centre on the Shannon system in the region. Lough Ree has long been recognised as a national treasure in terms of its habitat, archaeology and water-based recreation. The sheer scale of the body of water, the historical associations with its islands, the complexity of the indented and
- LANDSCAPE AND LAKE AMENITIES 13 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 423 diffuse shoreline and the spatial arrangement of the more hidden inner lakes give this lake uniqueness. The surrounding lands are composed of a matrix of wetlands, peatlands, undulating farmland, sporadic single house developments interspersed with pockets of extractive development and other small local enterprises. Lough Ree also extends into the Counties of Roscommon and Longford. The County Westmeath part of Lough Ree can be characterised into four broadly identifiable areas: i. The Urban Fringe Area. This consists of an area of land extending from just outside the urban boundaries of Athlone. Particularly strong development pressures are a feature of this area. ii. The Inner Lake Area (Killinure Lough) Killinure Lough is a smaller water body connected to Lough Ree through a narrow strait between Killinure and Coosan points. The villages of Glasson and Ballykeeran are located within this inner lake along with some established recreational facilities. iii. The Area North of Killinure This area comprises mainly of hedgerow enclosed farmlands gradually rising from floodplains, marshlands and undulating gently into the distance. The area still retains a predominantly rural character. iv. The Islands The character and visual value of the lake’s amenity is considerably embellished and enhanced by islands contained within the waterbody. The islands are generally well covered by trees and wood and have a long history of habitation, which is evident from their archaeological remains. Lough Ree is of great significance in terms of tourism and recreation both nationally and internationally. Further built development should aim to consolidate and manage what is already in place with the enhancement of access, lakeside walkways, and the upgrading of existing infrastructure a priority. Water quality should not be further deteriorated, and the bulk of tourism related growth should be directed to Athlone. The Inner Lough’s are considered to be particularly vulnerable in terms of water quality due to a slower turnover. Given the significance and sensitivity of Lough Ree together with the existing number of Protected Views around the lake, the Council has designated a scenic driving route along Lough Ree, see Volume 2 for map of scenic route. It is Council policy to sustain the views of Lough Ree from the scenic route. The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht acknowledge the importance of Lough Ree as a wetland area and accordingly are working with Westmeath County Council in tandem with Roscommon and Longford Local Authorities, Waterways Ireland, Coillte, Bord na Mona, OPW and Failte Ireland, to establish a UNESCO Biosphere Nature Reserve centred on Lough Ree, Athlone and Lough Key. Biosphere Reserves are areas which are internationally recognised for their biological diversity yet also actively managed to promote a positive relationship between people and nature.
- LANDSCAPE AND LAKE AMENITIES 13 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 424 A UNESCO Biosphere has three functions: 1. Development: fostering a sustainable economy and society for communities, people living and working in the area (Agri-tourism and eco-tourism concept). 2. Conservation: protecting and enhancing existing biodiversity and cultural diversity and integrating them into tourism development branding and principles throughout the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. 3. Learning: facilitating education, training and research to support conservation and sustainable development. The biosphere designation does not add or detract from the regulatory framework already in place for the lakes but is designed to assist stakeholders in finding sustainable solutions to the management of Lough Ree and Lough Key. Such a designation would ensure a collaborative approach between all stakeholders and communities to the sustainable development, socio-economic enhanced tourism related amenities around the environs of Lough Ree and Lough Key and thus is strongly supported by the Council. The following objectives are set out in association with Lough Ree, subject to satisfaction of the requirements of the Habitat and EIA Directives. Lough Ree Policy Objectives It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 13.36 Promote and support the designation of Lough Ree and Lough Key as an UNESCO Biosphere Nature Reserve. CPO 13.37 Maintain and preserve the aesthetic value of the main lake (Lough Ree) and its shoreline from the impacts of inappropriate dispersed, highly visible development. CPO 13.38 Consolidate and improve the existing recreational and sustainable tourism service role of the inner lakes in the Killinure Lough area, consistent with Habitat Management Plans for the area. CPO 13.39 Promote the rural landscape northwards of Hare Island, Rinardoo Bay and Portlick for more passive amenity and recreational cycle/walking routes. CPO 13.40 Protect the shoreline of Lough Ree from the proliferation of unregulated private jetties and similarly haphazard development. CPO 13.41 Support the preparation of a sustainable tourism plan for existing and future tourist and recreational facilities at Lough Ree and Killinure Lough. CPO 13.42 Explore options for a lakeside walkway from Meehan Point to Coosan Point, incorporating local features such as Bog Lough in consultation with the local community and the NPWS.
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