elphin local area plan 2009 - 2015 - Roscommon County Council

Chapter 1: Introduction
The Plan was prepared with careful consideration of existing services, land-uses, infrastructure, planning
proposals and outstanding planning permissions. Environmental considerations and the concept of
Sustainable Development underpin all the policies and objectives of the plan.
1.2 CONTENT OF THE REPORT
As outlined above this plan has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Planning and
Development Act 2000 (as amended). The written framework provides information concerning Elphin and
a guidance framework for the management of development in an environmentally sustainable manner
within its development envelope. The plan indicates where development is most appropriate and aims to
ensure that an appropriate level of development occurs, appropriate to the scale of the town and
availability of infrastructure and services. The plan, once adopted, will operate as statutory plan for the
area. In cases where objectives and policies are not covered directly by this plan, the objectives and
policies of the RCDP 2008-2014 apply.
The Plan comprises of this Written Statement, together with a schedule of maps. Chapters include:
1. Introduction: Outlines the location of Elphin, a description of the plan area, historic context, and
an outline of the policy framework.
2. Context and Profile of Elphin: Reviews the demographic profile of the town.
3. Settlement Policy and Development Strategy: Contains the policies and objectives with respect
to residential development. The chapter focuses on housing issues within the town, such as social
and affordable housing provision and energy efficient building.
4. Infrastructure and Services: Deals with transportation and traffic management looking at issues
such as parking, and road infrastructure. This chapter also includes details on water and sewerage
infrastructure.
5. Economic Development and Employment: Addresses Economic Development and employment
in the town, and contains objectives and policies for future sustainable economic development
6. Built and Natural Heritage: Is concerned with the Built and Natural Heritage of the Area and
covers issues such as the Record of Protected Structures and Archaeological Heritage.
7. Social and Community Facilities: Examines social and community development and focuses on
matters relating to education, health, recreation, social exclusion and the provision of community
facilities.
8. Recreation, Leisure and Tourism: Provides an outline of the Council’s approach to protecting
open-space/amenity areas and the natural environment. This chapter also focuses on Tourism and
identifies policies to maximise the tourism potential of the town.
9. Urban Development: addresses housing, town centre development, architecture and urban
design, traffic management in urban areas, and sustainable energy and design.
10. Development Management Guidelines and Standards: sets out the Development Standards,
and other issues that the Planning Authority will consider, when processing an application for
planning permission. Some of the relevant guidelines, to which applicants must have regard, are
also identified.
The policies and objectives outlined in this LAP are in addition to the policies and objectives contained
within the RCDP 2008-2014. It is acknowledged that not all strategic objectives will be achieved during
the six year LAP period; however it is important to identify these objectives so there is a commitment
towards achieving them over the longer term.
In the interests of clarity, any reference to a goal, aim, policy and objective in the text of this Local Area
Plan, shall be construed as an “objective” of this Plan for the purposes of the Planning and Development
Act, 2000 as amended and the Planning and Development Regulations, 2001 as amended.
Elphin Local Area Plan 2009-2015 Page 2