elphin local area plan 2009 - 2015 - Roscommon County Council

Chapter 9: Urban Development
1. Planning
Objective: To ensure progressive and transparent planning systems in the county. To ensure future
development plans, housing strategies and other Local Authority strategies take account of the
environment and sustainable impacts of development.
Strategic Actions include; Prepare local area plans to encourage the development and revitalization of
towns, villages and small settlements; seek to ensure disabled access to all buildings, where practicable;
develop County Council planning guidelines in consultation with the CDB with regard to rural
development; preserve the character and identity of towns and villages in housing and other developments
while allowing for appropriate levels of growth; and, identify suitable locations for industrial development
and business parks / enterprise space for FDI and indigenous industry
2. Accommodation
Objective: To ensure the provision of quality accommodation for every person in the county suitable to his
or her needs, in a pleasant environment and at a price or rent they can afford
Strategic Actions include; Ensure the development of appropriate housing in the county with diverse
housing type and design, to meet the needs of the different family types and individuals; develop and
implement a Local Authority estate management plan.
Roscommon County Development Plan, 2008 – 2014
The Roscommon County Development Plan 2008 – 2014 provides the overarching policy and
development framework under which this LAP falls.
The following factors were taken into account in the development of land use zoning principles and
objectives detailed within the RCDP 2008 - 2014.
• Current development and trends in the County
• Current Land use zoning objectives contained in the Roscommon County Development Plan 2002
– 2008, town development plans and other local area plans
• The amount of developed and undeveloped zoned and serviced land within the County
• Accessibility, availability and location of land for development
• Existing and proposed services such as schools, community facilities, etc.
• Existing and proposed infrastructure such as public transport, water, wastewater etc.
• The scale and pattern of existing development within each town
• The natural and built environment and amenities of each town
• The principles of proper planning and sustainable development
9.3 PHYSICAL CONTEXT
9.3.1 Housing Strategy and Residential Development
Elphin has grown marginally in population terms, which reflects the trends of other such typical small
towns and villages across the State. There has been a degree of out-migration from the Elphin area, and
therefore a key aim of the LAP is to strengthen the economic and population base of the area, and to
encourage retention of the local population within the Elphin area. The provision of carefully sited,
designed, and laid out residential development by the private sector will assist this process.
Elphin is primarily a linear settlement; the eastern edge of the town is defined by the ruins of St. Mary’s
Cathedral and Fair Green, and St. Patrick’s (St. Asicus) Church defines the western edge of the town.
Bishop Street to the north of the Cathedral and Church Lane to the south, form the minor streets off Main
Elphin Local Area Plan 2009-2015 Page 92