elphin local area plan 2009 - 2015 - Roscommon County Council

Chapter 10: Development Management Guidelines and Standards
framework of the existing town or village. New housing development will be required to meet the
following criteria:
• It will be a satisfactory residential environment which meets the needs and as far as possible, the
preferences of residents and fosters the development of community.
• It will integrate new housing into the natural and built environment in a manner that makes a
positive contribution to the overall environment in the locality.
• It will encourage energy efficiency both during the construction phase and during the lifetime of
the development by sensitive design and layout as well as taking into account the topography,
orientation, and, surrounding features of each site.
• It should be of a scale and layout appropriate to the size and form of the town and village.
• It will not have an adverse impact on areas or buildings of historic or architectural interest, or on
sites of nature conservation or archaeological importance.
• It will provide attractive conditions for walking and cycling with linkages to adjoining residential
areas, town or village centres, amenities and open space areas. Pedestrian and vehicular
movements within housing areas should be convenient, safe and pleasant. Within larger estates a
clear hierarchy of spaces and roads should be apparent. Priority should be assigned to the needs of
pedestrians and cyclists.
• It will provide for adequate functional open space areas linked to adjoining open space areas,
where practical. Open space should be located at accessible points within the development. In
particular, the layout of roads and footpaths and open space should facilitate children to move
freely and safely around their neighbourhood, and to be able to play in front, or within sight of
their homes i.e. where practicable public open spaces should be overlooked by residential
development. Movement through estates should be guided by principles of security, with
opportunities for crime and anti-social behaviour minimized e.g. pedestrian alleyways should be
well lit, overlooked and provide sufficient space for pedestrians and cyclists between estates or
between parts of estates.
• Residential areas should be designed to reduce traffic speeds where appropriate as under the
Traffic Management Guidelines and the Road Traffic Act 2004 to provide a safe environment for
children to play, with traffic calming measures being considered. Roads in residential estates
shall be laid out so as to discourage the incidence of through-traffic. Long straight roads which
tend to encourage speeding shall also be discouraged on safety and environmental grounds.
• Promote natural surveillance. Properties should face the street and address corner sites- no rear
gardens should back onto roads or open space. This should help promote a sense of ownership,
territorial responsibility and community.
• A detailed landscaping plan must be prepared as an integral part of the overall development of the
estate and submitted as part of the planning application for the development. Planting will need to
be carefully considered in communal areas and overshadowing of public lighting and footpaths
should be avoided.
• Consideration should be given to the growth rate of the species and also to the level of
maintenance required for the landscaping. The lowest level of maintenance should be required
particularly in housing estates. The developer will be responsible for the laying out and planting
of all landscaped areas.
• Car parking should generally be provided within the curtilage of the proposed dwellings. Where
this is not possible, rear parking courts or on-street parking can be provided if this can be viewed
from the dwelling. Large parking courts will not be permitted. Underground parking will also be
an option subject to acceptable access, circulation and parking space dimension standards,
provision of good ventilation and standards of personal safety.
• In all estate and apartment development proposals, provision shall be made for a secure, and wellscreened,
refuse storage and collection point area. A minimum space sufficient for 3 wheelie bins
will be required for each residential unit. Roads and access to these areas should be suitable for
easy servicing and turning by emergency vehicles. Provision should also be made for a ‘Bottle-
Elphin Local Area Plan 2009-2015 Page 120