elphin local area plan 2009 - 2015 - Roscommon County Council

Chapter 10: Development Management Guidelines and Standards
lands. A further benefit would be the reduction in the dependence on the use of the private motor car. It is
also recognized that the fall in average household size coupled with the growth in overall population
levels means that there will be greater promotion of the need for a more varied range of dwelling types
and sizes than has been provided.
The use of zoned and serviced land to its maximum will assist in achieving the objective of satisfying
housing demand as will the provision of a greater proportion of dwellings more suitable to alteration and
smaller household sizes. It is acknowledged that inappropriate high density housing has adverse effects
and it is essential in the provision of for high density development that a high quality of design, layout
and a good quality living environment, including the availability of shopping, transport, community,
recreational and leisure infrastructure is available.
Higher density will not be encouraged in rural villages where the car is the dominant form of transport and
where employment, community and education facilities within the villages are restricted.
In providing for a range of residential densities, consistent with the need to ensure high quality residential
environments, it will be the policy of Roscommon County Council to actively encourage the use of
acknowledged “best practice” design guides from Ireland and the UK and to consider the approaches in
such guides as a reference point for qualitative assessment of such schemes.
10.3.4 Residential Site Development Standards
1. Services and Infrastructure
In general, applications for in-depth housing development on unserviced and unzoned lands will be
regarded as premature. Where water and/or sewerage infrastructure is privately provided, the type and
design shall be in compliance with the standards set by the Planning Authority. All sewerage systems shall
conform to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area and public health standards as
well as have regard to the EPA Wastewater Treatment Manuals-Treatment Systems for Small
Communities, Business, Leisure Centers and Hotels (1999). Individual and/or group schemes will be
required to connect up to the public sewerage scheme once it is provided.
All services, including electrical, television, telephone and broadband cables, shall be laid underground.
Provision shall be made for the siting of transformer stations pumping stations and other service buildings
in unobtrusive locations. The developer shall also ensure that footpaths and lighting are in place by the
time of occupancy. For guidance on services associated with residential developments, refer to
Recommendations for Site Development Works for Housing Areas, DoEHLG (1998).
2. Art Work
Proposals for housing developments of over 20 units shall provide a monument/art feature or similar in a
prominent and/or central location in the development to act as a focal point.
3. Naming of Developments
The names of residential, commercial and community developments including roads shall reflect local
place names, particularly townlands, or local names which reflect the landscape, its features, culture or
history of the area in which the development is located. Also considered will be the names of historical
persons associated with the area. The use of Irish names will be encouraged. The applicant shall provide
an explanation of the origin/inspiration for the name with the compliance proposal. The Planning
Authority shall approve the name chosen prior to the launching of any advertising campaign for a
development by the developer. Name plates should be fixed to walls and buildings where they can be
seen. All houses within housing estates or comprehensive street developments shall be provided with
numbers and/or names, which shall be visible from the adjoining roadway. Each separate road within an
Elphin Local Area Plan 2009-2015 Page 123