elphin local area plan 2009 - 2015 - Roscommon County Council

Chapter 10: Development Management Guidelines and Standards
directions must be provided around each pitch. Entrance/reception areas should be provided with
adequate parking and turning facilities. Public lighting should be provided at low level and
intensity;
• developments should not detract from the privacy and amenity enjoyed by local residents. Sites
should be designed and laid out so that residential property is not overlooked.
10.17.3 Holiday Homes
In general, proposals should address holiday home and second home development in a positive and
sustainable way. Second home and holiday home type development can raise concerns regarding longterm
sustainability, effects on the affordability of housing in rural areas for permanent rural dwellers.
Therefore, individual holiday homes or cluster of holiday homes will generally not be permitted in the
open countryside unless they are attached to rural leisure resource based at that location. Holiday units
should be designed and sited so as not to have an adverse impact on the character or setting of settlements
or the amenity of existing residents. Proposals for holiday homes should be located in existing settlements,
where they can avail of existing services, or designed as clusters in other appropriate locations, where they
can be integrated into the environment. Where permission for holiday homes has been granted and
buildings constructed and it is proven to the Planning Authority that this use is not viable within 4 years
for the date of completion, the houses may be used for domestic use, subject to satisfactory waste disposal
as well as proper planning and sustainable development. Planning permission will be required for such a
change of use.
Overall, there should be an emphasis on innovation in design and layout providing for an integrated
development linking units to open space and facilities. Suburban style housing estate layouts will not be
acceptable. Existing site features including trees and hedgerows should be retained to form part of a
comprehensive landscaping scheme, and a management company should be established to manage the
overall development, as well as, the repair and maintenance of any private wastewater treatment system.
10.17.4 Tourist Advertisements
Such signs require a licence and shall be sized and colour coded in accordance with the DoEHLG
Memorandum, ‘Criteria for the Provision of Tourist Attraction and Accommodation Signs’ (1998). In
addition, such signs shall:
• comply with road safety standards in relation to sight distances, official road signs,
• junction layout and other requirements;
• be constructed of materials approved by the Planning Authority;
• be maintained by the owner of the premises advertised;
• be located on a route to the premises from the nearest town or village; and,
• be limited in number to the minimum required for their purpose.
10.17.5 Diversification
The Council encourages the diversification of the rural economy and for the further development of
tourism. There is an existing range of attractions which can be further developed for tourists while also
preserving the rural character and amenity of the open countryside, these include farm tourist
accommodation, fishing, equestrian pursuits and other secondary activities such as health spas, cooking
schools, adventure centres etc. These all encourage people to stay longer in the County. Proposals for such
development must be properly located and must not interfere with or detract from areas of special amenity
value or nature conservation. The Council will also seek to facilitate and encourage the re-use of
redundant farm buildings of vernacular importance for appropriate owner-run agri-tourism enterprises
subject to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
Elphin Local Area Plan 2009-2015 Page 137