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