elphin local area plan 2009 - 2015 - Roscommon County Council

Chapter 10: Development Management Guidelines and Standards
• Control and minimise the cumulative impact of development caused by the merging of contiguous
development sites;
• Require the submission, in conjunction with the planning application, full details in respect of:
- the exact boundaries of the proposed site and the scale and nature of extraction methods and
activities
- dwelling houses within 1 km of the site
- contours, depths of excavations
- access and public road network which it is proposed to use
- directions and phasing of workings
- watercourses and water table depth
- locations of stockpiles
- restoration, landscaping, proposed after use care and details of phasing of these works
- blasting
- fixed and movable plant
• Facilitate applicants/developers in scoping the Environmental Impact Statement.
• The PA shall consider the attachment of a planning condition requiring the developer to lodge a
financial bond to ensure satisfactory reinstatement of the site following the completion of
extraction, or to pay a contribution towards the cost of upgrading or repairing the local road
network
• Ensure that the extractive industry does not adversely affect the environment or adjoining existing
land uses
• Ensure that all existing workings shall be rehabilitated to suitable land uses and that all future
extraction activities will allow for the rehabilitation of pits and proper land use management.
Depending on the terrain, the existing character of the area, and the nature and scale of the
aggregate extraction, a variety of after-uses may be possible. Secondary or recycled aggregates
shall be the preferred method for land filling where appropriate. Each planning application will be
considered on a case by case basis and where relevant will be dealt with under the Waste
Management Strategy.
• Restrict extraction in close proximity to existing developments where potential sources of
nuisance are considered to be incompatible
• Ensure that the extraction of minerals or aggregates does not detract from the visual amenity of
the landscape. Where possible, existing landscape features such as hills and trees should be used
to screen new extractive industry development. Native species of trees and shrubs can be planted
to create food reserves for wildlife.
• All proposed extractive development proposals must be accompanied by detailed restoration and
after-care plans (although in the case of sites with a long working life, it may be appropriate to
establish the need for such plans at the outset, while leaving the details to be agreed either on a
phased basis or towards the end of the extractive process). Progressive restoration should be
employed where relevant and practicable e.g. for sand and gravel pits
• All buildings, plant, internal roads and paved areas should be removed when extraction is
completed, unless otherwise agreed as part of the restoration plan. The PA shall promote a variety
of after-uses including farming, forestry, recreation/amenity uses, nature conservation or industry.
The acceptability of the proposed after-use shall be discussed with the PA at the pre-application
stage. The aspirations of the Local Community shall be taken into account during this process.
• Ensure that adverse impacts of the extractive industry on the road network are minimised and that
costs of road improvements necessary to facilitate extractive industries are borne by the industry
itself.
• Require the preparation and implementation of Site Restoration Plans, for each extractive
operation in the county. These plans to address issues such as: background to the site, ecology of
the site, restoration objectives, detailed method statement for management actions, monitoring and
long term management of the site. For successful restoration, steps must be taken at every stage,
from design through operation to decommissioning of the facility, to ensure that restoration is
integrated into the process
Elphin Local Area Plan 2009-2015 Page 153