elphin local area plan 2009 - 2015 - Roscommon County Council

Chapter 4: Infrastructure and Services
The Landscape Character Assessment (LCA), included as part of the RCDP (2008-2014) provides
recommendations which should be taken into consideration in the assessment of applications for wind
farm development as well as planning and siting for such development throughout the County. There are
currently no wind farms in close proximity to Elphin.
Small wind turbines to be erected in gardens
Free-standing wind turbines are considered as exempted development and do not require permission. They
can only be 12 metres in height (10m support tower and 2m single blade). The turbines must be one-andhalf-times
their total structure height in distance from any neighbouring house or boundary, and only one
turbine is permitted per house.
Solar Energy
In recent years the use of solar energy in Ireland, in addition to ground-source heating systems, has
provided sustainable sources of energy for buildings and has reduced the demand for electricity supply
from the national grid. Planning permission is no longer required for the erection of solar panels to the
front elevations of domestic houses with the exception of protected structures.
Energy Efficiency and Energy Performance for Buildings Directive
In addition to promoting renewable energy development there is also the issue of energy efficiency to be
considered. The EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD) as transposed into Irish
Law in 2006, contains a range of provisions aimed at improving energy performance in residential and
non residential buildings, both new build and existing.
Roscommon County Council is committed to developing sustainable building requirements with regard to
a shift to energy efficient, low environmental impact buildings. The incorporation of good design into
developments in the Elphin area will be welcomed. Good design is the key to achieving the optimum
energy performance of buildings at no extra cost. Roscommon County Council will also promote the use
of ‘passive house’/timber framed house design and construction within Roscommon. The RCDP (2008-
2014) Chapter 5.6 Energy Efficiency - provides more detailed information regarding this issue
2. Electricity
Roscommon County Council recognises that the development of secure and reliable electricity
transmission infrastructure is a key factor for supporting economic development and attracting investment
into County Roscommon. It is critical that adequate capacity, in terms of both energy and energy
infrastructure, is available within the County to support sustainable economic development. Elphin is
located adjoining the 220kv line from Flagford to Athenry in County Galway.
3. Gas
The demand for gas in the West of Ireland is very significant. The need for electricity and gas in
particular, for both domestic and commercial/industrial use, is continually growing. There is no gas supply
serving the Elphin area at present. Recently parts of Monksland, County Roscommon have been
connected to the Dublin – Galway transmission line. Under Phase Two of the New Towns Connection
Report, it is planned to include the towns of Boyle, Strokestown and Roscommon (Roscommon Cluster)
within this second phase. Map 19 of the RCDP 2008-2014 illustrates the Proposed Gas Network including
Area Location (Elphin is located within this area) & Single Location (Strokestown is listed as a Single
Location town).
Elphin Local Area Plan 2009-2015 Page 33