elphin local area plan 2009 - 2015 - Roscommon County Council

Chapter 6: Built and Natural Heritage
1-13 Good-quality public housing which
enhances the appearance of the street, especially
if well-maintained.
A rare structure, well presented, showing how the
care of the built heritage can be an asset to a town.
Newline Street
This was formerly known as New Street. Today its most significant built heritage includes the Community
Centre and Engineering Works on the east side and the terrace of houses with bay windows on the west
side; a cottage with slated roof next to the car showrooms is also of local interest.
87, 88, and 84, 85, 86 Buildings of interest on Newline Street.
Main Street ACA
Main Street runs from Nun’s Lane to the junction with the R368. Because of the density of buildings of
interest and heritage value along Main Street it was decided to designate an area incorporating all of Main
Street and the start of Church Lane and Castle Street as an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA). The
boundaries of this proposed area are shown on Maps 3a and 3b. This designation means that the area is
considered to be of special interest, from an architectural, archaeological and historical point of view, and
to warrant a protection which seeks to ‘preserve its character’ in accordance with Section 81 of the
Planning and Development Act 2000. The protection extends to the exteriors of the buildings and their
sites only. In general, demolition of any building which contributes to the special interest of the area
should not be permitted and any works which would materially affect the character of the area will require
planning permission; if the proposed works will have a negative effect on the character of the area they
should not be permitted. Therefore most normal exemptions from planning permission will not apply.
Protecting the character includes the retention of original features and later features of heritage value and
repairing the buildings and features with materials and methods that are compatible with the original and
in accordance with best conservation practice. The Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for
Planning Authorities by the DoEHLG offer guidance on this. There are a few buildings within the
proposed ACA which are not of heritage value – these could be replaced with new buildings which are
sympathetic in form, scale and materials to the character of the area.
Elphin Local Area Plan 2009-2015 Page 48