elphin local area plan 2009 - 2015 - Roscommon County Council

Chapter 6: Built and Natural Heritage
to influence landscape policy at Local Authority level. In considering landscape character in the area,
RCC acknowledges the importance of taking into account adjoining landscape character, landscape
features and designations, including those in adjoining Counties.
The LCA for County Roscommon was primarily prepared because Section 10 of Planning and
Development Act requires that all Local Authorities consider ‘the character of the landscape’ when
drawing up objectives for their new county development plans, in the interests of proper planning and
sustainable development.
The European Landscape Convention (ELC), which Ireland ratified in 2002, requires signatories to assess
and map their landscapes in the interests of wider European landscape planning and sustainable
development. An important aspect of the ELC was to engage in widespread public consultation when
assessing landscape value, which is a key component of the Roscommon LCA.
The main points contained in the Roscommon LCA, which directly relate to Elphin, are as follows:
The heritage quality of towns such as Roscommon, Boyle and Elphin is highly valued and viewed
as an opportunity to provide a quality living environment if developed sensitively.
Historical Landscapes - Towns/Villages (Early Medieval 4th - 8th Century): The earliest towns in
Ireland often grew up around monastic settlements. There are several examples of towns/villages
in Roscommon that had early inception dates and formed proto-towns: Roscommon Town and
Elphin.
Built Heritage - Roscommon should positively exploit the wealth of built heritage in the county,
not only for the benefit of tourists but to raise awareness and sense of pride in the people of
County Roscommon proud.
The medieval site in Tulsk was also highlighted as important, and the nearby town of Elphin is of
special heritage value as it was once an ancient Cathedral City.
Scenic View:
Ref No.
V9
Scenic Route/ View Point View Point
Existing/ Proposed Proposed
Character Type
Drumlin Lakeland
Character Area
Elphin Drumlins
Location
Boherroe
Irish Grid Reference (E) 86669 (N) 93700
Direction of view
Feature(s) of interest View from third class road of undulating farmland with mature
trees and light hedgerows. Mature woodland in distance.
Forces of change Development on view side of road.
Action/ Control
Planning Control
Table 4: Scenic View: Elphin Drumlins
Elphin Local Area Plan 2009-2015 Page 61