elphin local area plan 2009 - 2015 - Roscommon County Council

Chapter 8: Recreation, Leisure and Tourism
8. RECREATION, LEISURE AND TOURISM
8.1 INTRODUCTION
The Recreation, Leisure and Tourism Strategy for Elphin aims to promote the historic and heritage value
of Elphin, and support the recreational amenities and opportunities arising from public open space areas
and the surrounding countryside. The main policies and objectives for Recreation Leisure and Tourism in
Elphin are outlined below each relevant section of this chapter.
8.2 AMENITY AREAS
Elphin has significant potential for amenity provision, tourism, and attracting investment into the town.
Due to dereliction and vacancy levels, there has been a considerable negative impact on the streetscape.
Environmental enhancements such as new public amenity spaces should be encouraged as well as
appropriate hard landscaping, tree planting, street furniture, lighting, street signage, public art and more
defined on-street car parking spaces. This will help in creating a better environment for Elphin.
Main Street is relatively wide, particularly around the Bank of Ireland, and provides an opportunity to
further enhance public space in the town. The Town and Village Renewal Scheme introduced some tree
planting, and hard and soft landscaping in this area in an attempt to improve its appearance. This area
however, has further potential to be developed as a civic amenity area for the town. In order to facilitate
this, it is proposed to examine the feasibility of a pedestrian crossing in front of the Bank and provide
public seating and soft landscaping.
The Fair Green in front of St Mary’s Cathedral site is another public amenity space in the town. Some
improvement works have been undertaken to enhance this area, however further improvement measures
would be of benefit to the local community. The GAA Park in Elphin plays a vital role in sporting
provision in the town also requires improvement works.
St Mary’s Cathedral grounds could be restored and made accessible to the public. The burial ground
should be landscaped while retaining its historical character and a map of the area could be suitably
located. A no parking zone in front of this area would ensure that the view of the well and green would not
be obstructed.
There are several opportunity sites for additional amenity areas in Elphin. The Old Grammar School site,
for example, could potentially provide an amenity area for the Elphin Community. There is a significant
lack of open space for young children in Elphin and a children’s playground in the town is essential, a
number of potential sites have been identified for this purpose.
8.3 OPEN SPACE AND SPORTING PROVISION
Open space is important for the health and well being of the entire Elphin Community, particularly the
young. The main function of the Plan in relation to open space is in ensuring that sufficient land is
allocated for such use and that development management standards require its provision as part of new
development. Open space is therefore an important consideration in the plan making process, whether it is
a regional facility; open space to serve a town; or open space which is provided as part of a residential
development.
New urban developments must provide and maintain public open space. Existing healthy trees should be
retained where possible and developers are encouraged to plant trees and hedgerows, which are native to
the area. It is considered that sports and recreational facilities are important for enabling people to live a
full and active life and these should therefore be provided in line with population growth and residential
development.
Elphin Local Area Plan 2009-2015 Page 71