elphin local area plan 2009 - 2015 - Roscommon County Council

Chapter 8: Recreation, Leisure and Tourism
8.3.1 Allotments
Public allotments and community gardens can have a number of benefits for local residents. These
benefits include, for example; environmental awareness, promotion of healthily lifestyles, provision of a
cheap and local source of food, building and strengthening communities, providing educational
opportunities and promoting diversity. Allotments are a relatively low cost way to effectively take local
action on key areas of government policy, such as; biodiversity enhancement, waste management, climate
change, promotion of sustainable agricultural, and implementation of Local Agenda 21. Roscommon
County Council will support the development of public allotments and will seek to identify sites for such
activities.
Policies in relation to Open Space and Sporting Provision
Policy 104
Policy 105
Policy 106
Policy 107
Policy 108
Policy 109
Policy 110
Policy 111
Maintain, develop and extend the open space provision of the town and provide new areas
of open space to satisfy existing and future demands.
Continue to facilitate the provision of social and sporting activities as the need arises.
Provide play areas, including a children’s playground, and other recreational areas in
appropriate locations within the plan area.
Protect the existing public and private open space in the town from inappropriate
development.
Ensure that public open space, provided as part of new development, is of high quality and
is designed and finished to ensure its usability, security and cost efficient maintenance.
All public open space provided in association with new developments should have
appropriate seating, litterbins, paving, lighting and signage features which are compatible
with the characteristics of the village.
Houses should, where appropriate, be oriented such that doors and windows overlook
public spaces.
Provide for the needs of young people at suitable locations through supporting youth
groups, youth sports and arts activities. Provide facilities to encourage the involvement of
young people in activities and gatherings.
Objectives in relation to Open Space and Sporting Provision
Objective 88
Objective 89
Objective 90
Objective 91
Objective 92
Improve the appearance of public open space including, and in particular, the space in
front of St Mary’s Cathedral.
Examine the feasibility of a pedestrian crossing in front of the Bank and provide public
seating and soft landscaping.
Promote and improve participation in existing initiatives i.e., Town & Village Renewal
Scheme, aimed at enhancing amenity areas and town ‘enhancement’.
Encourage the improvement of the visual appearance of the approach roads to the town.
Rationalise unused incidental open space throughout the town.
Elphin Local Area Plan 2009-2015 Page 72