elphin local area plan 2009 - 2015 - Roscommon County Council

• Adaptation to impacts of climate change; and
• The avoidance of natural hazards such as flood risk, and avoidance of
• increased flood risk for downstream areas 1.
Chapter 9: Urban Development
When land is zoned in a development plan without the benefit of a more detailed local area plan
designation, the development plan should identify where practicable the sequential and co-ordinated
manner in which zoned lands will be developed, so as to avoid a haphazard and costly approach to the
provision of social and physical infrastructure. The sequential approach as set out in the Department’s
Development Plan Guidelines (DEHLG, 2007) specifies that zoning shall extend outwards from the centre
of an urban area, with undeveloped lands closest to the core and public transport routes being given
preference, encouraging infill opportunities, and that areas to be zoned shall be contiguous to existing
zoned development lands and that any exception must be clearly justified in the written statement of the
development plan.
The provision of water and sewerage investment programmes by planning authorities must also be related
to the sequencing of residential lands and must also be integrated with the provision of public transport,
schools, community and leisure facilities etc. This will involve keeping up the close contact with other
agencies, which would have occurred during the plan making period.
Some of the larger LAP areas will be developed over a longer period of time, and where this happens it is
important that a phasing programme is put in place. The purpose of phasing is to ensure that the physical
and social infrastructure required is provided in tandem with the residential development. The phasing
programme will indicate the number of phases proposed and the enabling works that are required in each
phase before being able to move onto the next phase. The programme will also specify the amount of
residential development that should take place in each phase, integrated with the provision of the
appropriate social facilities (such as schools, childcare and health facilities), transport access etc.
Where there is a substantial amount of zoning proposed relative to the size of the existing town or village,
or where it is felt that the existing physical and social infrastructural services will be inadequate, planning
authorities should develop the lands through an LAP and consider indicating, along with the
sequencing and phasing parameters, the minimum services that are required for the development of
the zoned land, and when these are likely to be provided. This highlights for service providers,
developers, future residents, what services are readily available and what is required and when they are
likely to be provided. On approval of the plan, the planning authority should take a proactive approach by
informing the service providers of the situation, giving clarity to all involved of the role they play in the
quality development of the lands. The service providers have now the planning information required to
enable them to include the necessary proposals in their work programmes.
Urban Design Manual: A best practice guide (Parts 1 and 2) DoEHLG, December 2008
The Urban Design Manual: A best practice guide (December 2008) clearly illustrates the twelve criteria
for sustainable residential development in both new locations and within existing urban areas. The many
illustrations, photographs and diagrams presented in this manual cover the broad range and scales of
developments and clearly demonstrate that, through early pre-planning consultations between the key
parties, good planning and architectural design and efficient use of space, more compact and higher
density at appropriate locations can enhance and enrich an existing urban area and can provide a userfriendly
and sustainable environment for its residents.
The Design Guide accompanies the Department’s guidelines ‘Sustainable Residential Development in
Urban Areas’. The two documents are intended to be read together and one complements the other. The
Guide focuses on the issues presented in housing schemes in the 30-50 units per hectare density range but
will also address some of the specific issues generated by higher and lower density schemes in urban
areas.
Elphin Local Area Plan 2009-2015 Page 89