Introduction

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Acts, each Planning Authority is obliged to prepare a Development Plan for its functional area and review this Development Plan every five years.

The Development Plan is the core document of the planning and development process. It presents Sligo County Council’s short to medium term view of the future development of the county and underpins the Council’s overall objectives of promoting and facilitating development, conserving the environment and achieving optimum use of resources. The Development Plan provides a framework for the physical development of the county and allows for sustainable, co-ordinated and orderly growth which respects the county’s natural, built and heritage resources.

This County Development Plan reviews and updates the previous County Development Plan adopted by Sligo County Council in 1985. It takes account of the major developments that have occurred since 1985 in terms of population and economic trends, physical infrastructure, growth patterns and social deprivation. It recognises and sets out physical development objectives aimed at redressing the enduring problems of rural depopulation and disadvantage, dereliction, sporadic housing in scenic areas and service deficiencies. Every effort has been made to incorporate significant changes in legislation, Departmental guidelines, European Union directives and socio-economic factors impacting upon the development process; the intention is to present a concise, document which guides and informs the achievement of sustainable development1.

Sligo County Council will have regard to the aims of Local Agenda 21 in the formulation and implementation of policies contained within the Development Plan2.

Sligo County Council is committed to assisting the community in promoting environmental education, supporting local development group projects, providing local environmental information and engaging in public consultation procedures and partnerships.

The Sligo County Development Plan comprises this written statement and the accompanying map entitled “Development Control Policy Map”. It refers to the administrative area of the county of Sligo, excluding the area administered by Sligo Corporation.

1 Particular attention has been paid to the Government’s “Better Local Government - A Programme for Change” which was published in December, 1996. This document reiterated the central importance of the development plan process and the requirement of Local Authorities to provide comprehensive development guidelines. Development Plans were not to be overly elaborate and were to be relevant to improved local partnership, locality-based administration and community concerns about local development (balanced against broader authority wide issues and the overall common good). Paragraph 8.26. In addition, this Development Plan has been drafted in the context of the Government’s “National Strategy on Sustainable Development” which builds sustainability principles into the entire development plan process.

Local Agenda 21 is the Local or Regional contribution to the United Nations Action Plan to achieve 2 global sustainable development in the 21st century. “Sustainable development” is defined as development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future 1

generations to meet their own needs.

CONTEXT

2.1 COUNTY SLIGO

Sligo is a coastal county in the province of Connaught covering an area of 183,710 hectares (453,948 acres). The population in 1996 was 55,821 with 17,616 living in the Sligo Borough.

Sligo town is an historic, cultural, commercial, industrial, retail and service centre of regional importance. Served by a regional airport and established rail, port and road links, Sligo town exerts significant influence on its immediate hinterland. This hinterland comprising the county of Sligo and beyond is essentially rural in character. The rural hinterland is characterised by relatively small towns and villages providing local commercial, retail and support services with sparsely populated environs depending largely on agriculture and tourism related business.

The coastline, measures 199 kilometres (120 miles) from the Duff river beyond Mullaghmore to the north to the Moy Estuary beyond Enniscrone to the west. The coastline, the mountain ranges (Dartry, Ox and Bricklieve), the loughs (Gill, Easkey, Arrow, Glencar and Gara) are of particular scenic value. The archaeological and historic remains dotted across the county are major attractions and valuable resources. The rich cultural and literary heritage associated with St. Colmcille, the Yeats family and traditional musicians of South Sligo, Michael Coleman being the most famous, is of international significance. The county’s reputation for cultural and artistic attractions combined with a clean environment has continued to grow in recent years and, increasingly, County Sligo is being seen as a quality centre for cultural and rural- based tourism.

2.2 NATIONAL AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTEXT

Economic development in Ireland during the period of the five year statutory plan will continue to be influenced by the National Development Plan 1994 - 1999. The Government’s published proposals for local government reform, “Better Local Government - A Programme for Change” and “National Strategy on Sustainable Development” will also influence future development strategies and administrative arrangements. The overall aim is to achieve greater economic and social cohesion through employment creation and this is to be achieved through strengthening the productive capacity of the economy, supporting key development sectors, upgrading economic infrastructure, encouraging local development initiatives and developing skills of the labour force.

Sligo is part of the Border Region which also includes counties Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Cavan and Louth. The National Plan’s strategic aim for the Border Region is to secure its social and economic development through structural adjustment

while protecting and improving the environment. A major component of the strategy will be the improvement of the region’s infrustructural base so as to facilitate economic growth. The strategy focuses on the opportunities available within the region including its economic strengths, its manufacturing and services base, it tourism potential, its labour skills and its high- quality environment.

2.3 POPULATION

The population of County Sligo in 1996 was 55,821 (representing 1.54% of the national population) with 17,616 living in the Sligo Borough. This population figure represents an overall 2% increase since 1991. The population trend in the county is twofold with (i) increased growth in the Sligo Borough and environs, notably Glencar (16.8%), Drumcliffe East (11.1%), Calry (10.7%), Kilmacowen (9.9%) and Drumcliffe West (7.5%); and (ii) continuing rural depopulation, particularly in South Sligo adjacent to counties Roscommon and Leitrim, notably Kilshalvey (-9.7%), Kilmactranny (-7.5%), Kilarraght (-6.6%), Drumrat (-6.3%) and Toomour (-6.2%).

Population change in Sligo has fluctuated between a 5.8% decrease (1961) to a 10.3% increase (1981) to the present trend towards modest growth. This trend, however, masks the serious state of rural areas affected by lower marriage and birth rates, net out-migration and resulting imbalanced age structures, agricultural decline, fewer alternative employment opportunities and problems of social exclusion, particularly affecting the elderly.

For the purposes of this Development Plan, the Council assumes that modest overall growth will continue over the next five years. Continued urbanisation within a six mile radius of Sligo town is also assumed. The established trend towards rural depopulation and relative disadvantage is viewed by the Planning Authority with concern and it is considered that co-ordinated and planned intervention aimed at arresting this trend is warranted.

2.4 EMPLOYMENT

According to the IDA employment survey carried out in 1993, manufacturing employment in County Sligo accounted for 3,273 jobs. This was an increase of 207 (6.7%) over the period 1990-93, made up of a 24% increase in employment in overseas companies and a fall of 13% in indigenous firms. Indigenous firms account for 37% of total manufacturing employment in the county. The main sectors are metals and engineering (38%), food (28.5%) and timber/furniture (8.6%). While metals is still the largest sector, it has declined by 28% since 1990 as compared to a growth of 7% in the food sector.

The services sector accounts for over 9,000 jobs, representing 52% of the labour force (lower than the national figure of 57%). Professional services and commerce are the largest sub-sectors as reflected in the presence of major regional bodies such as the Institute of Technology and Regional Hospital.

Public administration accounts for 10% of service employment. Although reliable figures are not available for direct and indirect employment in tourism, it is a growing employment sector with an estimated tourism revenue to the county of £34.5 million, or 22% of the regional total of £156.5 million (source: Sligo County Tourism Plan, 1995).

Agriculture, forestry and fishing account for over 4,000 jobs. There are 5,524 agricultural holdings, and farm sizes in Sligo are significantly smaller than the national average, with only 12% of farms in the 30-50 hectares size category. This compares with a national figure of around 17%. Farms sized above 50 hectares account for only 4% of farms in Sligo, compared with a national average of around 12%.

The total area under forestry in the county is around 43,000 acres; 7,200 acres are privately owned and the remainder is owned by Coillte Teo. Current annual timber production by Coillte Teo. is 70,000 tons and this is targeted to rise to 130,000 tons by the year 2000. An estimated 130 people are employed directly or indirectly in forestry operations.

Regarding unemployment in the county, the Live Register figures for the beginning of 1998 estimated that 2,981 people were receiving Unemployment Benefit, Assistance, or Credits. This figure relates to the Social Welfare Offices in the Sligo Town and Tubbercurry catchment areas but it excludes the area west of Dromore West. The area west of Dromore West is designated to the Ballina Social Welfare district. The adjusted total on the Live Register encompassing the whole county was 3,975 people.

The County Sligo unemployment rate, defined as the number of people unemployed as a percentage of the labour force, was approximately 15% at the beginning of 1998. This figure was over 5% above the national unemployment total. The inclusion of West Sligo (which falls under the remit of the Ballina Social Welfare Office) adjusts the unemployment rate in the County by a further 2% (Source: Sligo Economic research Unit, May 1998). The highest concentration of unemployed people is in the Sligo Town catchment area (three-quarters) compared to the combined totals of Tubbercurry and west of Dromore West (one-quarter).

The Council recognises continuing and long-term unemployment as a serious issue. The County Development Plan, in setting objectives to maintain a clean environment, to embrace partnership initiatives, and facilitate employment creation projects throughout the county, is viewed as a key instrument in combating unemployment.

2.5 INFRASTRUCTURE

2.5.1 Roads

Under the National Development Plan 1994-99, upgrading of the East West Corridor from Dublin to Sligo covering the N 4 route continues to reduce journey times from the county to the capital. The Trans-European Network cross-border route from Sligo to Belfast covering the N16/A4 has been integrated into the East West Corridor. Upon completion, this route will improve links between the county and Northern Ireland and provide improved access to the port of Larne.

The largest road project undertaken in the county has been the construction of the 9km dual carriageway between Sligo and Collooney at a cost of £31 million. A 16km route bypassing the Curlew Mountains has recently been completed. Sligo will benefit also from development of the Western Corridor which will improve links to Galway (N 4, N 17), Limerick (N 18, N 19), Waterford (N 24) and Wexford (N 25).

2.5.2 Rail

Daily passenger and freight services are operated between Sligo Town and Dublin. These also serve Ballymote and Collooney. Iarnroid Eireann have recently upgraded the fleet of locomotives and installed fibre optic signalling. These improvements, coupled with lower fares, led to a 50% increase in passenger journeys to a present level of around 560,000 passengers per annum. Major investment in track renewal is proposed under the Operational Programme for Transport.

2.5.3 Air

Sligo Regional Airport at Strandhill is a modern airport with a single 1,200 metre runway sufficient to cater for a range of regional aircraft. The current service operates close to capacity with a 92% load factor between June and August. Under the planned “Essential Services Programme”, a subsidised regional service between Sligo and Dublin is proposed with two daily return services. The airport company owns a sizeable tract of land adjacent to the airport.

2.5.4 Water and Sanitary Services

Nine public water supplies serve the county and six of these are regarded as regional schemes. The daily output is around 3.5 million gallons and, in addition, 125,000 gallons is supplied daily to the southern part of the county by Roscommon County Council. In addition, there is a total of 107 group schemes connected to the public mains throughout the county. In total, 97% of the people in the county have a public water supply.

Sligo town currently relies on an outdated water supply system with a design capacity for a population of no more than 17,000. This system is seriously deficient in terms of:

Water quality - supplies failing to meet EU water quality standards: Quantity/reliability - curtailed supply in summer months; Fire requirements - water pressure and flows below safety levels; Development needs - constraints imposed upon commercial, industrial and tourism development.

It is proposed to solve these deficiencies by the development of a major new water scheme and refurbishment of the existing systems which will provide 21,000m3 daily water supply to EU quality standards. This scheme, at an estimated cost of £12 million, commenced in December, 1997 and has been designed to provide treated water to meet the future domestic, commercial, industrial and agricultural water demands, of Sligo town and its immediate environs.

Two other schemes have recently been completed, namely the Lough Talt Regional Water Supply Scheme to Ballymote (£1.0 million) and the North Sligo Regional Augmentation Scheme (£1.5 million).

Nineteen towns and villages in the county are served by sewerage schemes which incorporate treatment works. An enlarged programme of public sewerage provision is required to ensure that all towns and villages with a population in excess of 200 will have piped sewerage with treatment facilities.

2.6 DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY INITIATIVES

Sligo County Council has increasingly played a key role in partnership with other development agencies and community-based organisations in initiating and promoting integrated development projects throughout the county. The Council considers that, within financial resources, a partnership approach involving the public, private and voluntary sectors can best tackle the issues of local development and rural deprivation.

2.7 POLICY ISSUES

Arising from the experience of the previous County Development Plan period, the following policy issues have been identified:

(a) The continuing decline of the rural areas, in terms of population and economic stability, and the need to stabilise population within these areas by securing viable alternative economic activity and the provision of adequate community support services.

(b) The widespread evidence of physical dereliction in towns, villages and the rural areas militating against economic optimism and community-based development initiatives.

(c) The pressure for development in the environs of Sligo to the detriment of the social fabric of the rural areas outlined above and to the detriment of Sligo town, which would benefit from further consolidation as a significant regional manufacturing, service and retail centre.

(d) The location of this growth in vulnerable areas, particularly in the Sligo environs, and the likely deterioration of the quality of these areas from the point of view of landscape, recreational resources, roads capacity, groundwater quality and heritage value.

(e) The fact that much growth tends to take the form of one-off house development in a haphazard nature in areas where physical and infrastructure services are limited. Careful attention to house design is required, particularly in visually vulnerable areas. The growth of development aimed at exploiting natural resources, notably forestry and extractive industry can result in the creation of wealth and employment but, without stringent controls, can harm sensitive landscapes, damage public roads and give rise to conflicts with neighbouring communities.

(f) The need to provide adequate water supplies and sewerage schemes for all towns and villages and upgrade the county’s road network.

(g) The growing densities of houses served by septic tanks in unserviced rural areas with possible implications for public health and groundwater contamination.

(h) The need to develop urban centres within easy commuting distance of Sligo with the physical services capable of accommodating diverse development, and prevent, minimise, recycle, reuse, recover and dispose of waste.

(i) The evident trend throughout the county in local community initiatives across a wide range of issues, e.g. landscape and heritage preservation, social housing, village renewal, play provision, cultural and tourism related ventures etc. Such initiatives supported by Sligo County Council and other development agencies under Local, Urban and Rural Operational Development Programme 1994 - 1999 and related programmes offer considerable scope for continued partnership and integrated development work. In particular, the part the County Sligo Leader Partnership Company in which the County Council plays a leading role, is important in animating other groups and local communities, especially those communities where social cohesion is limited.

DEVELOPMENT POLICY

This section of the Development Plan sets out the policy of the Council in relation to the planning and development of County Sligo following on from the identification of the above issues.

3.1 SETTLEMENT STRATEGY POLICY

In general, it is the policy of the Council to encourage new development to locate in existing towns and villages where the basic social and infrastructural services are available and where such services may be provided or expanded on an economic basis. This policy is designed to enable the county's inhabitants to establish homes and find employment in close relation to each other and to avail of adequate social and physical infrastructural services. It is further designed to strengthen the existing urban centres in order to encourage increased retailing and employment opportunities, to provide an increased range of social and recreational facilities and to protect rural areas, especially designated “Sensitive Rural Landscapes”.

Developments which are dependent on rural locations e.g. agricultural, specific tourism developments or resource-related industrial developments will generally be accepted as exceptions to this policy, provided that they are sited near the site of the existing activity or resource and are considered to be sustainable.

In support of this, it is the policy of this Council to acquire and develop sites for residential, economic and social development where the Council is satisfied that insufficient land is available for such purposes in a particular town or village.

Similarly, it is the policy to ensure adequate infrastructural facilities to serve urban settlements and to provide for such urban growth, industrial growth and for the provision of housing, subject to the availability of adequate financial resources.

It is the policy to encourage urban development within a short commuting distance of Sligo town, including in particular Strandhill, Rosses Point, Collooney, Ballisodare and Grange and to provide the services (both physical and social) and incentives to encourage these settlements to become dynamic, self contained and socially balanced and to enable them to retain an identity separate from Sligo town.

It is considered, subject to the availability of adequate services, that the following villages and settlements within a convenient commuting distance of Sligo Town would have capacity for further limited development:

Ballinacarrow Ballintogher Ballygawley Carney Carraroe Coolaney Drumcliff Geevagh Ransboro Rathcormack

The development of these centres shall be controlled by the preparation of local area action plans which would identify suitable areas for development and rationalise development patterns and standards.

It will be the policy of the Council in consultation with Sligo Corporation during 1999 to jointly prepare a Sligo Environs Plan so as to provide for development pressures. The area encompassed by the Sligo Environs Plan shall extend from Grange to Rathcormack to Calry to Ballysadare and Collooney and shall extend to the villages of Strandhill and Rosses Point. Where appropriate areas are identified, the Council will take steps to ensure that such areas become attractive and suitable areas for development and the objectives in relation to urban areas outlined above shall similarly apply to such areas. Areas identified as not being suitable or being premature in relation to development shall be protected.

3.2 RURAL AREAS POLICY

The policy of the Council is to generally discourage speculative and sporadic development, especially in designated sensitive rural landscapes or areas which are visually vulnerable. This policy is necessary to preserve scenic and heritage areas, to protect high quality agricultural land and to conserve the attractions of the county for the enjoyment of the inhabitants of the county and for the development of tourism and tourism-related employment.

It is recognized that County Sligo has a wealth of beautiful scenery which is a major attraction for tourists and is an essential recreational amenity for the residents of the County. It is therefore the policy of the Council that physical development should not detract from the scenery of the mountains, moorlands, coastline, lake-shores and mature indigenous woodland landscapes. Moreover, archaeological, historical and architectural features should be preserved intact. The Council recognises that the settings of these features can be as important as the features themselves. The Council will have due regard to the preservation of such settings in the consideration of any proposals for development which might result in adverse impacts.

It is also the policy to ensure that where possible in the context of new developments, including the Council's own developments, an appropriate portion of the cost will be allocated for complementary tree planting schemes.

In general the policy of the Council will be to safeguard the traditional visual character of the county, to preserve vernacular architecture and thatch roof houses and retain mature woodlands, hedgerows and local stone walling. Modern farming practices can lead to the fencing of areas which have traditionally been open. Where such fencing occurs, it will be the policy to ensure that traditional materials shall be used and access is provided.

It is the policy of the Council to preserve all existing public rights of way in the county and seek to develop new public rights of way in coastal, upland and lakeland areas in agreement with existing landowners.

3.3 HOUSING POLICY

The basic policy objective is to assist those unable to provide housing for themselves in a suitable location and at an affordable cost. As part of this objective, it is the policy of the Council to direct its programme towards the elimination of unfit and obsolescent housing and to plan, subject to housing needs, the location of new housing development in existing settlements in order that such settlements should expand to the point where

they can support appropriate services and facilities. Such housing would utilise existing available serviced land and infrastructure and thus avoid a waste or mis-use of resources. The key elements of the Council’s housing policy will be responsiveness to the needs of applicants, particularly the elderly, persons with disabilities, and the farming community. Where possible this will be done by the restoration and upgrading of existing houses. The Council’s Housing Programme will also be a key instrument in remedying dereliction.

It will be the policy of the Council to assist the private sector housing programme by making provision for loans for the construction or purchase of new houses, the acquisition of existing houses and for the reconstruction, repair and improvement of existing dwellings.

Provision shall be made for the housing needs of the present and future population of County Sligo by implementing an adequate building programme and acquiring lands to make serviced sites available for private house development in selected settlements and to integrate these with local authority and voluntary projects, wherever possible.

It is the policy of the Council to acquire land for housing in built up areas within the county where the need arises and for the erection of rural houses in accordance with available finance. In addition, it is the intention of the Council to purchase existing houses where this would suit the circumstances of those in need of housing.

It is the objective of the Council to improve the physical appearance of housing estates and in consultation with residents and other agencies to draw up appropriate programmes for the proper management of estates.

Assessment of housing needs is carried out on a regular basis and the site of each new scheme recognises the requirement of any particular area at that particular time. Current planning is directed towards the provision of houses in:

Ballinacarrow, Ballintogher, Ballymote, Ballysadare, Cliffoney, Cloonacool, Collooney, Coolaney, Culfadda, Curry, Dromore West, Easkey, Enniscrone, Geevagh, Grange, Gurteen, Keash, Lavagh, Monasteraden, Riverstown, Skreen, Strandhill, Tubbercurry.

It is an objective of the Council to make provision for the accommodation of indigenous traveller families in suitable locations by the provision of housing and/or halting sites, as appropriate, in consultation with the statutory and voluntary bodies working with travelling families and the traveller families themselves. Transient sites shall also be provided, subject to the identification of suitable locations and in accordance with available finance. Traveller accommodation shall be provided as set out in the Government’s “Action Plan for the Millennium”, “Partnership 2000, Programme for Inclusion, Employment and Competitiveness” and in accordance with the requirements of the “Housing (Traveller Accommodation)” Act, 1998.

3.4 TOURISM POLICY

With the growth in affluence, mobility and leisure time, tourism is one of the major growth areas of the national economy. County Sligo, with its wealth of beautiful scenery still remains largely unspoiled and relatively undiscovered. The county’s cultural heritage and landscape, its accessiblity by road, rail and air, and the range of activities available augur well for the continued expansion of this sector.

The natural scenery of Sligo is amongst the finest and most spectacular in the country. It is the county's primary tourist attraction. The mountains, forests, woodlands, lakes, rivers, coastline, offshore islands and largely unspoiled rural landscape offer the widest range of natural amenity and recreational pursuits.

The protection of this unique natural environment, which could be jeopardised by development pressure, particularly unsympathetic sporadic residential development, agricultural and forestry development and increased risk of pollution, is fundamental to the development of tourist industry.

The mountain areas provide the most spectacular scenery in County Sligo and have major potential for activities such as touring, sightseeing, mountaineering, hill walking and pony trekking. In addition some of the more spectacular mountains are areas of scientific and archaeological importance.

Forests occupy a significant portion of Sligo's land area and most under State control have a major recreational value and are open to the public. Woodlands like Slish Wood, Union Wood, Lough Gill Forest, Ben Bulbin Forest, Collooney Forest and Lough Talt Forest have significant stands of deciduous trees. These woodlands are located in scenic areas and specially organised forests walks can exploit the botanical, visual, and literary/archaeological interests in a sensitive and unobtrusive manner.

The lakes of Sligo give the County a special identity. Lough Gill, Lough Arrow, Lough Gara, Glencar Lake, Templehouse Lake, Lough Talt and Lough Easkey are immediately recognized as part of the typical Sligo landscape. These are a major resource for sailing, boating, fishing, lake shore walks and also have strong wildlife, literary, archaeological and historical significance, although infrastructural services need to be developed to fully exploit their potential in a sustainable manner.

The coastline of County Sligo is a major resource. The traditional resorts of Mullaghmore, Rosses Point, Strandhill and Enniscrone have long attracted many visitors. In addition, there are magnificent beaches at Dunmoran and Streedagh and many similar beaches are dotted along the coast.

In recent years coastal erosion has caused significant damage in some areas. The protection of existing infrastructure and the unspoiled beauty of the whole coastline is of major importance in ensuring that its recreational and tourism potential can be fully exploited.

The other major resource for tourism in Sligo is the county's cultural, literary, historical and archaeological heritage. Increased interest in heritage both nationally and internationally, has resulted in these becoming a major resource. The protection of such heritage assets and their contexts is extremely important.

The Council recognises the importance of the tourism industry to County Sligo and the potential that exists within the County for the industry to expand further. This can be especially significant in more peripheral rural areas; many of which are areas of scenic value.

It is the policy of the Council to encourage the development of the tourism industry through the use of its statutory powers, where appropriate, and to promote County Sligo as a tourist destination in co-operation with the appropriate statutory agencies, private tourism sector and community groups. It is the Council’s objective to encourage the increase in hotel, guesthouse and hostel accommodation, subject to normal development control standards.

The Council recognises the improvements in tourism development in the County in recent years but a major “flagship” project for the County has not to date emerged; it is the Council’s objective to secure the establishment of a flagship visitor attraction, subject to normal development control standards.

It is the Council's policy to advance the development of tourism by the provision and extension of existing amenities, particularly water based activities, the provision of medium and long distance walking routes (in co-operation with adjoining local authorities). It is the Council’s policy also to designate sustainable tourist routes and improve the visual appearance of towns and villages by the continuance of environmental schemes, design control and the removal of dereliction. In addition, it will be the policy to improve roads, improve existing amenity and viewing areas, and to provide for car parking, public facilities and access in scenic areas.

It is further the policy of the Council to control development in designated “Sensitive Rural Landscapes”, proposed Natural Heritage Areas, Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation and along Scenic Routes which might be detrimental to scenic and heritage assets.

The Council will use its other statutory procedures, particularly in relation to waste management, water and air pollution, to ensure that these natural amenities remain unpolluted and visually unspoiled.

In recognising the special amenity value of mountains, moorlands and forests, valleys and lakes, it is the Council's policy to encourage use of these areas for activities such as touring, sight seeing, mountaineering, and hill walking. This will be done in co- operation with state agencies and other interested bodies and local community groups. In this regard the Council shall, within financial resources, improve access and create public rights of way.

3.5 INDUSTRIAL POLICY

One of the most important objectives of the Council is the stimulation of an increase in industrial development throughout the County to help reduce the high rates of unemployment, to stem the high levels of emigration and to allow for a greater range of employment opportunities.

New industrial business will be encouraged to locate in centres where there are existing infrastructural facilities, services and good communications, or where these

can be provided by the extension of existing facilities at a reasonable cost. It is considered that such areas will assist and sustain continued industrial growth. In exceptional situations, notably where a particular need is shown to locate near an existing resource and where the particular industrial development can be accommodated without damage to the visual, natural or heritage environment, the development may be permitted subject to normal development control criteria. Further exceptions in rural areas are detailed under “Development Control - Policy and Standards: Industry” (Page 27).

The Council specifically recognises the strategic regional importance of the Finisklin Industrial Estate which could be expanded beyond the Corporation boundary, as proposed in the Finisklin Action Plan. It is intended to provide for such expansion, subject to compatiblity with existing and proposed land uses and servicing arrangements, in the forthcoming Sligo and Environs Development Plan to be prepared jointly by the Council and Sligo Corporation.

The Council recognises the increasing importance of small indigenous industry in providing local employment and in helping to stimulate economic activity among local communities. It will seek to encourage and facilitate such enterprises through its policies and programmes.

It is the policy of the Council to assist, insofar as it is empowered, anyone who wishes to establish or expand industrial or other undertakings which will provide increased employment in the county, subject to normal development control requirements.

The Council, in conjunction with the Industrial Development Authority, Forbairt and the County Enterprise Board, assists in all aspects of industrial promotion, giving advice on sites and services, on financial assistance, on labour, and on any other incentives available. It is the policy to ensure that such facilities and resources, as are necessary to maintain and expand this service, will be provided.

It is the policy that where a need is established, land may be zoned for industrial purposes not only to meet short term requirements but for medium and long term needs. It is further the policy that, should the need arise, the Council would acquire and develop suitable sites and actively encourage industry to locate at such selected centres. Such an approach would be adopted in association with Forbairt and Forfas in an effort to attract appropriate industries to targeted areas of greatest need.

The Council supports the continued commercial development of Sligo Port and recognises its importance in the commercial life of the north-west. The Council also supports the continued development of Sligo Regional Airport as an important national and international link for the north-west. Airport-related manufacturing, warehousing and service industry within the airport environs will be encouraged, subject to normal development control requirements.

3.6 SANITARY SERVICES POLICY

It has generally been the policy of Sligo County Council to encourage concentration of residential development into towns and villages where sanitary services are either already available or can be economically extended. However, it has been difficult to implement this policy as many people appear to prefer to live in rural areas where sanitary services are either inadequate or non-existent. This trend has resulted in

the proliferation of septic tanks in rural areas with possible implications for groundwater quality.

Nineteen towns and villages are now served by sewerage schemes, which incorporate treatment works appropriate to their through-puts and locations. Existing and proposed sewerage schemes are listed under Appendix 4.

All towns and villages are now served by piped water supplies. This water is piped and treated to E.U. Standards by Sligo County Council and is continuously monitored by the North Western Health Board and the Council. There are also 107 group schemes being supplied with County Council water and there are 21 group schemes with private sources which are also being monitored. The protection of these sources of supply are paramount and no developments shall be allowed that would adversely affect these sources. The Council’s Water Sources Protection Policy is detailed under Appendix 2. Ongoing and planned water schemes are detailed under Appendix 3.

It is the Council’s policy to make available water and sewerage facilities to the maximum number of the population, to service industry, tourism, agriculture etc. within the financial resources available for such provision and maintenance.

It is the objective of the Council to support the continued implementation of the Sligo Main Drainage Scheme to service the Corporation and Environs Area. The site of the new waste water treatment works is at Far Finisklin partly within the Borough area but predominantly within the jurisdiction of Sligo County Council.

Within this policy, the Council will provide, extend and improve water supplies and sewerage facilities and, where appropriate, will assist others in such development. Policy will be directed towards facilitating development in towns and villages in order to make the best use of existing services. It will be Council policy to assist the development of agriculture and other sectors by providing water supplies or through facilitating the expansion of group schemes. Policy will include measures to minimise water wastage. In relation to sewerage, it will be the policy to extend, where appropriate, existing systems to facilitate new developments and to ensure that existing services are fully utilised.

Where existing settlements are not currently served with public sewerage schemes (or served by existing public sewerage facilities which have reached capacity) and schemes are not planned for the next five years, the Planning Authority will give consideration to granting planning permission for private communal sewerage schemes. Such schemes shall be purpose-designed, appropriate in scale, specification and capacity to the needs of users and shall be subject to legally-binding maintenance and bonding arrangements agreed with the Planning Authority.

The Council is committed to ensure that the county’s clean air resource is protected and maintained to optimal standards.

3.7 TOWN AND VILLAGE RENEWAL POLICY

It will be the policy of the Council to seek to upgrade all our towns and villages in order to underpin their future development and the communities which they serve. In general, this will be done by making the towns and villages more attractive places in which to live, visit and invest. The Council will seek to ensure that all villages have adequate infrastructure by way of water supply, sewerage, roads, footpaths and public lighting to serve the needs of their communities, and to provide for additional development.

The Council’s 5-year plan for village and urban renewal 1995/1999, which has been agreed with local communities supported by the County Enterprise Board and approved by the Department of the Environment, will form the basis for seeking funding under the Urban and Village Renewal Scheme which in turn forms part of the Operational Programme for Local, Urban and Rural Development. In addition the Council will seek funding from agencies such as the International Fund for Ireland, INTERREG, the Programme for Peace and Reconciliation, Leader II, and any other sources of funding for urban and village renewal. The Council will also co-operate with these agencies and with community groups, in the planning and implementation of schemes and projects which will help to upgrade the physical environment and increase economic activity.

It will be the policy of the Council to remedy dereliction in towns and villages by use of its powers under the Derelict Sites Act, by encouraging the redevelopment of suitable sites and by using the Council’s Housing Programme, as appropriate.

3.8 ROADS AND TRANSPORTATION POLICY

3.8.1 Road Improvements

It is policy of the Council consistent with government policy and as resources are provided to bring National Primary and National Secondary roads up to appropriate standards, to continue the work of improvement of the non-national, regional and local roads and to develop an overall safe and comprehensive road system to serve the commercial, agricultural, tourist and industrial needs of the county.

The “National Roads Needs Study” results published by the National Roads Authority in 1998, provides a basis on which future needs policy decisions for the development of the national network will be made over the period 2000 - 2019. This study will be examined by the External Evaluator appointed by the EU Commission to review the Operational Programme for Transport and other related future policy proposals and is likely to form the outline framework for proposals to be included in the next tranche of Structural and Cohesion Fund proposals. The improvement needs of national roads identified by the N.R.A Study are categorised in phases 1 - 4. Phase 1 includes projects/needs not addressed by the 1994 - 1999 Operational Programme on Transport and are described as “Backlog”.

The N17 Improvement Project from Tubbercurry to Curry and Tubbercurry to Annaghmore/Ballynabol are categorised as “Backlog” in the context of Co. Sligo.

It is proposed to undertake the following road projects:-

Road No. Location Description of Work N.R.A. Needs Study Phase (YR).

National Roads

N 17 Tubbercurry - Curry Realignment BACKLOG

N 17 Tubbercurry - Annaghmore / Realignment BACKLOG Ballynabol

N 4 Sligo Relief Road Construction of new 1 (2000 - 2004) route (in co-operation with Sligo Corporation)

N 17 Tubbercurry By-pass 1 (2000 - 2004)

N 4 Doorly - Castlebaldwin Realignment 2 (2005 - 2009)

N 15 Borough Boundary - Grange Realignment 2 (2005 - 2009)

N 15 Grange - Castlegal Realignment 2 (2005 - 2009)

N 59 Ballysadare - Beltra Realignment 3 (2010 - 2014)

N16 Teesan - Co. Boundary Realignment 4 (2015 - 2019)

Regional and Other Roads

R 291 Borough Boundary - Ballincar Realignment

R 292 Tully - Strandhill Realignment

R 292 Ballydrehid - Strandhill Realignment

R 297 Enniscrone - Co. Boundary Realignment

R 294 Mullaghroe Realignment

R 284 Glenagoolagh Realignment

L 3104 - Creevykeel Realignment R 279

L 3305 Drumcliff - Carney Realignment

L 7604 Killery Realignment

3.8.2 Roadside Development

The spread of suburban type housing into rural areas in the form of ribbon type development has had major implications for the existing road network. Heavy vehicles have undermined the foundations of some of the minor roads. Multiple accesses create traffic hazards and congestion. Road-side development can also interfere with road drainage and cause discharge of surface water onto these roads, further undermining their efficiency as a communication network. In order to maintain traffic capacity, minimise traffic hazard and protect and maximise public investment it is necessary that sporadic and ribbon type development be restricted along roads in rural areas.

The National Primary Road network, comprising the N 4, N 15, N 16 and N 17 routes, is crucial to the development of County Sligo in regional, national, and given its peripheral location, international terms. National Primary roads amount to only 3% of the total length of roads in the county and, in accordance with the policy of the National Roads Authority, the Planning Authority requires that as a general policy the location of new means of access will not be permitted along National Primary roads for residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural or other development, except in a limited number of cases. The object of this policy is to protect the major investment in such roads. In the national interest and in the interest of traffic safety and the free flow of traffic, the prohibition of all new accesses will continue subject to the following exceptional cases, and subject to the condition that such access does not conflict with any other restrictions contained in the plan, and that the proposed access can be shown not to cause a traffic hazard.

(a) The provision of a new house where the existing inhabited dwelling is substandard and in need of replacement. The replacement house should generally be located immediately adjoining or on the site of the former dwelling;

(b) Where a house is required by a farmer or a member of a farmer’s immediate family engaged in full time employment on the family farm and where there is no alternative access from another public road, planning permission may be granted provided any new development is clustered around the existing farm residence;

(c) The creation of a new access not involving additional development which leads to the elimination of a traffic hazard arising from an existing authorised use; and

(d) Industrial or commercial development will be considered where it is locationally tied to a fixed natural resource or where it will have a major beneficial effect on the development and economy of the surrounding area.

Where access is proposed onto the National Secondary route (N 59), appropriate sightline requirements shall apply as detailed in - “Access: Sightlines and Visibility Standards” (Page 44).

In the case of Regional roads, much of the county network is substandard in width, capacity and alignment and this will require strict control in relation to new access points in the interests of safety. Where improvements have been carried out, it is an objective to preserve the improved capacity by controlling the number of new access points. With regard to road improvement lines and realignment provision, it is an objective to preserve all alternative lines free from development until such time as a final decision on the preferred route has been made.

3.8.3 Road Maintenance

The cost of maintaining and surface dressing National Primary and National Secondary routes is financed by National Roads Authority funds. Through the use of these funds it is an objective of the Council that these roads are maintained in good condition.

Discretionary Grants from the Department of the Environment and Local Government are used for maintenance and improvement works on Regional and County Roads including surface dressing, restoration, drainage, patching, strengthening and widening. The continuation of this work must occur over the period of this Development Plan. Legislation now provides for community involvement in improvement and maintenance work on Non-National Roads. The Council will seek the assistance of community groups in relation to drainage works, opening inlets, cutting trees and hedges and other related activities.

3.8.4 Rail Links

It is the policy of the Council to support the upgrading of the Sligo-Dublin rail link which is considered to be of vital importance to the economy of Sligo town, County Sligo and the North West Region.

It is the policy to support a cross-radial rail link serving Sligo, Mayo, Galway and Limerick and connecting to the ports of the south east.

It is also the policy of the Council to support the development of the rail line within County Sligo, particularly the provision of an effective commuter rail service in the interests of environmental sustainability.

In general, the Council supports the up-grading of the Public Transport system, particularly an integrated system which links road, rail, bus, air and cycle facilities.

3.9 COMMUNITY FACILITIES POLICY

As part of the settlement strategy of the Development Plan, it is necessary to ensure that all communities have access to a range of community facilities. In this regard it will be the policy of the Council to assist as far as possible in the provision of such community facilities (e.g., Community Centres, Schools, Health Centres, Crèches, Playing Fields, Recreation Facilities etc.) by reserving suitably located sites, by assisting in the provision of finance for their development (where appropriate), and by the use of development control to insist on provision being made for such facilities as the Council considers appropriate. The Council is committed to supporting the provision of 3-phase electricity in all of the county’s towns and villages.

There are 64 burial grounds in the county under Council control. The demand for new burial plots averages over 200 annually. It is the objective of the Council to provide or assist in the provision of extensions to existing burial grounds and new burial grounds where the need is identified. A new burial ground is currently proposed at Rathcormack.

With regard to the provision of community facilities generally, it will be the policy of the Council to ensure that facilities are designed and finished to the highest achievable standards.

It is the Council’s objective to establish an integrated public service facility (“one stop shop”) in Tobercurry and a new library facility in Ballymote.

With specific regard to child care provision, the Council will facilitate the development of small-scale child care projects in residential areas subject to the provision of ancillary car parking. The Council will also encourage the development of childcare facilities related to existing community and workplace uses, subject to normal development criteria.

3.10 ARTS AND LIBRARY POLICY

It is the policy of the Council to implement its Arts Development Plan and Library Development Plan.

3.11 COAST DEVELOPMENT AND PROTECTION POLICY

County Sligo's 120 miles of coastline is richly endowed with fine beaches and recreational areas. These exceptional amenities are extensively used by residents within the region but are also a major attraction for tourists. Over the past number of years, the Council has systematically improved beaches by provision of car parking, toilet facilities, litter control procedures and dune management schemes. Particular attention has been paid to the improvement of access to beaches to facilitate persons with disabilities. The County has been awarded three Blue Flags by the European Union for beaches at Mullaghmore, Rosses Point and Enniscrone.

In recent years, frequent and severe storms have caused exceptional damage along the coastline. Increased erosion and the destruction of sea barriers have resulted in damage to property, beaches, harbours and piers. A significant area of agricultural land has

also been affected. It would be both impractical and uneconomic to consider providing coast protection schemes that would secure the total coastline. Accordingly, any coastal management plan will involve an economic assessment of the benefits which would accrue from generally costly protection schemes. The absence of a suitable source of funding to enable the Council to undertake essential coast protection development is a matter of concern.

It will be the policy of the Council to draw up a strategic coastline policy which respects development needs and conservation requirements. The Council endorses the objectives and recommendations of the National Coast Erosion Committee's publication Coastal Management - A Case for Action (1992) and will support the setting up of a National Coastal Authority which would have responsibility for preparation of coastal management plans and for the provision of resources to implement these plans.

3.12 WASTE MANAGEMENT POLICY

The Council’s policy with regard to waste management follows the European Union and national Government “waste hierarchy” which prioritises prevention and minimisation above recycling, reuse and energy recovery, with final disposal to landfill as the lowest preference. The “polluter pays principle” also forms part of the Council’s strategy, which is to be published in a Waste Management Plan currently in preparation.

The Waste Management Plan includes the following objectives:

(a) To prevent and minimise waste by:

• promotional and education campaigns

• the introduction and promotion of home composting units for biowaste

• the diversion of some urban biowaste from landfill for bulk treatment and re-use

• the enforcement of the Litter Act, 1997

• incorporating measures during licensing procedures of industry to encourage minimisation and prevention, wherever possible.

(b) To encourage recycling and reuse by:

• expanding the “bring bank” for clear, brown and green glass, aluminium cans and textiles

• encouraging and enforcing initiatives under the Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations

• liaising and encouraging private sector, semi-state and voluntary groups to actively pursue initiatives which involve recycling and/or reuse

• encouraging segregated domestic waste collection arrangements

• ensuring that facilities are made available for recycling other items in the waste stream.

• inclusion of biogas in large sewage treatment facilities

• addressing the objectives of Agenda 21 in so far as is practically possible within the area of influence of the Council

(d) Disposal of Residual Waste

Residual waste is currently disposed of outside the county. It is the Council’s objective to pursue a regional disposal strategy in agreement with adjoining counties as it is uneconomic to provide such a facility on a single county basis.

It is the Council’s intention that dangerous and toxic waste generated within the county will continue to be exported in accordance with EU Directives and national guidelines.

In addition the Council intends to:

• support the continued provision of a private refuse collection service and the expansion of the service to a greater number of householders

• reduce indiscriminate dumping, littering and unauthorised waste disposal and encourage the public to adopt a proactive supportive approach

• enforce legislation and regulations as required by the various European Union and Government policies, including the maintaining of registers and the issuing of permits as necessary

• produce a Waste Management Plan incorporating the requirements of the Waste Management (Planning) Regulations, 1997 and inclusive of public participation. The Waste Management Plan will provide for the implementation of policies and objectives outlined in this section.

3.13 FIRE SERVICE POLICY

A Central Fire Station in Sligo Town serves both the town and the county. A new fire station was provided in Enniscrone in 1996. It is an objective of the Council to provide, with the assistance of the Department of the Environment and Local Government, fire stations complying with the Department's standards in Tubbercurry and Ballymote within the period of this Plan.

Further, under its development control functions, the Council will have regard to the provision of the Fire Services Act, 1981 and developments which do not meet the requirements of the Act shall not be permitted.

3.14 HERITAGE DEVELOPMENT AND PROTECTION POLICY

Sligo County is recognised as one of the most scenic and archaeologically important areas in the West with strong literary and cultural traditions. Increasing interest in heritage, both nationally and internationally, has resulted in the county’s cultural, literary, historic and archaeological heritage becoming an important resource and this resource forms the basis of a growing sector of the county’s tourism industry.

Sligo County Council is committed to preserving the unique character of the county and promoting an awareness among the general public of the importance of safeguarding all aspects of our heritage, be they flora and fauna, the built environment and our cultural legacy.

It is the policy of the Council to control development in designated Rural Landscapes, proposed Natural Heritage Areas, Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation which might be detrimental to their status. The Council also realises that the protection of the heritage assets of the county and their contexts is extremely

important, not only as a sustainable tourism resource but as part of the identity of County Sligo. It is the policy of the Council to liaise closely with the various Government Departments and Semi-State bodies with responsibility for the natural and man-made heritage and with the tourism authority to ensure that the heritage assets of the county are protected and managed in a sustainable manner.

The principal heritage sites in the County are set out hereunder:

The Carrowmore Passage Graves are located in a rural area undergoing intense development pressure close to Sligo town. It is one of the most important archaeological sites in western Europe, dating generally from 3000BC, and should be viewed in the general context of the Knocknarea peninsula. The Council will co- operate with the Department of Arts, Culture, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Bord Failte

23 and the Heritage Council, in the preparation of detailed proposals for its protection and for the development of appropriate facilities for visitors.

Similarly, the archaeological remains at Creevykeel and Carrowkeel are of international significance and require continued preservation.

Lissadell House and Demesne is not only one of the finest intact country houses but also is of major importance because of its connection with W.B. Yeats and Countess Markievicz. The demesne is set in a scenic coastal area adjacent to a National Nature Reserve for wintering barnacle geese and an ecologically important estuary. The natural setting combined with the architectural and historical quality of the house and adjoining buildings and woodlands, combine to make the entire area a major resource.

Temple House and Demesne contains one of Ireland’s largest intact country houses. The demesne is still largely a 19th century landscape; the adjoining lake is a major fishing and wildfowl area and archaeological remains contain the old Knights Templar Castle. Close by is woodland which is a major source of game. All combine to make this an area whose preservation should be a major priority.

Innishmurray Island contains an early Christian monastic site and earlier archaeological remains. It is also a major area of scientific interest, particularly for its wild birds and has in addition a major cultural and historic importance. The Council considers that Innishmurray island is worthy of designation as a Special Amenity Area.

DEVELOPMENT CONTROL - POLICY AND STANDARDS

4.1 GENERAL

The Council is required to control development by ensuring that permission granted under the Planning Acts are consistent with the policies and objectives of the Development Plan. The Sligo County Development Plan is the statutory framework for controlled change in terms of physical development and conservation. This section of the Development Plan sets out detailed objectives, policies and standards against which development proposals will be assessed. In line with the Council’s general objective of facilitating sustainable development, the planning control system is designed to be flexible and responsive. The Development Plan is not an exhaustive document and does not purport to cover all forms of development. However, the system does allow for reasonable discretion in the evaluation of proposals. Discussions with the Planning Authority prior to submission of planning applications are recommended in order to clarify policies, resolve anticipated issues and assess alternative options.

Detailed standards and requirements for the following are presented in Chapter 6 (Pages 36 - 52):

• housing schemes • development charges • access for people with disabilities • petrol filling stations • access: sightlines and visibility standards • building lines • car parking • advertising • caravan and camping parks • septic tank systems • non-exempted agricultural development

Standards for non-residential roads may be obtained from the Council’s Roads Section and it should be noted that development proposals may be subject to other regulations and statutory requirements covering fire, air and water pollution and buildings.

4.2 DEVELOPMENT CONTROL IN RURAL AREAS

Outside the predominant influence of Sligo Town and its immediate environs, Sligo is essentially a rural county. The Council recognises the long established tradition of living in the countryside and the enduring nature of this tradition. However, the capacity of the rural environment to absorb urban-generated residential, commercial

and industrial development is finite. Continued encroachment into agricultural and undeveloped heritage areas can result in irreparable damage to scenic landscapes,

natural habitats, tourism and environmental resources. In addition, haphazard or unco-ordinated development inevitably results in demands for the uneconomic provision of communal services, notably water, sewerage and road provision.

The rural development control policy is aimed at achieving sustainable rural development, i.e. development which can be absorbed into the rural landscape without creating visual, environmental, traffic or servicing problems. This policy is best achieved by concentrating development in existing towns and villages where services can be economically provided. Outside the built-up areas of towns and villages, development proposals will be assessed according to visual impact on the landscape (designated “Normal Rural Landscapes” or “Sensitive Rural Landscapes”), heritage criteria, (proposed Natural Heritage Areas, Special Protection Areas, Special Areas of Conservation or Archaeologically Significant Sites), traffic safety and environmental services (Water Sources Protection Policy and water and sewerage treatment tests). An important consideration in the assessment of development in rural areas will be design, particularly the appropriateness of the design with regard to the character of the area and whether the development can be absorbed into the landscape.

4.3 Residential Development

The spread of sporadic urban-generated housing in the Sligo countryside is an acknowledged planning problem. The problem is evident around the fringes of towns and villages throughout the county but is particularly acute close to Sligo Town where short commuting distances, convenient access to rural amenities and the unavailability of affordable building land have contributed to suburban-type development. Sporadic housing can result in the uneconomic provision of services, the creation of traffic and environmental health hazards and the erosion of the character of existing settlements and their scenic settings; the predominant pattern of ribbon development from Sligo Town to Rosses Point and Strandhill are particularly noteworthy examples.

It is the policy of the Council to accommodate further residential development in existing settlements and ensure that sufficient land and services are available to meet future demand. It is recognised that this will not always be achievable and that certain social circumstances may give rise to limited and exceptional departures from this overall policy, e.g. in sensitive areas, with respect to landscape, heritage and environmental designations, special consideration will be given to bona fide members of the farming community wishing to build dwellings on their own lands, subject to the design requirements detailed under “Design Requirements: Rural Areas” (Pages 25 and 26). Sympathetic consideration will also be given to non-speculative emigrants returning to live in County Sligo. In applying sympathetic consideration to bona fide farmers, returning emigrants and such applicants claiming exceptional social circumstances, the overriding concern of the Council will be the resultant nett community benefit accruing to an area by permitting further residential development, particularly in areas of population decline and/or where local rural services are under threat. Whilst each individual case will be considered on its merits, the development of sites for sale in a speculative way will be discouraged. In other areas, development

will be assessed with respect to its sustainability and to the specifc requirements set out under “Design Requirements - Rural Areas” (pages 25 and 26).

In the main, ribbon development and urban sprawl in the countryside will be discouraged. Ribbon development means frontage development along a road where there is no tandem development of backlands. It is undesirable because it creates numerous accesses onto traffic routes, sterilises backlands, landlocks farmland, creates servicing problems (e.g. water supply, drainage, footpaths and streetlighting etc.) and intrudes on public views of the rural setting. Urban sprawl means unplanned development expansion along the roads out of towns and villages, whether or not in ribbon form. It gives rise to the same problems associated with ribboning but may have an even greater visual impact and transform the character of the adjacent settlement. In exceptional circumstances, notably where ribbon development is substantially in place and where additional housing will effectively consolidate the ribbon, “infill” development may be permissible; similarly where urban sprawl can be “rounded off” or significantly ordered through careful siting of new development, such development may be permissible.

The Council will encourage generally the restoration of derelict houses in the countryside and sympathetic consideration will be given to proposals to provide replacement dwellings. In the case of both derelict and replacement houses, design proposals shall reflect the existing or previous scale, character and external finishes of the derelict/replacement house. Where it is proposed to replace an existing dwellinghouse, the house to be replaced should be clearly recognisable as a dwellinghouse. New dwellinghouses permitted under this policy should be constructed on the site of the dwellinghouse to be replaced, i.e. replacement in situ except in circumstances where setback is required in order to improve vehicular access or where alternative siting would be preferable in the interests of visual amenity, public health or orderly development.

Whilst ribbon development and urban sprawl will be discouraged, applications for single houses will be assessed according to their capacity to be absorbed into the rural landscape without creating a disproportionate visual impact or giving rise to significant traffic or environmental hazards. Visual impacts will be assessed according to the landscape designation as indicated on the accompanying map (whether “normal” or “sensitive”, impact on “visually vulnerable areas” or “scenic routes”). Impacts on heritage items (archaeology, flora, fauna, etc.) will also be assessed. The Council’s policy with regard to the preservation of heritage items including significant buildings and structures, archaeological remains and natural areas is outlined in Appendices 5 and 6 respectively.

Multiple housing development in the open countryside will normally be discouraged. Exceptions to this policy may be permissible where, subject to the design requirements detailed under - “Design Requirements - Rural Areas” (pages 25 and 26), it can be demonstrated that the scheme layout and scale of development, accessed by a single

27 entrance/estate road, will result in a traditional “clachan” or organic clustered development which enhances the existing pattern of development.

4.4 DESIGN REQUIREMENTS - RURAL AREAS

New development in rural areas should be absorbed and integrated successfully into the rural setting, i.e. development should harmonise or “read” with the existing traditional pattern of development and not intrude on unspoiled landscapes. High standards of location, siting and design should be satisfied in order to achieve this objective.

4.4.1 Location

The surface character of an area, its topography, vegetation cover, fields and hedgerows, determine the impact of new development. Allied to surface character are the extent and pattern of existing development in a rural area and these factors will determine whether new development can be integrated successfully or not. For example, in areas of open bogland, shoreline and high exposed terrain, it may be difficult to find unobtrusive sites. In areas of enclosed fields with mature trees, stone walls, rolling topography and existing development, imaginative use of the site’s natural features can integrate new building unobtrusively into the countryside. Areas of enclosed fields, agriculture-related development and mature tree cover can absorb new buildings without damaging the rural quality of the area more effectively than open landscapes. Good design will be required in all cases but it will be crucial if buildings are proposed in visually vulnerable, open landscapes where they are likely to be seen over long distances. The “location” criterion, therefore, establishes whether a proposed development will be acceptable in principle having regard to the general characteristics of the site, its context and visibility from critical viewpoints.

4.4.2 Siting

The “siting” criterion refers to specific site assessment. The site should be of sufficient size to accommodate a building set back from the road and make full use of natural features. The building should be sited so as not to break the skyline or shoreline. Use should be made of backdrops of trees, rising land or other buildings. Orientation of the building relative to the road and existing development is important, especially where it is proposed to terminate a ribbon of development, “round off” existing scattered development or achieve a cluster of development. New development should relate closely to existing groups of buildings, particularly traditional farm complexes, and not extend strip-like along public roads. Comprehensive landscaping including planting, excavation and mounding works, can mitigate the impact of new development and planning permission will normally contain such conditions. However, landscaping can take many years to become fully established especially on exposed upland and coastal sites and it is preferable to use existing features in siting a building.

4.4.3 Design

The “design” criterion is aimed at ensuring that buildings enhance rather than dominate the visual character of the area. The scale, form, massing, proportions and detailing of a development will be assessed in relation to the character of the location, the existing traditional pattern of development and site features.

Building styles that are acceptable in an urban or suburban setting are often alien to a West of Ireland rural setting. Whilst there is no absolute requirement to apply any particular style, modern or traditional, buildings should be simple in terms of elevational features and materials. Access roads and driveways should respect site contours and cross them gently in order to integrate the building with its entrance and site. New development should be cut into sloping land and excessive underbuilding or “deadwork” should be avoided.

Traditional hedgerows or stone walls, should be retained in preference to ranch, paling, post and wire or other fencing. If a new hedge or wall must be partially or completely removed for the purpose of improving sight lines, a replacement hedge or wall should be erected behind the sight lines. In any planting scheme, indigenous trees and shrubs appropriate to the site conditions should be used. These trees and shrubs should be maintained to establishment and replaced on a two-per-one basis in the event of failure. Often the key to successful integration of new development is attention to detailed design requirements; site management and landscaping are essential to ensure that new development does not appear stark, unfinished and out of character with adjacent vernacular development.

4.5 DESIGN REQUIREMENTS - TOWNS AND VILLAGES

Development proposals in the towns and villages of the county should be designed to respect the scale, character and finishes of the built environment. Proposals located on the edges of built up areas should be designed to integrate with the existing urban fabric and not create sprawling boundaries to the towns and villages. Infill proposals will be evaluated to ensure that detailed design elements harmonise with adjoining buildings and that over-development of restricted sites does not result. Within built- up areas, i.e. within existing village envelopes there may be opportunities for comprehensive development proposals which either consolidate or enhance the form and pattern of existing development (e.g. in Mullaghmore, Rosses Point, Strandhill and Enniscrone, development within the village envelope will be encouraged where it can be demonstrated that such development will formalise, concentrate or provide depth to existing informal groupings of houses or one-off houses, as viewed from the main approaches to the villages). The development of derelict or under-used areas, especially backlands, within the towns and villages will be encouraged.

Detailed development control proposals for individual towns and villages throughout the county will be prepared on a District Electoral Area basis in the form of Local Area Plans. These plans will be prepared following the adoption of the Sligo Town and

Environs Development Plan and will complement the policies and objectives set out in the County Development Plan. The Local Area Plans will set realistic control limits for each town and village, designate opportunity areas for development, incorporate enhancement and renewal proposals and specify sites for improvement (under the Derelict Sites Act, 1990) in towns, villages and immediate environs.

4.6 INDUSTRY

New industrial development is generally not appropriate in the open countryside except where there are particular circumstances that require such a location. The main forms of industry that are appropriate to a rural location include:

• Agriculturally related industry, involving the processing of farm produce where it is unsuited to an urban situation.

• Business directly related to farming such as the servicing and repair of farm machinery, land reclamation, drainage work, agricultural contracting etc. Showroom facilities for selling equipment and plant, however, would be expected to locate in a town or village.

• Local community initiatives which reasonably require a rural setting.

• Large-scale industries that have specific requirements, e.g. extensive sites or segregation from other land-uses, that preclude location in urban areas or in established industrial estates. Such proposals are likely to be exceptional and will be assessed on their industrial merits, including their impact on the environment and on local communities.

• Small scale enterprises, especially start-up businesses, preferably using vacant farm buildings, old mills, industrial buildings, quarries, etc.

• Warehousing, freighting, specialist business or ancillary services related to the Regional Airport.

• “Tied” industries and enterprises related to rural natural resources particularly forestry, mariculture and extractive industry. Such developments will be assessed on their individual merits including impacts on the environment and local communities; expansion of existing industries and enterprises will be preferred to “green field” development proposals.

All other industrial developments should be located within designated industrial areas or on suitable land in towns and villages.

4.7 COMMERCE

New offices, warehousing and wholesaling businesses should all have town or village locations. Whilst it is unlikely that new businesses of this nature could have special circumstances justifying a rural location, proposals to extend or consolidate existing businesses located in rural areas may, depending on the scale and anticipated impacts of the proposal, be appropriate.

4.8 RETAIL SERVICES

Services such as shops, public houses, petrol stations, service garages, motor vehicles sales, etc. which deal directly with the public should have a town or village location where they can serve the urban and surrounding rural population. By

locating in towns and villages, services can avail of existing and planned infrastructure and contribute towards the strengthening of urban centres. Large scale edge-of-town or out-of-town shopping and retail business complexes which

detract from or undermine the primacy and retail significance of existing towns and villages shall be discouraged.

In exceptional circumstances, where a local need can be clearly established such as within an area remote from a town or village, a service facility may be acceptable. The scale of such a development will be expected to reflect its purpose to serve the local community only.

In assessing planning applications generally for retail shopping development (including motor fuel retailing) which would constitute a substantial addition to existing retail facilities of that type within the perceived catchment area of the proposed development (notwithstanding that such area may extend beyond the functional area of Sligo County Council), the Council shall be guided by the following criteria as detailed in the Local Government (Planning and Development) General Policy Directive (Shopping), 1998:

(a) the adequacy of existing retail shopping outlets;

(b) the size and location of existing retail shopping outlets;

(d) the effect on existing communities, including in particular the effect on established retail shopping outlets and on employment;

(e) the needs of those who may be dependent on the availability of retail shopping outlets within walking distance;

(f) the need to counter urban decline and to promote urban renewal and to promote the optimum utilisation of existing infrastructure in urban areas;

(g) the impacts on road traffic.

Further, planning permission shall not be granted for a supermarket, the retail floor space of which exceeds 3,000 square metres, whether such development involves an extension to existing development or otherwise.

4.9 COMMUNITY USES

Most community uses are best located in towns and villages which are the service centres for both rural and urban communities. However, a proposal which can be demonstrated to serve the needs of a particular rural community, for example crèche, playgroup, adult education, tourism or other developments aimed at promoting social and community cohesion, may be acceptable in a rural location.

4.10 DEVELOPMENT ALONG CONTROLLED ROADS

The National Roads Authority has directed that the development of new accesses onto the National Primary Roads network should be strictly controlled in order to protect these roads. In accordance with this national policy and in the interest of safe flow of traffic, it is the policy of the Council not to permit any new means of access along National Primary roads, the N4, N15, N16 and the N17 for residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural or other development, except in a limited number of cases as specified below. These exceptions shall only apply subject to the condition that any such access does not conflict with any other restrictions contained in the Plan, and that the proposed access can be shown not to cause a traffic hazard.

(c) The creation of a new access not involving additional development which leads to the elimination of a traffic hazard arising from an existing authorised use.

(d) Industrial or commercial development will be considered where it is locationally tied to a fixed resource or where it will have a major beneficial effect on the development and economy of the surrounding area.

New development requiring the creation of new access points along the National Secondary Route and the more important regional routes shall be required to meet certain traffic safety requirements as may be set out by Sligo County Council.

4.11 AREAS OF SPECIAL SCENIC IMPORTANCE AND HERITAGE

As part of the County Council’s Development Control Strategy, the above areas have been identified and may be broadly classified as follows.

(a). Sensitive Rural Landscapes and Visually Vulnerable Areas

(b). Public Scenic Views

(c). Heritage Areas

4.11.1 Sensitive Rural Landscapes and Visually Vulnerable Areas

The County Council has had a detailed study of the scenic value of the county carried out and the landscape has been classified according to its visual sensitivity and its ability to absorb new development without compromising the scenic character of the area. These areas are set out in the accompanying Development Control Policy Map.

The areas highlighted as being Visually Vulnerable shall be protected and it is the policy of the County Council not to allow any development which would be detrimental to the unique visual character of these areas.

In general, the County Council will strictly control new development in”Sensitive Rural Landscapes”. Certain exceptions will be considered where the development can demonstrate a clear need to locate in the area. To be considered for permission, development in these areas must clearly be shown not to impinge in any significant way on the character, integrity and distinctiveness of the area or detract from the scenic value of the area, not withstanding the satisfaction of all of the County Council’s other criteria with regard to pollution, public safety, etc. A high standard of design and siting will be required for all development in such scenic areas.

4.11.2 Public Scenic Views

The Development Control Policy Map also indicates the important scenic routes through the county. The Council wishes to preserve the views from these roads towards the sensitive landscape areas on either side of these routes. These views which the Council wish to preserve are listed in Appendix 5. It is the policy of the Council to control development along these scenic routes. The Council also wishes to protect existing open views towardsthe sea and scenic bodies of water, e.g. Lough Gill, Lough Arrow and Lough Gara. However, the Council recognise that in certain cases, a particular development may be tied to a specific location or that the specific circumstances of an applicant require that the applicant resides in that area. In such circumstances, where no alternative site is available, a high standard of siting and design will be required before the proposed development will be considered.

4.11.3 Heritage Areas

Heritage can be broadly categorised as follows:

1. Natural Heritage 2. Built (Man-made) Heritage 3. Cultural Heritage

4.11.3.1 Natural Heritage

Natural Heritage encompasses flora, fauna and natural physical features i.e. geology, lakes, mountains, etc. The important heritage areas have been

designated by the Department of Arts, Culture, Gaeltacht and the Islands as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), proposed Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs), which relate to bird habitats specifically. These areas of importance are illustrated in a series of maps which are available for inspection in the public offices of the County Council. A high correlation exists between the areas of the county that are scenic and those areas that are important natural heritage sites.

Where a proposed development is located within or adjoining these heritage areas or is likely to have an injurious impact on the area, the County Council will seek the advice of the relevant statutory authorities, i.e. Duchas - The Heritage Service, Irish Wildbird Conservancy, The Heritage Council, and shall generally be guided by their comments. It is the policy of the County Council to protect the status of these heritage areas and to discourage any development which may be injurious to the special status of the heritage areas.

The Council shall actively propose the designation of Inishmurray Island as a Special Amenity Area and shall seek an Order to that effect.

4.11.3.2 Built (Man-made) Heritage

The Built Heritage refers to the features built by man in the landscape. These include buildings, monuments and other structures, notably bridges. Archaeological sites and monuments and even stone walls are all part of the built environment. Over time, these structures have traditionally been influenced by the particular physical, climatic and socioeconomic circumstances of the place and so are a valuable link and an expression of the past and the present.

4.11.3.3 Archaeology

The Register of Sites and Monuments for Co. Sligo is a mapped and written record of all known archaeological sites in the county and is available for public inspection in the offices of the County Council. Where a proposed development may interfere with a recorded monument or is likely to affect its setting, the Council will seek the advice of Duchas, The Heritage Service. It is the policy of the County Council to strictly control development which may be detrimental to any listed monument or recorded site or zone of archaeological interest. In this regard, any proposed development which is likely to detract from the setting or interfere with the proper interpretation of the monument will also be strictly controlled.

4.11.3.4 Buildings and Monuments of Artistic, Historic or Architectural Interest

The Council have listed a number of buildings and structures which are of artistic, historic or architectural importance in a county context and worthy of preservation. Planning Permission is necessary in order to make any alterations to or to demolish a listed building/structure. These buildings/ structures are listed in Appendix 6.

The Council will consult with the relevant statutory authority, i.e. Duchas, The Heritage Service, where a proposed development is likely to affect or interfere with such a building, including its setting and interpretation. In general, the Council will have regard to any advice offered by the Heritage Service.

The Council will endeavour to provide advice to the owners and any potential developers of any such property which is of archaeological, artistic, historic or architectural merit.

The Council shall also seek to protect and preserve all landmarks and features which are considered to contribute significantly to the local identity and character of an area from unnecessary and potentially harmful development. Special regard shall be given for the buildings, structures or groups of buildings mentioned in ‘Buildings of Architectural Interest in Co. Sligo’ produced by An Foras Forbartha.

4.11.3.5 Cultural Heritage.

Sligo has a rich cultural heritage with strong links to some of the leading literary, artistic and cultural figures of history. It also has a vibrant traditional music and performing tradition. These cultural bonds help form a people’s identity and imbue a place with unique character. Sligo’s associations with the Yeats family, Countess Markievicz, Michael Coleman and others are important elements of the tourism industry in the county and the sites and places associated with these families are favourite visitor locations within the county. It is important to maintain the atmospheric integrity of these places, whose names alone can evoke images and associations e.g. Lissadell, Hazelwood, etc.

It is the policy of the Council to continue to support the cultural development of the county through its Arts Programme and through the protection of the physical and cultural identity of the places of artistic association. Development which might detract from the special setting of such places or affect the enjoyment of the cultural associations of a place will be discouraged.

4.12 ENFORCEMENT

In cases where development has commenced or is being carried out without planning permission or in breach of a permission, the Council will, if it is considered expedient, take enforcement action. In deciding whether or not it is expedient to take enforcement action, the Planning Authority shall be restricted to considering the proper planning and development of the area (including the preservation and improvement of amenities thereof), regard being had to the provisions of the Development Plan, the provisions of any Special Amenity

Area Order relating to the area and, in a case of non-compliance with a condition, the terms of a permission.

NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

5.1 AFFORESTATION

The Council recognises the importance of forestry development as set out in Government policy1 and acknowledges the potential for further afforestation in County Sligo. However, forestry development will require strict adherence by developers to the “Fisheries”, “Archaeology” and “Landscape” guidelines published by the Forest Service and should not give rise to pollution or deterioration of quality groundwaters or surface waters, particularly drinking water sources. Forestry schemes should not interfere with traffic sight lines along public roads; adequate measures should be taken so as to ensure that no damage occurs to public roads, culverts, drainage or bridges as a result of planting, maintenance and harvesting programmes. Forestry should not obstruct protected views, existing rights of way or access to existing public amenities. In addition, provision of access for firefighting purposes, access to available water sources and well maintained fire breaks shall be required. Further, no trees shall be planted within falling distance of any habitable house, place of public resort or public road in the interests of public safety.

The Council intends to prepare an Indicative Forestry Strategy for the county and this strategy will indicate opportunity and constraint areas for forestry development. In the interim, it is considered generally that future forestry development may not be sustainable in proposed Natural Heritage Areas and Special Areas of Conservation, Sensitive Rural Landscapes, Visually Vulnerable Areas and along Scenic Routes as designated on the accompanying map.

5.2 EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRY

Traditionally County Sligo has not been a major centre of mineral exploration. However, due to glacial deposition, there are substantial deposits of sand and gravel as well as significant quarries where stone of various types is still quarried.

It is the policy of the Council that, where such deposits or quarries exist, the resource is exploited in an organised and planned way so as to realise the full potential of such areas, particularly in relation to job creation.

The Council is also aware that some excavations in the past have resulted in the destruction of areas of particular scenic, scientific or archaeological importance and given rise to hazards and nuisances affecting adjacent residential areas. During the working of such deposits and long after exhaustion, major eyesores can develop in the landscape and these sites are often a source of pollution and danger. With improved geological techniques, the identifiable areas for mineral and aggregates extraction are likely to increase in the years ahead. It is the policy of the Council to have worked-out areas, in particular the sterile, unstable landscape of sand and gravel extractions, restored to beneficial use and landscaped to integrate with the surrounding area.

1 The main policies are contained in “Growing for the Future”: A Strategic Plan for the Development of the Forestry Sector in Ireland”, the National Development Plan 1994 -1999, the Operational Programme for

Agriculture, Rural Development and Forestry and the Draft Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Forestry Development, 1997.

It is the Council’s policy to strictly control all new operations and prohibit any development that might give rise to damage to the visual or recreational amenities of an area, to the residential amenities of adjoining residences by reason of noise, dust, vibration, traffic or any other form of nuisance, or developments that might be prejudicial to the preservation or protection of any areas of heritage or archaeological interest. Further, the Council will seek to ensure that any new extractive works will cause the least possible disturbance to the neighbourhood during the working period and in this regard, the Council will require detailed information to accompany applications for such major developments. Such information will include site boundaries, the boundaries of adjoining land, the site contours, the areas it is proposed to work, the direction in which working will occur, the location and extent of any settling ponds, the location and extent of stockpiles, topsoil and subsoil. It shall be necessary to indicate all proposed buildings and structures, fixed plant, access points, perimeter fencing and any other installations. It shall be necessary to describe in general terms the proposed method of working the mineral source including depths of working face, orientation of face, detail of excavation plant, estimated final excavation depth and its relationship to the water table, and where relevant, methods of blasting. It shall be necessary to describe the methods to be used in removing and storing topsoil, subsoil and over burden. It shall also be necessary to specify the functions and dimensions of each building structure and fixed plant and to submit plans, sections and elevations. Satisfactory proposals will also be required for noise control, pollution control, dust emission control, water usage, controls on frequency and intensity of blasting, landscaping and screening, and adequate provision will require to be made for progressive restoration and site rehabilitation following cessation of extraction.

5.3 ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES

The Council recognises the importance of environmentally acceptable energy generation from wind and water sources.

5.3.1 WIND FARM PROPOSALS

With respect to wind-farm energy generation proposals, the Council will require detailed information to Environmental Impact Assessment standard in submissions on large scale installation proposals with significant anticipated environmental impact. Assessment, in accordance with the Government’s published guidelines1, will have regard to visual impact, noise, electro-magnetic interference, ecological impact, safety and land use implications. Control conditions attaching to any grant of permission may include requirements on siting and layout design; blade rotation; unit numbers, design and colour; power lines and access roads; acoustical design and noise levels; electro-magnetic interference suppression, “shadow flicker” control; heritage preservation; bonding provision; and landscaping and site restoration upon decommissioning of power generation. Proposals in or close to proposed Sensitive Rural Landscapes, proposed Natural Heritage Areas, Special Areas of Conservation, Visually Vulnerable Areas, Scenic Routes, Archaeological Sites or Urban Settlements

will generally be discouraged. Development proposals for windfarms must have regard for aircraft safety and navigation.

1 “Wind Farm Development: Guidelines for Planning Authorities”, published by the Department of the Environment, September, 1996.

5.3.2 HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER GENERATION PROPOSALS

In assessing hydro-electric power generation proposals, the Council will require to be satisfied as to the integration of the facility into the riverscape, the non-interference with fish and wildlife and the undergrounding of power lines. Bonding, landscaping and site restoration conditions will attach to any grant of permission for hydro-electric schemes.

5.3.3 WAVE-GENERATED ENERGY PROPOSALS

With regard to wave-generated energy proposals the Council recognises that, whilst the assessment of proposals below the high water mark is outside the Council’s direct jurisdiction, on-shore ancillary plant, buildings and power lines will require successful integration into the coastal landscape. Detailed visual, ecological, archaeological, heritage and social impacts of such proposals will be assessed in determining their acceptability.

5.4 TELECOMMUNICATIONS

The Council recognises the importance of developing the mobile telephone communications industry as a necessary element of industrial, commercial and tourism infrastructure. Antennae support structures, access roads and associated power lines will be assessed with respect to siting and design criteria, safety and the mitigation of intrusive impacts. Proposals in designated Sensitive Rural Landscapes, proposed Natural Heritage Areas, Special Areas of Conservation, Visually Vulnerable Areas and Scenic Routes will be permitted only on the basis of absolute necessity, visual mitigation, mast or tower design and site restoration following obsolescence. Proposals for telecommunication masts and infrastructure shall accord with the Government’s guidelines1 and shall be accompanied by a statement and supporting evidence of compliance with the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA) Guidelines or the equivalent European pre-standard 500166-2 conditioned in licensing arrangements with the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications. Any permission granted will be conditioned with respect to time limitation, replacement of obsolescent technology with more environmentally- acceptable designs, bonding arrangements and site restoration on cessation of service. Development proposals for telecommunication structures must have regard for aircraft safety and navigation

Variatin to Sligo County Development Plan Made On 3rd September, 2001

The variation is to insert the following into the County Development Plan.

As an immediate means of achieving reduced exposure, base stations and mobile phone telecommunications masts should not generally be constructed within one kilometre of smaller towns, villages, residential areas, schools, hospitals, child care centres or nursing homes and not within 400 meters of private dwelling.

Only as an absolute last resort should free standing masts be located within or in the immediate surrounds of smaller towns or villages, within a residential area or beside schools. The applicant shall provide satisfactory evidence that this is the only location possible to meet specific requirements and that all other alternatives have been examined but are not capable of being exploited for stated specific reasons. Commercial competition in this instance will not be acceptable as a reason for locating in these areas.

Proximity to archaeological sites and other monuments should be avoided.

In rural area masts should be placed in forestry plantations provided that the antennae are clear of obstruction. The developer will be required to retain a cordon of trees around the site, which will not be felled during the lifetime of the mast with the written agreement of the owner. In un-forested areas, softening of the visual impact should be achieved through judicious choice of colour scheme and through the planting of shrubs, tree, etc as a screen and backdrop.

Where there is an existing mast in a rural area every effort should be made to share it. All applicants will be encouraged to share and will be obliged to satisfy the Planning Authority that they have made every effort to do so.

Where it is not possible to share a support structure, the developer should share the site or an adjacent site so as masts and antennae may be clustered

In the vicinity of larger towns, developers should endeavour to locate in industrial estates. Sharing of masts should not be encouraged in urban areas. Masts are not to be located in a zone of outstanding natural beauty.

1 “Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures - Guidelines for Planning Authorities”, published by the Department of the Environment, July, 1996.

DEVELOPMENT CONTROL STANDARDS

6.1.1 HOUSING SCHEMES

A number of housing scheme developments have recently been undertaken or planned in the smaller towns within commuting distance of Sligo or on the periphery of Sligo town and such developments can be expected to increase during the period of the Plan.

In general, multiple housing developments shall be completed in accordance with the Department of the Environment’s “Recommendations for Site Development Works for Housing Areas”, published in November 1998, or any revised recommendations introduced during the period of the Plan.

While other general standards are set out below, these standards are subject to a degree of flexibility and may not be strictly applied where it would adversely affect the design and layout of such developments. In each case a development will be assessed on its location, the characteristics of the site, the density of adjoining development, its design and other factors and these will often be of equal, if not greater importance, than the rigid application of predetermined standards.

6.1.2 HOUSING DENSITY

Housing density should be appropriate to the particular location proposed for the development, having regard to the factors outlined above, in particular the density of adjoining development, the nature of the adjoining development and site characteristics, the availability of services and the particular layout proposed. Densities 45

will also have to ensure appropriate provision for open space, adequate privacy for each household, a design that integrates successfully into the existing environment and adequate car parking facilities.

In general, a density of 20 houses per hectare shall not be exceeded; a minimum of 3 metres shall be provided between each house, pair of semi-detached houses or terrace of houses and a minimum rear garden depth of 10m shall be provided. However, within existing settlements, the Council will give specific recognition to the importance of achieving higher residential density in appropriate areas such as brownfield sites, sites in proximity to town centres, public transport nodes, and access points in the interests of providing a more sustainable residential pattern.

The Council will review optimal densities permitted in greenfield developments provided such densities result in sustainable schemes having regard to residential amenity standards and the provision of satisfactory layouts and communal services. In such developments, the Council considers that a mix of residential densities may be the most appropriate development solution.

The Council will have due regard in this matter to the contents of the Department of the Environment Circular Letter PD 4/98 - “Residential Density” and forthcoming Guidelines document.

6.1.3 TAKING IN CHARGE OF HOUSING SCHEMES

The Council will formulate a detailed and comprehensive policy and procedure for the “Taking in Charge” of multiple housing schemes. The essential elements of this policy and procedure shall include, inter alia, bonding arrangements, inspection of

completed housing schemes for compliance with the terms and conditions of planning permissions and approvals, application to the Council for the scheme to be “taken in charge” and detailed compliance with satisfactory standards. In relation to roads and footpaths these shall in general be constructed in accordance with the specification laid down in the Department of the Environment’s “Reccommendations for Site Development Works for Housing Areas”', and such roads will not be taken in charge unless they are properly constructed. Provision should also be made for services like electricity and telephone services, street lighting, and cable TV, to be laid underground. Similarly, provision will also be required for fire fighting services on all new housing schemes. Small groups of houses, which will form a series of units within the housing scheme will be encouraged, with the scheme as far as is practicable, separated from main flows of through traffic. Where commercial parking areas or small cul de sac developments are proposed, the Council will encourage the use of paving bricks and slabs with shared surfaces and pedestrian priority areas.

6.1.4 OPEN SPACE PROVISION IN HOUSING SCHEMES

In relation to open space the Council will be concerned with the quality of such reservations as well as the actual area. As a general rule, a minimum of 10% of the

site area shall be reserved as open space (excluding road margins and residential open space). However, each particular development will be judged on its merits in this regard and the open space requirement will depend on the nature of the scheme design, the character of adjoining developments, the characteristics of the site and the quality of the open space available and proposed. The open space shall be conveniently located within the development, preferably as a single unit and shall be appropriately finished by the developer prior to the completion of the scheme, by landscaping, paving, and appropriate boundary treatment. The Council will favour the location of open space so that as many houses as possible will face on to it. Open space to the rear of dwellinghouses will not be encouraged. In appropriate situations, the Council may reserve land as open space and impose a levy on each developer toward the cost of its development.

The layout of such areas should take advantage of natural features consistent with the function of the space and in this regard trees and hedges should almost always be retained. Streams, rock outcrops and slopes when properly developed, can add significantly to the amenity value of the open space and of the housing scheme as a whole.

6.1.5 GENERAL

Dwellings shall be constructed and orientated so as to ensure adequate privacy from other houses and from public areas. In general the distance between opposing windows shall be a minimum of 21m and windows at the upper level on gables will not generally be permitted, unless these are of opaque glass. Rear gardens shall be adequately screened and in general shall have a minimum area of 100m2.

Building lines (i.e., the distance from the dwelling to the road) shall normally be a minimum of 8m, except at junctions where such requirements may have to be increased to provide for adequate sight lines. However, the application of these standards may be relaxed depending on the nature of the design or type of area where the development is proposed or the circumstances of each particular case.

In relation to sewage disposal, a development will not be permitted unless proper sanitary facilities with adequate capacity are available to service such development. Where a developer lays services to connect to existing drains the Council will have to be satisfied that other adjoining developers will also be allowed to connect into such services and that the design of such services shall be appropriate to accommodate further projects in such an area.

Where a developer proposes a private sewage treatment system and where such is acceptable, the developer shall be required to execute a legal agreement undertaking the proper maintenance of the system (See also “Sanitary Services Policy - Sewerage, Pages 12 and 13).

Storm water will not be generally allowed into the foul sewerage and should be disposed of to watercourses or through separate surface water drains to independent outfalls.

To ensure that schemes will be completed to the satisfaction of the Council, developers will be required to give security for the satisfactory completion of housing schemes and the provision of communal services including roads, footpaths, sewers, lighting, open space, landscaping etc. The Council may regard a charge on a particular site or on a number of sites as an effective security for such completion. The Council will require the completion of services such as roads, footpaths and sewers water mains before the occupation of houses on the scheme.

For planning permission in general for large housing developments it is considered that the most convenient approach is an outline application, followed by an application for site development works. Approval for specific house plans can be sought separately. When applying for permission or approval the following details of the development should be submitted, a site location plan at scale 1:2500 (based on the Ordnance Survey Sheet) with the site boundaries clearly outlined in red and all other lands in the applicants control in the vicinity outlined in blue. In addition a site layout plan of appropriate scale (generally 1:500) showing the site, site contours at intervals not exceeding 0.5m and the location of all existing utilities both within and external to the site should be submitted. It should show the housing layout, open space, roads layout, footpaths, sewers (including holes) and drains (including gullies), water mains, and hydrants, and the public lighting proposals. Plans on the same scale should show existing site features including trees and hedges, proposals for their preservation and proposals for additional landscaping. It shall be necessary to include longitudinal sections of proposed sewers showing levels, gradients, diameter, type and class of pipes, joints, and bedding type, and the drainage design calculations for both foul and surface water. Similar type details in relation to water mains (diameter type and class of pipes, valves and hydrants) should be submitted. Construction details of roads should be provided, including longitudinal and cross sections, levels and gradients. Proposals for boundary treatment and the general development of the site should be provided. These drawings should be at a scale of not less than 1:500 for layout plans and sections at horizontal scale of not less than 1:500 with a vertical scale of not less than 1:100.

6.1.6 STANDARDS FOR ROADS AND SERVICES IN HOUSING SCHEMES

1. Carriageway The carriageway width shall be 6 metres except for cul-de-sac less than 60 metres long where a width of 5.5 metres shall be acceptable.

2. Junctions All junctions internal to the estate shall be T junctions. The stagger of these junctions and the layout of junction with other roads shall be subject to approval by the County Engineer.

3. Junction Radii Kerb radii at junctions of roads to which these recommendations refer shall be a minimum of 6 metres.

Kerb radii at a junction between a road and a road not covered by these recommendations shall be a minimum of 10.5 metres.

Other measures related to sight distance at junctions shall be subject to approval by the County Engineer.

4. Cul-de-Sac Cul-de-Sac ends shall have a turning circle or radius 8 metres. Ends Other types may be used subject to approval by the County Engineer.

5 Road Gradients Longitudinal gradients shall lie between 1/200 and 1/20. At all junctions the gradient at the side road shall be not greater than 1/50 for a distance of 7 metres from the junction.

6. Camber and Camber and crossfall shall be between 1/48 and 1/36. Crossfall

7. Services Services (including E.S.B. and telecommunications services) shall be laid underground adjacent to the road carriageway. The laying of services in other locations shall be subject to approval. The public area, including the footpath, if any, beside the carriageway shall be of sufficient width to include the services required. No services shall be laid under the carriageway except where services are required to cross the carriageway. In these cases, services shall be laid at right angles to the carriageway unless otherwise approved.

8. Clearance The minimum distance from carriageway edge to an Carriageway obstruction such as lamp standards, trees, etc., shall be 450 mm.

9. Footpaths Footpaths shall be provided adjacent to one side of carriageway or adjacent to both sides if housing is proposed on both sides. Minimum footpath width shall be 2 metres. Crossfall shall be 1/36.

10. Kerbs At carriageway edges, kerbs shall show between 100mm and 150mm above the channel except at vehicular accesses where they shall be reduced to 40mm over channel. Where precast kerbs are used they shall be 250mm by 125mm complying with I.S.146 and shall be laid on a 100mm thick by 300mm wide concrete bed and haunch. Other kerb types at carriageway edges shall be subject to approval by the County Engineer.

11. Carriageway Carriageway shall have a sub-base 300mm thick, sub-base Construction material shall comprise natural gravel, crushed rock or crushed concrete. Base material shall be natural gravel or crushed rock with a maximum particle size of 3.8mm.

12. Surface Concrete or flexible carriageway surfaces only are acceptable and these shall be subject to approval by the County Engineer.

13. Footpath Footpaths shall be either single course in-situ concrete, two course Construction in-situ concrete, precast concrete paving slabs to B.S. 368 or tarmacadam.

14. Road A separate independent road drainage system shall be provided Drainage with an independent outfall and disposal. Size and gradients of drains shall be subject to approval of the County Engineer.

15. Road Gullies Gullies for road drainage shall consist of a chamber with minimum internal dimensions of 450mm x 300mm x 75mm deep constructed of 100mm solid blockwork and having a 150mm in-situ concrete floor. The outlet from the gully shall be 150mm set at least 375mm above the floor of the chamber. Gully gratings shall comply with B.S. 497 Grade E.

Maximum paved area contributing to each gully shall depend on the longitudinal gradient according to the following table:-

2 Gradient Paved Area (m )

1/180 180 1/150 210 1/100 255 1/080 285 1/060 320 1/040 390

16. Fire Main A minimum diameter 150mm fire main with hydrants conforming to B.S. 750 (round-thread outlet) spaced at regular intervals shall be required.

17. Public Public lighting shall be required on all multiple housing Lighting developments.

6.2 DEVELOPMENT CHARGES

Under Section 26 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 1963, a contribution may be required towards any expenditure incurred, or proposed to be incurred by any Local Authority, in respect of works which have facilitated a proposed development and this section makes it possible for the Council to impose development charges which can include the cost of water supply, drainage, road improvements, or any other services which could be deemed to facilitate a development. The Council shall seek contributions under the following categories:

6.2.1 Roads And Footpaths:- A constribution shall be sought where the Council carries out or proposes improvement work on existing public roads and constructs or proposes to construct a new road which facilities the development of adjoining land for residential commercial or industrial use. The amount of the contribution shall be specified in the condition of the permission and shall be related to the capital cost of the works and the extent of the benefit derived from such works.

6.2.2 Sanitary Services:- The charge per dwellinghouse is at present £600 for water and £600 for sewerage respectively. Industrial/commercial or other development will be assessed separately and an appropriate levy applied. All charges will be subject to review from time to time, and are in addition to charges for road opening licences, insurance and Council costs of making tappings to public mains (water and/or sewerage) and for road reinstatement.

6.2.3 Car Parking:- A minimum charge of £350 per car parking space, is currently applicable in lieu of car parking provision necessitated by the proposed development; this charge is subject to review.

6.2.4 Security Bonds:- Conditional to the granting of planning permission, development work shall not commence on site in respect of multiple housing, commercial, industrial, intensive agriculture and other major developments until an acceptable security has been given for the satisfactory completion and maintenance of all communal site services to include inter alia access roads, footpaths, sewers, watermains, drains, public lighting and other services together with an agreement authorising Sligo County Council to apply such security or part thereof, as may be required by Sligo County Council for the satisfactory completion or maintenance as aforesaid of any part of the development or the reinstatement of any work, which in the opinion of the Council is unsatisfactory. The cash deposit or Insurance Company Bond or other security may, prior to commencement of development, and subject to the written approval of the Council be apportioned on a phased basis. The current bond per dwellinghouse of £1,500 is subject to review. Additional bonding arrangements may also attach to developments requiring substantial landscaping or site reinstatement works.

6.3 ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

It will be the policy of the Council, in carrying out its development control functions and in the provision of public buildings or amenities to provide for adequate provision

for access for people with disabilities. It will also be the policy of the Council to ensure that all buildings comply with the Building Control Act and related regulations with regard to access for people with disabilities.

6.4 PETROL FILLING STATIONS

The most suitable location for petrol filling stations and associated commercial developments is on the outskirts of towns and within urban speed limits. Traffic movements associated with such developments can interfere with the safety and free flow of traffic on the road. The slower traffic speeds within urban speed limit areas reduce the risk of such interference.

Apart from traffic safety considerations petrol filling stations will not be permitted at locations where because of their appearance, noise and fumes they would be injurious to the amenities of any area. Any grant of permission will be dependent on a satisfactory layout which shall include appropriate landscaping proposals, advertising and maintenance proposals.

6.4.1 New petrol stations will not be permitted in areas were there are traffic hazards or where hazards might be likely to arise. A petrol filling station will not be permitted unless it complies with the following criteria:-

(A) Adequate site distances in each direction from the access:

Distance will vary depending on the type of road and the particular speed limit in force. The table below lists the sight distances that will be required in the various traffic situations. These sight distances should be measured from a point 9 metres from the road centre.

SPEED MINIMUM VISIBILITY DISTANCE REQUIRED (METRES)

KM/HR

DUAL CARRIAGEWAY SINGLE CARRIAGEWAY

100 214m 260m 183m 221m 153m 183m 50 122m 145m 92m 107m

(B) Adequate distances from road junctions and traffic hazards.:-

(i) Built-Up Areas.

Speed Limit Km/Hr 50 (30 mph) 66 (46 mph)

Minimum Distance from 83 metres (270 feet) 83 metres (270 feet) Road Junction & Hazards

Minimum Distance from 50 metres (160 feet) 83 metres (270 feet) Minor Road Junction

(ii) Outside of Built-Up Areas

Speed Value 70 60 50 40

Minimum distance in 228.5m 167.64m 121.92m 82.3m metres (feet) from (750) (550) (400) (270) minor junction

Distance in metres 365.76m 243.84m 182.88m 151.4m (feet) from major (1200) (800) (600) (500) junctions or traffic hazard

"Speed Value" is to be interpreted as that speed at which traffic is capable of travelling on the stretch of road in question. This has no relation to the classification or design speed of the road. A speed value of 40 miles per hour is the lowest that should be assigned to any road.

Kerb-side pumps shall not be permitted. The site frontage shall not be less than 42 metres. The limits of the new filling station site along the public road sha clearly defined.

Where necessary, acceleration/deceleration lanes shall be provided for a distance of 30 metres (100 feet) on each side of the petrol station where particular traffic volumes or safety considerations justify such an approach.

The activities of the filling station shall be carried on entirely within the site and clear of the public road. Such stations shall have adequate depth to accommodate vehicles being serviced or entering to be serviced and shall have adequate facilities for parking.

Forecourts shall be properly surfaced and have adequate surface water disposal arrangements. Separate drainage and disposal arrangements shall be provided for water from car-wash and service areas including disposal after appropriate treatment, so as so to ensure that pollution does not arise.

Separate disposal system for waste oil and petrol shall be provided and shall be kept isolated from the waters referred to above and suitable arrangements made for the recovery of such waste oil products arising out of the operation.

Buildings shall be designed to a high standard and be appropriately coloured and finished.

Advertisement whether by way of lights, signs or other advertisement shall not be located on the public carriageways where they would cause glare hazard or distractions to public road users or where they would detract from the character of an area or interfere with residential amenity.

Petrol stations shall also be designed so as to ensure that they do not give rise to any traffic hazard and comply with the provisions of the Dangerous Substances (Retail and Private Petroleum Stores) Regulations.

6.5 ACCESS: SIGHTLINES AND VISIBILITY STANDARDS

All developments providing for access onto public roads must show that the access proposed will not create a traffic hazard nor interfere with the free flow of traffic along such roads. The availability of adequate sight distance along the road from the access point is the most crucial requirement for road safety.

For National Primary and Secondary roads where the maximum speed limit applies the minimum sight line required on a level road is 190m in both directions. For regional roads a minimum figure of 130m is required, and within the 30/40 mph (50 km/hr and 65 km/hr) speed limit areas, a minimum sight distance of 80m will be required. These sight distances are measured at a height of 1.05m above ground level from a point 3.0m back from the edge of the carriageway.

Entrances shall be laid out so as to allow vehicles to enter and leave the roadway in one simple movement and to allow a normal size vehicle entering a particular entrance to halt clear of the carriageway while the gate is being opened. An entrance laid out in accordance with attached minimum standards will generally be acceptable. In addition such entrance must provide for a surface water disposal system so as to

ensure that no surface water is discharged onto the public road and,where roadside drains are affected, adequate provision for piping of such drains shall be made.

6.6 BUILDING LINES

The Council considers that in the interest of residential amenity, orderly development, and in view of the general space required for National Primary roads, no new housing development will be desirable within 80m of the edge of the National Primary roads. This will allow for residential amenity to be protected free from the noise and general nuisance attached to such routes and will not prejudice the full development and landscaping of these roads. An exception to this may be permitted where a development seeks to integrate with adjoining existing buildings and where the Council considers such a location is appropriate.

Along other roads, buildings will generally be required to be set back at least 15m from the edge of the road but greater set back may be required depending on the scale or type of the development, e.g. two storey houses should be set back at least 20m from the edge of the road and large commercial, industrial, or agricultural developments shall be set back in general at least 30m. However the set back required will be examined on its merits and determined depending on the circumstances of the case.

6.7.1 CAR PARKING

Off-roadway parking requirements should be provided as set out in the following table. Adequate parking is essential to allow for the free flow of traffic and for the avoidance of traffic hazards caused by the parking of vehicles on the public road.

Note 1:

Where car parking requirements for a proposed development result in fractions of full car parking spaces, these shall be rounded upwards to the next whole number.

Note 2:

In relation to car parking requirements for dwellinghouses, the minimum requirement will be 2 no. per unit. In town and village situations, however, the car-parking requirement for a dwellinghouse may be relaxed, taking account of specific circumstances. The minimum requirement would be 1 no. car parking space per unit.

Car Parking Standards/Requirements:-

Type of Development Unit Minimum Parking spaces per unit

House Dwelling 2.0 Flat Dwelling 1.25 2 Shop outside speed limits 100m Gross Floor area 10 2 Shop inside speed limits 100m Gross Floor area 6 2 Office 30m Gross Floor area 1.0 Church Seat 0.25 School Class Room 1.0 Hospital Bed 0.25 Theatre, Cinema Seat 0.25

Night Club / Dance Hall 2 ! (outside speed limit) 9.0m Gross Floor area 3.0 2 ! (inside speed limit) 9.0m Gross Floor area 1.5

Hotel (excl. bars & function room) Bedroom 1.0 Hotel Staff accommodation Bar/Lounge outside speed limit 3 employees 1.0 2 2.5m public space 1.0 2 Bar/ Lounge inside speed limit 4.0m public space 1.0 2 Restaurant 10m dining space 2.0 2 Manufacturing Industry 100m Gross Floor area 2.0 2 Warehousing 100m Gross Floor area 1.0 Community Hall 2 1.0 5m Gross Floor area Bank 2 5.0 100m Gross Floor area Vehicle service Garage Service Bay (cars) 3.0 Service Bay (lorries) 3.0 2 4.0m Gross Floor space 1.0 2 1.0 Funeral Homes 5m Service Industry 100 m² Gross Floor area 3.0 Leisure Centre / Sports Complex 100 m² Gross Floor area 3.0 Nursing House 3 Bedrooms 1.0 Museum/Gallery 100 m² Gross Floor area 5.0 Golf, Pitch and Putt Hole 2.0 Golf Driving Range Bay 1.0 Bowling Alley Lane 3.0 Guesthouse / B & B Bedroom 1.0 Surgeries Consulting Room 3.0 Cash and Carry Outlets 90 m² Gross Floor Area 2.0

6.7.2 RESERVED SPACES FOR DRIVERS WITH DISABILITIES

The Council will require that adequate provision be made for parking for drivers with disabilities in all new commercial, retail and industrial developments and new public buildings.

6.7.3 CAR PARKING - GENERAL

The Council recognises that the parking needs of developments are dependent to a great extent on the availability of spare parking capacity in close proximity to the proposed development and therefore each development will be considered on its merits in the light of its location and the likely demand for parking that will arise. For example, it is possible that in a village situation the strict application of the above standards may not be enforced and the standards shall merely act as a guide in relation to the development.

Where the Council requires particular parking standards and there is inadequate space available, the Council may accept a financial contribution in lieu, in accordance with its powers under S.26 of the 1963 Planning Act, if the Council intends to develop such facilities which will facilitate the development.

Where car parking is necessitated by a proposed development, the parking area shall be appropriately landscaped with trees and shrubs so as to ensure that damage to the visual amenities is avoided and the building is properly integrated. Developers will be required to adequately surface and maintain such areas and where possible use materials and walls and demarcation that will enhance its appearance. All such parking areas shall have adequate drainage arrangements, particularly in relation to surface water. Parking bays shall be adequately delineated and shall meet the following requirements:

Car Spaces: 5.0m x 2.5m Bus/Truck Spaces: 12.0m x 4.5m (minimum)

It shall also be the policy of the Council where parking areas are proposed in town or village centres that these shall be developed with strong amenity elements so that they will be both visually attractive and extend the recreational amenities of the area. The use of appropriate surfacing materials, landscaping, stone and brick boundary walls, trees and ground-cover shrubs shall be the preferred elements in the development of such areas.

6.8 ADVERTISING

Advertising is an accepted part of business and providing information to the general public. However, advertising signs, separately, or more particularly in groups, can often cause injury to amenities, and can detract greatly from the appearance of an area or a building; this is especially so when they are out of scale and character with their surroundings. They can also be a major distraction to road users and frequently result in traffic hazard. In an appropriate location, however, and if of proper scale, and

design, and of appropriate materials, an advertising sign can sometimes enhance a building or location, and sometimes can be an important characteristic of the building or area. It is the policy of the Council to strictly control all advertising signs both in relation to their location, design, materials and function.

GENERAL RESTRICTIONS

• Except where advertisements are exempted under Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations, advertisement structures will not normally be permitted within residential areas, in the vicinity of buildings of historic, civic or architectural or historic importance, or on public rights of way or where they would encroach on public property.

• Sign-posting will not normally be allowed:-

(i) Along National Primary or National Secondary roads, both in the interest of visual amenity and traffic safety.

(ii) In Sensitive Rural Landscapes and Heritage areas for the reason that sign posting would be visually obtrusive and would tend to detract from the visual amenity of the area.

(iii) Along any road where it could constitute a traffic hazard. The Council recognises that advertising in the form of directional sign posting can be beneficial, and in certain circumstances will provide for co-ordinated signposting.

• In particular, where a town/village lies off the main arteries of communication, appropriate sign posting in the form of symbols indicating the range of services that are available, may be permitted. They should be designed in a manner that is visually acceptable and to a high standard, and be located so as not to be a hazard to traffic.

• In addition, a limited amount of advertising may be permitted in rural areas subject to the constraints outlined above. It must, in addition, be limited to the purpose of identification of or direction to the particular premises, be located not further than 8 km from the development in question, and should generally, be of fingerpost type design not exceeding 1.5m x 0.3m (the maximum height shall be determined having regard to the particular character of the area). Bill board type advertising in rural areas shall not generally be permitted.

In built up areas, advertising signs shall be permitted, subject to the above and following requirements: the signs shall be of a scale and design appropriate to the location proposed, and use materials sympathetic to the environment. In this regard, it will not be permissible to use back-lit plastic or neon type signs. Hand painted timber or metal signs, top lit, will normally be acceptable but the location and context is critical in relation to the design of the sign. Signs on buildings will not generally be permitted if they unduly interfere with windows or other features of the facade, or are

excessively prominent in the context of the building eg. if they extend above an acceptable level, project above the skyline, lie outside the general bulk of building or are excessively prominent in their colour, materials or size.

The Council will seek to encourage the retention of existing sign posting in the form of high quality advertising (as in traditional shop front advertising) and will actively encourage the replacement of existing plastic and neon type signs with more traditional timber and metal type signs. In built up areas advertising signs shall not be permitted where they compete with traffic signs, interfere with sight lines or distract attention at junctions etc. so as to create a traffic hazard.

Advertising hoardings will not generally be permitted, except in the case where it can be shown that the erection of such a hoarding would substantially improve the visual amenities of the area by the screening of unsightly vistas.

The Council notes the increase in advance advertising on the outskirts of towns. This tends to be haphazard and visually unattractive, giving a poor first impression of the town which is often directly contradictory to the intentions of the advertiser. The Council will seek to remove and rationalise such advertising so as to remove the clutter and create a single advertising panel showing the principal resources, amenities and services available in a particular town. It is also the policy of the Council to ensure that all sign posting of tourist facilities, routes and accommodation shall be in accordance with Department Of Environment circular PD 12/14/88.

6.9 CARAVAN AND CAMPING PARKS

The Council recognises that an increasing number of people now use self-catering tourist accommodation, whether permanent or mobile. Attractive caravan and camping parks could be a major asset in attracting tourists to Sligo and would be consistent with the promotion of Sligo as a major tourist area.

The Council will ensure that caravan parks comply generally with the guidelines published by Bord Failte in January 1982, and also model standards for camping sites issued by the Department of the Environment in 1980; these may be modified depending on particular conditions within an area.

In general a density of not more than 14 no. caravans and/or tent pitches per usable acre may be permitted. In exceptional conditions, where site conditions are particularly appropriate, a higher density may be acceptable.

All proposed sites must have adequate water, sewerage, refuse collection and electricity services. In relation to sanitary facilities, such developments shall comply with the specific Bord Failte guidelines. Connection to public water and sewerage mains shall be required except in exceptional situations.

Caravan sites should be located in reasonable proximity to existing settlements so as to ensure access to basic services including retail and shopping facilities. They should not be located immediately adjacent to residential development or in an area where they are overlooked by a residential area. Further, they should be located adjacent to public

roads which are of adequate width, alignment, and capacity and capable of being developed without giving rise to traffic hazards or adding to or creating a risk of increased congestion on such roads. Caravan sites should be located on sites that are adequately screened from the public road, and will not generally be permitted where there is no natural screening. In principle, caravan sites should be resource-related and conform to the Council’s siting, location, design criteria and be sustainable with respect to the Council’s policies for the preservation of scenic and heritage resources.

Proposals for caravan parks shall show detailed landscaping proposals for such developments covering both planting on the site boundaries, and the periphery of the

site generally, and within the site together with a list of suitable species and a time scale for implementation. Such landscaping proposals, together with a high standard of layout and design, should ensure that such developments can be fully integrated and assimilated into their environment.

6.10 SEPTIC TANK SYSTEMS

Septic tanks for residential development must comply with the “Recommendations for Septic Tank and Drainage Systems Suitable for Single Houses; N.S.A.I. S.R. 6, 1991” issued by Eolas, Glasnevin, Dublin 9. These standards will not be acceptable in marginal locations, i.e. these areas which require special pollution control because of soil or groundwater conditions. The Council may require a mechanically operated treatment system or a fibre based effluent treatment system or equivalent system for proposed developments in proximity to surface or groundwater sources. Septic tanks shall be permitted in town and village areas only under the most exceptional circumstances.

Applicants proposing to install a septic tank system shall provide the Council at initial submission stage with appropriate certification, together with water table and percolation area test results, prepared by a competent person, as to the suitability of the site to accept the proposed system in accordance with N.S.A.I., S.R.6, 1991 Standards or any revised standards introduced during the period of the Plan.

6.11 NON-EXEMPTED AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

All development for agricultural purposes not specifically exempted from Planning Permission requirement by reference to Part III of the Second Schedule of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations, 1994 (and the governing provisions of Section 10(1) of those Regulations) is subject to the permission requirements of the Council.

Non-exempted agricultural development will be permitted in rural areas in accordance with locating, siting and design criteria and will not be permitted in the vicinity of towns and villages where such development could create a visual intrusion into the character of the area or an environmental nuisance, i.e. unpleasant odours or excessive noise, or detract in any way from the amenities of the area. Major agricultural development may also require an Integrated Pollution Control Licence issued by the Environmental Protection Agency. The Council notes the

provisions of the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992 in respect of the environmental aspects of such development. However, where agricultural activities impact on the amenities of the area, for example, where odours or landspreading affect residential amenities, the Council will have due regard to such impacts in determining applications for permission.

Provision shall be made for the storing on site of all waste generated by non-exempted agricultural development. Storage of effluents and their disposal shall comply with the following standards required by the Council:

• Roof water and clean water from yards shall be diverted to clean water outlet.

• Kerbs and channels shall be provided on silage slabs and silage effluent only shall be collected in tanks; clean water shall be diverted.

• Slurry tanks shall accommodate 20 weeks accumulated slurry.

• Soiled-water tanks shall accommodate 20 weeks run-off from impervious surfaces.

• Washings from milking parlours and dairies shall be discharged into a soiled water tank, suitably enlarged to receive the extra waste-water. Dairy washings and soiled water shall be spread on land throughout the year.

• Roof water shall be discharged into existing surface water drains, whether piped or open ditches.

• The storage of effluent shalll not be permitted within 100m of any dwellinghouse except with the written consent of its owner or occupier.

• Tanks for manure-pit urine storage shall be provided and shall be capable of holding twenty weeks accumulated effluent.

• Sufficient land shall be available for the spreading of these effluents and such spreading shall not create environmental nuisance, or detract from the amenities of an area.

• The application of more than 43m3 per hectare per year (3,800 gallons per acre per year) of effluent from slurry tanks, soiled-water tanks, and urine-holding tanks to land shalll not be permitted.

• The maximum rate at which effluent from silage pits may be applied to land is 11m3 per hectare (1,000 gallons per acre).

• The spreading of silage effluent and slurry shall be confined to the period from mid-March to mid-October. Spreading should only take place during dry weather conditions and no spreading shall take place within 15 metres of drains, streams, wells or watercourses.

• All structures shall be constructed according to specification provided by Farm Development Service. 64

APPENDIX 1 POPULATION STATISTICS

POPULATION - SIZE AND TREND

THE 1996 Census shows that Sligo has a total population of 55,821, representing 1.54% of the national population. Population density is 31 persons per square Km, the ninth lowest in the country. This compares to the national average of 51 persons per square km.

Sligo’s population grew by 1,065 persons or 1.9% over the 5 year period from 1991- ’96. This compares to a population growth for the North West region of 2% and to a rise in the national population of 2.8% during the same period.

Table 1

County Sligo: Population, 1981 - 1996

1981 1986 1991 1996 Actual % Change Change 1981 - 1996 1991 - 1996 Sligo 55,474 56,046 54,756 55,821 + 1,065 +1.9%

State 3,443,405 3,540,643 3,525,719 3,626,087 100,368 +2.8%

Source: CSO Census of Population of Ireland, 1996

Table 2

County Sligo: Population by Age Group, 1981 - 1996

1981 1986 1991 1996 Actual % Actual % Change Change Change Change 1991-1996 1981-1991 1991-1986 0-14 15,654 15,550 14,280 12,927 -1,374 -8.8% -1,353 -9.0%

15-24 8,764 8,824 8,394 9,324 -370 -4.2% +930 +11.0%

25-44 12,718 13,956 14,246 14,503 +1,528 +12% +257 +2.0%

45-64 10,436 9,789 9,811 11,244 -625 -6.0% +1,433 +15.0%

65+ 7,902 7,927 8,025 7,823 +123 +1.6% -202 -3.0%

Total 55,474 56,046 54,756 55,821 -718 -1.3% 1,065 +2.0%

Source: CSO Census of Population of Ireland, Census 1996

APPENDIX 1 (Contd.) AREA BREAKDOWN

The county is divided into five electoral areas. Three of these areas experienced population increase in the period 1991-1996, while the Dromore and Tubbercurry electoral areas experienced a slight decline.

Table 3

County Sligo: Population by County Electoral Area

County Electoral Area 1991 1996 Actual Change % Change Ballymote 14,154 14,404 + 250 + 1.8% Dromore 7,715 7,682 -33 -0.4% Drumcliffe 13,062 13,524 +462 +3.5% Sligo 12,302 12,745 +443 +3.6% Tubbercurry 7,523 7,466 -57 -0.8%

Source: CSO Local Population Report, Census 1991, 1996

URBAN RURAL BREAKDOWN

The only large urban centre within County Sligo is Sligo town with a population of 17,616 in 1996, giving it one-third of the total county population. The main towns apart from Sligo are Tubbercurry and Ballymote each with a population of approximately 1,000. Five other towns in the county have a population of 500 or more persons. The population of Sligo town increased slightly over the period 1991-1996 by almost 3% while the environs increased by 9%.

Table 4

County Sligo: Population of Towns Ordered By Size

Town 1991 1996 Actual Change % Change Sligo 17,302 17,786 +484 +2.8% Environs of Sligo 662 723 +61 +9.2% Tubbercurry 1,069 1,089 +20 +1.8% Ballymote 1,014 994 -20 -1.9% Bellahy 89 78 -11 -12.3% Rosses Point 707 799 +92 +13.0% Strandhill 654 764 +110 +16.8% Collooney 612 573 -39 -6.3% Enniscrone 610 692 +82 +13.4% Ballisodare 581 612 +31 +5.3% Ballincar 429 456 +27 +6.3% Cliffoney 292 305 +13 +4.4% Riverstown 274 266 -8 -2.9% Gurteen 233 257 +24 +10.3% Easkey 165 174 +9 +5.4% Mullaghmore 124 164 +40 +32.2%

All Towns 24,817 25,732 +915 +3.7%

Source: CSO Local Population Report, Census 1991 - 1996

APPENDIX 1 (Contd.)

DEPENDENCY RATIO

The overall population dependency ratio in the county (0-14 and 65+ age groups as a percentage of those working in the 15-64 age group) is 59% compared to 56% nationally.

The young dependency ratio (0-14 /15-64 age group) for the county is 37% compared to the 36% average figure for the state. The “old” dependency ratio (65+ / 15-64 age group) for the county is 22% which is higher than the national figure of 20%.

Table 5

County Sligo: Dependency Ratio, 1996

Sligo State

“Young” Dependency (1) 37% 36%

“Old” Dependency (2) 22% 20%

Total Dependency 59% 56%

Source: Central Statistics Office, Census of Population 1996

Notes: (1) Dependants aged 0-14 years as a proportion of those working age 15-64 years. (2) Dependants aged 65 or over as a proportion of those working age 15-64 years.

MALE/FEMALE BREAKDOWN

The breakdown of the County Sligo population by gender is 49.7% males, 50.2% females, almost identical to the 49.6 / 50.3% spilt at national level.

Table 6

County Sligo: Population by Gender, 1996

NUMBER PERCENTAGE

Males Females Males Females

Sligo 27,748 28,073 49.7% 50.2%

State 1,800,232 1,825,855 49.6% 50.3%

Source: Central Statistics Office, Census of Population 1996

APPENDIX 1 (Contd.)

MIGRATION

The average annual rate of net migration to Sligo in the period 1991-1996 was 0.9 per thousand. The state figure was 0.2, while Connaught was 2.3.

Table 7

County Sligo: Estimated Net Migration 1991 - 1996

Estimated Net Migration Average Annual Rate

(1) 1986- ‘91 1991- ‘96 1986- ‘91 1991-’96

Sligo -2,274 +262 -8.2 +0.9

State -134,170 +3,185 -7.6 +0.2

Note: (1) per 1,000 of average population

Source: Central Statistics Office, Census of Population 1991, 1996

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Primary Education

There are 72 national schools in the county with a total population of 6,844 pupils(note: these figures refer to the 1998/99 academic year).

Second-Level Education

There are 16 second level schools in County Sligo. There are almost over 5,000 secondary school students of which approximately 1,000 sat the Leaving Certificate Exam in 1998.

Third-Level Education

Institute of Technology, Sligo

The county has an institute of technology at Ballinode, Sligo, which runs degree courses in environmental science, applied biology and applied chemistry as well as non-degree courses in business, tourism, engineering, electronics and science. The main areas of specialist expertise in the institute are in manufacturing, especially plastics, and scientific analysis. The table overleaf shows the growth in student numbers at the Institute in recent years. APPENDIX 1 (Contd.)

Table 8

Sligo Institute of Technology: Student Numbers

1993/94 1994/95 1995/96 1996/97 1997/98 1998/99

1,812 2,129 2,253 2,503 2,550 2,644

Note:

The Higher Education Authority “Report of the Steering Committee on the Future Development in Higher Education” recommended that Sligo prepare for 2,800 full- time students in 2000/2001 and 3,000 students in 2005/2006.

The Governing Body has responded with a detailed Development Plan for the future of the institute which will cost approximately £5.2m. The Institute is beneficial to the whole North West not only in academic and cultural terms, but in economic terms, due to its generating approximately £1m monthly to the region.

St. Angela’s College is a recognised college of the National University of Ireland offering full-time and part-time degree and non- degree courses. The College’s specialisations include home economics, social and community studies, general and mental handicap nursing, health promotion and service business studies.

Published data show County Sligo as having one of the country’s highest levels of participation in third level education. Of young people of school-leaving age in County Sligo in 1993, 47.5% go on to third level education. This is the fourth- highest nationally (after Galway, Leitrim and Kerry).

Table 9

County Sligo: Percentage of Age Group Going on to Higher Education, 1993

County Sligo 47.5%

Selected Other Counties

Galway 52.5%

Leitrim 51.3%

Kerry 48.6%

Dublin 36.3%

Source: Education and Living Supplement, The Irish Times, 25th October, 1994

APPENDIX 2

WATER SOURCES PROTECTION POLICY

LOUGH TALT REGIONAL WATER SUPPLY

Any development which is likely to lead to the deterioration of the quality of the water of Lough Talt shall be discouraged. Afforestation, agricultural, commercial, industrial and domestic development shall not be permitted within the Lough Talt Catchment Area.

SLIGO AND ENVIRONS WATER SUPPLY (LOUGH GILL)

Lough Gill provides a water source for the domestic, agricultural, commercial and industrial requirements for Sligo town and outlying regions. Any development within the catchment and particularly development in close proximity to the intake pumping station that is likely to lead to the deterioration of the quality of the water shall be discouraged.

SLIGO AND ENVIRONS WATER SUPPLY (KILSELLAGH RESERVOIR)

Any development, including afforestation, which is likely to lead to the deterioration of the quality of the feeder streams in the townlands of Kilsellagh, Glackbaun and Carrowlustia shall be discouraged.

LOUGH EASKEY REGIONAL WATER SUPPLY

Any development, including afforestation, which is likely to lead to the deterioration of the quality of the water of Lough Easkey shall be discouraged.

GEEVAGH/HIGHWOOD GROUP WATER SUPPLY

Any development, including afforestation, which is likely to lead to the deterioration of the quality of the Geevagh/Highwood Group Water Supply shall be discouraged.

CASTLEBALDWIN GROUP WATER SUPPLY

Any development, including afforestation, which is likely to lead to the deterioration of the quality of the Castlebaldwin Group Water Supply shall be discouraged.

RIVERSTOWN PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY (LOUGH ARROW)

Lough Arrow is the raw water source for three major water supply schemes. Significant concerns have been raised regarding the threat to the water quality from septic tanks, forestry and agricultural developments. The “Lough Arrow Technical Committee” Interim Report, January, 1995, highlights the threat to the water quality

due to enrichment, in particular phosphates. Any development, including afforestation, within the catchment area that is likely to lead to the deterioration of the quality of the lake water shall be discouraged.

APPENDIX 2 (Contd.)

NORTH SLIGO WATER SUPPLY

The water source for this regional scheme is supplied from the Gortnaleck and Lyle streams. The catchment areas above the intake chambers and pumping station of these streams will be protected and agricultural and forestry developments shall be discouraged.

CALRY NO. 1 PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY

The source of supply to these schemes are streams discharging from Keelogybeg Mountain. Any development, including afforestation, within the catchment area that is likely to lead to deterioration of the quality of the Calry water supply shall be discouraged.

BENBULBIN GROUP WATER SUPPLY

This private source is supplied from springs at the foot of Benbulbin Mountain. Any development, including afforestation, within the catchment that is likely to lead to deterioration of the Benbulbin Group Water Supply shall be discouraged.

APPENDIX 3

WATER SUPPLY SCHEMES

SCHEME OUTPUT TREATMEN PROPOSALS POPULATION NO OF EXISTING T REMARKS/ SERVED GROUPS (DESIGN) PROPOSALS SCHEMES SERVED

3 Ballymote 1100m Rapid Gravity Variable Raw Water, 3000 7 Regional 3 Filtration new supply from (1100m ) Scheme Chlorination Lough Talt

Fluoridation

3 Lough 1690m Rapid Gravity ------4000 12 3 Easkey (4450m ) Filtration Regional Chlorination Scheme Fluoridation

3 Lough Talt 5500m Microstraining Second 7300 46 Regional 3 Chlorination microstraining (8200m ) Scheme Fluoridation proposed

3 North Sligo 1100m Rapid Gravity Inadequate capacity 2300 25 3 Regional (1100m ) Filtration augmentation scheme Scheme Chlorination proposed

At maximum 3 Lough Gill 6800m Microstraining capacity. new Sligo 11350 11 Regional 3 Ozonization & Environs Scheme (6800m ) Scheme Chlorination proposed.

Fluoridation

3 Dissolved air South Sligo 500m By Roscommon flotation and rapid 1550 5 3 Regional (910m ) Co. Council gravity. Scheme

None Chlorination 3 Calry Water 14m proposed 125 ---- Supply 3 (14m )

Rosses Point 3 By Sligo No spare capacity; Water 680m Corporation supply from 800 ---- 3 (680m ) Kilsellagh reservoir to be increased on implementation of Sligo Environs Scheme.

Riverstown 3 410m Chlorination ------3 450 1 (680m )

APPENDIX 4 SEWERAGE SCHEMES

TOWN POPULATIO OUTFALL/TREATME REMARKS N NT

Tubbercurry 1200 -Imhoff Tank -Percolating Filter -Tertiary Treatment

Ballymote 1100 Extended Aeration

Collooney 750 Extended Aeration

Rosses Point 700 Holding Tank New treatment works Sea Outfall proposed.

Strandhill 600 Oxidation Ditch New scheme recently completed.

Enniscrone 600 Extended Aeration New scheme recently completed.

Ballisodare 550 Holding Tank New Treatment Works Sea outfall proposed.

Culfadda 150 Extended Aeration Completed

Coolaney 350 Oxidation Ditch

Riverstown 350 External Aeration New Scheme recently completed

Cliffoney 300 Extended Aeration

Gurteen 200 Extended Aeration Constructed

Easkey 200 Extended Aeration

Mullaghmore 200 Holding Tank New treatment works Sea outfall proposed

Grange 200 Extended Aeration

Ballinacarrow 150 Extended Aeration

Bunninadden 150 Septic tank

Aclare 150 Septic tank New treatment works proposed

Dromore West 150 Extended Aeration

Ballintogher 150 Septic tank and peat based Secondary treatment recently percolation system completed

APPENDIX 4 (Contd.) 76

SEWERAGE SCHEMES (Continued)

TOWN POPULATION OUTFALL/TREATME REMARKS NT

Carney 150 Septic tank and peat based Recently completed percolation system

Drumcliff 75 Septic tank and peat based Recently completed percolation system

Ballinafad 100 Septic tank and peat based Recently completed percolation system

Castlebaldwin 150 Septic tank and peat based Recently completed percolation system

PROPOSED SEWERAGE SCHEMES

TOWN POPULATION OUTFALL/TREATMEN REMARKS T

Cummeen 600 Sea outfall via Sligo main drainage

Curry 275 Extended Aeration Under construction

Cloonacool 150 Septic tank Design complete. Awaiting funding

Monasteraden 150 Extended Aeration Preliminary Report submitted

Ballincar 250 Feasibility study in progress.

Rathcormack 300 Feasibility Study planned

Under construction Geevagh 100 Septic tank and percolation bed

Feasibility Study planned Carraroe 500 Due 1999 Sewage pumping station Knockbeg Feasibility Study planned

Ransboro 200

APPENDIX 5

VIEWS FROM SCENIC ROUTES TO BE PRESERVED

National Primary Routes

N15 Cliffony to Sligo Town Views of Atlantic Ocean, Benbulbin, Kings Mountain and Benwiskin.

N16 South of Glencar Lake Views of Glencar Lake, Benbulbin and Atlantic (County Boundary to Sligo) Ocean.

N4 Castlebaldwin to Ballinafad Views of Bricklieve Mountains, Lough Arrow and Curlew Mountains.

N4 Collooney By-Pass Views of Ballysadare Bay, Union Wood, Slieve Daeane, Slieve Dargan.

N4 Curlew By-Pass Views of Lough Arrow, Bricklieve Mountains and Curlew Mountains.

National Secondary Routes

N59 Beltra to Ballysadare Views of Ballysadare Bay and Knocknarea.

N59 Dromore West to Views of the Atlantic and the Ox mountains. Templeboy

Regional Routes

R279 (Junction of third class Views of Atlantic Ocean, Donegal Bay and to road R279 to Cliffony) Benwiskin.

R284 Carrowroe to junction with Views of Ballygawley Lough, Slieve Dargan 3rd Class road north of and Slieve Daeane Ballygawley

R286 Junction of R286 with Views of Lough Gill and Colgagh Lough. N16 to the county boundary.

R287 Carrowroe (junction of Views of Lough Gill, Slish Wood, Slieve R287 and N4 with 3rd class Dargan, Slieve Daeane and Killery Mountain. road at Cartonhugh).

R292 Redgate crossroads to the Views of Knocknarea, Ballysadare Bay, Sligo junction of R292 with 3rd class Bay, Slieve Dargan and Slieve Daeane. road at Scardan

R294 The Gap (County Views of Lough Talt and Ox Mountains.

Boundary) to Mullany’s Cross

R295 Carrowmaclenany cross Views of Kesh Corran and the Bricklieve roads to Carrowcrory crossroads. Mountains. APPENDIX 5 (Contd.)

R294 Mullaghroe crossroads Views of Lough Gara. to county boundary.

R297 Castleconnor to Dromore Views of Killala Bay and Atlantic Ocean. West.

Third Class Roads

Mullaghmore Head to junction with R279 Views of Atlantic Ocean and Donegal Bay.

Grange to Streedagh Point Views of Atlantic Ocean and Benbulbin.

Benwiskin Horseshoe Views of Benwiskin, Benbulbin, Kings Mountain and Donegal Bay.

Ballaghnatrillick Bridge to Views of Benwiskin, Benbulbin and County Boundary and to N15. Donegal Bay.

Glencar lake to Carney. Views of Glencar Lake, Kings Mountain and Benbulbin.

Glencar lake to junction with N16. Views of Glencar Lake and Kings Mountain.

3rd class road along Garavogue Views of Garavogue River and Lough Gill River and Lough Gill junction with regional roads.

Junction of R292 with 3rd class Views of Knocknarea. road at Scardan to Redgate crossroads.

Coast road Dromore West to Beltra Views of Atlantic Ocean, Sligo Bay, Ballysadare Bay, Ox Mountains and Knocknarae

Dromore West to Mullany’s Views of Lough Easkey, Ox Mountains Cross ` and the Atlantic Ocean.

Junction of CR452A and CR451 Views of Lough Talt and the Ox to Regional road R294 at Largan. Moutains

Toberawnaun crossroads to Views of Ox Mountains and Atlantic ocean.

Carroweden

3rd class road Carroweden Views of Ox Mountains and Ballysadare bay to junction with N59

3rd class road junction with Views of Ox Mountains, Atlantic Ocean N59 west of Cooney Lough to and Cooney Lough junction south of Tullaghan hill.

APPENDIX 5 (Contd.)

3rd class road south of Slieve Views of Slieve Dargan, Slieve Daeane and Daeane, Slieve Dargan which Lough Dargan. forms junction with R284 and R287.

Lakeshore drive along Lough Views of Lough Arrow and Bricklieve Arrow from Castlebaldwin to Mountains. County Boundary.

Carrowcrory crossroads to Views of Bricklieve Mountains, Curlew Ballinfad. Mountains and Lough Arrow.

Ladies Brae to Beltra Views of Ox Mountains and Ballysadare Bay.

Castlebaldwin to junction with Views of Bricklieve Mountains, Kesh Corran R295, south west of and Lough Arrow. Templevanny Lough

Heapstown crossroads to Views of Lough Arrow and Bricklieve Killadoon crossroads. Mountains.

Ballindoon crossroads to Views of Lough Arrow and Bricklieve Killadoon crossroads. Mountains.

Killadoon crossroads to junction Views of Lough Arrow, Lough Nasool and north of Conways crossroads. Lough Bo.

Junction north of Conways Views of Carran Hill. crossroads to county boundary.

Mullaghroe to Monasteraden Views of Lough Gara. Crossroads.

Monasteraden crossroads to Views of Lough Gara. County Boundary.

Derryknockeran. Views of Lough Gara.

APPENDIX 6

BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES TO BE PRESERVED

1. Annaghmore 2 miles south-west of Collooney on the west side of the N17. Occupied and in good condition.

2. Ardagh 1 mile south-east of Riverstown on the south west side of the CR628. Partially occupied stable block in reasonable/ poor condition.

3. Ballyglass 2 miles east of Sligo on the south side of the CR267. Occupied and in good condition.

4. Beltra 0.5 miles south-east of Beltra P.O. and on the west side of the N59. Old rectory occupied and in good condition.

5. Camphill 2 miles west of Dromore West on the south side of the N59. Occupied and in good condition

6. Castledargan 1 mile north west of Ballygawley P.O. House is occupied and in good condition. Extensive stables.

7. Castle Nenoe 1 mile north of Sooey village (Ballysumaghan) - in ruins.

8. Castletown Manor 1.5 miles south of Inishcrone, on the north side of CR 103.

9. Classiebawn Castle 1 mile south west of Mullaghmore on the west side of the R279. Occupied and in good condition. Highly visible over long distances.

10. Clogherevagh 4 miles east of Sligo on the south side of the CR322 and overlooking Lough Gill. Occupied as a college and in good condition.

11. Cloonamahan 2 miles south of Collooney on the west side of the N4. Occupied and in good condition.

12 Staad Abbey 2 miles west of Grange between Streedagh and Agharrow - in ruins.

13 Colgagh 2 miles east of Sligo on the south side of the CR267. Occupied and in good condition.

14. Coolavin 1 mile south west of Monasteraden on the south east side of the CR497. Occupied and in reasonable condition.

APPENDIX 6 (Contd.)

15. Cooperhill 1.5 miles west of Riverstown on the north side of the CR623. Occupied and in good condition.

16. Doonally 2 miles north of Sligo on the west side of the N16. In good condition and appears to be occupied.

17. Doonecoy 0.5 miles west of Templeboy on the north side of the N59. Occupied and in good condition.

18. Earlsfield On the north east side of Ballymote. Good condition and occupied as a convent.

19. Hazelwood 0.5 miles east of Sligo town , close to the banks of the Garavogue river. Unoccupied. The original building is in reasonable condition.

20. Hollybrooke 2 miles south of Castlebaldwin on the east side of the N4. In good external condition but unoccupied for a long time.

21. Kingsborough 3.5 miles south-east of Riverstown, on the shore of Lough Arrow. Occupied and in good condition.

22. Lissadell 1.5 miles west of Carney P.O. House is in good condition and open to the public.

23. Longford 1.5 miles west of Beltra on the north side of CR32. House is gutted internally and in poor condition. Wing building is still occupied.

24. Markree Castle 0.5 miles south west of Collooney on the south side of the R290. Occupied and in good condition. Extensive outbuildings and noteworthy entrances.

25. Newpark 3 miles north-east of Ballymote on the north side of the CR644. Occupied and in good condition.

26. Streedagh 1.5 miles west of Grange on the south side of the CR214. Occupied and in good condition.

27. Templehouse 2 miles north west of Ballymote. Occupied and in good condition. Extensive parklands

28. Tanrego In Beltra, on the north east side of the N59. Occupied and in good condition.

29. Woodville 1 mile west of Sligo on the east side of the CR286. Occupied and in good condition.

30. Elsinore House Rosses Point, Co. Sligo - in ruins. APPENDIX 6

OTHER STRUCTURES TO BE PRESERVED

A. Coolaney Bridge On CR1. The only brick arch in the county, dating from the nineteenth century.

B. Old Coolaney Bridge Partially collapsed

C. Billa Bridge On the CR 307, one of the last masonry arch road bridges to be constructed in the County.

D. Ladies Brae On the CR35 near its junction with the CR33.

E. Lisconny Bridge On the CR620.

F. Coopershill Bridge On the CR624.

G. Templehouse Lake Bridge On the CR 656.

H. Fawsetts Bridge On the CR265. Constructed with a pitched masonry bed which is unusual in Sligo.

I. Big Bridge (Rathmullen) On RR 293.

J. Donaghintrane Bridge On CR39. High semi-circular arch and probably the highest in Co. Sligo.

K. Dunmoran Bridge On CR10. Random rubble masonry, probable 17th Century.

L. Banada Bridge On CR508, one of the longest masonry structures in the County.

M. Ballintrillick Bridge On the CR229.

N. Owenkeevan Bridge On the NR59.

O. Castletown Bridge On the CR315: Unusually corbelled limestone structure.

P. Rathugh Bridge On the CR 208. The arching principle has been continued from soffit to invert thus forming two ‘pipe arches’ with a stepped pier in between.

Q. The Metal Bridge On the CR446. The structure is almost entirely Sessuegarry constructre dof metal plates with riveted connections.

R. Geevagh Bridge On the CR744.

S. Ardkill Bridge On the N59

T. Toorboy Bridge On the N59 (Workhouse)

U. Bellarush Bridge On the CR700. Probably 15th Century, making it one of the oldest bridges in the county. Distorted arches with massive piers.

APPENDIX 7

LOUGH GILL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROJECT

It will be an objective of the Council to support the implementation of the Management Plan for the Lough Gill Catchment, published September, 1998.

APPENDIX 8

LOCAL AGENDA 21

The Council is required to formulate a Local Agenda 21 in conjunction with the formulation of a National Strategy on Sustainable Development, as published in 1997. Guidelines were published by the Department of the Environment in , June 1995.

The Council is committed to formulating a Framework based on the suggestions contained in the Guidelines. This requires: a) Action by the Local Authority; and, b) Action in the Community.

The Council will approach Local Agenda 21 as a process rather than a plan. Particular attention is being given to practical applications by the Council in its own area of work activities, in order to provide practical and easily understood example.