1. Introduction 2. Heritage Appraisal 3. Vision 4. Context 5. Strategy
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1. Introduction 4. Context The heritage and landscape conservation chapter covers the • National Monument Acts 1930-1994 following headings: • Planning and Development Act 2000 • The Wildlife Act 1976 1. NATURAL ENVIRONMENT • Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000 a) Landscape categorisations • E.C Natural Habitat Regulations 1997 b) Designated wildlife areas – NHA’s, SPA’s, SAC’s, Nature • Birds Directive (Council Directive 79/409/EEC) 1979 Reserves, National Park • Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC), 1992 c) Habitats/Species outside designated areas • Water Framework Directive (Council Directive 2000/60/ d) Bio diversity EC), 2000 e) Hedgerow • Heritage Act 1995 f) Tree preservation and Amenity Trees • The National Heritage Plan 2002 g) Geology – Areas of Geological Interest, Geological Natural • The National Bio-Diversity Plan 2002 Heritage Areas, Geo Tourism h) Natural Heritage Education 5. Strategy 2. BUILT HERITAGE The natural environment of the County contains areas that are a) Archaeology – National Monuments (in state care), areas particularly sensitive, unique or rare. The designation of such of potential significance, graveyards etc. areas is intended to provide protection for such habitats. The b) Architectural Heritage – protected structures, wooded appearance of County Wicklow is an important Architectural Conservation Areas, Vernacular heritage, component of its distinctive landscape.Tree preservation orders Industrial heritage. are an important mechanism used by the Planning Authority to protect trees and woodlands. The built environment of Wicklow is an important part of the 2. Heritage Appraisal County’s identity and character. Wicklow has a unique A Heritage Appraisal of the County Development Plan 1999 was archaeological heritage that is of County as well as National undertaken in conjunction with The Heritage Council. This importance.This is reflected in the abundance of archaeological appraisal highlighted areas that were adequately dealt with in the sites and monuments found in the county ranging from Early 1999 Plan, and advised on areas that should be strengthened in a Bronze age right through to Christian and Medieval eras. The revised Plan in order to safeguard the conservation of heritage. later built architectural heritage includes demesne houses and associated features as well as a rich vernacular heritage, closely linked to Wicklows’ stone- cutting tradition. 3. Vision The Council will seek to conserve, protect and enhance The Council recognises that County Wicklow has a unique and Wicklow’s built and natural heritage and landscape where valuable heritage. It is the aim of the County Development Plan possible. The Council will facilitate the production and to conserve and protect this heritage, and enhance it. The implementation of a County Heritage Plan in association with Council is committed to working with other statutory and non- the Wicklow Heritage Forum, as a mechanism to achieving statutory bodies with the aim of conserving the natural and built this aim. heritage of the County for the benefit of all. The following principles guide the Council’s heritage objectives and policies set out in the County Development Plan. • Avoid negative impacts upon heritage. • Promote enhancement of heritage as a key principle to every development. • Ensure that all developments include adequate provisions regarding mitigation of impact upon heritage. HERITAGE & LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION 79 6. Policy Table 10.1 – Land Use Matrix for Bray Head Greenbelt Area Proposed Use Land Use Group 6.1 – NATURAL HERITAGE – Greenbelt Abbattoir Not Permitted 6.1.1 – LANDSCAPE CATEGORISATION Advertising Not Permitted Aerodrome/Airfield Not Permitted County Wicklow has been categorised by landscape. Having Bed and Breakfast Not Permitted regard to vulnerability, assimilative capacity and development Boarding Kennels Not Permitted pressures these categories have been organised into Car Parks Open for consideration development control landscape zones. See Map 3 A – F and Caravan Park (holiday) Not Permitted Schedule 10.1. Caravan Park (residential) Not Permitted Cash and carry outlet Not Permitted a) Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Zone Cemetery Permitted in principle The A.O.N.B. zone encompasses those areas which are most Church Not Permitted vulnerable and sensitive, and which are considered to be of Commercial Not Permitted greatest scenic value. These areas tend to be under severe Community facility Not Permitted development pressure. It contains Concrete,Asphalt etc. plant Not Permitted • the central mountain area including the Wicklow Mountains Creche/Nursery School Not Permitted National Park Cultural Use Not Permitted • the Great and Little Sugarloaf Mountains and Bray Head in Halting Site Open for consideration north-east Wicklow Dance hall discotheque Not Permitted • the Glencree and Glencullen river valleys in north-east Doctor/Dentist etc. Not Permitted Wicklow Education Not Permitted • the Poulaphuca reservoir area adjacent to Blessington Embassy Not Permitted • the entire coastal area of the County. Extractive industry Not Permitted Garden centre Not Permitted The central mountain area extends from the County Dublin Guest house Not Permitted border in the north to Aughrim in the south and from the Glen Health centre Not Permitted of Imaal in the west, to Roundwood in the east. One of the main Heavy vehicle park Not Permitted characteristics of this area is its mountainous topography,with its Homebased economic activity Open for consideration deep U-shaped valleys, lakes and glacial topography. Hospital nursing home Not Permitted Hotel/Motel Not Permitted The northern hills category relates mainly to the Great and Little Industry – General Not Permitted Sugarloaf Mountains and to Bray Head. The summits of the Industry – Light Not Permitted Sugarloaf Mountains are conspicuous by the absence of any Motor sales outlet Not Permitted significant vegetation cover, but otherwise, heather, bracken and Offices Not Permitted grasses predominate. Open space Permitted in principle Petrol station Not Permitted The Poulaphuca reservoir area category generally relates to the Private Club Not Permitted area around Poulaphuca Reservoir and extends into Sorrell Hill. Private Garage Not Permitted The reservoir zone is dominated by the lake, views onto and Private Tip Not Permitted from the lake and by lake type vegetation.To the east and south, Public House Not Permitted land is more mountainous with attractive views and montane Public Services Open for consideration vegetation. Recreational building Not Permitted Residential Open for consideration The Glencree and Glencullen valleys abut the County Dublin (SS9 {5} & {6},Wicklow County border.The category is based around the valleys of the Glencree, Development Plan 2004–2010, Glencullen, Cookstown and Dargle Rivers and the surrounding will apply in all cases). road network. Residential institution Not Permitted Restaurant Not Permitted The coastal area category covers, for the most part, the area of Scrap Yard Not Permitted land between the sea and the road nearest the coastline. South Service garage Not Permitted of Wicklow town are the main sandy beaches such as Brittas Bay Shops (local) Not Permitted and Clogga Beach. Shops (other) Not Permitted Sports club Open for consideration For Bray Head refer to Table 10.1. below which indicates Warehouse Not Permitted acceptability levels for any land use in the greenbelt area.The extent Wholesale outlet Not Permitted of the Bray Head Greenbelt Area is shown on Map No. 12. Note:This matrix will take precedence over Table 3.6, Chapter 3 of the County Development Plan in the area of Bray Head as indicated on map 12. 80 HERITAGE & LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION b) Special Amenity Zone Policy HL1: The Council will ensure that the development of This landscape zone encompasses those areas which, whilst not Wicklow takes full account of the Designated Landscape as vulnerable nor as sensitive as those areas in the A.O.N.B. categories and the protection of their amenities and assets. zone, are still subject to pressure for development which could result in a serious deterioration in the landscape quality. The In particular when considering planning applications the Council sensitivity of these areas is made more pronounced by the fact will take full account of the objectives set out in relation to that they act as an effective “gateway” to the more remote and residential, tourism and other rural development set out in wild upland areas and because the more ameliorative nature of Chapters 3, 11, and 12, of the Plan. the landform ensures that there is greater development pressure. It contains the North Mountain Lowlands, the South Mountain Lowlands, the Baltinglass Hills and the Southern Hills. 6.1.2 – LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION The landscape of Wicklow is a reflection of past and present The rolling undulating terrain of the hills around Baltinglass natural, physical, social, and economic activities. Due to distinguishes the Baltinglass Hills category. Possibly the greatest settlement patterns and proximity to large urban populations, source of pressure affecting this category relates to the the landscape particularly in the North East of the county may existence of important archaeological remains and monuments. be deemed vulnerable to development pressure, which threatens This archaeological wealth must be protected for its heritage its intrinsic character. value as well as tourism potential. Policy HL2: The Council shall support efforts to