Barnhall, Leixlip, Co. Kildare Environmental Impact Assessment Report 14. ARCHITECTURE AND CULTURAL HERITAGE 14.1 Introduction This section of the Environmental Impact Statement analyses the architectural heritage significance of the site of the proposed development at Barnhall, Leixlip, Co. Kildare. The site currently encompasses three fields and is bounded to the north, west and northeast by existing residential development. The east flank is defined by the R404 (Leixlip-Celbridge road). The south has been defined by the curtilage of the Wonderful Barn and Barnhall House as accepted by Kildare County Council, which is defined as a radius of 200m centred on the Wonderful Barn, a protected structure associated with the Castletown House demesne. 14.2 Methodology 14.2.1 Sources The following published and unpublished sources have been utilised as part of this report. A full list of sources, including cartographic records, is given in the bibliography but includes: Kildare County Council Development Plan 2017-2023; Leixlip Local Area Plan 2017-2023 Action Area Plan for Lands at the Wonderful Barn and Barnhall House – Kildare County Council; National Inventory of Architectural Heritage – Survey of Architectural Heritage of Kildare; National Inventory of Architectural Heritage – Survey of Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes Dr Finola O’Kane Crimmins – The Wonderful Barn, Leixlip, Co. Kildare – Historic Landscape Assessment (unpublished report) Cartographic Sources – Map of County Kildare by Noble and Keenan, A. Taylor A Map of the County of Kildare, Ordnance Survey Map Editions. 14.2.2 Fieldwork A field inspection was carried out of the proposed development site and adjacent lands on 8th February 2017. This identified any features of architectural heritage significance in the area. 14.3 Legislative framework 14.3.1 Local Government (Planning and Development Act) 2000 The Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 2000, as amended, provides protection for structures of architectural, cultural, scientific, historical or archaeological interest. Declan Brassil & Co. Ref: 16/38 14-1 Barnhall, Leixlip, Co. Kildare Environmental Impact Assessment Report Under the legislation each County Council was to undertake to include a Record of Protected Structures in their development plans. Under the Act a Protected Structure is defined as follows: (a) a structure, (b) a specified part of a structure which is included in a record of protected structures, and, where that record so indicates, includes any specified feature which is within the attendant grounds of the structure and which would not otherwise be included in this definition; “protection”, in relation to a structure or part of a structure, includes conservation, preservation and improvement compatible with maintaining the character and interest of the structure or part The Act also sets out statutory regulations regarding works affecting protected structures, including the duty of owners/occupiers. Under Section 58 of Part IV of the Planning and Development Act; (1) Each owner and each occupier shall, to the extent consistent with the rights and obligations arising out of their respective interests in a protected structure or a proposed protected structure, ensure that the structure, or any element of it which contributes to its special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest, is not endangered. (2) The duty imposed in subsection (1) in relation to a proposed protected structure arises at the time the owner or occupier is notified under Section 55 or under Part II, of the proposal to add the structure to the record of protected structure. (3) Neither of the following shall be considered to be a breach of the duty imposed on each owner and each occupier under this section – (a) development in respect of which permission under section 34 has been granted; (b) development consisting only of works of a type which, in a declaration issued under section 57(3) to that owner or occupier, a planning authority has declared would not materially affect the character of the protected structure or any element, referred to in subsection (1) of this section, of that structure. (4) Any person who, without lawful authority, causes damage to a protected structure or a proposed protected structure shall be guilty of an offence. (5) Without prejudice to any other defence that may be available, it shall be a good defence in any proceedings for any offence under subsection (4) to prove that the damage to the structure resulted from works which were – (a) urgently required in order to secure the preservation of the structure or any part of it, (b) undertaken in good faith solely for the purpose of temporarily safeguarding the structure, and (c) unlikely to permanently alter the structure or any element of it referred to in subsection (1) Declan Brassil & Co. Ref: 16/38 14-2 Barnhall, Leixlip, Co. Kildare Environmental Impact Assessment Report 14.4 Kildare County Development Plan 2017-2023 Chapter 12 of the Kildare County Development Plan 2017-2023 outlines the Councils aims, policies and objectives concerning architectural and archaeological heritage. As stated in the Development Plan, the Council’s aim is to: ‘To protect, conserve and manage the archaeological and architectural heritage of the county and to encourage sensitive sustainable development so as to ensure its survival and maintenance for future generations.’ 14.4.1 Record of Protected Structures Amongst the Council’s Statements of Policy (Section 12.4) concerning protected structures are the following: PS 1: To conserve and protect buildings, structures and sites contained on the Record of Protected Structures of special architectural, historic, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest. PS 2: To protect the curtilage of protected structures or proposed protected structures and to refuse planning permission for inappropriate development within the curtilage or attendant grounds of a protected structure which would adversely impact on the special character of the protected structure including loss of or damage to the special character of the protected structure and loss of or damage to, any structures of architectural heritage value merit within the curtilage of the protected structure. Any proposed development within the curtilage and/or attendant grounds must demonstrate that it is part of an overall strategy for the future conservation of the entire built heritage complex and contributes positively to that aim. PS 3: To require that new works will not obscure views of principal elevations of protected structures. PS 5: To maintain the views from Castletown House to the River Liffey and to maintain views along paths within the curtilage of the House. The Kildare County Development Plan’s Record of Protected Structures lists the following protected structures within the vicinity of the proposed development: B11-15 – Wonderful Barn Complex; The building is recorded on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage – Ref. 11901102 14.4.2 Architectural Conservation Areas The Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, provides that all Development Plans must now include objectives for preserving the character of Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs). An ACA is a place, area, group of structures or townscape of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest, or which contribute to the appreciation of protected structures. The centre of Leixlip has been designated an ACA. The proposed development is not located within or in the vicinity of the ACA. Declan Brassil & Co. Ref: 16/38 14-3 Barnhall, Leixlip, Co. Kildare Environmental Impact Assessment Report 14.4.3 Country Houses and Demesnes The Wonderful Barn was constructed as an eye-catcher from the Castletown Estate and as such policy statements are of relevance: CH 1: To promote appreciation of the landscape and historical importance of traditional and historic gardens, demesnes and parks within Kildare in general and particularly where they constitute an important setting to a protected structure. CH 2: To have regard to the historic gardens and designed landscape sites in County Kildare identified in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Barn Hall is recorded within this survey – Ref. KD-50-N-992353 CH 3: To encourage conservation, renewal and improvement which enhances the character and the setting of parks, gardens, and demesnes of historic interest within the county. 14.4.4 Leixlip Local Area Plan 2017-2023 The Leixlip Local Area Plan includes a number of Built Heritage Objectives which relate directly to the Wonderful Barn: BHO1.7: To support the implementation of the conservation plan for the restoration and management of the Wonderful Barn and associated lands in association with key stakeholders. BHO1.8: To promote the Wonderful Barn as an integrated tourism attraction including the restoration of the main features of the complex and its historical landscape: (i) The re-arrangement of the existing access way to merge with the historic entrance spatial sequence. (ii) The immediate consolidation and eventual restoration of the historic buildings (iii) The reinstatement of the walled garden and rear courtyard; and (iv) The insertion of complementary commercial uses to ensure the sustainable future of the project. 14.4.5 Protected Views The views from Castletown to the Wonderful Barn and the