Landscape and Amenities.pdf - Offaly County Council

OFFALY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2009 - 2015
Volume 1 - Written Statement
STRATEGY
The Planning Authority has a role in the preservation of
the landscape, views and the amenities of places and
features of natural beauty within the county. Offaly
County Council continues to seek the protection and
enhancement of the county’s landscape and to ensure
that development respects and, where necessary,
enhances the appearance and character of the existing
local landscape. This can be achieved through the
adoption of policies and objectives and their
implementation within the development management
process.
16.1 Landscape Classification
For the purposes of this plan, the different landscape
areas of County Offaly have been characterised in
relation to their degree of sensitivity to various kinds
of development. These classifications are developed
following the 2003-2009 Offaly County Development
Plan, having regard to the Department of the
Environment, Heritage and Local Government
(DoEHLG), Landscape and Landscape Assessment
Guidelines.
16.1.1 Landscape Sensitivity in County Offaly
The sensitivity of a landscape is the measure of its
ability to accommodate change or intervention
without suffering unacceptable effects to its character
and values. The sensitivity of the landscapes of County
Offaly varies and is thereby classified within the
following sensitivity classes: Low, Moderate and High
Sensitivity.
Landscape considerations are an important factor in all
land use policy for the county. This ensures that a
positive view of development is undertaken whilst
maintaining respect for the environment and the
county’s landscape, having regard to the principles of
sustainability.
In general terms, the planning, design and
management implications for development in
accordance with the sensitivity class of its location is
outlined in Tables 16.2 to 16.5. Map 16.1 illustrates the
landscape classification areas for the county in broad
terms. Map 16.2 gives a representation of the
topography of the county.
Table 16.2 Summary of the County’s Landscape, in general terms, as per the following classes: Low Sensitivity,
Moderate Sensitivity And High Sensitivity.
Landscape
Sensitivity
Description
Acceptability of
Development for
consideration
Need for
Landscaping and
Appropriate Design
LOW
This class largely encompasses the county’s
main urban and farming areas. These areas
comprise natural enclosing features (e.g.
topography, vegetation) which have the
capacity to absorb a range of new
development.
A wide range of
Development subject to
appropriateness /
conditions.
High
MODERATE
Areas which are generally ‘open’ in character
with intrinsic quality and moderate capacity
to absorb new development.
Some form of development
subject to appropriateness /
conditions.
Very High
HIGH
• Identified features or areas of natural
beauty or interest which have extremely low
capacity to absorb new development.
• Areas included within this class are
designated Areas of High Amenity.
Very limited development
subject to appropriateness /
conditions.
Essential
Chapter 16 | Landscape & Amenities | page 166