Lough Gur Environmental Management Study February 2009
Lough Gur Environmental Management Study February 2009
Lough Gur Environmental Management Study February 2009
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Section 4<br />
Planning Context<br />
4.1 Provisions of the Limerick County Development Plan (2005-2011)<br />
The Development Plan recognises that the county possesses a very varied landscape which is<br />
important not just for its intrinsic value and beauty but also because of the asset it provides for local<br />
residents and visitors both in terms of a place to live and also for recreational and tourism purposes.<br />
In accordance with the 2000 Planning and Development Act, the Development Plans includes<br />
objectives for the preservation of the landscape views and prospects, and makes provision for<br />
Landscape Conservation Areas and Areas of Special Amenity. It also provides for the assessment of<br />
landscape character, a process which is complete for County Limerick, which stresses the<br />
distinctiveness of the county’s landscape areas and how differing kinds of development can best be<br />
integrated within them.<br />
Given its special scenic qualities, <strong>Lough</strong> <strong>Gur</strong> is included as its own Landscape Character Area. The<br />
Development Plan identifies that policies which applied to the views and prospects in the previous<br />
(1999) Development Plan will continue to apply to these views and prospects within the larger<br />
landscape areas within which they are situated. The relevant policies in relation to scenic views and<br />
prospects are outlined in Natural Environment Policy ENV8:<br />
It is the policy of the Council to safeguard the scenic views and prospects by integrating them<br />
into landscape character areas, which will ensure a more balanced approach towards landscape<br />
issues within the county. In areas where views and prospects are listed in Map 7.6 there will be a<br />
presumption against development except that which is required in relation to farming and<br />
appropriate tourism and related activities, or a dwelling required by a long term land owner or<br />
his/her family that can be appropriately designed so that it can be integrated into the landscape.<br />
Views and prospects in and out of <strong>Lough</strong> <strong>Gur</strong> are safeguarded in accordance with Development Plan Policy<br />
ENV:13<br />
<strong>Lough</strong> <strong>Gur</strong> <strong>Environmental</strong> <strong>Management</strong> <strong>Study</strong> 23
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