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Longford Town Council Planning Department

WELCOME TO LONGFORD TOWN COUNCIL WEBSITE

Welcome to the Planning Section

The aim of the Planning Department, Longford Town Council is to provide and support measures that will contribute to a structured and well managed physical and economic environment within Longford Town, so that living standards are raised and work opportunities fostered and created, having regard to the principles of sustainability.

The responsibility for delivering the planning function rests with both the elected members of the Town Council (Members) and the County Manager.

Longford Town Council has responsibilities to provide for the development of infrastructure, fostering the development of obsolete areas of the Town and generally encouraging the development of the local economy to make the Town a better place to work and live.

The Planning Department, Longford Town Council, is also responsible for implementing the provisions of the Planning & Development Acts 2000 and regulations made there under.

This involves the preparation and review of Longford Town Development Plan, the consideration of planning applications, the control of development and the enforcement of planning legislation. In addition the Department provides advice on planning matters to the public and to other Council Departments.

The Development Plan

The Planning and Development Act 2000, requires each Planning Authority to prepare a development plan every six years. The making of a Plan or any variation of a Plan is a function reserved to the elected members of the Council.
The Development Plan consists of a written statement and a set of maps. The written statement sets out the general policy of the Council for the development of Longford Town. It includes for the guidance of developers and the general public detailed standards for the control of development and specific objectives for different areas of the Town. The maps illustrate the land use zonings, the location of the protected structures, proposed walking/cycling routes and amenity areas.

The aim of Longford Town’s Development Plan is to set out a framework for the sustainable physical development of the Town, while ensuring the conservation and protection of the built and natural environment. It also aims to carefully consider the needs of all groups and individuals within the Town and to promote equal opportunities.

A copy of the current Town Development Plan 2004-2010 is available for inspection at the Planning Department, Longford Town Council, Market Square, Longford. The public may also purchase copies of the plan.


Applications for Planning Permission and control of Development

Permission must be obtained for the development of land. Development is defined as "the carrying out of any works on, in, or under land, or the making of any material change in the use of any structures or other land." There are many forms of development however, which are exempt from development control, i.e. they do not need planning permission. These are set out in detail in the Planning and Development Act 2000 and in the Planning & Development Regulations, 2001 made by the Minister for the Environment.


The law governing the planning system is set out in the Planning and Development Act, 2000 and Regulations made there under. These may be purchased from the Government Publications Sales Office, Sun Alliance House, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2. Telephone (01) 661 3111.


Note: New Planning Regulations.

AS AND FROM MONDAY 11TH MARCH 2002 NEW REGULATIONS HAVE COME INTO OPERATION REGARDING THE LODGMENT OF PLANNING APPLICATIONS.
These regulations also effect the making of Submissions / Observations and subsequent appeals.

New planning application forms, scales of fees, guidance notes and sample site notices which are to be submitted with Planning Applications on or after March 11th 2002 are available from the Planning Department.

For full details, you are advised to consult the Planning and Development Regulations, 2001 which may be purchased from the Government Publications sales office, Sun Alliance House, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 .


Environmental Impact Statements

Applicants for planning permission for certain types of major developments are now required to submit an Environmental Impact Statement (E.I.S.) with the application.
An Environmental Impact Statement is obligatory for all projects of a type listed in the First Schedule of the European Communities (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 1989 (S.I. No. 349/1989). These include major developments such as hazardous waste disposal installations, power stations, crude oil refineries, chemical installations etc. An E.I.S. must also be prepared for projects which are likely to have significant effects on the environment including mineral extraction, energy projects, processing of metals, manufacture of glass, food industry, textiles, chemicals, leather, wood, paper and rubber industries, and major infrastructural projects.

Where a project is below the threshold of environmental significance, as set out in the in the first schedule of the Regulations, an Environmental Impact Study is still obligatory where the development comprises or is for the purpose of an activity which requires a licence under Part IV of the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992.


Amenities and Buildings

The Town Development Plan 2004-2010 lists structures and buildings, which it is an objective to preserve. These structures and others are included on a record of protected structures. The record of protected structures is available for inspection at the offices of Longford Town Council, Market Square Longford.


The Council is also concerned to preserve and enhance other amenities such as trees, green areas, parks, views and prospects, and the amenity of good design in the existing streetscape of the Town.

To this end the Planning Department has completed improvement schemes for the front and rear of the Market Square and at Centenary Square under the Urban and Village Renewal Grant Scheme. A major environmental improvement scheme is shortly to commence on New Street under the Urban and Village Renewal Grant Scheme.

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