Longford County Council is nearly at the fourth stage in the Longford (Draft) County Development Plan 2021-2027. Following due process the plan has already been through two stages of Public Consultation during which the public were expected to make submission regarding any proposed re-zoning or development anticipated in during the period 2021-2027.
There were two submission made applying for rezoning in Ardagh village:
From the submission:
t is our professional opinion that the 3 No. dwelling houses, i.e. the 2 No. gate lodges and the main dwelling house (Ardagh House) itself, as shown denoted with the letters “A”, “B” & “C” respectively on the attached Zoning Map in Appendix B should be zoned “Residential” as the 2 No. gate houses are currently occupied as dwelling houses and the owners intends to renovate Ardagh House so it can be used as a residential dwelling house again in due course.
DCDP-40 requests a change of land zoning from “Tourism” and the identification of two gate houses and the main dwelling house Ardagh House should be zoned as “Residential”.
The rationale supporting this submission includes:
- The two gate houses are currently in residential use.
- The owners of the occupied gate house propose to renovate the Ardagh House as a residential dwelling.
- …the existing Ardagh House and the two gate houses be zoned Existing Residential in order to reflect their existing use.
From the submission:
In addition to the above it is our professional opinion that the wording for the “Tourism” zoning should be changed to allow for agricultural development to take place on any such lands.
The reason being is that the owners are currently farming the landholding at this location and use the outhouses for agricultural purposes. The owners intend to construct a milking parlour subject to obtaining the necessary consents at this location.
The definition of the land zoning should be changed in order to include Agricultural use, the landowners farm the lands and use the outbuildings for agricultural purposes. The landowners are proposing to construct a milking parlour on the site.
- The zoning of the lands as “Tourism” within the Ardagh settlement is intended to protect the amenity value of the subject lands and the protected structures including the architecturally important structures located on-site including the main house and the gate houses as identified in the submission.
- The proposed zoning of Tourism lands seeks to extend the accessibility to the subject lands and providing opportunities to consider the renovation and protection of the subject lands and buildings.
- The zoning of the lands as “Tourism” within the Ardagh settlement is intended to protect the amenity value of the subject lands and the protected structures including the architecturally important structures located on-site including the main house and the gate houses as identified in the submission.
- The proposed zoning of Tourism lands seeks to extend the accessibility to the subject lands and providing opportunities to consider the renovation and protection of the subject lands and buildings.
- The use of the lands for agricultural purposes would be considered a complementary and appropriate use for the lands. Any proposed development and extension of the agricultural activities as suggested would need to be considered on its merits and in respect of the land holding and ownership of the prospective applicant.
- The zoning of the subject lands for Tourism uses was a legacy from the previous County Development and was proposed to seek the alternative use of the Ardagh House. The Council consider that the proposed zoning of the lands Tourism to not be required and the lands re-zoned to Agricultural use, given the existing use of the lands.
DCDP – 92 Submission to County Deveopment Plan 2021-2027 – Rezoning
