Section 6.0 Rural Development

• Agricultural buildings/ structures be sited as unobtrusively as possible, and
• The design, scale, siting and layout of agricultural buildings should respect, and where possible, enhance the rural environment.
• Appropriate materials and colours are used. The use of dark colours, notably, dark green/reds and greys are most suitable for farm buildings.
• The planting of shelter belts will be required to screen large scale sheds and structures.
• Buildings should generally be located a minimum of 100metres from the nearest dwelling other than the applicants dwelling.
• The Council will generally seek to cluster agricultural buildings and structures together, and siting to assimilate effectively into the landscape.
• Any proposals for farmyard developments must make provision for runoff, and where there is a danger of groundwater or surface water contamination, the Council will require appropriate treatment of runoff. The Council shall have regard to the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2009 (S.I 101 of 2009) in relation to acceptable agricultural practice standards.

• The business is a start-up, micro enterprise and there are intrinsic links between the proposed development and its location and/or cottage industry;
• All applicable development control standards are satisfied;
• The proposal does not adversely affect traffic safety;
• For ‘cottage industries’, limited retailing may be provided for;
• The proposed building/use does not impact negatively on adjoining land uses;
• The proposal is accompanied by a business plan; and
• The proposed building/use would not detract materially from the rural character or residential amenity of the area.

• The type of business proposed;
• The nature and extent of the work;
• The proposed times of operation;
• Anticipated levels of traffic generated by the proposal, accessibility, and car-parking;
• The effects on the amenities of the adjoining occupiers particularly in relation to hours of work, noise and general disturbance;
• Members of the public in terms of numbers coming and going from the premises; at what times; car-parking/traffic/noise generated from visiting members of the public;
• Whether the proposals require deliveries to be received & how this will be dealt with; and,
• Arrangements for storage and collection of waste.

Details which should be submitted by the applicant as part of proposal:

• Map detailing total site area, area of excavation, any ancillary proposed development and nearest dwelling and/or any other development within 1km of the application site.
• Description of the aggregate to be extracted, method of extraction, any ancillary processes (crushing etc), equipment to be used, stockpiles, storage of soil and overburden and storage of waste materials.
• Total and annual tonnage of extracted aggregates, expected life time of the extraction, maximum extent and depth of working and a phasing programme.
• Details of water courses, water table depth and hydrological impacts, natural and cultural heritage impacts, traffic impact and waste management.
• Assessment of cumulative impact when taken with any other extractive operations in the vicinity.
• Likely environmental effects, proposed mitigation measures and restoration.

• Details of any possible impacts and proposed mitigation measures on any Geological or Archaeological Heritage sites.

• Detailed Rehabilitation and after-care proposals. These should include a report with plans and section drawings, detailing the following:
  • Anticipated finished landform and surface/landscape treatments (both of each phase proposed (where applicable) and the excavation as a whole),
  • Quality and condition of topsoil and overburden,
  • Rehabilitation works proposed,
  • Type and location of any vegetation proposed,
  • Proposed method of funding and delivery of restoration/reinstatement works etc.
• Current Legal Planning Status of the Existing Development (Quarry/Sand and Gravel Pit).
• Justification on need for the development proposed, the extent of existing authorised quarry supplies available, and the impact of the development on the local environment.
• Limited duration on permissions may be provided to allow for the re-evaluation of the development in light of unforeseen environmental implications and in light of changes in environmental standards, and technology.

Where it is proposed to reclaim, regenerate or rehabilitate old quarries by filling or re-grading with inert soil or similar material, or to use worked-out quarries as disposal locations for inert materials, the acceptability of the proposal shall be evaluated against the following key criteria:

• The impact of the proposal on the landscape.
• Any possible loss of biodiversity that may have developed in the worked-out quarry.
• The impact such proposals may have on natural ground and surface water flows or networks in the area and the potential to give rise to flooding or new surface water flows onto adjoining lands or roads.
• The suitability of the road network in the area to accommodate the traffic flows of heavy vehicles that may be generated.

The Council will resist development that would significantly or unnecessarily alter the natural landscape and topography, including land infilling/reclamation projects or projects involving significant landscape remodeling, unless it can be demonstrated that the development would enhance the landscape and / or not give rise to adverse impacts.

• Avoid planting in geometric shapes, particularly in upland areas;
• Felling shall be phased rather than clear felling;
• The edge of the afforestation shall relate to landscape features and not to contours or straight lines;
• The convergence of the forest edge and the skyline shall be avoided;
• On steep slopes above the 300m contour line new afforestation will be strongly discouraged and where possible existing areas under forestry will be reduced and / or redesigned following clearfell;
• Applications for afforestation shall incorporate planting of broadleaf, indigenous species, as well as opportunities for habitat linkage and wider eco-services; and,
• Access to forestry for walking routes, biking trails and other non-noise generating recreational activities will be encouraged.