Sunday, 12 November 2006

Architectural Conservation Areas and Irish planning

Architectural Conservation Areas and Irish planning

In recognition of the importance of certain locations to Ireland’s architectural heritage, it is now possible to designate an Architectural Conservation Area (Section 81 of the Planning and Development Act 2000).

81.—(1) A development plan shall include an objective to preserve the character of a place, area, group of structures or townscape, taking account of building lines and heights, that is of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest or value, or contributes to the appreciation of protected structures, if the planning authority is of the opinion that its inclusion is necessary for the preservation of the character of the place, area, group of structures or townscape concerned and any such place, area, group of structures or townscape shall be known as and is in this Act referred to as an "architectural conservation area".

Exempted or any other type of development work is only allowed in such areas in they do not materially affect the character of the area. A planning authority may acquire, by agreement or compulsorily, any land situated within an architectural conservation area, for preservation, regeneration, or development.

For example, the following Architectural Conservation Areas are established under the provisions of Part IV of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 in Limerick: Abbeyfeale, Adare, Askeaton, Castleconnell, Castletroy, Croom, Kilmallock, Newcastle West. And other ACAs are established around Adare Manor, Ballysteen House and Glin Castle.

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