Built Heritage

County Longford has a rich built heritage, ranging from modest cottages and thatched houses, beautiful bridges, inspiring churches to the most important country houses designed by notable architects such as James Gandon. Much of this built heritage has influenced our countryside and has given our towns and villages their distinctive character.

Many of the most interesting and important structures in the county are protected by their inclusion on the Record of Protected Structures (RPS) in the Longford County Development Plan 2021-2027 (Volume Two Appendix, Appendix Six). This starts at page 153 of the linked document. This appendix also includes:

Recorded Monuments under Preservation Order in County Longford
Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) in County Longford
Recorded Monuments in State Ownership in County Longford
Longford County Architectural Conservation Areas
Longford County Record of Protected Structures
Longford Town Record of Protected Structures
Granard Record of Protected Structures
Ballymahon Record of Protected Structures
Edgeworthstown Record of Protected Structures
Lanesborough Record of Protected Structures
Ardagh Record of Protected Structures
List of Record of Protected Structures - begins at page 165 of the linked document

Protected Structures

Build heritage includes the protection of structures of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Acts, 1963 to 1999. Below is a practical guide to frequently asked question regarding protected structures. However, this is not a definitive legal interpretation of planning law. For further information, contact Longford County Council Planning section.

What laws are there in relation to the preservation of historic buildings?

The Local Government (Planning and Development) Acts, 1963 to 1999. Under new arrangements which came into operation on 1 January 2000, the system of listing buildings has been replaced with strengthened procedures for the preservation of protected structures and structures in architectural conservation areas.

What is a protected structure?

A protected structure is a structure that a local authority considers to be of special interest from an architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical point of view. Details of protected structures are entered by the authority in its Record of Protected Structures, which is part of the Development Plan. Each owner and occupier of a protected structure is legally obliged to ensure that the structure is preserved.

What parts of a protected structure must be preserved?

The obligation to preserve a protected structure applies to all parts of the structure, including its interior, all land around it, and any other structures on that land. The obligation also applies to all fixtures and fittings forming part of the interior of a protected structure or of any structure on land around it.

How does a structure become a protected structure?

If immediately before 1 January 2000, a structure was listed for preservation or protection in a development plan, that structure automatically became a protected structure on that date (see section 9 below for more information). Otherwise, a local authority must follow certain procedures if it proposes to deem a structure to be a protected structure. These involve notifying the owners and occupiers of the structure, the relevant government minister, currently the Minister for the Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and other bodies of the proposal. An owner or occupier is entitled to make comments on such a proposal to the authority. These comments are taken into account before the authority's elected members decide whether or not the structure should become a protected structure.

What obligations fall on owners and occupiers to ensure the preservation of protected structures?

Each owner and occupier must ensure that a protected structure or any element of a protected structure is not endangered through harm, decay or damage, whether over a short or long period, through neglect or through direct or indirect means.

Do special procedures apply to protected structures under the planning system?

Yes. Under the planning system, many minor works to structures do not normally require planning permission. These works are known as exempted development. However, for a protected structure, such works can be carried out without planning permission only if the works would not affect the character of the structure or any element of the structure that contributes to its special interest. Depending on the nature of the structure, planning permission could, for example, be required for interior decorating such as plastering or painting. A declaration from the local authority is necessary as to the type of works which would or would not materially affect the character of the structure (see section 7 below).

How does an owner or occupier know which works require planning permission?

An owner or occupier of a protected structure may request the local authority to issue a declaration indicating the types of works that could be carried out without affecting the character of the structure or any element of the structure which contributes to its special interest. These works would not require planning permission. A local authority will, in general, issue such a declaration within three months of receiving a request.

How does an owner or an occupier apply for planning permission to carry out works to a protected building?

A planning application involving a protected structure is generally made in the same way as any other planning application. However, additional information must be submitted with the application and the relevant newspaper and site notices must indicate that the application relates to a protected structure. The local authority will consult other bodies, including the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Heritage Council and An Taisce, before making a decision on the application. More information on applying for planning permission is contained in the leaflets on the planning system issued by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

How do the new laws apply to buildings that are listed for preservation in a development plan before 31 December 1999?

Where immediately before 1 January 2000 a building was listed for preservation or protection in a development plan, that building automatically became a protected structure on that date. Under transitional arrangements, the local authority is required to notify the owners and occupiers of the structure of the new legal requirements. An owner or occupier is entitled to object to the inclusion of the structure in the Record of Protected Structures. The elected members will consider any such objections before deciding whether the structure should continue to be included in the Record of Protected Structures.

Are there any measures in place to assist owners and occupier to preserve a protected structure?

Yes. A scheme of grants is operated by county councils and county borough corporations, to assist the owner or occupier of a protected structure to undertake necessary works to secure its conservation. Each local authority will prioritise applications on the basis of its Scheme of Priorities. Full details of the scheme are available from the relevant authorities.

Do local authorities have special powers in relation to protected structures?

Yes. A local authority may:

require an owner or an occupier of a protected structure to carry out works if it considers that the structure is or may become endangered
require an owner or an occupier of a protected structure to carry out works if it considers that character of the structure ought to be restored
acquire, by agreement or compulsorily, a protected structure if it considers that this is desirable or necessary in relation to the protection of the structure

Where a local authority requires works to be carried out to prevent a protected structure from becoming or continuing to be endangered, the owner or occupier concerned may be eligible for a grant under the scheme of grants for the conservation of protected structures.

What is an Architectural Conservation Area?

An Architectural Conservation Area is known as an ACA for short. This is a place, area, group of structures or townscape which is of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest or contributes to the appreciation of protected structures. This could include, for example, a terrace of houses, buildings surrounding a square, or any group of buildings which together give a special character to an area. An architectural conservation area may or may not include protected structures. Planning permission must be obtained before significant works can be carried out to the exterior of a structure in an architectural conservation area.

Are owners and occupiers liable to penalties if they fail to meet their obligations in relation to protected structures or structures in an architectural conservation area?

Yes. A fine of up to €1 million and €10,000 for each day of a continuing offence and/or a term of imprisonment of up to 5 years can be imposed on an owner or an occupier for

endangering a protected structure, or
failing to carry out works, ordered by a local authority, to a protected structure or a structure in an architectural conservation area.