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Home My WebLink About2660140 - Planners Report1 MONAGHAN COUNTY COUNCIL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REPORT File Ref: 2660140 (Grant) Applicant: Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board Development: retention of the existing single storey sports hall and associated site works at Tonnagh Rd., Rockcorry, Co. Monaghan Location: Tonnagh Rockcorry, Co. Monaghan 1. Date of Site Inspection 12/05/2026 1.1 Site Notice & Photos Site Notice in order 12/05/2026 2.0 Characteristics of Site/Area • 8.050ha Site Area • The site consists of an established outdoor education centre • The site is access from a Regional Road (R-188-0). • Development is within in c55m of a NIHA RPS Recommendation (Ref no. 41402221). The proposed development will not have an impact of the structure. Site Location Plan 2 3.0 Site History 20/121 - Cavan and Monaghan ETB Permission to erect a single storey temporary sports hall and associated site works Permission – Granted 19/370 - Cavan and Monaghan ETB permission to demolish existing derelict buildings formerly used as Department of Defence living quarters and deconsecrated Church, demolished material from this building on site and re-use to fill in excavated and low level areas, re-contour the ground back to reflect the existing surrounding site topography and all associated site works. Significant further information relates to 19/370 and has been submitted Permission – Granted 14/41 - Cavan and Monaghan ETB RETAIN and complete a prefabricated training building with ancillary car parking area and to erect a high wire adventure course together with all ancillary site works Permission – Granted 13/68 - Monaghan VEC Demolish existing derelict building formerly used as "Department of Defence living quarters", crush demolished material from this building on site and re-use to fill in excavated and low level areas, re-contour the ground back to reflect the existing surrounding site topography and erect a 4 No. classroom prefabricated school building with 3 ancillary car parking area, widen existing access driveway and erect new gates and piers and create off site car parking area to existing site entrance and all ancillary site works. Permission – Granted 13/189 - Dawn Emma Barker change site boundaries to that granted permission ref 12/319. Permission to RETAIN changes to footprint of proposed structure and to make changes to elevations of dwelling house Permission – Granted 4.0 Consultee/Referral Responses MD: Report dated 26/05/2026. No objections Roads: Report dated 11/05/2026. No objections Fire: Report dated 14/05/2026. No objections subject to conditions. DHLGH: No response at time of writing report. IFI: No response at time of writing report. An Taisce: No response at time of writing report. 5.0 Objections/Representation Received No objections or representations received. 6.0 Pre-Planning Meetings Yes, discussion between Agent and Planner (Liam Ward) dated 26/03/2026. 7.0 Planning Assessment 7.1 Proposed Development This is an application for Permission for: 1. retention of the existing single storey sports hall and associated site works at Tonnagh Rd., Rockcorry, Co. Monaghan Proposed Site Layout 4 7.2 Development Plan Policy/Ministerial Guidelines Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 - 2031 • Section 6.7 Natura 2000 Sites and Appropriate Assessment • Section 15.11 Civic and Community Facilities • Section 15.22.2 Residential Amenity • Section 15.22.4 Landscaping and Boundary Treatment • Section 15.22.8 Flood Zones and Appropriate Uses 7.3 Assessment The proposal will be considered against the following policies and objectives contained in the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 - 2031. Natura 2000 Sites and Appropriate Assessment (Section 6.7) Under Article 6(3) of the EU Habitats Directive and Regulation 30 of SI no. 94/1997 “European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations” (1997) any plan or project which has the potential to significantly impact on the integrity of a Natura 2000 site (i.e. an SAC or SPA) must be subject to an Appropriate Assessment. This requirement is also detailed under Section 177(U) of the Planning and Development Acts (2000-2010). Policy HCLP1 of MCDP 2025-2031 states: “No projects giving rise to significant cumulative, direct, indirect or secondary impacts on Natura 2000 sites arising from their size or scale, land take, proximity, resource requirements, emissions (disposal to land, water or air), transportation requirements, duration of construction, operation, decommissioning or from any other effects shall be permitted on the basis of this plan (either individually or in combination with other plans or projects6)”. The subject site is not located within 15km of Natura 2000 Sites in Co. Monaghan, namely Sliabh Beagh SPA and Kilroosky Lough SAC. The site is also not located within 15km of any Natura 2000 Sites outside County Monaghan either in Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland.There are no significant watercourses located within close proximity to the site and no known pathway connectors with the Natura 2000 network. Having regard to cumulative effects of both the proposed development and any other plan or project, it is the opinion of the planning authority that the development is not of a nature or scale to have any significant effects on the integrity of any Natura 2000 sites and therefore a Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment is not required in respect of this project. Planning Principle Civic and Community Facilities (Section 15.11 and Policy CFP 1) Favourable consideration will be given to proposals for community facilities on suitable sites within all land use zoning categories where such a proposal is suitably located within the settlement boundary and is easily accessible for all sections of the community. Development proposals for new social and community infrastructure/service-related development (healthcare, sports/recreational facilities, playgrounds, community resource buildings, education facilities, burial grounds, etc) shall be normally acceptable where: a) It is located within the settlement boundaries. An alternative location on the fringes of the settlements which is within walking distance of local services may be considered acceptable where it is clearly demonstrated that there are no suitable sites available within the settlement, and a strong justification is given for the development of such a particular site. b) It is in close proximity to existing rural infrastructure (schools, sports facilities, churches etc) where it is demonstrated that the development is intended to serve a rural need or where there is no site available which meet the locational criteria set out in (a) above. 5 c) (a) and (b) above shall be subject to relevant Development Management requirements and technical criteria of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031. • The proposed development is located within the confines of the established Outdoor Education and Training Centre. The development proposed comprises as follows: o retention of the existing single storey sports hall • Within the parameter of Policy CFP 1 and having regard to the planning history and established nature of the outdoor education centre, the proposal is considered acceptable. Development Contribution Section 19(a) of the General Development Contribution Scheme 2021 - 2026 (as amended) states; “100% exemption from development contribution charges with respect of Community, Recreation and Amenity Facilities in relation to development by or on behalf of a voluntary organisation which is designed or intended to be used for social, recreational, educational, cultural or religious purposes by the inhabitants of a locality, or by people of a particular group or religious denomination and is not to be used mainly for profit or gain”. The proposed development qualifies for the 100% exemption from Development Contributions. Conclusion The proposed development accords with the relevant provisions of Section 15 of Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031 and the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. A Grant of Permission, subject to Conditions, is recommended. Recommendation A Grant of Permission, subject to Conditions, is recommended subject to compliance with the conditions set out below it is considered that the proposed development accords with both the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025- 2031 and the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. 1. The development shall be retained in accordance with plans and documentation submitted to the Planning Authority on 15/04/2026, except as may otherwise be required in order to comply with the above conditions. Reason: To ensure a satisfactory standard of development. ________________ Liam Ward Assistant Planner 29/05/2026