Retaining community zoning for Edenville House 'vital'
Edenville House in Roscommon Town. Pic: Paula T. Nolan
The current community zoning for Edenville House must be retained, a former county councillor has said.
Under a proposed variation to the Roscommon County Development Plan 2022-2028, the historic site would change from community infrastructure to outer core. Edenville House was built in 1702 as a cavalry military barracks, and has been in the ownership of Roscommon County Council since 1990.
The proposed variations are primarily in response to the revised National Planning Framework and new housing growth requirements guidelines.
In her submission on the variation, former county councillor Orla Leyden said it was “vital” that Edenville House and its ancillary buildings, Ardnanagh, Roscommon Town, retain their current zoning “in order to maximise the chances of developing it into a multi-purpose community facility for creative, cultural, social, community, educational and recreational purposes”.
“The revitalization of Edenville House would provide a massive boost for the local community and economy. If the zoning designation changes to ‘Outer Core’, it will weaken the case for a community focused development of Edenville House and complex,” she said. She argued that the ‘community infrastructure’ zoning signalled “the intent to safeguard Edenville’s heritage and unlock its full potential for community use”.
Reflecting its historical significance, Edenville House and its ancillary buildings were designated as an Architectural Conservation Area in the Roscommon Town Local Area Plan 2024 – 2030, the former councillor continued.
She argued that the proposal was “entirely inconsistent and unjustified”, citing a number of reasons, including that part 8 planning permission was approved in August 2025 to develop Edenville House as a multi-purpose community facility. She said that a decision on a capital funding application for this project was also pending with the Department of Local Government.
Furthermore, €100,000 of public funding was spent recently on developing the Roscommon Town Integrated Urban Strategy, which identified Edenville House as the preferred heritage building to be brought back to community use, she said.
“Critically, members of the community and representatives of community groups spent a lot of voluntary time and effort expressing their strong views during the consultation phase of the Roscommon Town Integrated Urban Strategy.”
It was vital that the views of the public are respected and not overturned indiscriminately, Ms Leyden said.
“Otherwise, public confidence in the local authority becomes eroded with the community less likely to trust and engage in future consultations.”
She asked that people make their views on the proposed variations known before the deadline of Monday July 6th at 4pm. Details on the variations can be found .
