VILLAGE PLANS - Offaly County Council

OFFALY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2009 - 2015
Volume 2 - Settlement Plans
maintain / improve local service provision.
• Enable some of the “outlying” development to be
incorporated into the village fabric.
• Cater for a number of small in-depth schemes.
• Consolidate development within the delineated
village boundary in order to protect the area of
high amenity within which the village is set.
2.0 SERVICES AND SOCIAL
INFRASTRUCTURE
2.1 Water Supply
Rahan is serviced by the Rahan public water supply and
this scheme requires upgrading. It has been included in
Offaly County Council’s Water Services Investment
Programme 2005–2007, with regard to the preparation
of a feasibility study in respect of upgrading under the
Grouped Towns and Villages Scheme. Permitted
development will be contingent on on-going
improvement works and the provision of an adequate
water supply.
2.2 Waste Water
There is a small wastewater treatment plant located on
lands immediately south of College View residential
estate which has approximately a 120PE (population
equivalent) capacity and currently serves this village.
However, this plant is nearing capacity and future
development permitted will be contingent on the
provision of adequate wastewater treatment facilities.
The future development of Rahan village may
necessitate the identification of a more suitable site for
the provision of a treatment plant for the village. Rahan
is included in the WSIP for 2007-2009 for upgrading and
improvement works.
2.3 Other Services
a) Social and Community Infrastructure
Rahan village contains an ‘All-Boys’ national school and
a community centre. A licensed premises is situated
along the canal within 1 kilometre of the proposed
village boundary and a GAA pitch and ancillary facilities
are located to the east of the proposed village
boundary of Rahan.
A number of local grocers and a post office previously
operated in this village but ceased operation in recent
years. Killina, situated within 2 kilometres of Rahan, acts
as a local services centre for the residents of Rahan (i.e.
national school, secondary school, Roman Catholic
Church).
b) Roads and Transport Infrastructure
Rahan village is located on a local road which connects
the R436 (Ballycumber to Clara Road) with the N52
(Tullamore to Kilcormac Road). As development occurs,
access routes to backlands may be required to allow for
comprehensive, orderly development within the village
boundary. New roads, which are necessary to serve indepth
development in Rahan will be required to be
designed and constructed to a high standard, in order
to provide an attractive and safe environment.
The speed limit in place within Rahan village is currently
50 km/hr.
2.4 Other Features
• Grand Canal and its banks – attractiveness for
tourism and recreational use.
• Clodiagh River – access provided at Rahan Bridge
– fishing / walking.
• Rahan Bridge – Attractive stone bridge which has
been recorded in the record of protected
structures.
• St. Carthach’s Church (and Abbey) – Important
archaeological and historical site – immediately
south of Rahan village – ruins of ancient church,
abbey, and cemetery.
• Tullybeg demesne – This comprises an attractive
demesne landscape and contains a protected
structure. An alignment of mature trees and an
attractive stonewall enclose this site.
• Attractive old stonewalls and hedgerows.
3.0 KEY MESSAGES FOR RAHAN
a) Rahan shall be developed in a properly planned
and coherent manner, with Rahan Bridge as its
focal point. Consolidation of the existing radial
pattern of development along constituent routes
is necessary in engendering a greater sense of
place. Policies and objectives with regard to
village development are contained in the County
Development Plan, Volume 1, Chapter 4.
b) Promotion of low-density linear or clustered style
development within the village, with the
exception of slightly tighter knit development in
the core.
February 2009 | Rahan Village Plan | page 135