VILLAGE PLANS - Offaly County Council

OFFALY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2009 - 2015
Volume 2 - Settlement Plans
COOLDERRY VILLAGE PLAN
1.0 GENERAL INTRODUCTION AND
DEVELOPMENT CONTEXT
The settlement plans stem directly from the policies
and objectives contained in the County Development
Plan with particular reference to Chapter 4, “Settlement
Strategy” and Chapter 18, “Landuse and Zoning”. This is
to facilitate the growth of a hierarchy of well-planned,
sustainable and complementary settlements
throughout the county presented in a consistent
manner to allow ease of interpretation and
implementation.
Coolderry has been designated as a village within
Offaly’s settlement hierarchy, as set out in Chapter 4 of
the County Development Plan 2009 – 2015. This
settlement plan along with the zoning map is seen as a
specific view of the village so that development
pressures can be focused and properly managed in
order that the settlement can fulfil this role effectively.
1.1 Location
Coolderry is a small roadside settlement located
alongside a county road approximately 8kms north of
Roscrea, 11kms south of Birr and 43kms south-west of
Tullamore.
Census 2006 states the DED population for Ettagh,
within which Coolderry lies, as 433 people. However, it
is estimated that the population within the village
boundary at 2007 (see plan) is approximately 80 people,
with a further 20 in the immediate environs. Coolderry
has basically evolved as a small settlement around the
Church serving the local rural area.
While development has been relatively slow in the
recent past, there has been an upturn recently with
approximately 20+ additional units coming on stream.
It is recognised that an appropriate amount of
development could be harnessed to overcome
infrastructural constraints and contribute positively to
the proper planning and sustainable growth of this
area.
1.2 Settlement Form
The local Church was the focal point for the surrounding
rural area and when other facilities/services came
forward (e.g. national school, GAA) it was logical to
locate them nearby. This in turn generated some
residential development, which resulted in a small,
rather dispersed, linear settlement.
1.3 Context
Coolderry has been designated as a village within
Offaly’s settlement hierarchy, as set out in the County
Development Plan 2009 – 2015, Chapter 4, Settlement
Strategy. A development boundary has been identified
for Coolderry and is shown on the accompanying map.
It is intended that the area delineated will: -
• Foster the creation of a more coherent
settlement with adequate critical mass to
maintain / improve local service provision.
• Cater for a number of small in-depth housing
schemes and commercial development, which
are appropriate in terms of scale, use and location
within the village.
• Contain development in order to bring some
form to the settlement and engender a sense of
place.
2.0 SERVICES AND SOCIAL
INFRASTRUCTURE
2.1 Water Supply
Coolderry is supplied from a public scheme. This is
currently at capacity and this will have to be addressed
in order for development to proceed. To this end, it is
proposed that new sources and plant be brought
forward. Coolderry is included in the current ‘Group
Towns and Villages’ preliminary report on water which is
expected in mid 2008.
2.2 Waste Water
Coolderry is serviced by a small waste water treatment
plant and while this will require attention, as above,
there is scope to expand the facility.
February 2009 | Coolderry Village Plan | page 86