VILLAGE PLANS - Offaly County Council

OFFALY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2009 - 2015
Volume 2 - Settlement Plans
GEASHILL 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, “Land Use 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.
Geashill 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
Geashill is an attractive village located at the crossroads
formed by the R420 (Tullamore–Portarlington road)
and the Ballinagar-Kilcavan road. It is located
approximately 12 kilometres east of Tullamore and 14
kilometres west of Portarlington.
The population as of 2006 is 1,449 people for the
Geashill district electoral division and it is estimated
that approximately 500 people are located within the
village boundary (refer to map) by the existing housing
stock (c.350 persons) in addition to the two new
housing developments under construction (2007)
(c.165 persons) to the north and south of the cross
roads.
While development has primarily facilitated local need
in Geashill in recent years, there is a scheme of 40
houses nearing completion and another of 15 units
commenced in late 2006. It is recognised that an
appropriate amount of development could be
harnessed and contribute positively to the proper
planning and sustainable growth of this area. However,
it must be recognised that excessive residential growth
rates would not be prudent having regard to the
existing character of Geashill. Housing developments
under construction in 2007 alone will potentially
provide for an increase in population of approximately
30%.
1.2 Settlement Form
The original settlement which dates back to the 12th
century was probably a small cluster at the crossroads
near the first, timber built, Norman castle. The village, as
we know it today dates primarily from the early 19th
century where it was laid out around the village green.
This was in turn heavily improved during the latter part
of that century. More recent development has been
mainly linear in form along the constituent roads. The
settlement is low rise and low density, with a number of
different building styles in evidence, although the
original core has a slightly tighter grain and more
vernacular style.
The settlement is low rise and low density, with a variety
of different suburban building styles in evidence but
with no real centre or core area.
1.3 Context
Geashill has been designated as a Village within Offaly’s
settlement hierarchy, as set out in Chapter 4 of the
County Development Plan 2009 – 2015 and is one of
number of small settlements surrounding Tullamore
which is designated as part of the Midlands Linked
Gateway (Athlone/Tullamore/Mullingar) as per the
National Spatial Strategy. The village will therefore play
a complementary role. However it should not compete
with the gateway and development should be suitably
located and scaled so as to preserve Geashill’s attractive
small village character.
A development boundary has been identified for
Geashill Village and is shown on the accompanying
map. It is intended that the area delineated will: -
• Foster the continuation of a coherent settlement
February 2009 | Geashill Village Plan | page 92