VILLAGE PLANS - Offaly County Council

OFFALY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2009 - 2015
Volume 2 - Settlement Plans
5.6 Zoning Objectives
Lands within the village boundary are formally zoned
under this plan. The zoning objectives are those
contained within the County Development Plan
2009 – 2015.
In the case of ‘residential’ zoning, no maximum or
minimum densities are specified in this plan. However,
this zoning will accommodate the more mainstream
types of development and particular regard will be had
to standards contained in the County Development
Plan 2009-2015, Chapter 19, Built Form and the
Residential Density Guidelines, (Department of the
Environment, Sept. 1999), or any reviews thereof.
5.7 Map Annotation- Guidance &
Requirements for Development
1. The Council considers that these areas, which
include two land blocks zoned as ‘other
settlement land’ could be reinforced / developed
to form elements of a ‘core’ for the village.
Integrated and connected development is a
priority for these zones, in conjunction with the
area zoned for residential use in between and
consequently, land owners/development
interests are advised to liase at an early stage.
This area, zoned for “other settlement land”,
should be the subject of a comprehensive master
plan which should address the following issues:
• Mix of land uses, in particular provision of
development which would generate
employment opportunities.
• An element of shelterbelt planting to the
western edge.
Red Arrows indicate preferred locations for access
points to link over time to adjacent lands so that
they may be developed in a coherent and
properly planned manner.
Development on lands marked 2(a) requires an
attractive prospect to the public road perhaps by
means of a linear, planted open space buffer
along the front boundary and very high quality
designs facing the road. Access must be provided
at southwest corner for possible future access to
lands to west and southwest.
Development on lands marked 2(b) should be
“low profile” houses, i.e. less visually intrusive as
these lands are quite elevated.
3. Any residential development on this backland
site must satisfy the Council that satisfactory
access can be achieved, that there will be a
substantial open space buffer along the northern
boundary (adjacent to the Glebe walk) and that
the attractiveness of the Glebe walk is not
compromised. It is considered that rear or side
walls of dwellings facing the Glebe walk are not
appropriate.
Furthermore, as this area also includes part of the
village core, the Council would be prepared to consider
innovative designs if it can be shown that any increase
in numbers would lead to a tighter grain being
achieved along with added interest and variety being
brought to the village. To this end, landowners /
development interests are advised to work together.
2. The Council considers that these areas should
accommodate new housing development in the
village. It is expected that any proposed scheme
should have regard to variety in its design and
range from conventional design through to
innovative designs as well as provision for the
inclusion of plots for individual units.
February 2009 | Geashill Village Plan | page 96