VILLAGE PLANS - Offaly County Council

OFFALY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2009 - 2015
Volume 2 - Settlement Plans
KILLEIGH 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.
Killeigh 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
Killeigh is an attractive village located on the N80
(Tullamore to Portlaoise) road, and is approximately
8kms from Tullamore and 26kms from Portlaoise.
The 2006 census states a population of 1,209 people for
the Killeigh electoral division and it is estimated that
approx. 200 people reside within the village boundary
(see plan) with a further 50 persons approximately in
the immediate environs.
While development has been relatively slow in the
recent past, there has recently (2007) been planning
permission granted for a scheme of 20 houses.
This plan sets the context for the limited growth of the
village in order to sustain existing services, to allow
limited opportunities for new residential and other
development while protecting the existing character of
the village and recognising the significant
archaeological potential of some of lands within the
settlement.
1.2 Settlement Form
Killeigh’s origins lie in the founding of a monastery in
the 6th century and was joined by other religious
elements i.e. an Augustine Convent and Franciscan
Friary by the end of the 13th Century. This religious
activity also engendered a secular element within this
settlement and it was all protected by a double banked
enclosure. Killeigh contains some very significant
archaeological remnants, particularly in the northwest,
southwest and southeast “quadrants” of the settlement
and these have influenced the shape of the zoning plan.
The present day village while still showing elements of
its past has developed around the Fairgreen at the
crossroads. 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.
1.3 Context
Killeigh has been designated as a village within Offaly’s
settlement hierarchy, as set out in Chapter 4 of the
County Development Plan 2009 – 2015. A development
boundary has been identified for Killeigh Village and is
shown on the accompanying map. This is intended to
delineate an area, which 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 also commercial / employment
generating development which is appropriate in
terms of scale, use and location within the
village.
• Contain development in order to enhance the
village and its setting.
February 2009 | Killeigh Village Plan | page 98