VILLAGE PLANS - Offaly County Council

OFFALY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2009 - 2015
Volume 2 - Settlement Plans
MOUNTBOLUS 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.
Mountbolus 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
Mountbolus is a small village located approximately
13km from Tullamore, and 8km from Kilcormac. The
rural setting affords a pleasant prospect of the Slieve
Bloom Mountains to the south.
Mountbolus straddles the boundary between the
Killoughy and Rathrobin Electoral Divisions. While
these two DEDs have populations of 628 and 421
respectively (Census 2006), it is estimated that the
village has approximately 150 people within the
boundary (see plan) with a further 60 in the immediate
environs. Mountbolus houses some services for the
surrounding area.
Development has been very slow in Mountbolus in the
recent past. One reason for this is the lack of capacity in
the sewerage treatment facilities. However, 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 original settlement is likely to have developed as a
small cluster at the junction. Subsequent expansion has
in the main, taken the form of linear development along
the constituent roads although there is some backland
development in the north east. This 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
Mountbolus has been designated as a village within
Offaly’s settlement hierarchy, as set out in the County
Development Plan 2009 – 2015. A development
boundary has been identified for Mountbolus 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 also commercial 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.
2.0 SERVICES & SOCIAL
INFRASTRUCTURE
2.1 Water Supply
A public water supply is available to serve development
within the village. It will require upgrading as there is a
limited supply. The scheme is included in the ‘Group
Towns and Villages’ preliminary report on water and
waste water.
2.2 Waste Water
The main sewer runs from east to west along the L02014
road then south along the lane to the east of the Church
to the treatment plant which is currently at capacity. An
February 2009 | Mountbolus Village Plan | page 116