VILLAGE PLANS - Offaly County Council

OFFALY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2009 - 2015
Volume 2 - Settlement Plans
MUCKLAGH 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.
Mucklagh 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
Mucklagh is located alongside the N52, approximately
5kms southwest of Tullamore.
The 2006 Census states that the population for
Screggan DED, within which Mucklagh lies, was 1,339
people. However, it is estimated that the population
within the village boundary of Mucklagh at 2007 (see
plan) is approximately 700-800 people, with a further
170 in the immediate environs.
Development pressures in Mucklagh have been
increasing over the past 5 years or so to the extent that
the wastewater treatment facilities are now running at
capacity.
1.2 Settlement Form
The original form primarily included some sporadic
roadside development i.e. houses, farms etc. but due to
its proximity to Tullamore and the demand it generated,
the area was subject to linear development alongside
the N52. Measuring approximately 1.6 kms in length
along the N52, the settlement at Mucklagh is extremely
long with very little depth.
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
Mucklagh has been designated as a village within
Offaly’s settlement hierarchy, as set out in Chapter 4 of
the County Development Plan 2009 – 2015. The primary
aim of this plan is to consolidate the settlement as a
stand-alone ‘Village’, separate from Tullamore and to set
the framework for the provision of commercial / social
development primarily to facilitate the existing
population rather than provide for significant levels of
additional housing. A development boundary has been
identified for Mucklagh Village 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 small number of small in-depth
housing schemes.
• Encourage commercial development, which is
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
The water supply in Mucklagh is serviced by the Rahan
Water Supply Scheme which is a public water supply. All
new developments shall be connected to the public
mains. Where a development proposal precedes
adequate availability of water supply, special
February 2009 | Mucklagh Village Plan | page 122