Development plan · Westmeath County Council
Westmeath County Development Plan 2021–2027
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards.
Westmeath County Council · 2021–2027 · 634 pages
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- SETTLEMENT PLANS 8 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 250 CPO 8.247 Encourage and facilitate the re-use and regeneration of derelict land and buildings for retail and other town centre uses, with due cognisance to the Sequential Approach prescribed in the Retail Planning Guidelines 2012. 8.5.2.7 Heritage Much of the heritage features associated with Delvin and its surrounds concern built and archaeological elements. Delvin village centre contains many fine examples of built heritage, with the NIAH classifying ten buildings within the village as being of regional importance. The nearby Clonyn Castle is also afforded a regional status due to the Gothic Revival castle’s importance as being one of the last great Victorian country houses to be built in Ireland. Of National status of importance are St. Mary’s Church of Ireland and the Church of the Assumption. The first on account of its historic record, with elements of archaeological significance due to the presence of pre-1700 fabric, with the later transept designed by the noted ecclesiastical architect, Joseph Welland c.1860. Similarly, the Church of the Assumption, a highly accomplished Early French Gothic-style church built circa 1873 to designs by the noted architect G.C. Ashlin. Aside from Delvin Castle and a Motte located to the east behind the Main Street, there are numerous archaeologically significant elements throughout Delvin and its environs. In terms of natural heritage, approximately 2km east of Delvin village centre lies the Stonyford River, a tributary of the River Boyne/River Blackwater Special Area of Conservation. Delvin - Heritage Policy Objectives It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 8.248 Promote and enhance existing archaeological, built and natural heritage elements associated with Delvin and to ensure their protection. CPO 8.249 Support the development of a dedicated Delvin Heritage Trail incorporating the surrounding hinterlands to promote local history and cultural heritage. CPO 8.250 Retain and protect existing Clonyn Estate wall and mature tree line along the R395 approach into the village (See Map 25, Volume 2). CPO 8.251 Support environmental and public realm enhancements in the town together with measures to visually enhance the built form and streetscape.
- SETTLEMENT PLANS 8 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 251 8.5.3 Tyrrellspass 8.5.3.1 Location & Context: Tyrrellspass is located 80 km from Dublin and is situated in the south of the County on the R446 (formerly N6) road. The village has two distinct features, which differentiate it from other villages of linear layout, the green to the centre and the castle to the west. The layout of the village is pleasant with a mature green occupying the prominent central space and many fine late 18th century buildings that front onto the green. According to the Census of Population 2016 Tyrrellspass village had a population of 483 people, which represents a marginal decrease in the population from the previous census. 8.5.3.2 Historical Context & Settlement Form Tyrrellspass is a village, which is rich in history, remnants of which survive in the form of the built environment. Tyrrellspass gets its name from having been for many centuries the residence of the family of Tyrrell, whose castle lies to the west of the village. The castle guarded the only possible road leading to Athlone from the east, with boglands stretching to the north and south. It was here in 1597, during the Nine-Year War, that Tyrell and his ally Owny M’Rory Oge O’Connor, defeated the Elizabethan army led by Sir Croniers Clifford. Over time the land in the vicinity came into the possession of the Rochfort family. It was this family, primarily under the auspices of the Countess of Belvedere, that formally re-designed and built the village that is seen today, with many fine late 18th century dwellings fronting onto a formal green. 8.5.3.3 Social Infrastructure Tyrrellspass has considerable social and community assets including a School, Churches, Nursing Home, Childcare Facilities, Health Centre, Chemist and Post Office. In addition, there are Community groups and activities including Active Retired, Youth Club, Community Alert, GAA, Tidy Towns, Art Club, Bowling Club, IFA, Golf Society, Gun Club, Athletic Club and Gardening Club. The latest enrolment statistics from the Department of Education and Skills indicate that the local primary school, St Anne’s National School had 134 pupils enrolled in 2019. 8.5.3.4 Physical Infrastructure Tyrrellspass is served by an existing wastewater treatment plant located to the north of the town. Water supply is provided by the Mullingar High Level Water Supply Scheme. The village is strategically located on a major inter-urban transport route and has good quality public transport and road links to Dublin. Tyrrellspass to Dublin is served numerous times daily by several public and private bus operators. 8.5.3.5 Function & Vision Tyrrellspass performs important local level residential, retailing and community services to the wider rural hinterland. Opportunity exists to enhance the level of jobs and services in the village by consolidating growth within the existing urban footprint. The plan supports measures to support local
- SETTLEMENT PLANS 8 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 252 employment opportunities and an increase in services, together with measures to visually enhance the public realm and historic character and setting of this settlement. Tyrrellspass - Settlement Plan General Policy Objectives It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 8.252 Promote residential growth, local employment, services and sustainable transport options in Tyrrellspass to enable the village to become more self-sustaining. CPO 8.253 Expand the range of services and facilities available to residents and the wider rural hinterland. CPO 8.254 Make provision for sustainable communities in Tyrrellspass by identifying sufficient land for new development, in particular housing, commercial, community and recreational uses. 8.5.3.6 Sustainable Communities The plan supports new residential development which should respect the character and form of this heritage village. The development strategy for Tyrrellspass is to support new housing and population growth, thus providing a viable alternative to rural one-off housing within the surrounding hinterland and contributing to the principle of compact growth. Building sustainable communities will comprise of developing a mix of housing types, densities and tenure. High quality design, incorporation of the principles of placemaking, green infrastructure, permeability and connectivity alongside the integration of community and recreation facilities will be paramount. This plan also supports the development of a new village park and amenity area, provision of a car park at St Stephen’s Church Graveyard, development of looped walks and cycle links to nearby amenities such as Cloncrow Bog. Tyrrellspass - Sustainable Communities Policy Objectives It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 8.255 Provide for new residential development in accordance with the requirements of the Housing and Core Strategy. CPO 8.256 Require that an appropriate mix of housing type, tenure, density and size is provided in all new residential areas to meet the needs of the population of Tyrrellspass. CPO 8.257 Require proposals for development to demonstrate how they integrate/respond to Green Infrastructure and contribute to the development and protection of overall Green Infrastructure assets.
- SETTLEMENT PLANS 8 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 253 CPO 8.258 Provide for the expansion and development of educational, social, community and recreational facilities in the settlement. CPO 8.259 Support the development of a Village Park and Amenity Area to serve the village which shall be age friendly, safe and secure (See Map 28, Volume 2). CPO 8.260 Support the development of green walking and cycling routes within the village and to the rural hinterlands including areas of interest and attractions. CPO 8.261 Support the development of a Car Park at St Stephen’s Church Cemetery (See Map 28, Volume 2). CPO 8.262 Any proposal for development at these lands shall be accompanied by an Ecological Impact Assessment that considers ecological sensitivities, including those relating to the nearby Cloncrow Bog NHA, and the proposed design of any development. The Ecological Impact Assessment shall demonstrate the compliance of the proposal with the provisions of the Plan relating to biodiversity and flora and fauna; and that the NHA will not be adversely affected by the proposed development (See Map 28, Volume 2). 8.5.3.7 Commercial & Retail Development Tyrrellspass provides a range of retail and other local services, to meet the day-to-day needs of its catchment population. There is a varied retail offer in the settlement with 635m2 of retail floorspace identified within the County Retail Strategy in 2016. Further opportunity exists to enhance the retail profile in the village. In this regard, the Planning Authority will look favourably upon the re-use of vacant sites and buildings for retail purposes. The County Retail Strategy identifies the need for local level convenience and comparison, but not excluding tourism related/niche comparison offer in the town. These policies generally regard the provision of small-scale retail and commercial development outlets which size and scale would be consistent with that of the village. Tyrrellspass - Commercial & Retail Policy Objectives It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 8.263 Sustain, enhance and consolidate the retail and services offer within the central area of Tyrrellspass. CPO 8.264 Encourage and facilitate the re-use and regeneration of derelict land and buildings for retail and other town centre uses, with due cognisance to the Sequential Approach prescribed in the Retail Planning Guidelines 2012.
- SETTLEMENT PLANS 8 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 254 8.5.3.8 Heritage The village has an attractive and distinctive built form. Accordingly, the Village Green and existing buildings framing same have been designated as an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA), in order to protect its character and existing Protected Structures located therein. The special architectural character of the Village Green ACA derives from the curvilinear arrangement of early nineteenthcentury buildings which line the central crescent, dominated by St. Sinian’s Church of Ireland, which takes full advantage of a small hillock. The crescent itself is large enough to accommodate the planting which does not act to obscure vistas across to the buildings. These for the most part retain their Georgian form and where there is an ostensible homogeneity across the assemblage, especially expressed in the three-bay arrangement of the houses on the western side, it is broken up by the former Courthouse and Schoolmaster’s House, both of which are atypical additions to what is a small town. Elsewhere the Georgian idiom is continued on the Main Street, with sufficient detailing surviving, especially in the doorcases, to add interest and variety. Browne’s On The Green has an added significance where it addresses both the crescent and the Main Street and has managed to retain most of its fenestration. Belvedere Orphanage to the northwest of the settlement consists of a residential scheme of architectural merit and accordingly has been designated as an ACA. Tyrrellspass - Heritage Policy Objectives It is a policy objective of Westmeath County Council to: CPO 8.265 Promote and enhance existing archaeological, built and natural heritage elements associated with Tyrrellspass and ensure their protection. CPO 8.266 Support the development of a dedicated Tyrrellspass Heritage Trail incorporating the surrounding hinterlands to promote local history and cultural heritage. CPO 8.267 Protect and maintain the Architectural Conservation Area’s (ACA’s) in Tyrrellspass and the buildings within the ACA’s. Development proposals that would undermine the setting and interpretation of any structure located within the ACA’s will not be permitted. CPO 8.268 Require works within the ACA’s in Tyrrellspass to be carried out in accordance with the “Statement of Character” prepared for each ACA.
- SETTLEMENT PLANS 8 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 255 8.6 Rural (Serviced) Rural serviced settlements, as identified in the Settlement Hierarchy of the Core Strategy, provide important local level residential, retailing and community functions to their associated rural hinterlands. In these areas, emphasis is placed on maintaining towns and villages as local service centres by way of orderly consolidation and expansion of services. The Core Strategy of the Plan seeks to support the sustainable development of these rural areas by encouraging sustainable levels of growth at appropriate locations, providing an alternative in terms of housing choice in the form of vibrant rural communities. The Core Strategy has identified eight settlements within the county as Rural (Serviced), namely Ballinalack, Ballymore, Ballynacarrigy, Castletown-Geoghegan, Collinstown, Glasson, Milltownpass and Multyfarnham.
- SETTLEMENT PLANS 8 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 256 8.6.1 Ballinalack Village Location: Located 15 Km to the west of Mullingar on the N4 Dublin to Sligo Road. Population 2016 Census: 600 persons. Key Social/Community Facilities A number of facilities serving the village and its hinterland including: – Pub, Shops, Post Office, Service Stations with retail offering along with an Auto Maintenance Business. Wastewater Treatment: Served by an existing Wastewater Treatment Plant. Water Supply: Public Water supply available. Ballinalack is a village of rural character situated in a high-quality landscape adjacent to the River Inny. It is characterised by traditional road frontage development onto the Dublin to Sligo N4. Priorities for the Village in this plan include the following: • Enhanced settlement structure by way of improved local service provision. • Provision of housing and commercial development within the village core. • Undertake a programme of Environmental and Public Realm enhancement, promote a pedestrian bias in the settlement and visually enhance the approach roads into the settlement. Policy Objectives: Public Realm Development and Design Community/Social • Support public realm enhancement works which distinguish core area of village by way of paving, street lighting, parking, undergrounding of cables, street furniture, planting etc. • Support the provision of high-quality open space within Ballinalack Village, including where possible recreational access to the River Inny. • Support the provision of new small-scale retail and commercial outlets of a range and type consistent with the scale of the village and located in Mixed Use zoning. • Development proposals on identified lands shall be accompanied by a site-specific Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) carried out in accordance with the methodology set out in ‘The Planning System and Flood Risk Management – Guidelines for Planning Authorities, 2009’ (See Map 30, Volume 2). • Support the creation of walking routes within the village, its hinterlands and at areas of interest and attractions. • Support creation of cycling infrastructure within the village, its hinterlands and at areas of interest and attractions including local waterways.
- SETTLEMENT PLANS 8 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 257 8.6.2 Ballymore Village Location: Located 26km to the west of Mullingar on the R390 Athlone to Mullingar Road. Population 2016 Census: 483 persons. Key Social/Community Facilities A number of social and community facilities serving the village and its hinterland including: Shops, Post Office, Garage, Garda Station, Pubs, Health Centre, Community Hall, Playground, Religious Services, Agricultural Supplies Store, Funeral Parlour/Undertakers and GAA grounds. Wastewater Treatment: Served by an existing Wastewater Treatment Plant. Water Supply: Public Water Supply available. The settlement has a fragmented urban structure, being primarily comprised of two loose linear elements extended east to west over approximately 1.6km. The resultant village scape is very intermittent in nature. A number of developments have occurred on the R390 approach into Ballymore, both on the western and eastern sides. Priorities for the Village in this plan include the following: • The creation of a more coherent settlement to maintain and improve local service provision, in particular community facilities. • Provision of a number of small in-depth housing schemes and commercial developments within the village core. • Consolidated enhancement of the village settlement form to engender a sense of place and identity supplemented by public realm enhancement works. Policy Objectives: Public Realm Development and Design Community/Social • Public realm enhancement encouraged to strengthen core area of village by way of paving, public lighting, street furniture, planting etc. • Support the protection and enhancement of stone walls, green space and mature trees along the R390 route to the west of Ballymore. • Support the provision of housing commensurate to its position in the settlement hierarchy. • To permit the provision of small-scale retail and commercial development of a range and type consistent with the scale of the village and located within lands zoned for Mixed Use. • Development proposals on identified lands shall be accompanied by a sitespecific Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) carried out in accordance with the methodology set out in ‘The Planning System and Flood Risk Management – Guidelines for Planning Authorities, 2009’ (See Map 32, Volume 2). • Support the provision of a public park and amenity area. • Support the creation of walking routes to areas of natural amenity and historic interest. • Support creation of cycling infrastructure within the village, its hinterlands and at areas of interest and attractions.
- SETTLEMENT PLANS 8 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 258 8.6.3 Ballynacarrigy Village Location: Located on the R393 and situated 15km northwest of Mullingar. Population 2016 Census: 277 persons. Key Social/Community Facilities A number of social and community facilities serving the village and its hinterland including: Shops, Post Office, Pubs, Community Centre, CCE (Comhaltas), Library, Childcare, Playground, GAA Pitch, Boxing Club, Garda Station, Health Centre, Tennis and Squash courts and School. Wastewater Treatment: Served by an existing Wastewater Treatment Plant. Water Supply: Public Water supply available. Ballynacarrigy is a small, historic settlement closely linked to the Royal Canal since its opening in 1817. Its form is largely compact and features mainly characteristics of its previous role as a Market Town, evident by its Main Street and a partially enclosed area of public realm at the western end of the Main Street. Priorities for the Village in this plan include the following: • The creation of a more coherent settlement to maintain and improve local service provision, including enhancement of the Canal Harbour with potential for tourist related development. • The provision of housing and commercial development within the village core and promotion of the occupation of Ballynacarrigy Business Park. • Consolidated enhancement of the village form to engender a sense of place and identity supplemented by public realm enhancement works. Policy Objectives: Public Realm Development and Design Community/Social • Enhancement of public realm to strengthen the core area of the village by way of paving, street lighting, undergrounding of cables, street furniture, planting etc. • Enhance connectivity to the Royal Canal Greenway • Support the provision of housing commensurate to its position in the settlement hierarchy. • Promote and facilitate development and occupation of Ballynacarrigy Business Park. • Promote and facilitate development of the harbour and associated buildings for tourist related activities. • Support the provision of a public park and amenity area. • Support the creation of walking routes linking to the Royal Canal Way. • Support creation of cycling infrastructure within the village, its hinterlands and at areas of interest and attractions.
- SETTLEMENT PLANS 8 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 259 8.6.4 Castletown-Geoghegan Village Location: Located in the south west of County and situated 14 km from Mullingar. Population 2016 Census: 141 persons. Key Social/Community Facilities A number of social and community facilities serving the village and its hinterland including: Pubs; Shop; Post Office; Primary School; Church, Playground; GAA Club, CARA, CCE (Comhaltas), MACRA, Coursing and Gun Club. Wastewater Treatment: Served by an existing Wastewater Treatment Plant. Water Supply: Public Water supply available. The village is mainly linear, with some clustering at the crossroads and junctions at either end of the settlement, which is rural in character. As a medieval settlement, Castletown Geoghegan still contains one of the more imposing Motte and Bailey structures in Ireland and a graveyard dating to around 1400. This graveyard is historically important as it has members of the Geoghegan family buried there. Priorities for the Village in this plan include the following: • Creation of a more coherent settlement to maintain and improve local service provision. • The provision of housing and commercial development within the village core and support the expansion of commercial development at Mount Druid. • Consolidated strengthening of the village form to engender a sense of place and identity, supplemented by public realm enhancement works. Policy Objectives: Public Realm Development and Design Community/Social • Support public realm enhancement works which provides traffic control and distinguish core area of village by way of paving, street lighting, parking, undergrounding of cables, furniture, planting etc. • Support housing commensurate to its position in the settlement hierarchy. • Support tourism and commercial related development associated with the Mount Druid complex. • Support the development of a cycling link to the Old Rail Trail at Castletown Station. • Development proposals on identified lands shall be accompanied by a sitespecific Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) carried out in accordance with the methodology set out in ‘The Planning System and Flood Risk Management – Guidelines for Planning Authorities, 2009’ (See Map 36, Volume 2). • Support the development of community facilities, including the provision of a public park and amenity area. • Support creation of walking routes within the town, its hinterlands and at local areas of interest and attractions. • Support creation of cycling infrastructure within the town and surrounding areas.
Source Westmeath County Council: Westmeath County Development Plan 2021–2027 (2021–2027) · Licence the publisher's termsText read from the publisher’s PDF; tables, maps and drawings do not survive as text, and page numbers are the PDF’s (its first page is 1). Check the original before relying on a passage.