Bracknagh.pdf - Offaly County Council

OFFALY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2009 - 2015Volume 2 - Settlement PlansBRACKNAGH VILLAGE PLAN1.0 GENERAL INTRODUCTION ANDDEVELOPMENT CONTEXTThe settlement plans stem directly from the policiesand objectives contained in the County DevelopmentPlan with particular reference to Chapter 4, “SettlementStrategy” and Chapter 18, “Land Use and Zoning”. This isto facilitate the growth of a hierarchy of well-planned,sustainable and complementary settlementsthroughout the county presented in a consistentmanner to allow ease of interpretation andimplementation.Bracknagh has been designated as a village withinOffaly’s settlement hierarchy, as set out in Chapter 4 ofthe County Development Plan 2009-2015. Thissettlement plan along with the zoning map is seen as aspecific view of the village so that developmentpressures can be focused and properly managed inorder that the settlement can fulfil this role effectively.1.1 LocationBracknagh is a clustered settlement located on andaround the T-junction of the R442 and R419 roads andnorth of the Figile River. It is located approximately15km south of Edenderry, 6km south of Clonbullogue,8km northeast of Portarlington, and 7km west ofRathangan, Co. Kildare.In 2006, the population for the entire district electoraldivision of Bracknagh was 942 people. The area withinthe village boundary contains a population ofapproximately 300 people.Bracknagh is the local service centre for the residentialcommunity of the village itself and its surrounding ruralhinterland. Recent pressures from the Greater DublinArea and overspill from Edenderry have seen anincrease in development pressure within this area.1.2 Settlement FormThis settlement is likely to have originated as a smallcluster of dwellings located around the road junction.Subsequent expansion has in the main, taken the formof linear development along the constituent roads, andtwo housing developments by Offaly County Counciland Bord na Mona. The existing settlement is low riseand low density, with a number of different buildingstyles in evidence.2.0 SERVICES AND SOCIALINFRASTRUCTURE2.1 Water SupplyBracknagh is serviced by a Group Water Supply Scheme.Consent to connection for the provision of a watersupply will be required as part of planning permissionsgranted.2.2 Waste waterThe waste water treatment plant in Bracknaghdischarges to the nearby Figile River, and upgrading willbe required as the village expands.2.3 Other Services(a) Social and Community InfrastructureBracknagh contains a Roman Catholic Church (St.Broghans’), a community centre, two shops, a petrolpump, post office and licensed premises within the corearea of the village. A graveyard is situated to the northof the core and this is accessed via a narrow lane off themain Clonbullogue-Bracknagh Road. A national schooland associated playing fields is situated in the extremeeast of the village.A GAA pitch and ancillary facilities are situated withinclose proximity of the village.(b) RoadsAs development occurs, access routes to backlands willbe required to allow for comprehensive, orderlydevelopment within the village boundary. New roads,which are necessary to serve in-depth development inBracknagh will be required to be designed andconstructed to a high standard, in order to provide anattractive and safe environment.February 2009 | Bracknagh Village Plan | page 62