REARCROSS SETTLEMENT PLAN

Rearcross is a designated ‘local service 1.0 General Introduction and centre’ under the settlement hierarchy as Development Context set out in Chapter 3 of the Draft Development Plan. Therefore the • Location settlement has a key role in terms of Rearcross is located on the service provision both for the village and R-503 linking and Newport. its surrounding rural hinterland.

The key aim of the settlement plan is provide a land use framework to promote the expansion of residential, employment, social and community service provision.

Key Objectives • To support the expansion of • Population enterprise and employment Rearcross is located in the D.E.D. of generating commercial activity. Abington. • To support the expansion of local service provision and community During the 1996-2002 inter-censal facilities. period, the population of the D.E.D. increased by 53 people, to 562 people, • To facilitate low density, high which represented an increase of 10.4%. quality housing appropriate to the However, the population decreased village location. again to 555 people in 2006 (CSO, 2006) • To preserve the character of the area by the promotion of high • Settlement Form qualify design that is reflective of The core of the village is centred at the Rearcross’s traditional and Church and regional road/local roads natural setting. crossroads. However, the village has largely developed in a linear pattern along the regional road, save for in- 3.0 Services and Social Infrastructure depth development off the local road opposite the school. • Water Supply The village is serviced by an existing The village, while quite well defined public water supply does not have a clear sense of enclosure and would benefit by a more • Waste Water comprehensive networks of footpaths, A public wastewater treatment plant landscaping and signage. services the village. However, an up- grade of the plant would be required to cater for additional development. 2.0 Key aim and objectives

• Economic, Social and Community Infrastructure The Church is a detached gable-fronted The village is well serviced with two cruciform-plan structure, built c. 1840 in public houses, two shops, a community Wales and re-located and re-erected in hall, church, school and playing field. Rearcross c. 1877. The church is significant and rare for its metal The village also has the benefit a local construction, its relocation and its use enterprise centre, located in the housing for different Christian denomination. scheme opposite the school. Rearcross National school is protected • Roads and Transport structure as listed in Volume III of the Infrastructure Plan (Ref: S-800). The village is well connected by transport links with the R502 linking the settlement to Thurles and Newport and the R-497 linking the settlement to .

There is a limited network of public footpaths in the area and public lighting while provided in the village does not serve the entire area.

4.0 Architectural Heritage and Nature Conservation Conservation Designations The most prominent building with the settlement is the RC Church, which was The Sleivefelim to deemed of national architectural heritage Mountains is a SPA under the E.U. Bird importance in the National Inventory of Directive of special conservation interest Architectural Heritage. to the Hen Harrier. This designated area encroaches into the settlement boundary The building is a protected structure to the east and south and new under the Plan. developments in this area will have to ensure that this habitat is not adversely Rearcross RC Church S799 affected.

5.0 Key Messages for Rearcross

• The settlement should be developed in a properly planned and co-ordinated manner in accordance with the zoning objectives of the settlement plan. • Low density rural clustered style • The Council will seek to development is promoted on facilitate the provision of residential zoned sites. amenity and play areas on the • The provision of additional designated amenity space and passive amenity spaces including within new proposals for playground facilities should be development. The Council will provided. seek to ensure that new development contribute to this 6.0 General Development Objectives provision.

Proposals for development will be • The Council will seek to ensure assessed in accordance with the policies hedgerows, trees and any natural and objectives of the County stone walls are preserved and Development Plan, 2010-2016 as set out maintained in any new in the main text in Volume 1. development proposals.

In addition to general policy • The Council will seek to ensure requirements for development, the the protection of the protected Council will seek to implement the structure and archaeological following objectives: monuments (i.e by preservation in situ or at a minimum • The Council will seek to promote protection by record). and facilitate the enterprise centre for local employment generation. • The Council will seek to make provision and/or facilitate the provision of footpaths and public lighting to enhance the local infrastructure. • The Council will seek to foster a village identity and definition of the village by facilitating the provision of hard and soft landscaping and signage. • The Council will seek to ensure the protection of the protected structures and designated conservations areas within the village. • The Council will seek to control ribbon development on the approach roads to preserve and consolidate the built environment of the village.