PUCKANE VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT DEC 2007 0 INTRODUCTION CONTENTS SECTIONS Page 1. INTRODUCTION 2 2. VILLAGE PROFILE 3 3. VILLAGE STRUCTURE 7 4. SETTING AND APPROACH 10 5. VILLAGE STREETSCAPE 15 6. BUILDINGS AND DETAILS 24 7. COMMUNITY ACTION LIST 30 8. YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE THEIR SAY 31 1 INTRODUCTION 1.0 INTRODUCTION use alongside the County Development to respect and enhance, rather than 1.1 What is a VDS? Plan and Local Area Plans. The VDS compete with, the valued character The village of Puckane has a distinctive may also be used by the community to features that define the village. This will and diverse character, which is highly approach various funding organisations require careful consideration of how key valued by its local residents. As the village to fulfill various community aspirations elements (such as building design and continues to evolve, this process of change and desires. materials, street and plot arrangements, needs to be positively managed so that the road and footpath design, street furniture, unique qualities that contribute to the 1.2 Who is the VDS for? open spaces and landscape features, and village’s identity can be protected and This VDS is a valuable resource of important views) inter-relate at different enhanced, whilst managing future growth information about Puckane for reference levels of scale, and how they contribute to and new development. by individual householders and the wider context of the character of the businesses, builders, developers, village as a whole. A ‘Village Design Statement’ (or VDS for architects and statutory bodies. short) provides an account of the 1.4 How has the VDS been distinctive character of the village. The 1.3 How will the VDS work? produced? VDS helps all those involved with the This guidance should be viewed as a This VDS has been produced through an future planning and enhancement of the stimulus for encouraging any new extensive community consultation village to understand what is important to development or other proposals to programme, including an introductory local people and what aspirations the respect and enhance, rather than compete meeting, community workshop, and community has for the village. with, the valued character features that questionnaires. This has been in define the village. Rather, the document partnership with the residents of Puckane, Through a series of Design Guidelines, the highlights the unique qualities of North Tipperary County Council, and with VDS identifies what is worthy of architectural, historical and natural the support of The Heritage Council. protection and where improvements importance that contribute to the should be made. The VDS reflects the village’s character, and provides broad views and requirements of Puckane’s design guidelines to both safeguard its residents who participated in the VDS distinctive character and enhance quality process. of life within the village. Although non-statutory, this VDS shall be These recommendations should be noted by North Tipperary County Council viewed as a stimulus for encouraging as supplementary planning guidance for any new development or other proposals Puckane community workshop 2 VILLAGE PROFILE 2.0 VILLAGE PROFILE Puckane nestles between the unspoilt It should not be confused with the shores of Lough Derg and the bustling eponymous fictional village in Spike 2.1 Location and Profile shopping town of Nenagh. Milligan's novel Puckoon, though the A little inland from Lough Derg is novel and the village were probably both Puckane (Pocán), an attractive and busy The songwriter Shane MacGowan spent named after Puckane. village. Its traditional style cottages are much of his childhood here and has interesting and attractive. immortalised a number of local places in It is also sometimes (though rarely) spelt his songs. The village was also as Puckaun and is known as Pocán in the Puckane is a village in northern County mentioned in a well-known Christy Irish language. Tipperary, lying 10km north of Nenagh Moore song. and close to Lough Derg and Dromineer. 2.2 Population Table 1: Population 1991 1996 2002 2006 Puckane* 256 269 239 Knigh 620 593 678 703 DED Western 6,146 6,487 7,449 8772 Area North 57,854 58,021 61,068 66,023 Tipperary * Figures quoted from local historian Daniel Grace Table 1 shows the percentage population increase for Knigh District Electoral Division (DED) between 1991 and 2006. This demonstrates that during this period the population of the Knigh DED grew by 13.4%. In fact there has been a higher increase in population in Knigh between 3 VILLAGE PROFILE the 1996/2002 Census (14.3%) and the The church was built in 1859 and has a the winter than in the summer. While there 2002/2006 Census (3.7%). Harry Clarke studio stained glass may be a great many visitors during the window of interest. In 1957 Puckane month May to September, the village is The 2006 census reports a population of Grotto was blessed. quieter during the other months of the 239 for the village of Puckane which is a year. This should be respected in the scale decrease of 11.2% from the previous Peg's Cottage has stood at the heart of and type of development to be undertaken census. the sleepy, tranquil Tipperary village of in the future. Puckane for over 300 years. 2.3 Brief History 2000 Map of Puckane The village was the first to be chosen in Commercial interests are strong in the North Tipperary for the development of village, which is now one of a few with twelve Rent an Irish Cottage units in the its own main dealer garage. The village early 1970s. This development led to a also has two pubs and local grocery. Craft Shop being developed a little north of the village, which is still vibrant. The stone entrance once served as the main entrance to the former Johnstown House, built in 1770s and long demolished. Puckane has a thriving community spirit, and it is clear the residents take great pride in the unspoilt nature of the village and the Old photo of residence surrounding landscape. 2.4 Village Life today Sports and recreation are well catered for Given that the settlement is a popular in the village. The surrounding landscape tourist destination it is subject to the is also suited for extensive walks, cycling, Early map of Puckane seasonal fluctuations associated with horse riding, and fishing in the lake. tourism. Puckane is a difference place in 4 VILLAGE PROFILE 2.5 Facilities and Services not mind traveling to use these. Were the The objective is to provide a template for Currently existing in the village are: village to expand, additional facilities future sustainable rural development. The Residents may need to be considered. application of appropriate planning and B & B’s design strategies can significantly lower Pubs 2.6 Environmental Issues energy consumption. This can be achieved Public Phone Kiosk There are recycling facilities in Puckane. by reducing heat loss, providing Post Box Currently residents can also use the ventilation control and the installation of Tidy Towns/Community Association facilities in the next village. efficient heating systems which take Sporting Facilities account of climate, site and the use of Recycling Facilities Pollution on land and in the river should sustainable alternatives to conventional Tourist Facilities be prevented. Vehicle emissions and air building methods. The end result can be a School quality should also be monitored. superior home that is more comfortable Church and convenient, with significantly reduced As in most villages the existing energy costs and which aims to be non- Kennedys Pub as designed sewerage system has limited capacity. polluting. and crafted by Craft Shop This is of serious concern to the community. Prior to the addition of new 2.7 Employment housing to the village sewage issues There are a number of small businesses in need to be addressed. the area, but most residents commute elsewhere for work. Zoning of land within The application of sustainable design the settlement plan for Puckane under the principles, which recognise energy Western Area Local Area Plan to allow for efficiency, lifetime cost of materials, employment uses such as commercial non-toxicity, wastewater treatment, and facilities enhance amenities for locals and water and waste reduction will produce tourists. buildings that are environmentally friendly. Guidelines on environmentally The need for facilities may be assessed in friendly buildings cannot be all- terms of the scale and character of the inclusive, but aim to pinpoint the main village and the amenities provided in the Post office, petrol station and banking considerations for the energy conscious near by areas of Dromineer and Nenagh. facilities can all be found within short architect/designer and user. These facilities may include health and distances, and generally the residents do beauty, heritage centre, gallery, café, 5 VILLAGE PROFILE antiques, bicycle shop, angling shop, open farm, workshops for fly fishing, painting, etc. KEY POINTS • Thriving active community. • Current limited services and facilities. Any new development will need to include additional services. • Environmentally conscious community. 6 VILLAGE STRUCTURE 3.0 VILLAGE STRUCTURE from the road. The more modern houses Newer residential development takes the are detached and semi-detached and set 3.1 Shape of the village form of detached houses within cul-de- back further to accommodate parking. This is a historic village with a well sacs. A line of one-off detached houses defined and distinctive character and is has recently been built on the approach 3.4 New Development Areas centre around the core of the village. The road to the village. Several fields are zoned for development physical character of the village is E in the area, although this is dependent on dominated by cottages, stone wall The streets in the core of the village landowner’s intentions and the planning boundaries, mature trees and holiday maintain their original layout and are application process which is open to the developments (see following map).