BORRISOLEIGH SETTLEMENT PLAN

1.0 General Introduction and 2.0 Key aim and objectives Development Context Borrisoleigh has been identified as being a • Location Secondary Service Areas / Market Town in Borrisoleigh is situated on the R-498 Chapter 3 of the County Development Plan. between and and is The key aim of this settlement plan is to intersected on the northern side of the town provide a framework for the development by the Clodagh River. for appropriate residential, commercial and industrial development, to enhance the • Population visual character and amenities of the town The population of the town grew between and to ensure that Borrisoleigh provides the 1996 and 2002 from 564 persons to 598 services and facilities for its hinterland. persons, which is a 6% increase in population in the period and this rose to 626 Key Objectives in 2006 CSO figures, a further increase of • To facilitate low density, high 4.7%. quality housing appropriate to the town and its designation as a Secondary Service Areas / Market Town on the Settlement Hierarchy in Chapter 3 of the Plan. • To maintain and enhance social, community and amenity facilities within the town. • To support opportunities for commercial, industrial and other

employment facilities. • Settlement Form • To focus development within the The town is situated in a high quality development boundary of the landscape area, lying in a bowl-shaped settlement. syncline north east of the and Slievefelim Mountains. The town itself rises towards the north and south, with important 3.0 Services and Social Infrastructure buildings, such as the renaissance Catholic Church, located in prominent positions. • Water Supply The settlement is serviced by a public water The town centre has a linear pattern with supply. junctions with Pallas Street and Chapel Street. The church dominates the central • Waste Water area with some good examples of Irish The settlement is serviced by a waste water Victorian architecture in Finn’s pub and treatment plant and public sewer. Upgrade Chadwick’s shop. The town is the home of works may be required during the lifetime of Natural Mineral Water which is a the Plan. Notwithstanding that the amount nationally and internationally recognised of land zoned in the plan allows for growth brand and is a large employer in the town in the town, normal planning development and occupies a significant area. management practice is that proposals are assessed as regards capacity of services to cater for them and development would not be permitted unless adequate treatment can be assured. Any development proposed within the town will need to clearly church in McDonagh Square. The window demonstrate this as part of any planning and door surrounds were quarried at application. Drombane, 12 miles away. It is similar to the stone used in Cormacs Chapel, Cashel. • Roads and Transport Infrastructure Borrisoleigh is situated on the R498 and R501, conveniently located in relation to the major towns of Thurles, Nenagh and the City of Limerick.

There is an extensive network of footpaths within the area. Public lighting is provided throughout the settlement. Conservation Area

This includes all of Main Street, northern part of Pallas Street, part of Chapel Street and Lower Street.

Protected Structures

See RPS for list of Protected Structures in the County Development Plan 2010-2016 as set out in the main text in Volume III.

5.0 Key Messages for Borrisoleigh

• Social and Community • The settlement shall be developed in Infrastructure a properly planned and coherent A Roman Catholic Church, primary and manner. The picturesque setting secondary schools, Town Park with GAA shall be retained and enhanced in pitch, soccer pitch, tennis courts pavilion accordance with appropriately and play ground, public houses, shops, designed and sensitive development. butchers, hairdressers, chemists, • The conservation and integration guesthouses, take-away, bank, bakery, into new development of existing restaurant and a post office are currently stone walls, trees and native located within the settlement providing for hedgerows, and promotion of the immediate needs of those living within similar materials for new the hinterland of the town. boundaries.

• High quality designs, which are 4.0 Architectural and Archaeological particularly reflective of the Heritage predominantly rural character of the There are a number of significant historical area, without precluding high sites within the town. Among its attractions quality innovative contemporary are some traditional shop fronts, and a 15th designs. • century tower house. An inscribed slab Promotion of natural building and inserted into the gable of one of a pair of red boundary materials. • sandstone houses are engraved the names The conservation and protection of Richard Burke and Ellis Hurley, 1643. protected structures, recorded Walter Doolin was the architect of the monuments and other features of archaeological and historical merit 3. To protect existing access to backlands within the settlement. and to support the redevelopment of Main Street properties as part of the development 6.0 General Development Objectives of backlands. Such lands include lands south Proposals for development will be assessed of Main Street, to the rear of Old School and in accordance with the policies and Council Car Park and lands south of Main objectives of the County Development Plan Street to the rear of Garda Station. 2010-2016 as set out in the main text in 4. To provide suitable and accessible land Volume I. for commercial development. A prominent site is zoned on the Thurles Road, south of In addition to general policy requirements the Sewerage Treatment Plant, for such use for development, the Council will seek to to attract uses that heretofore have been implement the following objectives: developed in rural locations along the R- 498. • Facilitate people to live in high 5. To preserve the Local Road L-3215 to quality, primarily low density the north of the town free from sporadic housing in a rural town location. development and/or development that would • Maintain services at a local level. have a negative impact on the setting of the • Reinforce the attractive rural town town. which exists at present by 6. To seek to implement a town permitting appropriate and improvement scheme which would include sensitively designed new the under-grounding of cables and wirescape development. within the town, the improvement of • Facilitate the creation of retail, pavement quality and the introduction of commercial, industrial and other landscaping into the town where possible. employment opportunities. 7. To seek to provide traffic calming on • The rate of growth must be in approach roads into the town where accordance with the Council’s resources permit. policy on towns and villages and the 8. To seek to improvement junctions within availability of services (including the town as resources permit. physical and social provisions). 9. To seek that the proposed linear park along the river provides adequate pedestrian walkways and access to the river where possible. 10. To seek the provision of an amenity area in Borrisland North to be developed as part of new developments with seating/picnic area/play area/skate board park etc.

Specific Objectives 1. To create an Inner Relief Road as part of future development to link the R498 on the western side of the town with the Road (R501). 2. To seek the restoration of a number of derelict or vacant sites in the town.