PUCKAUN SETTLEMENT PLAN

1.0 General Introduction and Development Context Location A little inland from Lough Derg is Puckane (Pocn), an attractive and busy village. Its traditional style cottages are interesting and attractive. Puckane nestles between the unspoilt shores of Lough Derg and the bustling shopping town of Nenagh It is 10km north of Nenagh Population Puckaun extends over a much larger area than the defined village itself and is contained within the Knigh DED. During the period 1991 and 2006 the population of the Knigh DED grew by 13.4%. In fact there has been a higher increase in population in Knigh between the 1996/2002 Census (14.3%) and the 2002/2006 Census (3.7%). The 2006 census reports a population of 239 for the village of Puckane which is a decrease of 11.2% from the previous census. Settlement Form The settlement has developed in a linear pattern running along the regional road R493 and in a north south axis. The original settlement is likely to have developed as a small cluster and subsequent expansion has in the main, taken the form of linear development along the constituent roads. This settlement is low rise and low density, with a number of different building styles in evidence, although the original core has a slightly tighter grain and more vernacular style. Tourism Having regard to its proximity to the lake and its picturesque setting, Puckaun attracts tourists to the Lough Derg area. The village was the first to be chosen in North Tipperary for the development of twelve Rent an Irish Cottage units in the early 1970s and as such the village offers the potential to further develop as a tourist destination and economic driver within the region. 2.0 Key Aim and Objectives The key aim of the settlement plan is to provide a framework for the development of residential, commercial and other appropriate development and to enhance the visual character and amenities of the village. Key Objectives To facilitate low density, high quality housing appropriate to the village location to ensure adequate critical mass to maintain/improve local service provision. To provide, maintain and enhance social, community and amenity facilities within the village. Reinforce the attractive rural village which exists at present by permitting appropriate and sensitively designed new development. To support opportunities for commercial and employment facilities. Cater for a number of small in-depth housing schemes, serviced sites developments and also commercial / employment generating development which is appropriate in terms of scale, use and location within the village. Consolidate development within the delineated village boundary in order to protect the area of high amenity within which the village is set. Foster the creation of a more coherent settlement, with adequate critical mass to maintain/improve local service provision.

3.0 Services and Social Infrastructure Water Supply The village is serviced by a public water supply. Waste Water The settlement is serviced by a waste water treatment plant and public sewer. The existing sewage treatment plant has limited capacity and as such upgrade works may be required during the lifetime of the Plan. Notwithstanding that the amount of land zoned in the plan allows for growth in the town, normal planning development 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 village will need to clearly demonstrate this as part of any planning application. Roads and Transport Infrastructure. Puckaun is located on the Regional Road R493. There is a limited network of public footpaths and public lighting within the village. Social and Community Infrastructure The village is served by a primary school, Roman Catholic Church, two public houses, a local shop, and a number of sporting facilities including a GAA pitch and club house, and a tennis club and club house. 4.0Architectural and Archeological Heritage There are a number of historic buildings and sites within the village boundaries. Significant buildings within the village considered worthy of note in and around the village are illustrated below. R.C. Church S 573 Pats Cottage

5.0 Key Messages for Puckaun 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 development is promoted on residential zoned sites. Promotion of low-density linear or clustered style development within the village, with the exception of slightly tighter knit development in the core. Promote the retention of traditional buildings within the village core forming a streetscape.

 Facilitate and encourage the development of commercial and employment opportunities which are necessary in sustaining its tourism base. Encourage the use of natural building and boundary materials. The conservation and integration into new development of existing stone walls, trees and native hedgerows, and promotion of similar materials for new boundaries. High quality designs, which are reflective of the existing rural character of the village, without precluding high quality innovative contemporary designs. Improved public footpaths and lighting should be provided as part of all new developments. 6.0 General Development Objectives Proposals for development will be assessed in accordance with the policies and objectives of the County Development Plan, 2010-2016 as set out in the main text in Volume 1. In addition to general policy requirements for development, the Council will seek to implement the following objectives: 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. A traditional streetscape which maintains where possible the front boundary wall and trees. The Council will seek to ensure hedgerows, trees and any natural stone walls are preserved and maintained in any new development proposals. Promotion of low-density linear or clustered style development within the village, with the exception of slightly tighter knit development in the core. Buildings which respect the scale, massing and design of existing buildings in the village. Pedestrian linkages should be provided as part of any new development to link to public thoroughfares or existing developments.. The Council will seek to ensure the protection of protected structures, historic buildings and buildings/structures of archaeological significance. The Council will seek to control ribbon development on the approach roads to preserve and consolidate the built environment of the village. Enhancement of gateway features and natural edges as the opportunities arise, so as to increase the sense of place and character of the village. Access points to be provided where necessary, within the proposed development boundary. The incremental provision of footpaths through development contributions / special development contributions or requirements for works as part of planning permissions granted is envisaged, to improve the amenities of the area. The provision of serviced sites on residentially zoned lands. All developments within the village shall have due regard to the Puckaun Village Design Statement. STAGE ONE FLOOD RISK ASSESSMENT PUCKANE 1.0 Introduction This is the Stage 1 Flood Risk Identification for Variation No. 1 of the County Development Plan 2010 (hereafter referred to as the Plan), prepared in accordance with the Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines for Planning Authorities published by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the OPW in November 2009. The purpose of this process is to identify whether there may be any flooding or surface water management issues related to the plan area that may warrant further investigation through stage 2 and 3 Flood Risk Assessment. This stage 1 Flood Risk Assessment forms an integral part of the SEA process for Variation of the Plan and will inform the approach to future planning and development in North Tipperary.

2.0 Flood Risk Identification (Stage 1) The following sources of information have been investigated in order to determine flood risk potential; 1. OPW preliminary Flood Risk Assessment indicative fluvial flood maps. 2. Predictive and historic flood maps, and benefiting land maps, such as those at www.floodmaps.ie. 3. Predicative flood maps produced under the CFRAM. 4. River Basin Management Plans and reports. 5. Indicative assessment of existing flood risk under preliminary flood risk assessment. 6. Expert advice from OPW 7. Consultation with local authority 8. Topographical maps. 9. GSI Alluvial deposit map. 10. Liable to flood markings on the old 6 inch maps. 11. Newspaper reports. 12. Consultation with Local Community 13. Walkover survey Each of these sources is addressed individually below: 1. OPW preliminary Flood Risk Assessment indicative fluvial flood maps. These are being produced through the catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study. These maps are not yet available for the River Shannon Catchment. 2. Predictive and historic flood maps, and benefiting land maps, such as those at www.floodmaps.ie. This website was consulted. It was found that there were no recorded flood events in the village of Puckane. 3. Predicative flood maps produced under the CFRAM. The Shannon Catchment Flood Risk and Management Study (CFRAM) is to be commenced in 2010 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2013. Therefore the predicative flood maps to be prepared under this project are not yet available. 4. Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Plans and reports. The Shannon Catchment Flood Risk and Management Study (CFRAM) is to be commenced in 2010 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2013. Therefore this Stage 1 Flood Risk Assessment has not been able to make reference any guidance or information which may be contained within it. It is hoped that as part of the review of the Plan, to be completed by 2013 that this information will be available and can feed into the Assessment for the new Plan. 5. Indicative assessment of existing flood risk There is no river flowing through Puckane village and the topography is such that the land falls gently from a south to north direction. No flood event has been recorded in Puckane in recent years. It is noted that the OPW has no recorded flood events in the village either. 6. Expert advice from OPW This Stage 1 Flood Risk has been undertaken with the advantage of expert advice from the OPW. 7. Consultation with local authority A site visit was undertaken and planning histories consulted. There is no evidence of flooding history.

8. Topographical maps. County Topographical maps do not adequately address the local Puckane area as they are based on the topography of the county. 9. GSI Alluvial deposit map. GSI Soils Map for Puckane The GSI Soils map is set out above for Puckane. The predominant soil within the village boundary, the cyan area, is manmade soil. The area in purple represents the area where grey brown podzolics brown earths are in existence. The type group it belongs to is deep well drained minerals. The area in grey represents the area where rendzinas lithosols soils are in existence. The soil type it belongs to is shallow well drained minerals. The GSI Soils Map has informed the Land Use Zoning Map.

10. Liable to flood markings on the old 6 inch maps. None of the lands within the village or within the settlement boundary have been identified on the 6 maps as being liable to flooding. 11. Newspaper reports The Newspaper Reports available at www.floodmaps.ie were consulted as part of this Stage 1 Flood Risk Assessment. There was no record of reports of flooding in the village. 12. Consultation with local people. Consideration will be given to any comments received during the public consultation phase on the 2010 Development Plan variation that relate to flooding in the area. 13. Walkover survey to assess potential sources of flooding. A number of inspections were carried out on site by the Planning Officer during the preparation of the Variation.

3.0 Conclusion This is the Stage 1 Flood risk assessment for Variation No. 1 to the County Development Plan 2010. The Planning Authority is satisfied that there is no potential flood risk identified in areas planned for growth in Puckane based on an assessment of all the sources listed above and bearing in mind a precautionary approach. This report should be read in conjunction with proposed Variation No. 1 of the Plan and the SEA Screening Report prepared as part of the variation process. It is concluded that there will be no significant flood risk to the Plan area and any surrounding areas as a result of Variation No. 1 to the County Development Plan 2010.