New Raharney plan aims to protect village's charm

At last week's meeting of Westmeath County Council, Coole Area members voted to place the draft 2009-15 local area plan for Raharney on public display.One of the overriding objectives of the plan is to ensure that Raharney retains its central core, "preventing the fragmentation of the village with further ribbon development along the five roads which lead into the village".Planners propose that the future development of Raharney should reflect the established "clustered historical form" of development in the village, centred around two crossroads on either side of the River Deel.Stating that large scale residential development cannot be achieved in Raharney until the upgrade of the treatment plant, planners encourage "compact infill development" within the village core, similar to that which was completed in Delvin earlier this year.A greenfield site has been identified for such purposes, with the potential to accommodate eight houses over the lifetime of the village plan.Other key policy objectives include the "sensitive expansion of all village functions", such as the development of a community hall facility, and the provision of a park area linking to a walkway along the River Deel.Other main priorities of the plan include the provision of adequate parking for residents or customers of any new, small-scale development in Raharney, new footpaths, and the protection of the local natural environment and heritage.The plan proposes a number of specific objectives, including the expansion of, and provision of access to, the existing graveyard; financial support for maintaining and enhancing stone walls; and the introduction of a Tree Protection Order on the group of trees at the western side of the village.Planners also envision the use of the cow park area for future recreational development, and the development of a walkway from the north of Raharney along the River Deel to the south, linking in to the village and extending along its southern reaches.The provision of a village enhancement scheme is also an objective, including plans for co-ordinated car parking, footpath upgrades and extensions, and environmental improvements, such as the re-routing of ESB wires and columns underground.Raharney's Cllr. John Shaw said that the draft plan would go on public display in the autumn, possibly in early September.He said that given the plan's commitment to protecting Raharney's "unique character", local residents would be likely to support it.The Fianna Fáil man added that Raharney was one of a few Westmeath villages which went untouched by the huge residential development of the "boom times"."I think people would like it to remain that way," he said. "I can't see this plan having any negative impact whatsoever on the village's character."