Ashford, Aughrim, Baltinglass, Carnew, Dunlavin, Enniskerry, Kilcoole, Rathdrum and Tinahely are identified as Small Growth Towns in the current development plan.

Enniskerry and Kilmacanogue are included in the Bray MD Local Area Plan, Kilcoole is included in the Greystones – Delgany – Kilcoole Local Area Plan and Rathdrum has a stand-alone LAP. The County Development Plan includes ‘town plans’ for all of the remaining small growth towns. The purpose of these plans is to put in place a structure that will guide the future sustainable development of each settlement. The town plans will be reviewed as part of the County Development Plan process. However, submissions in relation to zoning cannot be considered at this stage of the development plan review process.

These smaller towns provide important economic and social services to their populations and immediate hinterland. Such towns normally have a good range of infrastructural services and are suited to accommodating urban generated housing demand.

Avoca, Donard, Newcastle, Roundwood and Shillelagh are identified as Rural Towns in the current county development plan. These are the smallest ‘towns’ of the County, but still provide important economic and social services to their populations and rural hinterland. Such towns normally have a reasonable range of infrastructural services and are suited to accommodating some urban generated housing demand, with necessary controls in place to ensure that local demand can also be met. ‘Rural Towns’ are differentiated in the County Development Plan from ‘Small Growth Towns’ having regard to their more rural character, the rural nature of their catchments and the lower capacity for significant growth.

The Development Plan includes settlement plans for the rural towns. The purpose of these plans is to put in place a structure that will guide the future sustainable development of each settlement. The boundaries of the settlement plans will be reviewed as part of the County Development Plan process. However, submissions in relation to zoning cannot be considered at this stage of the development plan review process.

The County Development Plan also identifies settlement boundaries for the villages and rural clusters. The large villages provide a range of community services and facilities and are an important social point for the local community. The current Development Plan recognises that in order to safeguard their future, it is important that growth is encouraged and facilitated in a sustainable manner. The boundaries of the villages and rural clusters will be reviewed as part of the County Development Plan process.

What do you think?

• How would you like your village to develop in the future?
• Are there adequate facilities in your village to serve the local population and the surrounding rural area?
• Do you think there is potential for more development in your village?
• What objectives would you like the Plan to include to guide the future development of your area?