Killanena

Killanena

Location and Context

Killanena comprises a small scattered grouping of buildings centred around a church on the R461. Killanena is situated in the Slieve Aughty Uplands and there are extensive views over the countryside to the east of the village and, in some areas, views over Lough Graney. There has been little development pressure in the area in recent years. The settlement is served by a garage/shop, a local pub and a church/cemetery.

There is no public water supply or wastewater treatment facility serving the village. All existing dwellings and businesses in the village are served by individual bored wells and onsite wastewater treatment systems. It is envisaged that this situation will continue for the foreseeable future.

The entire settlement of Kilanena is located within the Shannon – Graney/Scarriff River catchment which has been identified by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) as a “Catchment with previous records of Margaritifera, but current status unknown” with respect to the presence of Freshwater Pearl Mussels this catchment historically had records of mussels but its status is currently unknown. Therefore any proposed development will need to take into consideration the potential effects on this species and its habitat. Any future development should be subject to the requirements of the Habitats Directive given the location of the village adjacent to and partially within the Slieve Aughty designated European Site. See also the Natura Impact Report for further relevant mitigation measures and recommendations at site and project level.

General Objectives

• To promote small-scale development in the village in order to maintain and increase the population in the local community, to support the existing services available in the village and the surrounding area which respects the scenic and natural amenities of the area;

• To ensure that existing population levels and services are maintained and to encourage new residents to the village;

• To ensure that future growth in Killanena is incremental and small scale in nature, relative and appropriate to the scale, size and character of the existing village;

• To facilitate the provision of infrastructure to allow for future growth in the village;

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• To support a rural settlement network of Flagmount- Caher – Killanena to harness the potential of sustainable tourism and recreational activities around Lough Graney and the

Slieve Aughty Region;

• To promote improved access and signage to Lough Graney as appropriate;

• To promote the Slieve Aughty region as a tourism location and to develop a series of viewing points in the area.

Employment and Enterprise

Killanena, like the nearby Lough Graney sister settlements of Caher and Flagmount, is well positioned to harness the potential of sustainable tourism activities centred on the lake and surrounding uplands. The village has the potential to provide hospitality and guide services for anglers and bird watchers visiting Lough Graney which is famous for its course fishing and as a resting place for winter migratory birds. It is also an ideal accommodation base for hill walkers visiting the Slieve Aughty Mountains.

COM 1

This zoning reflects existing uses on the site and allows for a range of commercial uses to support village life. Any plan or project within this zoning must consider any potential significant effects on the SPA and must undergo screening for appropriate assessment.

Strategy for growth and sustainable communities

The strategy for the sustainable growth of the village and its community is through consolidation and regeneration that promotes compact sequential growth and supports and strengthens a sustainable village community and its rural hinterland. This will be achieved by encouraging small scale growth in areas which make a positive contribution to the overall enhancement of the village and sustains it into the future. In line with this approach and to promote vibrant rural villages, village growth areas have been identified which provide opportunities and choice for development, including small scale commercial, enterprise, community, services/facilities as well as small scale cluster housing, all of which offer a viable and attractive option for rural living within a village community and setting.

The delivery of any new development in Killanena will be encouraged by adopting a combined approach of sequential compact growth and the re-use and redevelopment of any vacant or derelict sites and buildings within the village.

In addition to compliance with the policies and objectives of this Plan, specific objectives apply in relation to the following sites:

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VGA1 and VGA2

These sites have been identified as being suitable for the provision of individual sites or for infill. Residential development shall be restricted to small clusters of dwelling houses. In line with the objective for village growth areas, other uses appropriate to the function, scale, size and character of the village may also be accommodated on these lands. Any development of these sites will need to demonstrate compliance with the EPA Code of Practise for Wastewater Treatment Systems which must be strictly adhered to, in order to ensure that there are no significant long term effects on the Graney River.

Place Making and Regeneration

C1 Community

The existing broadleaved tree line along the riparian zone of the Graney River should be retained as part of any future development of this site as a foraging and commuting route for bat species. A riparian buffer zone is provided along the Graney River which is currently at “good” status under the Water Framework Directive. The buffer provides an opportunity to examine the possibility of improving amenity in the area.

Flooding

A Strategic Flood Risk Assessment was carried out as part of the preparation of this Plan. The SFRA advises that there is limited risk to existing development which can be dealt with through development management. See Volume 10(c) of this Plan.

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