Ballinameela

Location
The settlement of Ballinameela is located approximately 3 kilometres south of the N72 just off the Whitechurch intersection with the R671 Regional Road from Clonmel (9km from Cappoquin).  Ballinameela may also be accessed by means of a local road from the Cappagh/ N72 intersection, approximately 3.5km to the north-east, and 11.5km from Dungarvan. (Download Ballinameela (277 kbs) Map Here) and also download the pages relating to Zoning Objectives (183 kbs). The Zoning Objectives and Landuse Zoning Matrix need to be used when looking at the individual settlement zonings.
 
Characteristics
Land in this area is situated above a Regionally Important Karst Flow Aquifer, and has a high vulnerability to groundwater pollution.  Land in the area is generally flat. Ballinameela is a rural area, with a tendency to ribbon development in some areas. Road boundaries are characterised by hedgerows and stone walls/ ditches. Existing housing in the area comprises approximately 22 houses, few of these being constructed post 1970. To date development has chiefly consisted of bungalows, cottages, and some two storey - along simple, traditional lines. Dormer bungalows are not evident in the area.  The retention, enhancement and incorporation of these characteristics, should comprise any design or development proposal for the area.

Facilities and Services
Community facilities in Ballinameela include a large, newly constructed Community Hall and playing fields, a Primary School and church.  A public An Post green letterbox is located in a wall at the Whitechurch/ R671 (Knocknaskagh) Cross Roads. The existing national school is presently operating at capacity, and there are no plans to increase the capacity over the next five years. A number of commercial enterprises in the nearby area provide local employment, and include (amongst others), a gate-making enterprise; a shower tray manufacture, 2 No aggregate quarries; composting facility and pvc aluminium facility.

Infrastructure
Ballinameela has no public sewage disposal system and a very limited water supply, which is unreliable and subject to regular interruption.  In addition, there are no nearby rivers, streams or discharge points. Approximately 33 septic tanks already exist within the area, and considering that most of these were installed prior to the introduction of NSAI SR6 (1991), their current effectiveness is likely to be of some concern.  The existing ground conditions are such that further disposal of effluent and surface water to ground is not an option.  

Any constraint to development is associated with the infrastructural deficit as outlined above and development proposals will need to cater for this in any applications for permission along with satisfying the Planning Authority as to the standards for new development at Section 9.3. These matters will have to be discussed and approved with the Sanitary Services Section of Waterford County Council, prior to any development proposal being submitted for Planning Permission.

Development Strategy
A strategic road access point shall be provided and retained for possible future use, through any zoned lands, for back lands that do not have road frontage or a future means of access.  Development proposals for these types of zoned lands (eg. adjacent to the old school), should incorporate this consideration into any future development proposals. The development strategy for Ballinameela is as indicated on the Ballinameela Land Use Zoning Map.  The policies and objectives of the County's Settlement Strategy, as outlined in Chapter 3 of the Development Plan, will also be applicable.