Rhode village launches major five year development plan for 2026-2031
By Rebekah O'Reilly
The Rhode village and surrounding environs five year plan for 2026-2031 was officially launched at a meeting held on Tuesday, June 30.
The plan sets out priorities for the village over the next five years and is based on a combination of a large community survey, youth engagement, input from local clubs and groups, and alignment with the statutory planning framework set out in the Offaly County Council Development Plan 2021–2027.
The process was led by the Rhode Community Planning Group, supported by Offaly Local Development Company, and designed to ensure broad participation across the community.
More than 250 people took part in the survey, representing over a third of the local population, alongside additional consultation through paper and online engagement.
The plan emphasises the importance of inclusivity, stating that it provided “a space for all voices to be heard” and aimed to ensure that “the needs, interests and concerns of those living and accessing services in the area are reflected in the proposed actions.”
The overall goal is “to ensure that the needs of our community are being met, to raise awareness of what the community wants and to drive the changes that we all need in order to live our best lives”.
The findings paint a picture of a strong and close-knit community, with 74.5% of respondents describing Rhode as “a strong friendly community.”
However, the consultation also highlighted a number of key concerns, with roads and potholes identified as the most frequently mentioned issue, followed by a lack of facilities for children and teenagers, and parking pressures.
Other concerns raised included limited footpaths and lighting, accessibility challenges, public transport gaps, and wider issues around road safety and antisocial behaviour.
Some respondents also called for improved Garda presence, better community infrastructure, and support for affordable housing options for older residents wishing to downsize within the area.
A significant focus of the plan was the needs of young people. It found that “two major concerns regarding the youth of our area are space and activities”, with strong demand for after-school services, youth clubs, and safe social spaces.
There was also support for a youth café, described as a space where young people can “just be without having to be taking part in an activity.”
The consultation also identified a need for additional educational supports, including tutoring and after-school programmes, alongside concerns about waiting times for assessments and services for children with additional needs.
Despite these gaps, the plan notes that “the youth of Rhode seem happy and enjoy living in the area” with strong participation in activities such as Rhode GAA, LGFA, dance, music, handball, robotics, athletics, and arts programmes.
Community proposals emerging from the process include shared spaces such as community sheds, a teen café, improved cycling infrastructure, STEM facilities, and multi-use games areas.
Other priorities include upgraded footpaths, improved lighting, better accessibility for wheelchair users, and expanded community facilities for all age groups.
The plan is also closely aligned with the statutory objectives of the Offaly County Council Development Plan 2021–2027.
Key objectives for Rhode include ensuring “balanced and sustainable” growth appropriate to the village, encouraging infill development to create a “compact, vibrant village,” and supporting economic development and employment opportunities, including the promotion of the Rhode Green Energy Park.
Infrastructure priorities under the statutory plan include upgrading the footpath network, investigating pedestrian links to the GAA grounds in Killure, protecting groundwater resources, and maintaining road safety and capacity along the R400 route.
The community plan itself is structured around four key themes: basic infrastructure, community spaces and awareness, community wellbeing and education, and partnership working for a better community.
These are aligned with broader Sustainable Development Goals relating to health and wellbeing, reduced inequalities, sustainable communities, responsible consumption, and partnerships.
The plan will now move into its implementation phase, with regular meetings of the planning group and annual public meetings scheduled to review progress and update priorities.
It stresses that delivery will rely on cooperation between local residents, community organisations, and statutory bodies, stating that “everyone has a part to play and there is a part for everyone.”
The planning group thanked everyone who contributed to the process, including those who completed the survey and provided information about local groups, noting that the plan reflects a wide range of community input and collaboration across Rhode Village and its surrounding environment.