OPINION: Pullough's five-year development plan provides a roadmap for other rural communities in Offaly

The input of volunteers will be essential to the success of an ambitious five-year community plan which has been launched in Pullough.

The plan has been described as a “reflection of the hard work and dedication of the community” by Junior Minister for agriculture, Senator Pippa Hackett of the Green party.

The five-year plan aims to support the social, recreational and economic regeneration of Pullough and the surrounding areas.

The plan is a model for other rural areas, small towns and villages, throughout Offaly, the Midlands and further afield.

Its implementation will involve new and existing volunteers, local enterprises and community groups.

The plan will build on the community spirit and pride that is so evident in Pullough.

It was developed from a household survey and the subsequent liaisons between local groups and the plan's co-ordinating body with the help of Offaly Local Development Company.

The objectives in the document will be implemented by local community groups in association with statutory bodies in Offaly to enhance the quality of life for everyone in Pullough and district.

Speaking at the launch of the plan in the local community centre on Friday last, Master of Ceremonies, Eamon Dunican hit the nail on the head when he observed that the success of the plan depended on the people of the area.

The “strategic plan is our way of expressing our pride in the area . . . this is our plan and it's up to us and no one else to see it through to fruition,” he outlined,

The plan envisages that Pullough will have new social activities and learning opportunities together with services and infrastructure that will make it an attractive place to live.

It also stresses the importance of the people of Pullough and visitors to the area having a greater understanding and connection to the history and heritage of the area.

It envisages that the community will develop innovative recreational activities that harness natural assets, promote health and well being and encourage new visitors.

Looking at current trends it foresees that Pullough will be at the forefront of sustainable change and the transition to a zero carbon economy.

It advocates the development of energy efficiencies locally to improve the local ecology through its community effort.

The plan provides a blueprint for other similar rural communities who are anxious to develop the employment, social, tourism, heritage and recreational assets of their areas.

With the challenges posed by the climate change agenda and rapid technological advances it is now more important than ever that rural communities come together, get strategic and plan for their futures.

Community planning is a proactive response to the considerable change that is taking place around us at present.

It is also a pragmatic response to the demands of community funding programmes that increasingly require communities to be strategic and have a plan.

Plans, such as the one launched in Pullough last week, are starting points that no doubt will evolve as the wider community engages with them.

Such plans establish clear actions through which communities can be activated to support the changing needs and priorities of the 21st century.

Such plans can also provide mechanisms for developing larger scale projects and creating much-needed employment in rural areas.

The people of Pullough are to be commended for their foresight and hard work in developing such a plan.

Their plan should be studied and copied by other communities around Ireland.