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Project:
Athea Village Design Statement
Client:
Limerick County Council
Location:
Athea, Co. Limerick
Issue No:
Draft Issue
Date:
23rd November 2006
Prepared By:
Andrea Lazenby Simpson
BA (Mod.), MUBC, MCD, Dip EIA Mgmt
Director of Planning, Urban Conservation & Landscape
Laura O’Connell, BSc (Hons)(Spatial Planning), Dip. ERM
Planner
John Paul Casey, B.Ag.Sc. (landscape horticulture), MRUP
Planner & Landscape Designer
This document has been prepared with the support, assistance and valuable input from the Planning Department in Limerick
County Council and the local community of Athea.
Draft Village Design Statement for Athea
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section
1.0
Introduction
1.1
What is a Village Design Statement?
1.2
What is the Purpose of this VDS?
1.3
How has this VDS been Produced?
1.4
Structure of this VDS
2.0
3.0
Key Issues
2.1
Local Services
2.2
Closure of Local Businesses
2.4
Pedestrian Safety
2.4
Roads: Traffic & Parking
2.5
Village Streetscape
2.6
Derelict Buildings
2.7
Open Space
2.8
Landscape Setting
Section
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
Page
Historical Context
Local Features of Note
Land Uses
Areas of New Housing
4.0
Village Character
4.1
Historical Development of Athea
4.2
Recent Development of One-Off Housing
4.3
Streetscape
4.4
Landmarks & Key Features
4.5
Street Furniture
4.6
Modern Interventions
18
5.0
Village Strategy
5.1
Key Actions
5.2
Opportunity Sites
24
6.0
Delivery of the Athea Village Design Statement
6.1
Community Engagement
6.2
Delivery of VDS
6.3
A Model of Implementation
28
6
Village Context
3.1
Location
3.2
Population Change
3.3
Role of Athea
3.4
Topography
Page
3
11
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1.0 Introduction
1.1
What is a Village Design
Statement?
A Village Design Statement (VDS) is a
new planning tool used to engage the
local community into setting out, in a
clear and simple manner, how they
want their village to develop in the
future. It enables local communities to
be actively involved with the creation of
design guidance for preserving and
enhancing their village and its wider
landscape setting.
1.2
What is the Purpose of this
VDS?
This Village Design Statement has
been commissioned by Limerick
County Council for the village of Athea.
This village is typical Irish village with a
fine long Main Street.
Figure 1 Map of Limerick,
1885, with Athea noted in
red. Source: Report of the
Boundary Commissioners
for Ireland, 1885.
The principal reasons for the
commissioning of this Village Design
Statement were the following:
i.
The architectural strength of the
historical urban form of Athea;
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ii.
iii.
iv.
The spatially remote location of
the
village
within
County
Limerick;
The decline in local population,
employment opportunities and
services – the components of
critical mass that lead to a
sustainable settlement;
The
potential
for
future
population
growth
and
improvement
in
the
local
services, facilities and a means
of managing this change for the
benefit of the whole village.
The role of a VDS is to advise how
development should be carried out in
harmony with the character and quality
of the local area. In this way, the
special character of the village can be
recognised, protected and enhanced
for the enjoyment of both the local
community and visitors to the area.
1.3
How has this VDS been
Produced?
This Village Design Statement has
been produced through extensive
community consultation in partnership
with the local authority and funded by
the Heritage Council. The process
adopted in Athea has involved the
following key stages:
Stage 1: Information Gathering
This stage was undertaken through a
site visit and desktop analyses. It
involved gathering information and
photographing the village in order to
identify
the
village
character,
settlement pattern, building and spaces
and roads and traffic.
Stage 2: Community Consultation
An initial community workshop was
held in Athea on 19th September 2006.
There was a good attendance at this
workshop and feedback obtained on
the day and through subsequent
submissions and comments has been
fundamental to developing this VDS.
This
workshop
allowed
us
to
understand
the
likely
desired
community outcomes from the VDS
process.
In addition, we ran a School Project,
which involved children in the local
primary school drawing pictures and
maps of what the currently like and
dislike about the village of Athea.
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Stage 3: Preparation of Draft Village
Design Statement
This Draft Village Design Statement
has been prepared for comment both
by the local authority and the local
community. A second community
workshop on 29th November will allow
us to gather feedback on the Draft
VDS.
Stage 4: Publication of Final Village
Design Statement
We would anticipate that the final
Village
Design
Statement
will
incorporate the following elements:
(i)
Achieve consensus with the
local community as to the
aims and objectives of the
VDS;
(ii)
Develop design principles
for Athea, based on the
distinctive local character
(iii)
Develop
guidelines
for
incorporating
new
development within Athea
that would take account of
key issues such as:
•
Landmark buildings
•
Streetscapes
•
Open
spaces
and
recreation areas
•
•
•
1.4
Landmark views
vistas
Street furniture
and
Proposed mechanisms
and initiatives to ensure
the successful delivery
of this VDS.
Structure of this VDS
A VDS describes the character of the
village and provides broad design
guidelines which address the qualities
which locals consider worthy of
protection or improvement. A VDS will
draw particular attention to features
such as:
• Village Context
• Village Character and
Character Areas
• Village Settlement Patterns
• Buildings and Spaces
• Opportunity Sites
• Roads and Traffic
• Mechanisms / Initiatives for
Implementation.
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2.0 Key Issues
The following section indicates the
main issues and concerns expressed
at the Community Workshop held in
Con Colbert Community Hall on 19th
September 2006 and in written
responses submitted in relation to the
consultation exercise.
2.1
•
•
•
•
•
Local Services
Landscape Setting
Closure of Local
Businesses
Local Services
Lack of sewerage facilities is
curtailing development.
Opportunity for new housing for
young families but this is
constrained by lack of infrastructure
e.g. sewerage.
Sewerage facilities at capacity and
often flood over. It is believed that
run-off is also getting into the local
river causing pollution.
Council have been lobbied on
sewerage issue but people feel that
no immediate action will take place
in the near future.
There is a need for a public
transport service, with suggested
connections to Listowel, Moyrane,
Athea, Carrigkerry, Ardagh and
Reens Cross.
KEY ISSUES
Open Space
Derelict Buildings
Roads: Traffic &
Parking
Village Streetscape
Figure 2: Key Issues
Pedestrian Safety
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•
•
It is considered vital that a public
transport service is provided
between Tralee and Limerick, via
Athea to serve nearby hospitals,
colleges, nursing homes etc.
Other local facilities required for the
village, as suggested at the public
workshop include:
o ATM machine
o Toilets in Carnegie Library
o Broadband.
2.3
•
•
•
2.2
Closure of Local
Businesses
•
•
•
•
A number of local businesses have
closed in the last few years.
The petrol station across from the
community hall is due to close in
coming months. A planning
application for a supermarket was
refused. It is not viable for owner to
keep running current business.
Development of new shop and
retention of petrol pumps, and new
cash point which is badly needed
for younger people staying in
village at weekends.
Need to keep local shop /pubs/
services, and it is vital that Athea
retain its local post office.
•
2.4
•
•
•
Pedestrian Safety
Pedestrian Crossing needed for the
village. Location suggested at
Primary School, serve two
purposes for school and older
residents from the Glin Road
providing access to pedestrian
footbridge.
Pedestrian safety in village: through
road, traffic calming, speed through
village.
The improvement of footpaths with
associated lighting throughout the
village and also on approach roads
to the village, especially along the
Listowel Road, Glin Road and
Lower Road.
Wheelchair accessible footpaths
required.
Roads: Traffic & Parking
Brownes shop location acts as a
turning point for vehicles which is
considered dangerous. Suggestion
for installing round-about at this
point.
Speed limit should be moved
further out Listowel Road.
Speed of traffic on Glin Road is
dangerous, children walk along this
road to get buses on corner at
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•
•
Church Street. Footpaths are
needed, as well as signage for
speed.
Concern expressed regarding
through-traffic from Limerick to
Listowel. Although this traffic going
through village could also be seen
as an economic opportunity with its
passing trade.
Late night parking and the
gathering of cars at the Creamery
Yard is causing distress for nearby
residents with noise pollution.
•
2.5
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Village Streetscape
Village streetscape is good near
Markievicz Park.
Road surface / street surface of
Con Colbert Street is poor.
Lack of clear signposting
throughout village. Needs
improvement.
Traditional shopfront signage
commended.
Athea Bridge and Con Colbert
Street are important.
Poles and wires on Con Colbert
Street need to be removed,
positioned underground. Similar to
approach taken in Abbeyfeale.
Phone box should be relocated.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Derelict Buildings
There are now 6 empty houses on
Con Colbert Street.
Derelict buildings on the Con
Colbert Street. How do we improve
appearance of these buildings?
The Carnegie Library was
considered in need of improved
appearance.
Bridge and Community Hall were
built through community work.
2.8
•
•
•
•
2.7
•
2.6
Possibility of developing design
guidance.
Garda Barracks should be retained,
it is in good condition.
Urban Improvement Schemes /
paint renovate buildings on Main
Street.
Maighread McGrath House – it this
a protected structure?
•
•
Open Space
Open space is lacking, and existing
needs to be maintained
There are no play facilities in village
for children. Hill Side Drive
suggested as possible location.
Importance of Square in Main
Street, considered heart of village.
Suggested People’s Park at
Maighread McGrath House with link
to Church.
Markievicz Park needs to be kept
as a green space. Issue with
parking around the park and in
local housing estates.
Athea Bridge: potential location for
open space.
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•
•
Landscape Setting
Existing mature trees and new
trees need to be protected.
Existing planting is good, public
building hanging baskets, trees
near hall and near monument at
Markievicz Park.
Good new planting near community
centre up to graveyard.
Request for information on Tree
Preservation Orders.
Afforestation affecting flora and
fauna, affecting views, particularly
road from Newcastle West.
Windmills not as obtrusive as
afforestation.
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Figure 3: Sample of Children's Drawings illustrating Likes and Dislikes in Athea
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3.0
Village Context
3.1
Location
Athea is a village in West Limerick
nestling in the rolling hills between
Listowel, Abbeyfeale, Newcastle West
and Glin. Athea is situated at the
convergence of two Regional Routes,
the R523 between Listowel and Ardagh
and the R524 between Abbeyfeale and
Glin.
The distances to the nearest large
towns and airports are indicated in the
table below. In terms of services and
higher-order shopping, the nearest
local service centres are Shannon or
Tralee.
Figure 4: Athea Context Map
Distance from Athea to Nearest Major Town/ City and Airports
City/ Town/ Village
Distance from Athea (in miles)
Shannon
Ballybunion
Tralee
Limerick
Killarney
8
18
25
36
32
Airport
Distance from Athea (in miles)
Shannon Airport
Kerry Airport
48
27
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Table 1: Distances to nearby
towns, city and Airports
3.2
Population Change
The population of Athea in 2002 was 453.
Census 2002 shows a population of 410
for Athea. This figure represented a
decline of 43 people or 7.4% from 1996
figures.
Provisional statistics from the 2006
Census indicate a marginal increase in the
district population for the area. This
increase is reflected in the increase in one
off housing in the area. The absence of
new employment opportunities in the area
suggests that this growth will be largely
commuter driven.
3.3
Role of Athea Village
Athea is a vibrant community due to the
many
hard-working
voluntary
organisations in the parish. The umbrella
body is Athea Community Council Ltd.,
elected by the whole parish and
responsible for the development of the
community. The G.A.A. and Soccer clubs
both have their own pitches with modern
dressing rooms. Other organisations
include, Ladies Football Club, Tidy Towns
Committee, Voluntary Housing, St. Vincent
de Paul, Going Strong, Fishing Club, Gun
Club, Motorcycle Road Racing, Horse and
Pony Race Committee, Community
Games, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, and
many more charitable organisations.
Athea people are noted for their music,
dancing, songs, sporting prowess but most
of all for their hospitality.
Athea’s main role is to act as a local
service centre for the surrounding rural
hinterland. It has nine public houses (two
with function rooms and one with B&B
facilities and full restaurant), four shops
(two of which are newsagents), a
pharmacy, doctor's surgery, veterinary
surgery, butcher, post office, garage, filling
station, printing works and several small
businesses mostly associated with the
building trade.
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3.4
Topography
Athea is nestled amid a surrounding hilly
landscape with extensive areas of mature
forest and wooded areas visible in the
background. The undulating topography
around the village gives it an enclosed
feeling and physically contains it within the
surrounding
rural
landscape.
The
surrounding hilled landscape offers good
views of the wider rural landscape.
Athea village is situated on the
River which runs in a north –
direction through the village. Athea
and footbridge crosses this river
eastern end of the Main Street.
3.5
Galey
south
Bridge
at the
Figure 5: Aerial
View of Athea
facing northwest
Historical Context
Athea derives its name from ‘Ath an
tSleibhe’ the Ford of the Hill, or from
Teampall a tSleibhe, the church of the
mountain, which was later anglicised to
teampleatea or templeatea. The village
developed around the church that gives
the place its name. By 1840, little of it
remained except its name and a large
burial ground, which was still in use.
Templeathea, or Temple Athea, was the
name under which Athea was known in
1837 when, with Ardagh, it formed part of
the R.C. Division of Rathrona. Athea
Bridge was originally a wooden structure
over the Gale or Galey River. The bridge
is a strong focal point and acts as a
gateway to the Main Street. Historically,
the bridge is also noted at various times as
playing a significant role in local events.
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In 1860 the old bridge was replaced with
the present-day structure.
The Con Colbert community hall in Athea
is named in honour of one of the executed
leaders of the Easter Rebellion who
although born at Mondena, Castlemahon,
was reared in Galview House, Athea.
3.6
Local Features of Note
The river Galey runs through the
village, separating the main housing
and shopping area from the National
School and Con Colbert Community
sports and recreation hall. The Giant's
Garden, a reminder that Athea owes its
origins to the mythical era of giants,
stands on the Newcastle West road.
The Goold Monument on the Listowel
road is dedicated to the Goold family
who were benevolent Landlords at the
time of the Famine. The old graveyard
in Templeathea dates back to the 14th
century. The ruins of the original
church with walls intact remain in the
graveyard. The village streetscape has
an attractive vernacular look which has
been retained and well maintained.
3.7
Land Uses
The parish of Athea is made up of
farmland and bogland, and much of the
land is now in forestry. Dairy farming is
the main activity on the land with little
or no tillage due to the nature of the
soil. In recent years, there has been a
great decline in the numbers farming
with much of the workforce employed
in the large supermarkets and factories
in nearby towns which are all within ten
to fifteen minutes by car. There are a
number of small businesses in the
area, but most residents commute
elsewhere for work.
The Main Street of Athea provides a
mix of land uses including commercial,
education, community, residential and
open space.
This mix of uses
continues to the east with commercial,
community, education, residential and
open space land uses in the vicinity of
Athea Bridge. It also continues west
with commercial, community and
residential uses converging at the other
end of the Main Street. Further out the
village, in all directions, the main land
uses comprise of residential and
agricultural.
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3.8
Areas of New Housing
Most of the housing occurring in recent
years has been single houses
spreading in a ‘ribbon like’ format from
all roads into the village. Several
applications for housing in the village
centre have been passed on condition
that sewerage capacity is increased.
Due to the lack of sewerage capacity,
there have been few new houses
constructed in the village centre in
recent years. Numerous one-off
houses have been constructed on the
Glin,
Listowel,
Rathkeale
and
Abbeyfeale Roads approaching the
village.
Several pieces of land would be
available for development within the
village, subject to landowner intentions
and planning permission. In contrast to
more traditional housing, some modern
houses are sited on exposed and
highly visible sites. The failure to
provide
mature
planting
further
increases the visibility of these houses,
which are not always in keeping with
the established character of the area.
Figure 6: Aerial View of Athea facing
southeast
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4.0
Village Character
4.1
Historic Development of
Athea
Athea was an isolated and under
developed area until the 1830s when
the road from Glin to Abbeyfeale was
built. Originally Athea developed west
of the river and the bridge in a small
tight pattern. The present church was
built in 1832 and according to a plaque
on the left-hand side of the church, it
was erected in 1832, reorganised,
enlarged and dedicated to God in
1862.The bridge is shown in existence
in 1841. In the following years,
development then concentrated around
the junction of the Main Street and the
Abbeyfeale Road, as indicated in 1898
map below. Over time the village has
expanded south towards Abbeyfeale
Road, as well as the other approach
roads into the village.
While the village still has a small core,
there are many houses and buildings
within the wider area, along the
approach roads, that are considered
part of Athea.
Figure 7: Historical Development of Athea 1841
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4.2
Recent Development of
One-Off Housing
New residential developments on
Athea’s approach roads have extended
the influence of the village out into its
rural surrounds, which may result in the
loss of the village character. The
quality of the approach roads has been
greatly influenced by recent ribbon
development. This type of development
has resulted in the loss of some of the
demarcation between the urban and
rural areas and, if allowed to continue,
could alter the characteristic enclosed
shape by literally stretching the
footprint of the built up area.
Generally the original houses of Athea
were small terraced houses and
detached two storey cottages fronting
the road. Newer houses are now more
often detached, bungalow or dormer
bungalow, although within the village
there has been the development of
some semi-detached and terraced
dwelling units.
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4.3
Streetscape
The term “streetscape” refers to the
look of a particular street, regarding the
arrangement and design of plots,
buildings and materials, roads and
footpaths, street furniture, open spaces
and planting. Attractive and coherent
streetscapes happen when all of these
features reinforce and work with one
another.
The Main Street of Athea has a strong
sense of enclosure that is distinctive
“traditional” character. The Main Street
of Athea contains a variety of building
scales and patterns, with mostly two
storey buildings.
4.4
Landmarks & Key Features
Hurley’s Arch on the Main Street is
considered a landmark, where locals
gather for chat. The Square, near
Griffin’s butcher shop on the Main
Street, is an open space of local
importance, signifying the traditional
heart of the village, where markets and
gatherings used to take place.
The importance of the Goold
Monument is locally recognised. The
old Garda Barracks on Abbeyfeale
Road is an important building which is
in good condition and it is desired by
locals that this building is to be
retained.
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Maighread McGrath’s House near the
Main Street was suggested at the
Community Workshop as a landmark
building in need of preservation.
Athea Bridge is an important landmark
for the village which was identified as a
potential location for improved open
space.
4.5
Street Furniture
Street furniture relates to such items as
litter bins, benches, bollards, railings,
lighting, signposts, electricity wiring,
post boxes, phone boxes and other
such items found within the public
realm of streets and roads. The design
of street furniture should aim to reflect
the distinctive character of the village,
with consistency in design, style and
colour.
Athea Main Street has an interesting
mix of traditional and contemporary
street furniture, including some public
art, the feet sculpture at Markievicz
Park, traditional signposting, modern
street lighting on the new footbridge,
overhead electricity wiring, water
pump, litter bins and phone box. .
Overhead wiring in some areas of the
village takes away from its historic
character. It was suggested at the
Community Workshop that overhead
electricity
wiring
should
be
accommodated underground wherever
and whenever possible.
contribution to giving a place character
and identity.
The signposting in the village is
sometimes lacking and sometimes
unclear and this is considered to be in
need of improvement.
4.6
Modern Interventions
Modern design can also play an
important role within the traditional
streetscape,
contributing
to
the
element of variation, so long as it
carefully complements the common
design theme of adjacent buildings. In
the village of Athea, there are some
examples of where this principle has
and has not been adhered to. Local
residents indicated at the initial public
workshop that the use of modern
materials, for the likes of shop signage,
has dramatically changed the character
of some parts of the village. It was
suggested that traditional shop fronts
were a particular feature of the village
which should be maintained.
Public art, such as the feet sculpture at
Markievicz Park, makes a major
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5.0
Village Strategy
5.1
Key Actions
This section will outline the strategy for
preserving and enhancing the village of
Athea and its wider landscape setting
in response to the concerns and issues
identified
through
community
consultation.
The main aim of the Village Design
Statement is to guide how future
development would be carried out so
that it is respectful to the existing
village character.
The main components of the Village
Design Strategy are indicated in Table
2. The implementation of these actions
is further detailed in Section 6 of this
Village Design Statement.
Table 2: List of Actions for Village Design Strategy
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
5.2
Opportunity Sites
The second element within delivering
this strategy is the designation of
opportunity sites.
These sites are
those that the Council would like to see
brought forward in the short term for
development in accordance with the
scope of the Design Briefs to be
11
12
13
14
15
16
Preserve traditional shopfronts and encourage new shop fronts that are sympathetic to the
character of the Colbert Street. Preserve views along Colbert Street in an east - west direction
and the vista stopper of Browne’s shop.
Improve signposting both at entrances to the village and within the village, including adapting
a uniform style of local signposting.
Underground electricity cables in the village and adopt a standard style of street lighting and
street furniture that is in character with the village.
Develop opportunity sites in accordance with their design briefs and for the benefit of the local
community including incorporating good design, street frontage, open spaces and pedestrian
links.
Maintain existing green / open spaces for local usage, including providing walking routes,
seating areas, lighting and feature trees / planting / public art.
Develop children's playground in open space at Hill Side Drive.
Increase the capacity of sewerage treatment infrastructure to accommodate new
development.
Proposed pedestrian crossing between primary school and community hall with the erection of
barriers at the primary school on the road side.
Improve footpaths along all approach roads to the village and introduce traffic calming
measures to village "gateways" / entry roads.
Investigate the potential for re-using or sympathetically redeveloping buildings for community
or local residential use.
Investigate the possibility of developing a river walk.
Prioritise new residential development that is located within the village development boundary.
This is to involve a significant proportion of affordable housing for the local community.
Preserve and conserve Maighread McGrath's house for the use of the local community,
including restoring the house for active use.
Investigate the possibility of installing toilet facilities at the library.
Encourage local support of local shops and investigate the possibility of grant aid for their
retention, if necessary.
New residential development outside the village boundary, particularly one-off houses will not
only need to comply with the Council's relevant policies but also prove the need for a rural
location and provide a high quality of sympathetic rural design.
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prepared for incorporation within the
Final Village Design Statement. These
sites are indicated on the “Opportunity
Sites” Map which also indicates the
type of uses proposed for these sites.
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6.0 Delivery of the Athea
Village Design Statement
6.1
Community Engagement
As a document setting out the
guidance for the design of all
development in the area, based on its
history & existing character, it is
important the Athea Village Design
Statement reflects the wishes of the
village community. In order to facilitate
this, extensive consultation is ongoing
between the community, the Council
and Keith Simpson and Associates,
this will take the form of public
meetings and workshop groups with
the aim of reaching the largest number
of community residents possible.
In addition, we have attempted to
engage the local children in this
process through the preparation of
graphical images, drawn by them, of
their current likes and dislikes in Athea.
6.2
Delivery of VDS
The appointment / establishment of a
Steering Group to progress the delivery
of this VDS is fundamental to its
success. The group will be made up of
the village residents and will be an
elected body with regular re-elections.
The role of the group is not only to
assist in future community consultation
exercises but also to champion the
delivery of the VDS once completed.
The steering group is an effective
means to retain the control of future
development in the village by the
community.
In order to ensure the delivery of the
key strategies in this VDS, an Action
Plan is provided overleaf with several
key actions that should be further
prioritised by the steering group, and
may be updated and amended in the
future but the actions listed overleaf
represent the outcomes of community
consultation.
This
“Action
Plan”
incorporates the following:
I. List of actions
II. Delivery agency
III. Possible sources of funding
KSA
28
IV. Timescale (short
long term)
/ medium/
The purpose of indicating the possible
sources of funding and timescale is to
ensure the delivery of this Action Plan
in a logical and coherent manner to the
satisfaction of the local community.
The implementation stage of this VDS
begins before the VDS is finished. It
will involve communication between
the Steering Group, Limerick County
Council and relevant bodies in relation
to the implementation of the plan. The
development of the implementation
strategy can be broken into the
following key stages.
6.3
A Model of Implementation
The implementation stage of any plan
of this type is often the most difficult.
The following are some key criteria that
are
required
to
underpin
any
successful implementation process –
• The existence of a formal community
organisation with an executive
formally nominated in a public forum
on an annual basis (this may be
either
the
established
Athea
Community Council or another
elected Steering Group).
• Good communication between the
central
organisation
and
the
community
Community Council are to act in this
capacity. It would then be a matter
for the new group to pursue the other
steps in the implementation strategy.
• The development of sub-committees
of this organisation to implement
specific elements of the strategy
• The development of a community
fund.
• The development of an annual action
plan with reachable targets
6.4 Initiating the Implementation
• The active involvement of the public
representatives for the area
• The active involvement of existing
organisations in the community
• The provision of training in plan
development and implementation to
the Executive of the Community
organisation
• The development of some new key
organisations
• The active and structured support of
key individuals in the state sector
• The ongoing support and mentoring
of
a
community
development
specialist, perhaps from the local
authority
A key step in moving this process
forward is the initiation of the
implementation stage of the strategy.
The following are some of the key
stages– The Steering Group can help
the implementation process by:
• Agreeing a structure and mechanism
of election of a Steering Group
(council -type structure), including the
preparation
of
a
Draft
Constitution/Memorandum
of
Association
• Seeking the agreement of the existing
organisations in the village to this
process and to the nomination of a
representative
• Holding a public meeting to launch
the Strategy and to formally elect the
first Council or agree that Athea
KSA
29
Some of the key elements of which
would include the establishment of the
following:
a) Annual Action Plan
This, as mentioned earlier, is formed
by the steering group, which reviews
the issues of this plan and sets out a
small number of priority actions. These
priority actions will form the prime
focus of the work of the Steering Group
and its sub committees for the coming
year. By achieving these attainable
goals each year, the strategy steps
closer and closer to its full completion.
b) Community Fund
The steering group will contribute
resources to the implementation of the
Plan; these contributions can take the
form of money or time and expertise. A
community fund is a key component of
the implementation of the Annual
Action Plan mentioned above and in
the longer-term strategy. The form this
fund will take as well as its collection
and allocation mechanism is something
that will have to be considered and
decided by the steering group and the
community.
c) Monitoring,
evaluation
and
review
While it is considered that a complex
and time-consuming monitoring and
review process
would not be
appropriate, it is also considered that
some measures of progress in
achieving the goals of the plan need to
be put in place.
It is proposed that:
• The Action Plan be the principal
mechanism for monitoring and
evaluating achievements of the
community. As the plan would
identify the targets for the year it
would also allow achievements to be
considered against these targets in a
review of the year.
• The report on the review of the
achievement of the targets set out in
the Annual Action Plan would then
feedback to the AGM of the steering
group. The success or lack of it as
outlined in this report would form the
basis of the review of the years work
and of the Draft Strategic Plan. In
addition, the process for the
development of the Annual Action
Plan would facilitate a review of the
strategic Plan and its overarching
goals. The reports of sub-committees
and their progress in achieving the
targets set in the Annual Action Plan
would also provide information to
facilitate the review process. It is
proposed that the Executive of the
steering group would be the body
responsible for monitoring, evaluation
and review and for the preparation of
the Action Plan.
d) Training
It is unreasonable to expect that, even
with ongoing mentoring and support, a
voluntary
community-based
organisation would be capable of
carrying out some of the relatively
complex tasks involved in strategy
implementation without training. It is
proposed, therefore, that an on-going
training programme be devised and
implemented that would assist the
group addressing this task. This
training needs to be continuous as
personnel on the Executive will change
KSA
30
and complex tasks require regular
reinforcement. Limerick County Council
should continue to work with the local
community in moving towards the
vision and goals identified in the plan.
Funding for the various projects should
be sought through the different
organisations.
ACTION PLAN FOR VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT STRATEGY
Number Action
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Preserve traditional shopfronts and encourage new shop fronts that are
sympathetic to the character of the Colbert Street. Preserve views along
Colbert Street in an east - west direction and the vista stopper of Brownies
shop.
Delivery: Lead Agency /
Body
Possible Sources of
Funding
Limerick County Council , Heritage
Council & Dept. of Environment
Tidy Towns, Heritage Grants
Programme, Architectural Heritage
Initiative & Chamber of Commerce?
Dept. of Transport & Dept. of the
Environment.
E.S.B., Limerick County Council
Urban Renewal Scheme – Limerick
County Council, National
Development Plan.
Urban Renewal Scheme – Limerick
County Council
Tidy Towns Committee, Athea
Community Council Ltd, Limerick
County Council
Tidy Towns
Athea Community Council Ltd
Limerick County Council – Play
Policy, Development Contributions.
National Development Plan,
Limerick County Council,
Development Contributions
Limerick County Council,
Dept. of Education, NRA, Limerick
County Council.
Urban Renewal Scheme, National
Roads Authority, Development
Contributions
Ongoing
Improve signposting both at entrances to the village and within the village,
including adapting a uniform style of local signposting.
Short Term
Underground electricity cables in the village and adopt a standard style of
street lighting and street furniture that is in character with the village.
Long Term
Develop opportunity sites in accordance with their design briefs and for
the benefit of the local community including incorporating good design,
street frontage, open spaces and pedestrian links.
Maintain existing green / open spaces for local usage, including providing
walking routes, seating areas, lighting and feature trees / planting / public
art.
Medium Term
Ongoing
Develop children's playground in open space at Hill Side Drive.
Increase the capacity of sewerage treatment infrastructure to
accommodate new development.
Proposed pedestrian crossing between primary school and community hall
with the erection of barriers at the primary school on the road side.
KSA
Medium Term
Medium Term
Medium Term
Improve footpaths along all approach roads to the village and introduce
traffic calming measures to village "gateways" / entry roads.
Likely Timescale
Long Term
31
ACTION PLAN FOR VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT STRATEGY
Number Action
10
Investigate the potential for re-using or sympathetically redeveloping
buildings for community or local residential use.
Delivery: Lead Agency /
Body
Possible Sources of
Funding
Private Developers, Limerick County
Council, West limerick Resources
Ltd
LEADER +, Heritage Grants
Programme & Architectural heritage
Initiative (for protected structures
and significant buildings).
LEADER +, Dept. of
Communications, Marine & Natural
Resources & Heritage Grants
Programme
Private developers, Social Inclusion
and Social Capital Grant
Programme.
West Limerick Resources Ltd
11
12
Investigate the possibility of developing a river walk.
Prioritise new residential development that is located within the village
development boundary. This is to involve a significant proportion of
affordable housing for the local community.
Limerick County Council, St. Vincent
de Paul, Athea Community Council
Ltd,
Likely Timescale
Medium Term
Long Term
Ongoing
Limerick County Council & Heritage
Council
Heritage Council initiative.
13
Preserve and conserve Maighread McGrath's house for the use of the
local community, including restoring the house for active use.
14
Investigate the possibility of installing toilet facilities at the library
Urban Renewal Scheme.
Short Term
15
Encourage local support of local shops and investigate the possibility of
grant aid for their retention, if necessary.
Athea Community Council, Limerick
County Council
Tidy Towns, Heritage Grants
Programme, Architectural Heritage
Initiative.
Ongoing
16
New residential development outside the village boundary, particularly
one-off houses will not only need to comply with the Council's relevant
policies but also prove the need for a rural location and provide a high
quality of sympathetic rural design.
LEADER +, Sustainable Energy
Ireland
Ongoing
KSA
Long Term
32

to the Athea Village Design Statement [PDF 1.4MB]

Transcription

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