TOOME VILLAGE MASTERPLAN TOOME VILLAGE MASTERPLAN February 2011 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 2. CONTEXT 2.1 purpose of the masterplan 2.2 masterplan team 2.3 masterplan process 2.4 demographics 3. HISTORY 4. ANALYSIS 4.1 strategic analysis 4.2 potential markets 4.3 local analysis 5. SHARED VISION 6. CONCEPT PLAN 7. MASTERPLAN INITIATIVES 7.1 village centre 7.1.1 marina development 7.1.2 former O’Neill arms hotel &village square 7.1.3 village park & pedestrian thoroughfare 7.1.4 employment sector 7.1.5 development opportunities 7.2 community facilities sector 7.2.1 permeable pedestrian routes 7.2.2 erin’s own GAC, cargin 7.2.3 residential opportunities 7.3 waterfront & parkland setting 7.3.1 urban water frontage 7.3.2 improved waterside activites 7.3.3 extension of canal walk 7.4 complementary strategies 7.4.1 frontage improvements 7.4.2 interpretation 7.4.3 pathway network 7.4.4 public realm enhancement 7.4.5 joint village/town partnership events 8. DELIVERING THE VILLAGE MASTERPLAN 9. CONCLUSION 10. APPENDICES 1. INTRODUCTION Toome, positioned at the confluence of the River Bann and Lough Neagh, Northern Ireland, is located approximately twelve miles west of Antrim town with a population of 722 (2001 Census). The village derives its name from the Irish Tuaim, a ‘tumulus’ or mound of earth or stones raised over a grave, which can literally be translated as ‘burial mound’ or ‘pagan burial place.’ Well documented in Irish language sources due to its strategic importance at the mouth of the Bann, one early reference of the village is made in the 7th century monk Tírechán’s account of St Patrick’s journey through Ireland who travelled through the area. © OSNI “There must have been formerly at this place both a sandbank ford across the river and a sepulchral mound near it, for in the Tripartite Life it is called Fearsat Tuama, the farset or ford of the tumulus; but in the annals it is generally called Tuaim.” Archbishop Uilliam Seóighe (Joyce) Excavation work immediately east of the Toome Canal has unearthed the remains of the late 17th century Toome Castle, one of many defensive castles constructed around the shores of Lough Neagh during the 1600’s. Recent excavation work carried out in advance of the A6 Toome Bypass in 2003, revealed evidence of the earliest phase of Irish prehistory settlement on Lough Neagh including Mesolithic hut sites and longboats dating between 5500 and 5200BC. ‘Riverlines’ an eight metre high stainless steel and neon column, commissioned by TIDAL (Toome Industrial Development, Amenities and Leisure Ltd) and designed by Ballintoy based artist Chris Wilson, was inspired by the rich imagery and heritage of the Toome area and takes pride of place alongside the new Bypass, rapidly becoming an iconic and widely recognisable piece of public art at this gateway location. Like many towns in Northern Ireland, Toome and its people experienced challenging times through the 30 year Troubles. More recently however the village has witnessed a form of renaissance and renewed sense of civic pride, widely due to the strong sense of community spirit evident within the village and the proactive work carried out by the focussed community groups present. This village masterplan for Toome seeks to build on these strong community values through the incorporation of a vision and initiatives © Chris Wilson that celebrate the villages strong historical connections, rediscovers its abundant natural asset base and contributes to the quality of life for its residents, workers and visitors. © OSNI Introduction 2. CONTEXT This masterplan has been commissioned by GROW The masterplan study area is loosely based on the South Antrim through Antrim Borough Council. development limits as defined by the Department It has been part funded by the Department for of the Environment (below). This area extends Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), southwards to include the grounds of Erin’s Own as a core part of the EU Rural Development Cargin GAA Club, the Meadows residential estate Programme Village Renewal Measure. of Village Green along the Moneynick Road to the east, Roguery Road to the north, and Creagh The Masterplan is one of three plans that have Road across the River Bann to the west. been developed simultaneously for the villages of Toome, Doagh and Whitehead and seeks to While the masterplan is largely confined to identify a range of initiatives by which to improve the area defined in the plan below, a holistic the village over the next 5 to 15 years. approach has been taken and as a result several of the strategies listed within Section 7 of this report look beyond these boundaries ensuring that initiatives respond to the wider hinterland. © OSNI 2.1 Purpose of the Masterplan A successful masterplan involves the generation of ideas and the preparation of realistic design concepts based on thorough research, analysis and consultation. While non-statutory in nature, a masterplan is an effective tool that provides direction for both physical and non-physical interventions that help shape open space, buildings and landscape in response to growing economic, technological, demographic and social changes. A masterplan should provide flexibility by identifying key principles as opposed to finite blueprint solutions. It includes a strategic vision and concept for how a place might develop and should include sufficient detail at key locations so that the vision can be tested for economic and functional viability. By studying and thinking about the village holistically, it is intended that individual projects can be coordinated to maximise their contribution to making Toome a better place in which to live, work, play, invest and visit. This plan will not replace statutory planning policy for the area, but will help key organisations from the public, private and community sectors to plan for and target their investment wisely. The purpose of the Masterplan is to provide a strategic vision for the comprehensive and sustainable development of Toome village over the next 5 to 15 years. 2.2 Masterplan Team The Village Masterplan process was overseen by a Steering Group comprising officers, officials and elected representatives of Antrim Borough Council, the local community and several community associations. The masterplan was prepared by the multidisciplinary consultant team The Paul Hogarth Company (Urban Designers and Landscape Architects) with specialised costing services provided by Nolan Ryan Tweeds. Context 2.3 Masterplan Process The steps taken throughout the course of the Masterplan process are outlined with the graphic above. During the initial ‘Information Gathering’ stage, numerous site visits and surveys were conducted each supported by detailed photographic records, while desktop research involving the review of existing plans and initiatives was also undertaken. Comprehensive stakeholder consultation also formed a key component of the information gathering stage and included an open public consultation event in addition meetings with numerous statutory agencies. The analysis stage involved the examination of land and building uses in the context of the historic growth of the village as well as gaining an understanding from the feedback gained from earlier consultation meetings. Guided by the Steering Group, a strong concept and vision statement with accompanying aims and objectives were then formulated which set the scene for the key physical, social and economic initiatives that ultimately formed the village Masterplan. Following on from the success of the earlier public consultation event, a public exhibition was held at Toome House enabling residents of Toome to review the draft Masterplan and submit their comments. A copy of the Consultation Report is included within the Appendices. From the outset of this project, the Steering Group emphasised the importance of MASTERPLAN PROCESS gaining input from a large cross section of village residents in order to help shape the Masterplan. Information Gathering (Document Review, Site Appraisal Stakeholder Consultation Analysis Client Review Concept Proposals Client Review Draft Masterplan Client Review Public Exhibition Draft Documents Client Review Final Masterplan and Action Plan Launch 2.4 Demographics Toome is classified as a small village, hamlet and The population of Toome on Census day (29th open countryside and this settlement has the April 2001) was 722 people with a total of 224 following profile recorded in the 2001 Census. households. The demographic characteristics of the people living in Toome, in comparison with Band H relates to areas labelled ‘Small Village, the overall Northern Ireland picture, is presented Hamlet and Open Countryside’. This definition in the table below. includes settlements with a population of less than 1,000, the majority of which are outside A census of population is normally taken every ten the Belfast Metropolitan and Derry Urban Areas. years and is carried out by the Census Office, part Information is provided for settlements in this band of the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research with a population of more than 500 people. Agency (NISRA). The next census in Northern Ireland will take place on Sunday 27 March 2011. SETTLEMENT CLASSIFICATION BAND N.IRELAND Percentage Comparisons (%) Toome small village, hamlet NI and open countryside Under 16 years of age 27.2 24.3 23.6 Over 60 years of age 10.9 17.0 17.6 Male 48.8 51.1 48.7 Female 51.3 48.9 51.3 Catholic (Community Background) 96.3 47.5 43.8 Protestant and other Christian 2.9 50.7 53.1 Born outside NI 4.7 7.6 9.0 Ethnic group other than white 0.0 0.4 0.8 Persons with limiting long-term illness 23.0 18.2 20.4 Providing unpaid care 8.6 10.7 11.0 Owner-occupied households 49.1 82.4 69.6 Detached houses/bungalows 32.6 72.4 36.5 Access to a car or van 66.8 87.9 73.7 Degree level education or higher 8.4 14.5 15.8 No qualifications 55.4 43.2 41.6 Persons in employment (femaile) 42.2 41.3 45.0 persons in employment (male) 57.8 58.7 55.0 Unemployed 6.2 3.3 4.1 2001 CENSUS - NORTHERN IRELAND STATISTICS & RESEARCH AGENCY (NISRA) History 3.