Burnside Village Plan Introduction Village Renewal Measure

The Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 is part financed by the European The Village Renewal Scheme will provide financial support primarily for the drafting of Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Department of Agriculture, integrated village plans and also for the renewal of rural villages through Village Plans. The Environment & Rural Affairs (DAERA). GROW South Antrim (Generating Rural Opportunities village plan is a working document that has the support of the community. It should provide Within South Antrim) has been set up to manage and deliver LEADER Priority 6 of the Northern a needs based strategic framework to co-ordinate specific development actions. Ireland Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 across the Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council area. Support for Village Renewal must fit with the Council Community Plans and integrate with the Village Renewal plans supported under the 2007 – 2013 Rural Development Programme. Within the South Antrim area, LEADER Priority 6 of the programme provides provision for The measure will aim to build on the overarching fabric of a village / town integrating with the following Schemes: other funding from other government departments and agencies. The measure will aim to address rural dereliction and prioritise the reuse of existing derelict buildings, particularly to provide community infrastructure. • Rural Business Investment Scheme

• Rural Basic Services Scheme Support is limited to within the “village” development limits or in simple terms 30 miles per • Village Renewal Scheme hour zone and may include:

• Co-Operation Scheme • Development or updating of integrated village plans for Local Government Districts The GROW South Antrim Strategic Vision is: “South Antrim as a vibrant, prosperous and • Village investment emanating from the integrated village plans such as: inclusive region whose roots are locally grown but whose focus is, at the same time, outward looking and expansive.” > Derelict and vacant site enhancement > Environmental improvements > Shop frontage enhancements > Conservation and upgrading of rural culture and heritage (natural and built), except monuments and wall murals which will not be considered eligible for funding > Gateway projects

The beneficiaries of the Village Renewal Scheme are local authorities and community groups. Local authorities must work in partnership with the rural community to roll out the village plans.

This village plan has been funded under the Village Renewal Measure as an update to the previous village plan completed for Burnside in 2012. The plan outlines key issues and priorities for the village to be addressed over the next 3 – 5 year period.

2 3 Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Community Planning Context Council published the Draft Community plan for the Borough Community planning is the responsibility of local authorities since local government reform covering the period to 2030 in early was introduced in April 2015. Councils will work with statutory bodies and their 2017. It details 4 outcome statements communities to develop and implement a shared vision for promoting the well being of an for the Borough: area, community cohesion and improving the quality of life of its citizens.

The village plan for Burnside has been developed using a community led approach, with • Our citizens enjoy good health consultation with residents on key issues, priorities and projects for development forming the central elements of the planning process. The approach taken to develop the village plan and well being is therefore reflective of the principles of community planning. • Our citizens live in connected, safe and vibrant places

• Our citizens benefit from economic prosperity

• Our citizens achieve their full potential

The village plan incorporates a broad range of issues and initiatives across many aspects of village life from day to day issues such as litter to traffic and speeding related issues to recreation and well being issues. The proposed projects and initiatives to improve these aspects of life within the village therefore correlate directly to these issues and also align to the outcome statements detailed within the draft Community Plan. Village issues and proposed projects relate to various local government and NI Executive policies and strategies and responsibilities. The village plan therefore can help to inform community planning at a local level and direct resources from the process to develop positive outcomes for the residents of Burnside.

4 5 Village Overview

Burnside is a small rural village locally approximately 1.5 miles north of Doagh and 3 miles north west of Ballyclare. The village is strategically located in relatively close proximity to Belfast, Antrim, Ballymena and Larne and also to key transport infrastructure, namely the M2 motorway, Belfast International Airport, and the Port of Belfast.

The village comprises two distinctive areas- Cogry and Kilbride. Cogry was originally a mill village which evolved as a settlement during the mid-nineteenth century but declined in the 1950s with the closure of the mill. The mill and associated buildings are a distinctive feature of the village. Kilbride developed in close proximity to Cogry with the development of Kellburn by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE).

Today, the village consists of a local shop (Day Today), Kilbride Primary School, Presbyterian Church and Church Halls, Orange Hall, Play Park, Multi-use games areas (MUGA) and several residential developments.

The Doagh River is an attractive feature within the village which runs east of Kilbride and meanders west of Cogry. A Riverside Walk along the river provides a pedestrian link between Cogry and Kilbride.

6 7 Village Planning Process Consultation Findings & Analysis In order to review and update the village plan for Burnside, a number of key steps have been Public Meeting completed, including: A public meeting was held in Kilbride Presbyterian Church Hall on 29th November 2016, • Village walkabout – representatives from the village steering committee along with with a total of 29 people in attendance. The meeting was publicised through notices dis- the consultant team identified and discussed key areas and issues for the village tributed to local homes (along with the community questionnaire) and via local community during a site visit. This was an opportunity to highlight areas of noted concern in the networks. Details of the public meeting were also distributed to local elected representatives. village and to explore initial ideas or proposed plans for improvement The public meeting allowed for group discussion and also individual comment based on the following key questions: • Hosting a public meeting for all local residents and stakeholders to engage in the planning process and offer their views in terms of key issues and priorities for the village and development proposals for the next 3-5 year period • What are the key priorities and issues for the village in your view? • What physical improvements would you like to see taken forward for the village? • Distribution of a questionnaire to local residents to obtain feedback on an individual • What community activities or events would you like to see continued, developed or basis from as many local residents as possible expanded in the village?

Some of the key points noted from the public meeting were as follows: This consultation process with local residents and stakeholders has been a central element of the village planning process. The plan has been finalised post the consultation process with a number of planning meetings with the village steering committee to feedback key findings from the consultation process, agree priority projects to be advanced for the village of General village related issues including: Burnside, and identify key actions required to advance priorities. • Street lighting was viewed as poor throughout the village and particularly along the Cogry Road. The pathway along the Cogry Road was also noted as a health and safety issue • The lack of available community hall facilities in Burnside (that could also offer space for young people) was an issue for many of those that participated in the public meeting • More plants and environmental improvements towards the top of the village – particularly around the island at the old Burnside Tavern as most of the recent initiatives have been focused at the other end of the village • Dog fouling was noted as a considerable issue in the village with most footpaths affected

8 9 Youth related issues including: Potential Physical Improvements The following list of potential physical improvements was noted from the public meeting: • Drugs and alcohol – participants indicated that this appears to be a growing issue for local young people Installation of a bus shelter in the village – much needed especially for local school children • Lighting needed for the park area and potentially along the river walk - young people • congregate at the trees along the river walk during the summer and lighting at the park may • More flowerbeds / planting and environmental improvements throughout the village help this situation by encouraging the use of the park • The development of facilities for community and youth usage is much needed within the • Lack of provision for young people in the area was noted as an issue village • Improved street lighting throughout the village – the Cogry Road was highlighted as Road safety issues including: particularly poor and, as a result, dangerous for local residents • Creation of pedestrian crossings within the village due to safety issues resulting from • Congestion in the village is an issue as traffic into Ballyclare is diverted through the village, volume of traffic and speeding – the need for a crossing at the park was noted specifically as the proposed bypass may have resolved this but that is no longer happening an improvement that should be a priority • Pedestrian crossing needed at the park – it was felt that this is a safety issue for children, • Traffic calming measures within the village – speeding was noted as a significant issue and young people and families that use the park and is much needed participants felt that traffic calming measures should be explored and taken forward • Cars park on footpaths making them inaccessible for prams and for those who have a • River walk towards the pond, there is a very steep hill – some form of health and safety work disability to ensure that people of all ages can access safely throughout the year would be beneficial • Traffic calming required at various points within the village due to issues with speeding • Potential for the development of facilities for young people along the river walk – such as a Road safety issues including... BMX / skateboard facility • It was suggested that additional park equipment is invested in to cater for a wider age group of young people

10 11 When asked to identify community services, activities or events people would like to see Community Questionnaire prioritised for the area, the most popular responses were (respondents could mark up to 3 responses): A total of 88 responses were received to the questionnaire distributed to local residents and some of the key findings include: • Road safety initiatives = 47 responses (59.5%) • 84% of respondents indicated that they have been living in the village for at least 5 • Activities for young people = 31 responses (39.2%) years • Advice services for resident / community issues = 21 responses (27.8%) • When asked to rate quality of life within the village, 75% of respondents stated quality of life in the village is good or very good

When asked to identify issues that affect quality of life within the village, the following were the top 3 responses received (respondents were asked to mark all relevant issues from a provided list):

• Transport issues e.g. road safety, parking, roads condition = 66 respondents (77.6%) • Community facilities = 43 respondents (50.6%) • Facilities and services or opportunities for young people = 35 respondents (41.2%)

Respondents were also asked to identify the number one issue affecting quality of life in the village. Transport issues (including road safety, parking, roads condition) ranked highest with 34 respondents (41.5%)

When asked to identify and rank priorities for physical improvements within the village, the top 2 priorities ranked by respondents were:

• Community building / hall • Facilities specifically for young people

Respondents were asked to rate a list of issues relating to health, well being and environment as “major issues”, “of some concern” and “no concern” based upon their views and experience living in Burnside. The following responses were received:

Issues deemed to be Litter, dog fouling, graffiti = 70% of responses “major concerns” Traffic = 62% of responses Drugs and alcohol abuse = 46% of responses

Issues deemed to be Litter, dog fouling, graffiti = 95% of responses “major” or of “some Traffic = 89% of responses concern” Drugs and alcohol abuse = 83% of responses Access to transport or cost of transport = 80% of responses Anti-social behaviour = 79% of responses

12 13 Priority Projects for the Village Actions to Progress Priorities On the basis of the process undertaken, the potential projects and issues that were deemed Refurbishment of Burnside Orange Hall most important for local people, the following key priorities have been identified for action within the village over the next 3-5 year period: Action Stakeholders Potential Resources Funders required Community Facilities Provide support to the Orange • Village Steering • GROW • Volunteer

Hall committee to complete the Committee time • Refurbishment of Burnside Orange Hall to include upgraded toilets, installation of following: • Antrim and new heating system and internal refurbishment • Orange Hall Newtownabbey • Design costs 1. Work with a suitable architect Committee Borough to develop the detail of Council • Construction Village Improvements refurbishment works to be costs completed • Big Lottery • General improvements to the river walk including dog fouling signage and additional 2. Engage with local residents Awards for All • Launch event bins and community organisations to programme costs consult and build support for the project • More flowerbeds / planting and environmental improvements throughout the village and better quality notice boards 3. Make applications to relevant funding bodies (and highlight the support for the project within • Installation of a bus shelter the village via the Village Steering Committee) • Creation of a pelican crossing and installation of lighting at the park 4. Secure funding and complete the necessary procurement processes • Additional equipment within the play park 5. Appoint contractor(s) and oversee the completion of the Youth Related Projects project 6. Have a launch event for the Orange Hall once the project • Upgrade youth artwork along the river walk has been completed (supporting wider community involvement) • Creation of a youth area along the river walk Post the completion of the • Village Steering • Antrim and • Volunteer project, support the Orange Hall Committee Newtownabbey time Broader Issues to Address for the Village committee to: Borough 1. Promote the project for local • Orange Hall Council • Traffic calming measures within the village community usage Committee 2. Work with all local • Village Steering stakeholders to develop activities Committee • Street lighting and footpath improvements and events to be held in the facility and secure funding for these activities where possible

14 15 Village Improvements Village Improvements

• General improvements to the river walk including dog fouling signage and additional bins • Installation of a bus shelter in the village • More flowerbeds / planting and environmental improvements throughout the village and • Creation of a pelican crossing at the Park better quality notice boards • Installation of lighting and additional equipment at the play park to include a shelter for Action Stakeholders Potential Resources young people Funders required

Engage with Department for • Village Steering • Department • Volunteer time Action Stakeholders Potential Resources Infrastructure/Translink Committee for Funders required officials and public Infrastructure • Stakeholder Engage with Council officers • Village Steering • GROW • Volunteer time representatives to agree key • Antrim and officer time and public representatives to Committee milestones to take each Newtownabbey • Antrim and agree key milestones to take • Antrim and • Antrim and project forward. To include: Borough Council Newtownabbey • Public each project forward. To include: • Antrim and Newtownabbey Newtownabbey • Potential costs of each Borough Representative • Potential costs of each project Newtownabbey Borough Borough Council project • Public Council time • Any Antrim and Borough Council Council • Any funding representatives Newtownabbey Borough Coun- Capital costs for: opportunities for each project • Translink Capital costs cil funding opportunities for • Public • Any permissions that are • Department for for: each project representatives - Signage and required in order to complete Infrastructure • Any permissions that are additional bins - Bus shelter required in order to complete Work with public • Translink - Flowerbeds representatives to lobby for - Pelican Participate in any related coun- and planting the improvements through all crossing cil consultation available channels, including: exercises such as: - Notice board • Department for • Community Planning improvements Infrastructure • Village in Bloom meetings • Antrim and Newtownabbey - Lighting and Borough Council Work with Antrim and additional • MLAs and any other relevant Newtownabbey Borough equipment for political representatives Council officers and public the play park Identify potential funders for representatives to complete each project on an ongoing necessary design and cost basis and make applications exercises where appropriate and Identify potential funders for eligible each project on an ongoing basis and make applications Liaise with Department for where appropriate and eligible Infrastructure and Translink officials or relevant funder Liaise with Antrim and officers to ensure that the Newtownabbey Borough community is consulted as / Council officers to ensure that when any works are the community is consulted as / completed when any works are completed

16 17 Creation of youth space at the Complete procurement as Village Steering Volunteer per funder guidelines Committee time top of the river walk Capital costs Action Stakeholders Potential Resources Appoint contractor to Village Steering Volunteer Funders required complete works and deliver Committee time the project and continue to Consult with local young Village Steering • Antrim and • Volunteer liaise regularly throughout people on the available space Committee Newtownabbey time and capture their views on Borough Council Hold a launch event in the Village Steering Volunteer what they would like to see • Design local community upon Committee time created for young people • Big Lottery costs project completion

Identify potential funders to Village Steering appoint an architect / design Committee professional to develop sketches plans for any facility to be created and complete applications to secure necessary funds

Liaise with the architect / • Village Steering design professional to Committee develop plans for any facility (ensuring young people are • Antrim and consulted in the process) Newtownabbey Borough Council Consult with local residents • Village Steering with any proposed plans and Committee seek agreement on taking the project forward (ensure • Antrim and that any issues are addressed) Newtownabbey Borough Council

Once agreement on the Village Steering facility and plans are reached, Committee identify potential funders and complete applications for the construction works

18 19 Upgrade art work along the river walk

Action Stakeholders Potential Resources Funders required

Consult with local young • Village Steering • Antrim and Volunteer people on the art work and Committee Newtownabbey time capture their views on what Borough Council they would like to see in its • Antrim and place Newtownabbey • Big Lottery Borough Council Identify potential funders for the upgrade of the art work

Complete applications to relevant funders to secure the necessary funds for completion Liaise with Council officers to ensure proposed work / design has necessary council permission

Procure the necessary work through suitably qualified professionals and complete the design works

Ensure that there is regular consultation and feedback to young people throughout the process and that they are involved in creating the upgraded art work

Hold a launch event in the local community upon project completion

20 21 Project Overview Next Steps and Delivering the Plan The village plan was developed during the period October 2016 through to March 2017. A key The village planning process has achieved a considerable amount of input from local element in the development of the plan was identifying a priority project that could be community residents and has been supported by Burnside Village Steering Committee, brought forward to seek funding from the Rural Development Programme Village Renewal which has equal representation from Burnside and District Community Group and Burnside Measure. The project put forward by the Burnside Village Steering Committee was the Village Committee. Importantly a series of potential projects have been identified that can be refurbishment of Burnside Orange Hall and a snapshot of the works to be completed, key brought forward by the Burnside Village Steering Committee, local community stakeholders, aims and proposed benefits of the project are detailed: Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and statutory bodies. It is important that the Village Steering Committee continues to meet regularly to review progress in implementing the plan and advancing the key actions within. Regular meetings of the Steering Committee can retain the buy in of both groups and the wider community. It is recommended that at Works to be completed: Key aims: least bi – monthly meetings are scheduled going forward.

• Installation of a modern heating system • To complete refurbishment and upgrade The established Steering Committee is well placed to assume the lead role in the delivery works to the Orange Hall to ensure its • Ceiling repairs of this village plan over the next 3-5 year period and a series of practical actions have been sustainability for future years identified as a guide to follow and measure progress in line with priority projects identified. • Installation of a modern kitchen • To improve the condition of the Orange • Upgrade to the toilets within the building Hall to cater for additional uses, types of It is important that Steering Committee and other relevant local stakeholders continue to engage with Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council structures such as Community • General refurbishment / decoration activities and number of users from the village on a regular basis Planning, to represent the needs and priorities for the area and where possible help to drive investment to the priorities outlined in the village plan. Estimated costs for the project £30,000 • To improve the community facilities available to residents of Burnside village A number of potential funders have been noted however this represents only a small and increase access to these facilities selection of funding opportunities that are or will become available over the lifetime of the village plan. It is recommended that funding proposals are advanced in line with the projects identified and relevant funding opportunities as they become available. This may include opportunities such as: Key benefits: • GROW funding programmes within the Rural Development Programme • An important local community facility and resource retained for future usage by the • Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council annual funding programmes local community • Big Lottery funding programmes • New heating and kitchen for the building will improve the sustainability of the building by reducing ongoing running costs • Department for Infrastructure funding programmes Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs funding programmes • Make the facility more accessible to more people living in the local community and able • to sustain higher levels of usage • Public Health Agency or Northern Health and Social Care funding programmes • Offer more opportunities for local community activity such as local community • Funding opportunities through umbrella organisations such as South Antrim meetings, learning opportunities, social activities, community events and use by the local Community Network and the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland play group

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