dunadry hamlet plan 2 DUNADRY HAMLET PLAN Acknowledgements Dunadry Community Association would like to thank all those who have contributed to the preparation of this Hamlet Plan, including: • The Dunadry Hotel & Country Club for the use of their facilities for initial meetings with DCA and the public meeting. • All local residents, Church representatives, and business owners, Elected members and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) who participated in the consultation process. • We particularly wish to thank all those who permitted the use of their photographs in the Hamlet Plan and John Kerr and Stephen Montgomery who provided several photographs of the hamlet. • Antrim Borough Council (ABC) for providing support to the Hamlet Plan preparation process. • VMS Consults Ltd (VMS) for chairing and facilitating the consultation process and ensuring that everyone was given an opportunity to have their say on issues affecting them. • All the members of Dunadry Community Association (DCA) for helping to organise the public meeting, arranging the venue and publicising the event. DCA has also acted as a key source of local information. DUNADRY HAMLET PLAN 3 Abbreviations and Glossary ABC - Antrim Borough Council Local government authority for Antrim Borough DCA - Dunadry Community Association Community group in Dunadry that represent interests of residents on issues that may impact on the local community DOE - Department of the Environment Government department with responsibility for planning, the natural and built environment and road safety and regulation of drivers, vehicles and vehicle operators DRD - Department for Regional Development Government department with responsibility for regional strategic planning and development, transport strategy and sustainable transport, public roads, public transport, air and sea ports, and water and sewerage services GROW South Antrim (Generating Rural Opportunities Within South Antrim) Body responsible for delivering funding from the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme MLA(s) - Member(s) of the Legislative Assembly Representative elected by the voters of a constituency to the Northern Ireland Legislative Assembly PCSP - Policing and Community Safety Partnership Partnership group comprising councillors and representatives of the local community responsible for consulting and engaging with the local community on issues of concern in relation to policing and community safety with the aim of preventing crime and enhancing community safety PSNI - Police Service of Northern Ireland RDP - Rural Development Programme Programme established to help protect and enhance the rural environment and contribute to the development of competitive rural businesses, and thriving rural communities SACT - South Antrim Community Transport Organisation which provides accessible and affordable transport to individuals and groups in rural areas, particularly people with reduced mobility VMS - VMS Consults Ltd Consultants appointed to chair and facilitate the consultation process 4 DUNADRY HAMLET PLAN Foreword The purpose of this Hamlet Plan is to improve the wellbeing of the people of Dunadry – those living and working there; this objective is best addressed by considering various factors which impact on this wellbeing – factors such as; • Environment • Transport • Safety • Communication • Loneliness • Anti-social Behaviour This we have done and the actions we propose will, we trust, help improve the lives of all those associated with our Hamlet. Alex W Graham - Chair, Dunadry Community Association DUNADRY HAMLET PLAN 5 Contents 1. A Hamlet Plan for Dunadry 6 2. What we found out 7 3. What we would like to do in Dunadry 20 4. Our Action Plan 26 5. How we will make it happen 28 6 DUNADRY HAMLET PLAN 1. A Hamlet Plan for Dunadry 1.1 About our Hamlet Dunadry is a hamlet located halfway between Antrim and Templepatrick approximately 6 miles from Belfast International Airport. To those unfamiliar with the area, Dunadry may appear to only consist of the Dunadry Hotel, Ellie May’s public house and restaurant, and properties along the A6 Belfast Road. However, off the main route there is a network of small rural roads lined with residential properties and quite extensive housing developments. In addition, Muckamore Presbyterian Church and the former Lawther National School are located on Dunadry Road. Dunadry was once associated with the paper and linen industry as access to the Six Mile Water River allowed textile mills to take advantage of the natural energy supply. The character of the hamlet has evolved over time with the decline of the traditional industries and the development of local agriculture. The recent property boom has also had an impact on the hamlet’s changing landscape. While the textile industry in Dunadry has declined, the buildings still remain and have evolved to accommodate the Dunadry Hotel and Summerhill residential development. 1.2 Background to our Hamlet Plan The need for a Dunadry Hamlet Plan was recognised by GROW South Antrim (Generating Rural Opportunities Within South Antrim) who acknowledged that the preparation of a realistic Hamlet Plan would give strategic direction and focus to help sustain small rural communities. Our Hamlet Plan has been prepared in consultation with all those with an interest in Dunadry with the overall aim of delivering projects on the ground. It identifies developments that the people of Dunadry would like to see particularly over the next 5 years and in the longer term. 1.3 Format of the Hamlet Plan The Hamlet Plan comprises 6 Sections as follows: • Section 1.0: A Hamlet Plan for Dunadry describes our hamlet and provides information on why we have produced a Hamlet Plan; • Section 2.0: What we have found out summarises the views of those with an interest in Dunadry; • Section 3.0: What we would like to do in Dunadry sets out the projects that we would like to take forward in our hamlet; • Section 4.0: Our Action Plan summarises the projects and priorities; • Section 5.0: How we will make it happen outlines what we need to do to make the Hamlet Plan work for us; and • Section 6.0: Sources of Information provides information on documents referenced in the Hamlet Plan. DUNADRY HAMLET PLAN 7 2. What we have found out Consultation with the local community has been fundamental to the development of the Dunadry Hamlet Plan. It has enabled key issues to be identified by those with a stake in the sustainable development of the hamlet and also options for resolving these going forward. Dunadry Community Association met initially to map out potential issues and local concerns leading up to a public meeting. One to one meetings were also held with representatives of Dunadry Hotel, Ellie May’s Bar and Restaurant and Muckamore Presbyterian Church. Antrim Borough Council facilitated the consultation process by distributing a letter to approximately 330 homes in the surrounding area inviting residents to attend the public meeting. A public meeting was held on 28th January 2013 in the Dunadry Hotel and was attended by approximately 85 local residents and elected representatives. The meeting provided a forum for discussion on a wide range of issues impacting people and helped identify high priority issues and a number of project ideas that could be developed as part of a 5 year hamlet plan. 8 DUNADRY HAMLET PLAN The key issues emerging from the public consultation meeting are: • Housing • Transport • Environment • Community • Employment, and • Leisure Those who participated in the public meeting were asked to provide their opinion on Dunadry as a place to live. Attendees responded positively by stating that Dunadry is a “great place to live” (81%) or a “good place to live” (19%). Friendly people, pleasant rural surroundings and the proximity to Belfast and the International Airport were considered to be the main benefits of living in the hamlet. However, despite positive attitudes to living in Dunadry, residents also expressed a range of concerns and challenges; these topics are explored in greater detail in the following sections. DUNADRY HAMLET PLAN 9 2.1 Housing During the consultation process, residents were asked to identify their main concerns in relation to housing. Figure 1 below summarises the views recorded. Figure 1: Housing Issues Future zoning The most significant issue that emerged from the consultative process concerned the prospect of more new housing development in the area. The majority of those consulted believe that there is no need for further substantial housing development in the area; 67% were strongly opposed to any further extension to the settlement development limit in a new area plan claiming that Dunadry should remain as a hamlet. Many are convinced that there is insufficient infrastructure to allow any further expansion of Dunadry. Some residents were strongly opposed to a restriction on the development limit being extended. Others were reluctant to make comment either way in the absence of a map delineating the current boundary. Derelict and vacant sites and properties During the consultation process issues were raised about the impact that derelict, unoccupied and unfinished sites have on the image of the hamlet. The Dunadry Gate site, which is surrounded by blue hoarding, was identified as particular eyesore in the hamlet. 10 DUNADRY HAMLET PLAN Restricting development The over development of the rural area generally is also a major issue of concern among the local community; in particular apartment developments are regarded as not in keeping with the character of Dunadry. In this regard, many residents are concerned that the Department of the Environment (DOE) seem to disregard their own planning policies and that there is a lack of accountability for planning decisions within Planning Service. Upkeep and maintenance Upkeep and maintenance of existing housing is not considered an issue as properties are generally well maintained. However, some properties have fallen into a state of disrepair with a number of poorly maintained sites identified. The community agree that properties should be maintained to a high standard in the interests of everyone who lives in Dunadry.