Village Plan Introduction Village Renewal Measure
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Killead 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, Envi- integrated village plans and also for the renewal of rural villages through Village Plans. The ronment, and 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 North- a needs based strategic framework to co-ordinate specific development actions. ern 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 • Village investment emanating from the integrated village plans such as: The GROW South Antrim Strategic Vision is: “South Antrim as a vibrant, prosperous and 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. 2 3 Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council Community Planning Context published the draft community plan for the Borough covering the period to 2030 in early 2017. It details 4 Community Planning is the responsibility of local authorities since local government reform outcome statements for the Borough: was introduced in April 2015. Councils will work with statutory bodies and their communities to develop and implement a shared vision for promoting the well being of an • Our citizens enjoy good health and well being area, community cohesion and improving the quality of life of its citizens. • Our citizens live in connected, safe and vibrant places The village plan for Killead has been developed using a community led approach, with consultation with residents on key issues, priorities and projects for development forming • Our citizens benefit from economic prosperity the central elements of the planning process. The approach taken to develop the village plan • Our citizens achieve their full potential is therefore reflective of the principles of community planning. 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 Killead. 4 5 Village Overview Killead is a small rural village situated within the Aldergrove ward in the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council area. The village is located within 1.6miles of the Aldergrove Belfast International Airport and within relatively close proximity to the M2 motorway and larger towns and cities such as Lisburn, Belfast and Ballymena. The population of the village on Census day 2011 was 81 people which comprised of 32 separate households. This was a slight increase in population from the 2001 Census which recorded 78 people living in the village at that time. In terms of the wider surrounding area, the village lies within the Aldergrove ward which has a residential population of 4,444. 24.75% of the ward was aged under 16 years and 8.98% were aged 65 and over; while 51.13% of the usually resident population were male and 48.87% were female. (NISRA, 2011). The village is the birth place of Charles McCorrie VC (1830 – 8 April 1857) who was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Private McCorrie received the accolade for throwing a live enemy shell over the parapet on 23 June 1855 at Sebastopol, in the Crimea. In late 2016, a group of local residents came together to establish Killead Development Association which is a newly constituted voluntary organisation set up to further the development of the village. Killead Development Association is the driving force behind the village plan and will assume lead responsibility in progressing the actions and priorities outlined within the document with support from partners and stakeholders. 6 5 Village Planning Process Consultation Findings & Analysis In order to develop the village plan for Killead, a number of key steps have been completed, Public Meeting including: A public meeting was held at Killead Presbyterian Church on 19th January 2017 which • Village walkabout – representatives from the Killead Development Association was attended by 29 people. The meeting was publicised through notices distributed to Committee along with the consultant team identified and discussed key areas and local homes (along with the community questionnaire) and via local community networks. issues for the village during a site visit. This was an opportunity to highlight areas of Details of the public meeting were also distributed to local elected representatives. noted concern in the 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 • What are the key priorities and issues for the village in your view? village and development proposals for the next 3-5 year period • What physical improvements would you like to see taken forward for the village? • What community activities or events would you like to see continued, developed or • Distribution of a questionnaire to local residents to obtain feedback on an individual expanded in the village? basis from as many local residents as possible 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 Issues and Priorities the village planning process. The plan has been finalised post the consultation process with a • The lack of outdoor community green space and play park facilities that local people number of planning meetings with the Killead Development Association committee to can access was the most prevalent concern of those in attendance as there were feedback key findings from the consultation process, agree priority projects to be advanced no facilities of this nature within the village for Killead and identify key actions required to advance priorities. • The condition of prominent areas within the village such as the ‘closed road’ which is synonymous for littering and dog fouling and; the ‘old pub’ which was noted as an eyesore in need of regeneration were noted as key issues • General village appearance issues such as condition of footpaths / walkways; maintaining public hedges, high levels of dog fouling throughout the village and the need to improve signage to enhance the general attractiveness of the village • Lack of available parking for local residents within the village particularly at the houses on Grove View Road safety issues including: Road safety was noted as a major issue within the village which includes: • The need for additional speed calming measures (full ramps / cameras) as vehicles are passing through without paying attention to speed limits. • The ‘give way’ sign turning into Killead needs to change to a ‘stop’ sign • Transport NI previously attempted to remove 30mph speed limit. A key priority is to ensure that the limit remains. 8 9 Potential Physical Improvements The following list of potential physical improvements was noted from the public meeting: • Outdoor Community Garden to include play