Templepatrick 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 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 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. The GROW South Antrim Strategic Vision is: “South Antrim as a vibrant, prosperous and The measure will aim to build on the overarching fabric of a village / town integrating with inclusive region whose roots are locally grown but whose focus is, at the same time, outward other funding from other government departments and agencies. The measure will aim to looking and expansive.” address rural dereliction and prioritise the reuse of existing derelict buildings, particularly to provide community infrastructure. Within the South Antrim area, LEADER Priority 6 of the programme provides provision for the following Schemes: Support is limited to within the “village” development limits or in simple terms 30 miles per hour zone and may include: • Rural Business Investment Scheme • Development or updating of integrated village plans for Local Government District Rural Basic Services Scheme • • Village investment emanating from the integrated village plans such as: Village Renewal Scheme • > Derelict and vacant site enhancement > Environmental improvements • Co-Operation Scheme > 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 Templepatrick 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 is therefore reflective of the principles of community planning. • 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 Templepatrick. 4 5 Village Overview Village Planning Process Templepatrick is a village located 6 miles east of Antrim and 14 miles north west of In order to review and update the village plan for Templepatrick, a number of key steps have Belfast, along the route between the city of Belfast and Belfast International Airport. been completed, including: Templepatrick has become a popular commuter village given its location, with considerable growth in the number of homes in the area over the past number of • Village walkabout – representatives from Templepatrick Action Community years and a number of planned housing developments that are in construction or Association (TACA) along with the consultant team identified and discussed key have been granted planning permission. areas and issues for Templepatrick during a site visit. This was an opportunity to highlight areas of noted concern in the village and to explore initial ideas or The village is well served by local services such as Templepatrick Primary School, proposed plans for improvement Templepatrick GP Surgery, Templepatrick Dental Surgery and local shops and businesses based at the “Twelfth Milestone” development. Situated on the same site • It was agreed with TACA that the public consultation element of the planning as Templepatrick Primary School is Wallace Park, an Antrim and Newtownabbbey Borough Council owned facility that offers play park, walking trail and MUGA play fa- process would include opportunities for resident input via the online community cilities for local community usage. Due to population increases and the growing num- network set up for Templepatrick residents via the “Next Door” site. This is one of ber of homes in the area, these local services and facilities are in high demand. This the key methods used by TACA for feedback from residents, learning about issues would be an area of concern for many local residents and stakeholders in the village. and distributing information on community activities or relevant topics Under the Rural Development Programme 2007 – 2013, significant funding was • Another key element of the consultation process was hosting a facilitated meeting secured to enhance the facilities available at Wallace Park. The investment creat- for representatives from local community and church organisations represented ed a high quality play park facility for local children and families and to date it has on the local community network. The meeting offered an opportunity for these been noted by local residents, funders and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough organisations to engage in the planning process and offer their views in terms of Council as a major success for the village. With Templepatrick Primary School located key issues and priorities for the village and development proposals for the next alongside the Park, this area has become a central hub of community, play and 3-5 year period recreational activity in Templepatrick for residents of all ages. In the evenings the primary school building is used as a meeting space by local community • Distribution of a questionnaire to local residents to obtain feedback on an individual organisations whilst the Park is used daily by children and families (for the play park basis from as many local residents as possible facilities) and is also a very popular walking area given that it is one of the few safe areas for walking in the village. 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 via engagement with the TACA committee to feedback key findings from the consultation process, agree priority projects to be advanced for Templepatrick and identify key actions required to advance priorities. 6 7 Consultation Findings & Analysis • Wallace Park – the park is widely regarded as a very successful local community Community Network Meeting resource. However, there were a number of issues outlined in relation to its further development: The community network meeting was attended by 22 people including representa- tives from Templepatrick Action Community Association, local churches, Templepatrick > A central element of feedback and discussion focussed on the need for the toilet Primary School Parent Teacher Association and local walking groups. The meeting enabled pavilion within the park to be reopened. This would make the park more accessible representatives from these active local groups (representatives are also local residents) to to local children and families input into the process, identifying priority issues and developments for the village. The meeting was also an opportunity to review the initial findings and feedback from the > It was also suggested that tea, coffee and / or ice cream community questionnaire and village walkabout which has helped informed areas for facilities would complement the current offer at the park and this should be development within the village plan. explored as an option particularly for the Spring and Summer months The community network meeting allowed for group discussion and comment based on the following key questions: > It was proposed that the