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: