Dromahair Development Framework DRAFT for discussion February 2021 This project was funded and supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development and Leitrim County Council under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2019. Contents 1. Introduction 2. Setting Dromahair in Context 3. Consultations: what you told us 4. Establishing the baseline position for Dromahair 5. The Shared Vision for Dromahair 6. A Newly Established Dromahair Steering Committee 7. Establishing the Development Aims 8. The Action Plans Appendices Appendix A: Socio-economic analysis Appendix B: Strategic context Appendix C: Dromahair Steering Committee Resource Materials 2 | P a g e Abbreviations ACA Architectural Conservation Area cNHA Candidate Natural Heritage Area DARC Dromahair Arts and Recreation Committee DDATT Dromahair Development Association and Tidy Towns GAA Gaelic Athletic Association LCC Leitrim County Council LEO Local Enterprise Office OPW Office of Public Works NIAH National Inventory of Architectural Heritage 3 | P a g e 1 Introduction In June 2020, Leitrim County Council commissioned Venture International Ltd and Sheridan Woods Architects and Urban Planners to facilitate a Development Framework for Dromahair. This project was funded and supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development and Leitrim County Council under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2019.. The main purpose of this Development Framework is to bring together the interests of the residents, community groups and businesses in Dromahair so they can work together on common goals and a planned vision for Dromahair. The Framework will help to prioritise projects for the development of Dromahair over the next ten years. The Framework was developed over a number of months and involved local residents, community organisations, sports clubs and businesses in Dromahair putting forward their views about how they would like to see the village develop over the next ten years. The process included revisiting the 2006 Dromahair Village Urban Framework Plan to establish progress to date and identify those issues and actions which remained relevant, in addition to referencing for action any emerging concerns or projects ideas. The focus of the 2006 Framework was solely on the built development of Dromahair, while this 2020 Framework has a wider view. It encompasses five different Development Aims that when taken together with the deliverable action plans set out in Section 8, will ensure a sustainable village capable of meeting the needs of its residents, attracting visitors and attracting business and investment. The process undertaken in 2020 had the following three phases: Phase 1: Review and analysis To carry out a detailed socio-economic analysis of the area to include population, age structure, health, education and economic activity To consider the wider context, plans and policies that impact on Dromahair To review any existing plans pertaining to Dromahair and identify progress updates Phase 2: Research and key ideas To consult with key members of the community to make connections and understand how Dromahair works To carry out consultation meetings with residents, local organisations, sports clubs, businesses and public representatives to enhance the Development Framework and to ensure ideas are gathered To analyse these ideas and separate them into development aims and priorities A visual interpretation of Dromahair at 2020 and technical site assessment comprising land use and heritage assets Phase 3: Dromahair Design and Framework To highlight key ideas and look at ways to implement these putting in place a robust and realistic integrated Development Framework identifying what needs to be done, why it is an issue, how it will be tackled, who will be involved and when it should happen Validate the Framework with those involved 4 | P a g e 2 Setting Dromahair in Context Dromahair lies in the north west of Leitrim amid stunning unspoiled natural landscapes. The "Sleeping Giant" mountain is visible on approaches to the village, as is Lough Gill below the Slieve Daeáne and Killerry mountain. The village is located on the eastern bank of the River Bonet, which flows into Lough Gill. Dromahair is linked to the west to Sligo town via the R287 road and east to Manorhamilton via the R280. The R288 is an alternative route to Sligo, north of Lough Gill via the R286. Dromahair is identified as a Tier 2B settlement (along with Drumshanbo, Mohill and Kinlough), of which the Plan encourages further development. Dromahair is a thriving village with several pubs and restaurants, post office, public library, health centre, general retail, hairdressers, butchers, garage and a national school. It has a highly active community and voluntary sector. Dromahair Context – OSI Discovery Services Dromahair’s Heritage and Culture Dromahair is undoubtedly a village with strong historical integrity. Formed during the Middle Ages, the development and character of Dromahair have been shaped by a particularly colourful period of Irish history dating from the feudal lords of the O’Rourkes, to the landlord estates of the Lanes. The traditional core of the village runs along the ridge of the eastern 5 | P a g e bank of the river from VillIers Castle to the Old Mill. It is set in a historic region which was once the territory of the O’Rourke’s, Princes of Breffni. The rich heritage of Dromahair continues to influence the growth and development of the village, with structures and buildings of considerable historical and heritage importance representing key landmarks and reference points in the village. It offers many heritage attractions from its 19th century planned village buildings to its medieval abbey, Creevelea Abbey. Dromahair’s natural heritage lies is in its surrounding unspoilt landscape. It is greatly appreciated by the people who live and work in the village and indeed there are examples of its being responsibly and successfully used by some local businesses, and residents and visitors using it for recreation, sport, physical activity and access to nature. Heritage assets are a key resource to promote Dromahair and create interest in it. Heritage assets are not just built or natural, they are also intangible and involve the people of Dromahair. Its heritage can ensure the village is vibrant and remains true to its origin and identity through the appropriate adaption and re-use of important vacant sites such as the Abbey Hotel and the former Garda Station. Development over the last 15 years The population of Dromahair has grown incredibly fast. In 2016, the Census recorded the population of Dromahair at 808 people. The Rural Renewal Scheme was extremely successful in encouraging development and investment in rural areas of Leitrim. Under the scheme, tax relief was offered for new buildings and refurbishment of older buildings. The result was significant levels of residential development in Dromahair and the town experienced an intense period of growth in the residential population. Between 2000 and 2011, some 199 houses were built and the population increased by 61% between 2006 and 2016. The increase between the five year period 2011 and 2016 was 8%. (Source: CSO). Dromahair residents and businesses have indicated that this population growth is good because it has brought more diversity to the village. Others have noted that the increasing population has not been supported by the necessary infrastructure or facilities, for example it is difficult to access childcare and with almost 34% of Dromahair’s population aged under 24 years old, there is need for more youth facilities. Some homes were built in the grounds of the Castle. There are 18,051 houses in Leitrim and 3,589 are vacant which excludes the 1,637 holiday homes. Dromahair has 472 permanent dwellings, 81 of which are vacant. (Source: CSO) Dromahair features strongly on unfinished estates. Over time this is becoming resolved by Leitrim County Council but it can be a slow process. Dromahair’s proximity to Sligo has had and will continue to have a significant bearing on the development and growth of Dromahair (and a number of other villages in Leitrim). The 2006 Dromahair Village Urban Framework Plan noted the concerns that Dromahair is dormitory. Consultation for this new Framework has shown mixed opinions on how people moving to the village have integrated into the Dromahair community. 6 | P a g e Community successes Community successes in recent years have had very positive impacts on the village. The most notable are the development of the playground, park and astroturf pitch at DARC and the completion of the SLNCR Demonstration Stretch (Greenway). These successes have helped the community to integrate better with each other and contribute to improving their general health and wellbeing. Other community efforts have seen the installation of the bus shelter, new litter and dog fouling bins, signage on the new bins is bilingual, the completion of the footpath to the community park and the safety improvements at the bridge linking the SLNCR greenway back to the village at the Abbey Loop Walk (both supported by Leitrim County Council), two welcome stones on the Manorhamilton and Drumkeeran approach roads were erected in June 2020. Challenges to overcome There is a high vacancy rate in private buildings, in particular the closed Garda Station and 19th Century Abbey Manor Hotel. This lack of hotel accommodation has a negative impact on the village’s tourism capacity. The closure of the hotel and B&Bs, and a lack of hotel beds has meant that not nearly enough visitors are staying in Dromahair overnight. As a result the village is losing out on the primary and secondary benefits and jobs provided by the accommodation sector. Despite its vibrancy, space for community activities is limited. A large and multi-functional community hall or community green space is needed to facilitate the Dromahair community to come together. Dromahair’s population, of which many are young families, dictate the need for suitable youth facilities and indeed childcare facilities are at capacity: childcare needs are being met in Sligo.