Ballylinan, Co Laois 3 Year Tidy Towns Plan

Transcription

1 DONALDSON TOURISM & HERITAGE CONSULTANCY Ballylinan, Co Laois 3 Year Tidy Towns Plan Strategic Planning for Tidy Towns This Report provides an analysis of Ballylinan under each adjudication category and identifies recommended projects for consideration by the Tidy Towns Committee. Marks targets are suggested for each of the three years covered by this Plan.

2 Executive Summary This Tidy Towns Report for Ballylinan makes a total of 62 recommendations for consideration by the Tidy Towns Committee. The greatest number of recommendations is made in respect of the Overall Development Approach with 10 proposals. The issue of Residential Areas has resulted in a further 9 recommendations. Marks targets have been given for the period of this Plan / Report. The overall 2010 Tidy Towns mark was 228. The achievement of the targets proposed over the three year period would see the 2010 overall Tidy Towns mark increase from 228 to 262 by This would represent an increase in total marks of nearly 15% which is ambitious and challenging. It is recommended that the Tidy Towns Committee has an early meeting with the Laois Partnership with a view to establishing what support may be available for key Report recommendations DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 2

3 Table of Contents Ballylinan, Co Laois 3 Year Tidy Towns Plan EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...2 INTRODUCTION...6 Background...6 This Report...6 Recommendations for Action...6 Safety of all Volunteers...6 Updating of Plan...7 Tidy Towns Handbook...7 Analysis of Tidy Towns Marks Strengths and Weaknesses...8 Performance Benchmarking...9 SWOT Analysis on Ballylinan The adjudication categories OVERALL DEVELOPMENT APPROACH Introduction Marks The Tidy Towns Plan Adjudication Boundaries Extending adjudication boundaries Tidy Towns Entry Documentation Village Map Are all organisations /agencies involved? Best Practice The Media Planning Applications Tidy Towns Evening Website Development THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT Introduction Metal Roofed Building Graveyard Mapping Catholic Church Community Hall Centra Retail Signage LANDSCAPING Introduction Marks Planting for year round effect Wildflower Meadow Cutting roadside banks National School Opposite Catholic Church Wynne Park Area opposite Closed Shop Hanging Baskets, Window Boxes WILDLIFE & NATURAL AMENITIES Introduction Marks DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 3

4 Wildlife Habitat Survey Species Record Keeping Wildlife Plan School children Information Panels Bird Boxes LITTER CONTROL Introduction Marks County Litter League Clean Ups Problem Areas The Crescent The Village Bring Centre WASTE MINIMISATION Introduction Not just about litter Marks Key Principles Potential waste minimisation projects Recommendations Climate Change TIDINESS Introduction Marks Cables Cottage Gate Kerbside Spoil Graveyard Car Park Roadside Bollards Pavement Retail Displays Milltown Approach RESIDENTIAL AREAS Introduction Marks Residential areas check list Estates Competition Estates Signage Rahin Road Rahin Wood Whitethorn Grove The Crescent The Village Cul De Sac Behind Camus Rahin Towers Individual Houses Residents Associations DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 4

5 ROADS, STREETS & BACK AREAS Introduction Marks Importance of the town / village Approaches Road Surfaces Rahin Approach Athy Approach N78 Athy From North Barrow House Approach By Thatched Cottage Cul de Sac N78 Campus Approach Road Signs Milltown Approach GENERAL IMPRESSION Introduction Marks My Overall Impression of Ballylinan SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ANNUAL MARKS TARGETS Note on the annual targets The role of the adjudicator Laois Partnership Company Ltd Contacts DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 5

6 Introduction Background In May 2010 DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy was asked by the Laois Partnership Company to undertake the preparation of 3 Year Tidy Towns Plans for various towns and villages in County Laois. This is part of a Tidy Towns initiative for County Laois developed by the Partnership Company. Individual meetings were held with representatives of the Tidy Towns Committees involved on 22nd September The purpose of these individual meetings was for this Consultant to understand the main issues of concern to each Tidy Towns Committee involved in the process. This Consultant will attend a Seminar evening probably in November 2010 to which all participants in this Tidy Towns process will be invited. This will allow this Consultant to give a feed back on key issues identified during the county Tidy Towns planning process. This Consultant has also agreed to provide the Laois Partnership with a Report that will identify suggested training needs for Tidy Towns Committees. This Report The purpose of this Report is to provide to the Ballylinan Tidy Towns Committee a strategic Tidy Towns Plan that will guide their annual work over the period 2011 to Recommendations for Action Recommendations for action by the Tidy Towns Committee are made under each of the nine main adjudication categories. It is obviously not possible to make recommendations in respect of the General Impression adjudication category. The Tidy Towns Committee should add the year or years in which each recommendation is best implemented based on their knowledge of local circumstances. Each recommendation in each adjudication category section is identified in blue and numbered. Safety of all Volunteers 1. Recommendation Each Year It is most strongly recommended that all volunteers and other workers wear high visibility jackets while working on all Tidy Towns projects. At appropriate times eye goggles should also be worn. Advance warning signs should also be provided when work is being carried out on projects at the roadside or other trafficked area. DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 6

7 Updating of Plan Ballylinan, Co Laois 3 Year Tidy Towns Plan 2. Recommendation Each Year This 3 Year Tidy Towns Plan should be updated by the Tidy Towns Committee in November of each year. When the updating is taking place it is a good idea to consult with the organisations and agencies that are supporting your work for Tidy Towns. Consultation with the Local County Council Engineer for your area is also recommended. When updating the Plan the then current year should be dropped and a new year added at the end. Thus the first updating of this Plan will cover the period 2010 to Any projects not implemented or completed in the year to be deleted should be added into the appropriate year of the updated Plan. Tidy Towns Handbook The Tidy Towns Handbook produced by the Tidy Towns Unit at the Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government in January 2010 is an excellent document. Your Tidy Towns Committee should examine this in detail as it contains much helpful information and ideas. Analysis of Tidy Towns Marks The following Table gives a breakdown of the marks received by Ballylinan in the Tidy Towns Competition in the period 2006 to DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 7

8 Adjudication Category % available marks received in 2010 Overall Development Approach Built Environment Landscaping Wildlife & Natural Amenities Litter Control Waste Minimisation Tidiness Residential Areas Roads, Streets & Back Areas General Impression Annual Total Marks Strengths and Weaknesses From the above Table the following Tidy Towns performance strengths and weaknesses emerge in respect of Ballylinan. Strong performance categories (65% or more of available marks achieved in 2010) 1. Overall Development Approach 2. General Impression Weaker performance categories (Less than 65% of available marks achieved in 2010) 1. Built Environment 2. Landscaping 3. Wildlife & Natural Amenities DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 8

9 Marks Ballylinan, Co Laois 3 Year Tidy Towns Plan 4. Litter Control 5. Waste Minimisation 6. Tidiness 7. Residential Areas 8. Roads, Streets & Back Areas Performance Benchmarking It is useful to examine how Ballylinan performs in the Tidy Towns Competition when judged against the performance of the Tidy Towns winner for In the following Table the performance of Ballylinan in the period 2006 to 2010 is benchmarked against that of Tallanstown, Co Louth the National Tidy Towns Winner for Ballylinan, Co laois Tallanstown, Co Louth Ballylinan Tallanstown Marks Difference Over the past three years the annual marks gap with Tallanstown has remained in the marks range following a big improvement in DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 9

10 Marks Ballylinan, Co Laois 3 Year Tidy Towns Plan In the following Chart each adjudication category performance by Ballylinan is benchmarked against that of all County Winners in Benchmarking Ballylinan, Co Laois County Winners 2010 SWOT Analysis on Ballylinan A SWOT analysis allows the examination of the main Tidy Towns and environmental issues in a town or village. The main strengths are issues or points that need to be highlighted and developed in your annual work for Ballylinan. Weaknesses are issues that require remedial attention as soon as possible. It is accepted that some or all of these issues can be outside the control of your Tidy Towns Committee or community. Opportunities represent potential that your Tidy Towns Committee has to do something new that will help your Tidy Towns work. Threats are other issues that need your ever present attention so that any negative aspects can be minimised in Tidy Towns terms. The SWOT analysis for Ballylinan is given below. Strengths Overall Built Landsc. Wildlife Litter Waste Tidiness Res. Roads General County Winers Ballylinan Underscoring Total Marks Attractive Park area. 2. Large Tidy Towns Committee of ten people, 3. Good FAS support. 4. Good support from Local Authority. 5. Mature line of trees along the Main Street. DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 10

11 Weaknesses 1. No serious issues at this time. Opportunities 1. Further development of wildlife aspect of Tidy Towns Competition. 2. Develop Residents Associations in estates that do not have them. 3. Fine a new appropriate productive use for the old RIC Barracks building. 4. Celebrations for the 125 th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty in Threats 1. Dumped road materials at entrance to Cottage Gate still in place after four years. 2. Unsold units designed as shops. The adjudication categories There are ten Tidy Towns adjudication categories in which marks can be awarded by the Tidy Towns adjudicator. In the next section of this 3 Year Tidy Towns Plan issues are identified under each adjudication category that need to be considered by the Ballylinan Tidy Towns Committee. This Report deliberately spends little time highlighting the good and attractive aspects of Ballylinan because these are there for us all to enjoy and appreciate. Your attention needs to focus each year on what you can do to remedy any problem areas identified in the following pages. It is most important that each year you give attention to all adjudication categories and not just those that may find stronger favour with the Ballylinan Tidy Towns Committee or by the community at large. DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 11

12 Overall Development Approach Introduction This adjudication category has a maximum of 50 marks and is concerned with how your Tidy Towns Committee approaches the Tidy Towns Competition. The adjudicator is interested in how you organise your work for Tidy Towns. The relationships that you may have with local organisations and official agencies are considered here also. Under this category the 3 Year Tidy Towns Plan and your work in generating Tidy Towns publicity are also examined. Do make sure to give some indication of how you fund your work for the community Marks In 2010 Ballylinan received a total of 37 marks in this adjudication category. In the Tidy Towns Competition in 2010 the average mark achieved by the County Winners was 44 marks or 89% of available marks in this adjudication category. The Tidy Towns Plan 3. Recommendation Each Year It is recommended that this Plan is updated by the Tidy Towns in November of each year. The year coming to an end should be dropped from the Plan and a new year added at the end. Any projects not completed in the year coming to an end should be re-allocated to the appropriate upcoming year. Adjudication Boundaries The Tidy Towns adjudication boundaries in rural towns and villages are normally defined by the location of the town or village signs. Where these do not exist then the 50 KPH Speed Limit signs will act as outward boundaries. In larger urban areas the adjudication boundaries will extend in a 1 km radius from the centre of the town. Extending adjudication boundaries There is not a difficulty if a Tidy Towns Committee wishes to request an extension outwards of the boundary on any individual approach road. This could be important for example if your Committee had developed a wildlife area that was just outside the adjudication boundary on a particular approach road. Tidy Towns Entry Documentation Care and attention to detail is essential when the Ballylinan Tidy Towns entry documentation is being prepared in April / May each year. 4. Recommendation Each Year The entry form should be completed in full or an on-line application likewise completed. What is critically important is that the documentation gives a crystal clear picture of your new work for that year. Well implemented new projects can attract additional marks. Keep in mind the fact that a longer document does not necessarily attract the potential for a higher mark in this adjudication category. DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 12

13 Village Map 5. Recommendation Each Year The inclusion of a map of the village is likewise most important. On this all roads and streets should be marked by name together with the location of new work for the year. Are all organisations /agencies involved? 6. Recommendation 2010 At your next Tidy Towns Committee meeting it is suggested that a fully comprehensive list be drawn up of all associations, organisations and agencies in Ballylinan regardless of their core activity. The question then needs to be asked if each and every one of these is doing something for Tidy Towns in 2010 that is appropriate to their own work. For example a project could be as simple as repainting an entrance gate. All organisations and agencies then need to be approached to secure their firm commitment to specific work for Tidy Towns. The list of organisations and agencies is an indicative one designed to suggest possibilities and not all will apply to Ballylinan. 1. Development Company 2. Laois County Partnership 3. Local businesses 4. GAA Club 5. Residents Associations 6. Adult Education 7. Festivals and Events 8. Community Centre 9. Voluntary Services 10. School(s) 11. Churches of all denominations 7. Recommendation Each Year Do make sure to submit this list with your 2010 Tidy Towns entry indicating in a few words the work that each has been asked to do for that year and what they actually did for Tidy Towns. Best Practice 8. Recommendation Each Year In your Tidy Towns entry documentation it is important to indicate that you have adopted best practice where this is so. Do give specific details for example your Tidy Towns Committee may not approve of the use of Weedkiller and actively discourages the practice. The Media 9. Recommendation Each Year Continuing regular publicity for the work of Tidy Towns is essential. The following initiatives are recommended in this regard a. Tidy Towns page(s) on Laois County Council website. b. Production of Tidy Towns Newsletter publication three times each year. c. Use of Parish Newsletter to publicise Tidy Towns work for the local community. DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 13

14 d. Provision of regular Tidy Towns news to local Newspaper(s and local Radio Stations. Planning Applications 10. Recommendation Each Year It is strongly recommended that the Tidy Towns Committee established a rota that will allow for the examination of Planning Applications received by Laois County Council for the Ballylinan area. The Laois County Council website has a Planning menu and this allows the examination of all Planning Applications received / decided for the county. A search for Ballylinan will bring up a map of the town showing the location in red of all such Applications. It is then possible on-line to see the details of each application. The Planning Applications should be examined every three weeks by two Committee members. Using the on-line system this should take no more than one hour. This will allow the Tidy Towns Committee to make written observations to the Planning Authority on any Planning Application that may impact negatively or positively on their work for Tidy Towns. Tidy Towns Evening the year in question and the plans for the year ahead. Any local environmental competition awards should be presented at this function. The presence of a guest speaker or celebrity might also be considered. The local media should of course be invited to attend. 12. Recommendation Website Development The Laois Partnership Company will be rolling out a training programme for community groups who are interested in hosting their own website. Whether you have a Tidy Towns website or not it is most strongly recommended that you make contact with the Laois Partnership Company to discuss your participation 11. Recommendation Each Year It is strongly recommended that the Committee considers the running of a Tidy Towns Evening in Ballylinan in October / November of each year. This should be an opportunity to invite the community to recognise the successes of DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 14

15 The Built Environment Introduction This adjudication category has a maximum of 50 marks and is concerned with the presentation of all aspects of the built environment (except residential areas) including any monuments or other structures. This will include both public and private buildings regardless of age. available marks in this adjudication category. Metal Roofed Building 13. Recommendation Whitewash the front wall of the long metal roofed building at the junction at the end of the Rahin Road approach. In this adjudication category the Tidy Towns adjudicator is seeking to examine the overall architectural character of Ballylinan and the impact that it makes. This category also examines the conservation of any important or heritage buildings in Ballylinan. Derelict sites come under this category also together with civic amenities and the general use of the Irish language. The use of colour, the painting of buildings and the use of appropriate building materials also comes into this category. Do remember also that adjudication is not confined to just the ground floor elevation of buildings. How well the upper stories are presented is also considered. The presentation of the local Graveyard will also be of interest to your adjudicator. In this adjudication category the presentation of shop fronts is especially important Good paving can be really effective in the built environment. It is important that materials used are characteristic of your area. In 2010 Ballylinan received a total of 28 marks in this adjudication category. In the Tidy Towns Competition in 2010 the average mark achieved by the County Winners was 38 marks or 77% of The doors here should be painted in a different colour; has red or blue been considered? 14. Recommendation Graveyard Mapping The Laois Partnership Company is planning a Training Programme for community groups who wish to develop their skills in researching and mapping the graves in their local Graveyard. It is most strongly recommended that your Tidy Towns Committee contacts the Laois Partnership Company to discuss their participation. This course will also deal with the management issues that can arise in respect of old Graveyards. The concept has the full support of the County Heritage Officer. DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 15

16 Centra Quite a lot of display material was noted on the pavement outside Centra. This included a gas cylinder, a very large display panel and small advertising displays. This looked a little untidy and could cause problems for someone in a wheelchair or who was otherwise disabled. Retail Signage 15. Recommendation The block wall used for the Cemetery extension needs improvement. This should be plastered and painted a suitable colour. Catholic Church 18. Recommendation Do try and encourage the provision of more traditional retail signage where possible. Mass produced signage detracted from retail premises that were otherwise of some merit. 16. Recommendation The black railings here needed to be painted. Community Hall 17. Recommendation Paint the railings to the Community Hall. DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 16

17 Landscaping Introduction This adjudication category has a maximum of 50 marks. The true role of landscaping in any town or village is important. This is to place emphasis on areas of the town or village that require highlighting. Landscaping should never be an end in itself and must be planned carefully. Ideally your landscaping work should be carried out on a planned basis that has been well thought out. If you have a Landscaping Plan then do make sure to include a copy with your Tidy Towns entry documentation. Landscaping should be used to create a visual link between your area and the surrounding countryside and this will be examined by your adjudicator. How well you present any Community Gardens, play areas, picnic sites and amenity areas are also examined under this adjudication category. The appropriate selection and siting of trees, shrubs and flowers is also considered. Do remember that the careful siting of new trees can in the future perhaps frame an important local view Marks In 2010 Ballylinan received a total of 32 marks in this adjudication category. In the Tidy Towns Competition in 2010 the average mark achieved by the County Winners was 41 marks or 82% of available marks in this adjudication category. Planting for year round effect 19. Recommendation Each Year Planting of shrubs for year round effect is important and the adjudicator will look out for this aspect of your landscaping. Year round shrubs can give good colour and texture contrasts that are pleasing on the eye. This is not to say however that an annual summer blaze of colourful flower beds is to be discouraged. They have a role to play also in the presentation in of Ballylinan. The Committee might ask themselves a question as follows what does our place look like in December / January; is there a lack of natural colour in the built environment? Wildflower Meadow The Tidy Towns Committee might like to consider the future possibility of planting a wildflower meadow on some waste ground or other open space. The cost of this may be about 1 per square metre. The end result could look spectacular. Sowing should be carried out in April. Cutting roadside banks Roadside banks / hedges should not be cut in the period 1 st March to 31 st August out of consideration to the needs of wildlife. This arises from The Wildlife Act 1976 Section 40, and The Wildlife Act 2000 Section 46. National School 20. Recommendation The flower containers at the entrance to the National School were admired as was the Green Flag. The panted area DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 17

18 inside the kerbing at the car park needed to be refreshed. is recommended that the bollards here are painted matt black. The seat here also needs to be painted. The rather unusual timber water pump feature here was admired. Opposite Catholic Church Good tree planting was admired together with the three flower boxes opposite the Catholic Church. Wynne Park 21. Recommendation The Park area with the impressive Lime trees nearby was visited and enjoyed. A little litter was evident around the inner edges of the Park by the trees. 23. Recommendation A photograph of the same area taken in July 2006 is shown below. The grass area added much to the overall presentation here in contrast to the present planting. However the painted white kerb stones of four years ago were not totally appropriate. Area opposite Closed Shop 22. Recommendation The landscaped area at the road junction opposite the closed shop was visited. It Hanging Baskets, Window Boxes The provision of hanging baskets and window boxes in various parts of the village were admired and they provided additional visual interest. DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 18

19 Wildlife & Natural Amenities Introduction This adjudication category has a maximum of 50 marks. This is an adjudication category that seems to cause some difficulties for many towns and villages that enter Tidy Towns each year. There is a subtext of education in respect of this category. Your work for Tidy Towns in respect of wildlife and natural amenities should have the overall aim of making your community more aware of the critical importance of these aspects of your area. The conservation of natural amenities and wildlife areas is considered here. Work that your Committee does to encourage wildlife will be examined under this adjudication category. Amenity walks and nature trails are considered also. How both hard and soft countryside landscape is managed and its effect on wildlife is another important issue. For example the removal of a traditional stone wall and its replacement by a concrete block wall will have a negative impact on wildlife Marks In 2010 Ballylinan received a total of 18 marks in this adjudication category. In the Tidy Towns Competition in 2010 the average mark achieved by the County Winners was 31 marks or 71% of available marks in this adjudication category. Wildlife Habitat Survey 24. Recommendation possibility of having a wildlife habitat survey of Ballylinan and the surrounding area carried out. Suggested habitats to be considered in Wildlife Surveys can include the following as appropriate Urban habitats gardens, waste ground, walls, graveyards, hedges, fences. Wetland habitats rivers lakes marshes bogs and ponds. Woodland Habitats forest, hedgerows plantations and parks. Grassland habitats roadside verges, parks, wet meadows, dry grasslands. Species The Survey should examine the following aspects of the ecology of the area. a. Plants b. Animals c. Insects d. Birds e. Flowers f. Trees The survey should produce a species list for each of the habitats relevant to the Ballylinan area. This need not be an expensive survey. Perhaps there is a knowledgeable person locally who might undertake this task for you. Basically the survey would identify the wildlife that inhabits the Ballylinan area and their associated habitats. It should be remembered that to carry out the survey properly that it will probably take a year so that all habitats can be assessed at different time of the year. It is recommended that the Ballylinan Tidy Towns Committee examines the DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 19

20 Record Keeping 25. Recommendation Each Year From the habitat survey you will know what wildlife species there are in the Ballylinan area. Do consider setting up a system to observe the presence or absence of these species at various times of the year. This can give you most valuable pointers in regard to the health of individual species. For example -if you have noted a sharp decline in the Bat population in your area from one year to another you need to find out why by discussion with some experts. 26. Recommendation Wildlife Plan Using the results of the wildlife habitat survey the next step should be to draft a straight forward Plan to preserve the identified habitats in the Ballylinan area, and investigate the possibility of the development of new habitat areas. 27. Recommendation School children It is most important to try and involve the local school children in this project, and in many Schools there is probably a teacher who may have an interest in this area who would be willing to get involved. 28. Recommendation Information Panels As part of the actions to be undertaken in the Wildlife Plan the Tidy Towns Committee might like to consider the provision of some weather proof display panels, illustrating and explaining the wildlife in the Ballylinan area. This has been done very successfully in many towns and villages in Ireland. Two examples are illustrated here. Having identified the important wildlife habitats in Ballylinan the important issue is that they are conserved as significant landscape features. Ultimately the objective of the Tidy Towns Committee should be to encourage the existing wildlife to stay in the area and encourage new species to move in. This can only be done by creating a public awareness and respect for the feeding and shelter needs of the various species in the area. DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 20

21 Suggested locations for Wildlife Information Panels in Ballylinan include the following 1. The Park 2. The School 3. Main Street area Bird Boxes 29. Recommendation A bird box was noted on the left hand side of the road on the Rahin approach. This location is quite inappropriate and will not encourage its use by wildlife. Even if this is in fact a high bird table the location is not suitable. The relocation of any such bird boxes to trees is strongly recommended. The box can be attached directly to a tree without the timber upright. It is also recommended that you consult the County Heritage Officer for professional advice on such matters. DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 21

22 Litter Control Introduction This adjudication category has a maximum of 50 marks. In this adjudication category the absence of litter and dumping is examined together with the existence of regular litter patrols in Ballylinan. Planned activities including the school or schools and the promotion of anti-litter awareness is considered here also. The presentation of Bring Centres comes under this adjudication category Marks In 2010 Ballylinan received a total of 32 marks in this adjudication category. In the Tidy Towns Competition in 2010 the average mark achieved by the County Winners was 37 marks or 74% of available marks in this adjudication category. County Litter League The Crescent 31. Recommendation Litter was evident in The Crescent at the two picnic tables. The Village 32. Recommendation A scattering of litter was evident in The Village. Bring Centre 33. Recommendation The Bring Centre at the Community Hall was found to be quite tidy. As suggested in the Laois Federation of Tidy Towns Competition 2009 large units here are recommended. 30. Recommendation Each Year Do make sure that Ballylinan is entered each year in the Laois County Council annual Litter League as this will compliment your work for Tidy Towns. Clean Ups If your Tidy Towns Committee carries out regular clean-ups do make sure to detail this in your Tidy Towns entry documentation. Problem Areas The following problem areas in respect of litter were noted. Otherwise litter control as observed on the day of the visit was very good. DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 22

23 Waste Minimisation Introduction This adjudication category has a maximum of 20 marks. Not just about litter The Waste Minimisation category is a relatively new one that was added just a few years ago. This category is not just about litter and litter reduction. It is really about measures by which the amount of waste generated in Ballylinan can be reduced and how recycling can be introduced or expanded locally. The educational element is most important. Work that you do with local businesses and agencies is examined also under this category Marks In 2010 Ballylinan received a total of 7 marks in this adjudication category. In the Tidy Towns Competition in 2010 the average mark achieved by the County Winners was 11 marks or 55% of available marks in this adjudication category. Key Principles There are three key principles in regard to waste minimisation which are as follows a. Reduce b. Re-use c. Recycle These should guide your annual work in respect of this adjudication category. Potential waste minimisation projects 34. Recommendation 1. Waste reduction and recycling measures could include work by the Ballylinan Tidy Towns Committee on the following products 2. Litter gathered during litterpicks. 3. Glass gathered during litterpicks. 4. Drink cans gathered during litterpicks. 5. Batteries 6. Printer ink cartridges 7. Cardboard 8. Waste paper 9. Grass clippings 10. Plastic containers Recommendations 35. Recommendations The following recommendations are offered a. Carry out a Ballylinan waste audit the Race Against Waste booklet at page 9 has some helpful guidelines on the carrying out of such an audit. This booklet is available from the Tidy Towns Unit in the Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government. The Race Against Waste website at has many useful ideas for consideration. DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 23

24 b. Segregate the waste collected during litter clean up campaigns. Glass can be collected for disposal at the Bring Centre. Leaves and grass cuttings can be composted. c. Consider running a waste minimisation workshop in Ballylinan as part of a public Tidy Towns meeting. d. Provide leaflets for self catering accommodation and other visitor outlets on where visitors can take glass and other waste for proper disposal. This could illustrate and explain where recycling centres are located in this part of Co. Laois. e. Run a waste awareness day on a Saturday and set up some stalls in along the wider parts of the street to inform people on what they can do to minimize waste that they create. Major advance publicity will be required for this. This project could be carried out as a joint initiative with other interested parties. f. Develop a waste awareness campaign for the school in Ballylinan area. This could involve the school bringing some of the students to a recycling centre in the Co. Laois area. Possible projects for the school might involve the proper collection of waste batteries or printer ink cartridges. Subject in both cases to direction on the safe handling of these items. g. Consider the provision of a solar powered sign for the School. h. Make contact with Laois County Council in regard to possible joint waste minimisation programmes in respect of printer toners, printer cartridges, waste paper, tin cans, glass and old batteries. i. You will find the Waste Management section of the Laois County Council website ( quite helpful. j. Encourage domestic composting in Ballylinan and bring in an expert on this to address a waste minimisation workshop organised by the Tidy Towns Committee. k. Consider a local programme of rainwater harvesting. l. Consider using the ESB Home Energy efficiency programme free household survey. This will provide an individual Report for each participating household. m. Have you examined the potential benefits of community composting especially in respect of grass cuttings? n. Prepare and distribute a local Tidy Towns Newsletter three times each year when the Tidy Towns Committee has a waste minimisation programme in place. o. Issue a Press Release to the media on the Tidy Towns DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 24

25 Committee waste minimisation proposals and plans for Ballylinan. p. Do remember to keep copies of all leaflets, newsletter, and press mentions of your plans so that these can be submitted with your Tidy Towns Entry documentation in April / May each year. Climate Change A new Climate Change Award was introduced to Tidy Towns in The overall aim of this award is to raise awareness of climate change at town and village level. The following criteria apply to this Award a. How original are your ideas? b. Can your projects be replicated in other centres? c. What have you done in Ballylinan to raise awareness of climate change? d. How has the carbon footprint in Ballylinan been genuinely reduced year on year? e. How does the way that you carry out these activities now differ from the way that you carried out these activities a few years ago? 36. Recommendations Use electronic communications instead of paper. 2. Turn off all electrical equipment when not in use. 3. Continue to collect rain water for recycling through the use of water butts or other methods. 4. Use environmentally friendly cleaning products. 5. Walk or cycle to as many events as possible to reduce car use and use car pooling. 6. Avoid the purchase of goods that has excessive cardboard or paper wrapping. 7. Repair and reuse goods whenever possible. 8. Reduce the times when a power mower is used for grass areas and use a non-powered mower instead. Doing this even for just one small grass area can make a difference. 9. Consult with the Midland Energy Agency or Tipperary Energy Agency in respect of potential group projects where they might have an involvement in Ballylinan. Do examine the website which will give you a lot of additional ideas to consider. Possible Projects this is taken from the Tidy Towns information leaflet. DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 25

26 Tidiness Introduction This adjudication category has a maximum of 30 marks. Here the general lack of clutter is examined together with graffiti, traffic management and inappropriate weed and plant growth. Other issues that arise here is the presence of unused lamp poles and sign poles, blocked foot paths, unsightly electric cabling. The adjudicator will also watch for the presence of any graffiti or fly-posting together with traffic management and the control of weed growth at walls and kerbing Marks In 2010 Ballylinan received a total of 11 marks in this adjudication category. In the Tidy Towns Competition in 2010 the average mark achieved by the County Winners was 20 marks or 65% of available marks in this adjudication category. Cables 37. Recommendation contribution to Tidy Towns in Ballylinan. Kerbside Spoil 39. Recommendation At various road kerbs an accumulation of spoil needed to be taken away. This is an issue that will require quite regular attention. Graveyard Car Park 40. Recommendation The pile of tar and stone noted at the end of the Graveyard car park should be removed. If overhead cabling can be placed underground it will make a significant contribution to tidiness and the overall appearance of Ballylinan. Cottage Gate 38. Recommendation The pile of road materials at the entrance to Cottage Gate has evidently been in place for a number of years following road works. The responsible Agency should remove the materials and make good this area immediately as an urgent 41. Recommendation Consider the plastering and painting of the Graveyard road boundary wall. DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 26

27 Roadside Bollards 42. Recommendation Ballylinan, Co Laois 3 Year Tidy Towns Plan Paint all roadside bollards including those at the Catholic Church and in the vicinity of Campus. Some of the bollards need to be repaired. Pavement Retail Displays 43. Recommendation Under the Built Environment section of this Report reference has already been made to pavement advertising signage at Centra. This issue was noted as a problem in other parts of the villager and should be discouraged. Milltown Approach A very untidy area was noted on this road near the 50 KPG signage on the right hand side out of the village. This area is illustrated below. Weed growth here needs early attention together with the repainting of the timber screening panels. DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 27

28 Residential Areas Introduction This adjudication category has a maximum of 40 marks. Elements of some of the adjudication categories above also come into this adjudication category. The maintenance of boundary walls, fences and gardens and communal open spaces is examined here. Estate planning, signage and planting come into this category also Marks In 2010 Ballylinan received a total of 25 marks in this adjudication category. In the Tidy Towns Competition in 2010 the average mark achieved by the County Winners was 30 marks or 74% of available marks in this adjudication category. Residential areas check list 44. Recommendation The following check list in regard to the general presentation of both estates and private houses may be helpful. All points do not especially apply to Ballylinan. a. Road boundary walls will probably need to be painted twice each year especially on busy roads. b. Gable end walls though sometimes difficult to paint due to height should be painted when the rest of the house is being painted. d. Estates should be encouraged to provide entrance name signs and directional signage within the estate. e. Green open space grass areas will need to be cut frequently if a quality presentation is to be achieved. Remember that grass will probably have to be cut back from the top of kerbing by hand. The provision of a few well chosen trees ideally adequately spaced in a clump can often transform an open space. f. Areas to the back of estates can sometimes become dumping areas for cut grass and other materials. g. Simple landscaping at individual houses can often be very effective if the proper trees and shrubs are planted. h. Year round colour should be encouraged rather than planting for summer presentation only. i. By their nature estates can sometimes have litter control problems and this must be addressed by each individual estate. j. Private hedging alongside a footpath will need to be trimmed back to the inside pavement edge from time to time. c. Timber fencing will require treatment at least twice per year with a proper wood preservative, DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 28

29 Estates Competition 45. Recommendation Ballylinan, Co Laois 3 Year Tidy Towns Plan Has the Tidy Towns Committee considered organising a Tidy Estates Competition? This can be a great way of bringing estate residents together to make their place a better place. Perhaps local sponsorship for the prizes may be possible. It is recommended that the prizes are in the form of Vouchers for a Garden Centre rather than cash prizes. Estates Signage 46. Recommendation Any estates that do not name signage at the estate entrance should provide such signage at an early date. Directional signage within each estate should also be considered at the same time. Rahin Road Well presented houses were admired on the right on the Rahin approach road. Rahin Wood 47. Recommendation At Rahin Wood weed growth at kerbing needed attention. Whitethorn Grove 48. Recommendation Bad kerb weed here needed attention. The yellow road boundary wall inside the entrance to the estate would be improved if painted. The large green area wouod be improved by the provision of some clumps of native trees. The Crescent The planting at the entrance to The Crescent was admired. The Village 49. Recommendation Very good grass areas are a key feature here and the young trees add to the overall presentation. The large green area is extremely large and would benefit greatly by the provision of some clumps of native species trees. Do get professional advice in respect of tree planting. Otherwise this green area is really excellently presented and a credit to the estate residents. Cul De Sac 50. Recommendation At the Cul de Sac that ends at the main road (pedestrian access only to main road here) near the garage all road boundary walls needed to be repainted. Behind Camus 51. Recommendation An unnamed estate behind Campus was visited. This estate is unfinished and timber screening is recommended. DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 29

30 Individual Houses A number of eye catching individual stone house and buildings were noted and these add additional character to Ballylinan. Residents Associations 53. Recommendation The Tidy Towns Committee should facilitate the setting up of a Residents Association in any estate in Ballylinan that does not have one. An example of highly successful screening from Clonaslee, Co Laois is illustrated below. This is a relatively low cost temporary solution to unfinished estate areas. Rahin Towers 52. Recommendation A very untidy unfinished area was noted at the end of the estate where screening is recommended. DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 30

31 Athy Approach Roads, Streets & Back Areas Introduction This adjudication category has a maximum of 50 marks. The presentation of approach roads, streets, connecting roads, laneways and bridges is considered under this adjudication category Marks In 2010 Ballylinan received a total of 31 marks in this adjudication category. In the Tidy Towns Competition in 2010 the average mark achieved by the County Winners was 37 marks or 73% of available marks in this adjudication category. Importance of the town / village Approaches All approach roads are most important in that they establish for the visitor a first impression of your area. The following are key aspects of approach roads that should receive your ongoing attention a. Cross roads / Roundabouts b. Road verges c. Grass verges d. Town / village nameplates e. Walls, fences and hedging Road Surfaces The condition of road surfaces in both the village / town and on approach roads will be considered by the annual adjudicator. Rahin Approach Good roadside verges on the left were admired here. The planting at the Granite slab caught the eye. It was noted that this slab appeared to be facing in towards the village and not out so that it could be read on the village approach. 54. Recommendation On the approach to the Graveyard kerb weed needed attention. N78 Athy From North 55. Recommendation Good narrow grass verges feature here on the left. Roadside hedging needed to be cut. Barrow House Approach 56. Recommendation On this approach road the left hand verge needed to be cut together with roadside Briars. By Thatched Cottage The thatched cottage on this approach was greatly admired and the standard of maintenance and overall presentation is excellent. 57. Recommendation Fine matures trees feature on this approach to Ballylinan. Some rubbish was noted in a corner and a corrugated iron door needed to be painted. Dark green is suggested. Cut back verge growth opposite the bungalows. DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 31

32 Cul de Sac At the Cul de Sac verge / bank growth needed to be cut back opposite the bungalows. Milltown Approach 60. Recommendation Growth here needed to be cut back at some of the roadside hedges. Further out hedges had been very neatly cut. N78 Campus Approach 58. Recommendation On this approach verges on the right needed to be cut. Road Signs 59. Recommendation Vegetation needs to be trimmed back from a number of road signs. DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 32

33 General Impression Introduction This adjudication category has a maximum of 10 marks and considers the overall impression presented by your entry to the adjudicator. A key question is whether Ballylinan is presented from a Tidy Towns point of view as an integrated centre. Another issue is whether you have tried to work on all adjudication categories or selected just a few favoured work areas Marks In 2010 Ballylinan received a total of 7 marks in this adjudication category. In the Tidy Towns Competition in 2010 the average mark achieved by the County Winners was 9 marks or 88% of available marks in this adjudication category. My Overall Impression of Ballylinan This Consultant had not been in Ballylinan for some years and was pleased to have the opportunity of returning. While the 2010 overall Tidy Towns mark was rather low but improved on the 2009 performance good work is obviously taking place here. DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 33

34 Summary of Recommendations This table summarises the recommendations made under each adjudication category. Report Introduction 2 Overall Development Approach 10 The Built Environment 8 Landscaping 5 Wildlife & Natural Amenities 6 Litter Control 4 Waste Minimisation 3 Tidiness 7 Residential Areas 10 Roads, Street & Back Areas 7 General Impression 0 Total Recommendations 62 Note that some recommendations have sub-sections with additional recommendations not reflected in the above total. DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 34

35 Annual Marks Targets In this section of the Report recommendations are offered in regard to annual additional marks targets for the period 2011 to Actual Marks received Target marks increase Target marks increase Target marks increase Adjudication Category Overall Development Approach The Built Environment Landscaping Wildlife & Natural Amenities Litter Control Waste Minimisation Tidiness Residential Areas Roads, Street & Back Areas General Impression Overall Mark 228 Annual Overall Marks Targets DONALDSON Tourism & Heritage Consultancy Page 35