Public Realm: Publicly accessible streets, footpaths, parks, squares, bridges, public buildings and facilities.

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1 Welcome Introduction Welcome to the public consultation process for the Draft Ballinrobe Public Realm Plan. These presentation panels explain the findings of the process and a series of draft projects that are currently proposed. We now warmly invite you to have your say and help us shape the Ballinrobe Public Realm Plan further so that it accurately reflects the needs of the town. The Ballinrobe Public Realm Plan was commissioned by Mayo County Council in November 2016, with support from The Heritage Council. It reflects recognition by the Municipal District that a number of improvements are needed in the way the town looks and functions. Great work has taken place over the years by the Council, community and business groups. However, a plan is now needed to strategically coordinate a series of projects around an agreed set of objectives for Ballinrobe. Upon completion of the plan process, the agreed projects will be prioritised and delivered by a range of different parties over a year period, subject to the availability of funding. The Process So Far... What is Public Realm? Public Realm: Publicly accessible streets, footpaths, parks, squares, bridges, public buildings and facilities. The Heritage Council 7.30pm pm Tuesday 31st January 2017 Valkenburg Hotel, Ballinrobe Refreshments Provided BALLINROBE PUBLIC REALM PLAN Join us for a presentation and discussion on the public realm of Ballinrobe and help inform a new Public Realm Plan for the town. Public Realm: Publicly owned streets, pathways, rightsof-ways, parks and other publicly accessible open spaces, How can we and public and civic buildings and facilities. improve How is this Plan being Put Together? Ballinrobe? It is important that this plan reflects the views and aspirations of local people. Therefore the Public Realm Plan is being produced through a collaborative process involving local residents, business owners, community groups school children and elected members. This process is being led for Mayo County Council by The Paul Hogarth Company. They are a Landscape Architecture, Urban Design and Planning Consultancy with over 25 years experience of improving places through the public realm. Research Early Consultation Draft Public Realm Plan Public Consultation Final Public Realm Plan How Can I Have My Say? To help shape this plan we would like to hear your thoughts about Ballinrobe, your feedback on the Draft Plan and your creative ideas for the town. The Draft Ballinrobe Public Realm Plan is open for public consultation : Friday 5th May until Friday 2nd June 2017 Complete an online feedback form at: Or, complete a written feedback form and: - leave it in the box provided at Mayo County Council Offices, Kilmaine Rd - scan or photo your form and it to ballinrobe@paulhogarth.com - post form to The Paul Hogarth Co, Clonmel House, Forster Way, Swords There are several ways in which you can give your feedback during this time:

2 Ballinrobe of Today The Current State of Play Wha t s w orkin g and wha t s n ot? Regional Role First Impressions Before coming up with ideas for the future of Ballinrobe, it is important that we understand the town as it is today. What are its strengths that need protection and enhancement? What problems are there that can be tackled through a Public Realm Plan? This panel summarises 6 key findings of the analysis process, drawn from desktop research, site analysis and the early consultation process. If you have other observations about Ballinrobe today that you would like to make, let us know via the feedback form. Hidden Heritage What does Ballinrobe say to you? It is important that first impressions of the town are as positive as possible. Physical improvements to the town s arrival points and the tackling of prominent eye-sores will be essential steps in transforming the public realm and influencing perceptions of the town. Ballinrobe is strategically well located mid-way between Castlebar and Galway. New motorway links to Dublin, and tourism investment such as the Wild Atlantic Way present opportunities for the town s economy to grow. Furthermore its proximity to the three lakes and surrounding towns like Cong should be capitalised upon more fully, with potential for greater physical links. (Sub) Urban Ballinrobe Like many Irish towns, Ballinrobe grew significantly in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. But much of that growth took place on the edges of the town rather than the centre, leaving many people reliant on the car. Town centre development and good foot and cycle links will be key to helping the town look & function more effectively. Life & Vibrancy As the oldest town in the county, Ballinrobe is fortunate to have a rich heritage, including the Bower s Walk, former military barracks, court house and church sites. However, much of its heritage is hidden from view. A visitor can easily pass by the Harry Clarke windows, the attractive library interior or even the river which is difficult to see from main roads. A wonderful opportunity exists to open up Ballinrobe s heritage, helping locals and visitors discover and learn about it more easily. A major challenge for Ballinrobe is the extent of vacancy and dereliction in its centre. A symptom of the local economy, empty shops and abandoned apartment blocks are greatly damaging to the look and feel of Ballinrobe. Yet this is in sharp contrast to the vibrancy and vitality of its community, active local groups and sports clubs. Civic Spaces Central Ballinrobe consists of busy narrow streets, attractive in character but dominated by heavy traffic. Redirecting traffic and re-addressing the balance between people and vehicles will be key tasks. Without civic squares or other such spaces, the town s streets, parks and car parks should be flexible in design so they can also be used for events.

3 Ballinrobe of tomorrow What Kind of Place Do We Want? A key part of the Public Realm Plan process is to develop a shared vision for the future and to identify a series of aims for physical interventions in the town. The draft vision and aims below were shaped through a workshop with local people. Tell us if you think they are right for Ballinrobe. The vibrant, historic town of Ballinrobe will 5 Aims for Ballinrobe Historicr Protect, restore and celebrate Ballinrobe s historic buildings, monuments. spaces and traditions. Vibrant Stimulate and maintain a town centre that is vibrant with life and activity. - with improved spaces, buildings and connections - be revitalised as a sustainable, welcoming place in which to live, work, play and visit. Welcoming Ensure that the physical appearance of Ballinrobe is as warm as the welcome of its people. Connected Link Ballinrobe s people, spaces and places as effectively as possible. Sustainable Pass on to future generations a town that is strong economically, socially and environmentally. Draft Vision Statement What are your priorities for Ballinrobe? My Ballinrobe 2027 Who better to ask about the future of Ballinrobe than the town s children and young people? Pupils of St Joseph s National School were invited to share their ideas for Ballinrobe in 10 years time. The results (a handful of which are shown here) demonstrate their affection for the town and wealth of creative ideas for the future.

4 Draft Public Realm Plan Summary The Draft Ballinrobe Public Realm Plan consists of 12 projects. These range in scale and complexity but share the common goal of fulfilling the vision and aims for the town. Careful consideration has been given to how people - be they residents, shoppers or visitors - experience the town centre. This has led to a series of projects that seek to improve first impressions, make it easy to find one s way around and encourage people to stay in Ballinrobe for as long as possible. The projects also seek to contribute to addressing two big challenges - dereliction and traffic. Short term quick fixes are joined by longer term proposals for sustainable change. More fundamentally all of the projects seek to contribute positively to the local economy. We invite you to review each of these draft projects and let us know what you think. Are they right for Ballinrobe? Are there other projects needed for the town? 12 Draft Projects A. Arrival & Welcome Improved town entrances and approaches G. Streetscape & Traffic Transport studies & high quality pavements and crossings P B. Parking Strategy Well located, designed and signed car parking provision H. Signage Strategy Wayfinding, & orientation signage, management of advertising C. Dereliction & Frontages Short, Medium & Long term improvement to vacant buildings & town frontages I. Inner town spaces Improved design and use of town centre car parks and church yards D. Bower s Walk & Green Continued improvements to include restoration, surfaces, planting & signs E. Strategic Connections Town branding, marketing and regional pathway connections F. Greenway Network Series of off-road town pathways for pedestrians and cyclists J.Heritage & Interpretation Conservation Management Plan and improved heritage signage and public art K. Events & Festivals Annual calender of town events large and small L. Major Destination High quality town centre tourism development on the theme of Harry Clarke Where do you think improvements are needed?

5 Draft Public Realm Projects ( A - F ) A Arrival & Welcome Bowers Walk & Green D First impressions are important. This project will involve identifying key locations on each approach road at which to mark arrival to Ballinrobe. Bespoke signs and public art pieces will create a unique and positive welcome to the town. Planting, lighting and other improvements will help ensure that everyone arriving in the town is met with the warmest of welcomes. Regard for the location of the proposed bypass junctions should be also taken into account. Are these projects right for Work to further improve Bower s Walk and the Green should continue. This will include restoration of historic features and wildlife habitats, improved walking surfaces and lighting. Improvements for unused sites should be found while longer term planning takes place for the area as a whole. Appropriate new uses should be encouraged and provide for, including safe access to the water and organised events and activities. B Parking Strategy Ballinrobe? Strategic Connections E Car parking provision in Ballinrobe requires strategic planning to ensure that the right spaces are provided in the right places. Where should visitors, shoppers, workers and residents each be encouraged to park? This will then be followed by improvements to each car park including signage, planting, lighting and surfaces. The routes to and from car parks must be safe, convenient and attractive. Bus and bicycle parking is also required. Ballinrobe would benefit from better physical and socioeconomic connections with the surrounding region to attract visitors and investment. A place branding process will help promote a strong, positive identity for the town. Physical improvements should include foot, cycle and boat links with Lough Mask, improvements to key roads and potential extension of the river path north towards Claremorris. C Dereliction & Greenway Network F Frontages Action is needed to tackle derelict and vacant buildings in Ballinrobe. The most prominent buildings and streets should be prioritised for a short term facelift. Coordinated frontage improvements, particularly to heritage buildings, are also to be encouraged. Creative ideas are needed to find temporary (meanwhile) uses for empty units. And a longer term strategy to stimulate mixed use town centre development is necessary. Ballinrobe has excellent potential to establish a network of greenways (foot and cycle paths) around the town. Many of these would involve the formalisation of existing routes to become permanent parts of the town s green infrastructure. Phased over time, subject to access agreements, the paths would provide residents & visitors access to schools, shops & facilities, while also providing a venue for recreation and sports.

6 Draft Public Realm Projects ( G - L ) G Streetscape & Traffic Ballinrobe Town Centre would greatly benefit from a by-pass and current plans should be progressed accordingly. In the meantime improvements are needed to traffic circulation, including signalisation, review of one-way systems and improved crossing points. A well designed streetscape project should also be advanced to support businesses and tourism with high quality pavements, on-street car parking, lighting, trees and furniture. Heritage & Interpretation Caring for Ballinrobe s heritage will be vital step for the future. A Conservation Management Plan is required to direct the requirements of each of the town s heritage sites, including the Courthouse, former military and ecclesiastical sites. This will then inform improved interpretation to include looped heritage walks, signage, public art and events that communicate and celebrate the town s history. J H Signage Strategy Events & Festivals K A strategic approach to the management of signage in Ballinrobe is required. This would involve the removal of superfluous signs around the town and the introduction of an attractive and coherent system of pedestrian way-finding signs and orientation maps. Key facilities and destinations should be signposted including public spaces, car parks and visitor attractions. Future signage, including advertising, should be managed through appropriate policy. I Inner Town Spaces Do you have other ideas for the town? Bringing the buzz back to Ballinrobe can be achieved in part through a coordinated approach to events and festivals. Existing community, cultural and sports events should be supported and developed. New opportunities for regular events should be found, including small performances and tours, as well as a potential town festival each year. All events should be collated to form an annual programme for promotion. Major Destination L In conjunction with Project B, the town s centrally located car parks and churchyards should be improved in a coordinated project. This would look at their urban design to improve the relationship of buildings to the spaces. It would also look at landscape design to make them more attractive, better linked together and usable for occasional events and activities. The potential for re-introducing a regular market should also be explored. Consideration should be given to the development of a major visitor destination in the town centre. A top quality, must see regional attraction would place Ballinrobe on the tourist map, and be a much needed catalyst for the local economy. As the best place in Ireland to see the stained glass windows of Harry Clarke, potential exists for a centrally located visitor experience with workshop space, shop and restaurant.