Ballyroan – Village Centre Renewal

I submit the following for consideration and support:

That Ballyroan Village has been well served with regard to its housing needs in the last 15 years with the development of 3 housing estates in outlying areas and 20 further housing units (Laois County Council) currently under construction at Gleann na Glaise and Planning Permissions granted yet to be fulfilled. It is now time to look inward and deal with the needs of the village core i.e. its Main Street.
That the current neglected and derelict condition of houses including “Protected” buildings on the Main Street be recognised by the Local Authority and that it use its powers to address this issue urgently given the negative affect it creates in a community. It is essential that so called “Protected” buildings and structures are protected and not allowed fall into dereliction. It might be worth considering that a complete Town by Town review and assessment of listed properties be undertaken by the Heritage/Planning sections in conjunction with any other relevant Body to establish the current condition of all such properties and to deal accordingly with those neglected by way of enforcement of obligations on owners for the maintenance of their protected properties.
That retention of the existing streetscape be a requirement in any future Permission/s granted for development and regeneration of Ballyroan Village Centre.
That the retention of existing residential buildings where possible be encouraged in preference to new development in the Village Main Street. There is a great desire for regeneration of the Main Street and the revival of existing traditional buildings and the reintroduction of more families to create a “living” Main Street which in essence is what we recognise as “Ballyroan” the Main Street being the core of any village or Town which, shamefully, in Ballyroan is deteriorating every year despite the best efforts of some residents.
That the potential for the development, within the village centre, of much needed amenity areas to include a children’s playground, heritage site, park or other such projects be recognised and site/s identified and developed in order to create a sense of balanced development in a Village that has in recent years seen only the prioritisation of residential development over anything else.
That any proposed development residential or otherwise in the vicinity of important historical sites such as the Moat/Motte be limited in its extent and within reason due to the proximity of these sites with full archaeological investigations carried out.
That consideration be given to zoning for commercial use other areas of the Village in addition to the Main Street given the little amount of commercial services available to residents viz. shops (currently 1) in a Village that has seen a sizeable increase in population in recent years.
That additional “Opportunity Sites” be identified in the Village particularly in the vicinity of the River Gloreen, an almost forgotten feature of the Village, which passes the Moat at the lower end of the village shown as an open space/amenity area together with a small number of other currently undeveloped sites in the Village.
That more emphasis be put on the “greening” of Village centres with a plan specific to a village and grants available to assist groups for appropriate planting of native trees and shrubbery.
That Environmental, Heritage and Architectural officers get involved with villages and representative groups on the ground and visit these villages to promote projects and consult and advise in this regard.

22nd March 2021

Draft Laois County Development Plan 2021 - 2027 - Aighneachtaí

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