Ballincollig Issues for City Development Plan
Firstly I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the City Council's new development plan. The new development plan sets out priorities and opportunities for Cork city for 2022-2028 and for the first time will include the expanded city area. As well as land usage the Development Plan can set out ambitions for Cork communities, a place we can call home, engagement with our environment, travel in Cork, places for recreation, work, health and education for example.
City Hall will have a significant role in delivering the government's “Housing for all” strategy including social, affordable and cost rental housing locally. The zoning of adequate housing ground is necessary but the council's role cannot end there as the council will need to actively engage in the deliver of affordable housing, cost rental as well as social housing. Plans are already being drawn up for the development of social housing schemes at Station Road and Poulavone and the Council needs to deliver these in a timely manner in the interest of locals. Delivery of the new local Authority-led affordable purchase scheme is essential as is the Owner Occupier Guarantee, the Cost rental homes and the range of Housing for All initiates.
Having the chapter in the plan on Ballincollig acknowledges the unique identity and sets out an opportunity to prioritize local needs and plans. The plan identifies a long-term strategic regeneration zone south of the Main St. While Ballincollig has grown over recent years it has been able to retain its village and community spirit and any regeneration of this core area should continue to respect Ballincolligs identity.
The education section needs to be amended to recognize the newly established primary and secondary schools. While land is being zoned for permanent homes for these new schools and other future schools the plan must also prepare for the possibility of the existing schools requiring to expand and grow and should consider zonings adjacent to the existing school sites.
Ballincollig is very proud of our Regional Park which has been developed over many years and is enjoyed by people from a very wide catchment area. The gunpowder mills are a key part of Ballincollig military heritage and army barracks was established to protect the mills. The park, the weir, canals, and the powder mills, barracks are all intertwined. The weir and canals are a central feature of the park and while the development plan acknowledges the weir as an opportunity it needs to be more active and set out a plan to reinstate the weir. This would further enhance the wonderful park environment having water flow in the canals again. It would also enhance the powder mills and a significant part of Ballincolligs heritage. There is a real opportunity here for Ballincollig and the Council in its development plan should look at the possibility of developing the gunpowder mills tourist offering.
The Council's development of a green fleet is positive step and it sends a visible green message. City Hall must build on this over the lifetime of the new plan. Government policy has been clear in the development of electric vehicle charging points and have made available substantial funding to Local Authorities to develop a network of EV charging points. Cork City Council needs to actively engage, access the available funding and build EV charging points. This would benefit people who don't have access to a charger point at their home (apartment living) or who may be visiting. I noted the plan recognizes the need for EV charging networks but appears to take a hands off approach. The council can no longer take this hands off approch and should access the available funding and develop EV charging points locally.
The first through the night bus service in the country has been in place in Ballincollig now for a number of years. It took some effort to bring this about and it has been delivering for people in Ballincollig. The next step is to advance the light rail to connect Ballincollig, its hinterland and the city centre. Cycle routs must also be advanced in particular the choke points along the bus and cycle routs need to be addressed during the lifetime of this plan to make it safer and more accessable.
The development of a Community Center has long been issue for people in Ballincollig and while a reference to a centre is mentioned in the plan the plan does not zone the particular site. The council should consider zoning the preferred site and commit to advancing the Ballincollig Community Center.
Tá pobal Gaolinn laidir I mBaillincollig agus go foirleathan ar fúd Caithir Corcaí mar atá le feiscint sa daonaireamh. Is abhar diomá é go bhfuil an plean forbatha chomh lag is atá sé maidir le cursai teanga. Tá gá athbreathnú air seo agus spriocanna suntasach a leagadh síos ag leiriú conas atá an Comhairle chun freastal ar pobal na Gaolinne agus an teanga a chuir chun cinn sa chaithir.
The Curraheen science park presents an exciting opportunity locally and for the wider south west region. While background works have been started its hugely important that there would be visible progress on the park and bring it to a reality.