Monday 29 August 2011

Town Development Plan to be launched

THE NEWLY published THE NEWLY published New Ross Town and Environs Development Plan 2011-2017, which sets out the planning policies and objectives for the Barrowside Town over the coming years, will be officially launched at the Dunbrody Centre this Thursday evening.

Jointly prepared and adopted by New Ross Town and Wexford County Councils, this is a statutory public document that sets out the policies and objectives for the proper planning and sustainable development of New Ross Town until 2017.

'While setting out the planning policies and objectives, the plan, through its high quality graphic design concept, will act as a promotional tool for the town and a lovely reference document,' explained Town Manager Eamonn Hore. ' The graphic design expertly portrays the town's key attractions and highlights the distinctive character of the town and why it is an attractive place to live, work and rest.'

In preparation for the adoption and publishing of this Plan, which came into effect last March, there were three public meetings, three public display periods totalling 24 weeks, fifty submissions, eight town and county council meetings, including a meeting with Kilkenny County Council, meetings with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and with the Office of Public Works.

The plan covers a wide range of issues which include employment, transport, infrastructure, housing, community and education facilities, recreation and open space, tourism, arts and culture, conservation and heritage.

It includes the first Core Strategy prepared by the Councils - an evidence-based approach to land use planning, closely matching population projections with land use zoning requirements - which resulted in a reduction in the amount of undeveloped residential zoned land from 184 acres in the 2004 plan to 96 acres in the current plan.

The first Strategic Flood Risk Assessment prepared by the Councils - in fact one of the first such detailed assessments at town plan level in the country - is also included. It provides an assessment of the types of flood risk to the town and environs, which in turn informed land-use planning decisions for the plan area. Serious consideration was given to the zoning of lands which have a moderate to high flooding vulnerability and resulted in the zoning of flood risk lands being entirely omitted or fully justified where appropriate. This resulted in approximately 57 acres of undeveloped lands being either dezoned or rezoned to water compatible land uses.

The Record of Protected Structures was also fully reviewed, which resulted in twelve extra structures being added to the record. The record now contains 187 structures and this is thought will have a significant, positive effect on the architectural heritage of the town and its environs

Amongst many other things, the plan contains an objective to prepare a Public Realm Plan for the town, which consists of the space between buildings - the streets, laneways, squares, promenades and open areas that are accessible to the public. Initiatives within the Public Realm Plan focus on streets-frontages, open spaces, approach roads, lighting and signage.

'New Ross has some notable public realm areas, such as the waterfront and the medieval town core. However, there is also considerable scope for improvement so as to enhance the role of the town for tourism, retail and business, as well as a good place to live. The Public Realm Plan will transform the town,' said Mr. Hore, adding that much of the work outlined in the public realm plan will be undertaken within the development plan period and large elements will proceed within the next twelve months.

However, the plan also contains some more unusual and interesting features.

It contains a comparison of past and present photographs of streetscapes and buildings. The 'past' photographs were taken by William Cavanagh at the end of the 19th century.

These images are just some of those reproduced from a box of old photograph plates saved from destruction by Gabriel Lalor with a £5 bid at auction and lovingly catalogued, preserved and published by local historian James FitzGibbon. The present photographs, which were taken from almost identical vantage points, were expertly captured by another local photographer, Edward Delaney.

The plan also provides a window on New Ross 179 years ago through an extract from Parliamentary Representation Ireland Report 1832, which was bought at auction earlier in the year. The historic report on the New Ross Borough is reproduced in its entirety.

Even the story of the fairies in New Ross is retold.

All those people who made contributions or submissions to the plan, as part of the public consultation, are invited to attend the launch and will receive a complimentary copy of the plan. All schools in the plan area will be circulated with copies as will all the libraries and Chamber of Commerce.

- ELAINE FURLONG, which sets out the planning policies and objectives for the Barrowside Town over the coming years, will be officially launched at the Dunbrody Centre this Thursday evening.

Jointly prepared and adopted by New Ross Town and Wexford County Councils, this is a statutory public document that sets out the policies and objectives for the proper planning and sustainable development of New Ross Town until 2017.

'While setting out the planning policies and objectives, the plan, through its high quality graphic design concept, will act as a promotional tool for the town and a lovely reference document,' explained Town Manager Eamonn Hore. ' The graphic design expertly portrays the town's key attractions and highlights the distinctive character of the town and why it is an attractive place to live, work and rest.'

In preparation for the adoption and publishing of this Plan, which came into effect last March, there were three public meetings, three public display periods totalling 24 weeks, fifty submissions, eight town and county council meetings, including a meeting with Kilkenny County Council, meetings with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and with the Office of Public Works.

The plan covers a wide range of issues which include employment, transport, infrastructure, housing, community and education facilities, recreation and open space, tourism, arts and culture, conservation and heritage.

It includes the first Core Strategy prepared by the Councils - an evidence-based approach to land use planning, closely matching population projections with land use zoning requirements - which resulted in a reduction in the amount of undeveloped residential zoned land from 184 acres in the 2004 plan to 96 acres in the current plan.

The first Strategic Flood Risk Assessment prepared by the Councils - in fact one of the first such detailed assessments at town plan level in the country - is also included. It provides an assessment of the types of flood risk to the town and environs, which in turn informed land-use planning decisions for the plan area. Serious consideration was given to the zoning of lands which have a moderate to high flooding vulnerability and resulted in the zoning of flood risk lands being entirely omitted or fully justified where appropriate. This resulted in approximately 57 acres of undeveloped lands being either dezoned or rezoned to water compatible land uses.

The Record of Protected Structures was also fully reviewed, which resulted in twelve extra structures being added to the record. The record now contains 187 structures and this is thought will have a significant, positive effect on the architectural heritage of the town and its environs

Amongst many other things, the plan contains an objective to prepare a Public Realm Plan for the town, which consists of the space between buildings - the streets, laneways, squares, promenades and open areas that are accessible to the public. Initiatives within the Public Realm Plan focus on streets-frontages, open spaces, approach roads, lighting and signage.

'New Ross has some notable public realm areas, such as the waterfront and the medieval town core. However, there is also considerable scope for improvement so as to enhance the role of the town for tourism, retail and business, as well as a good place to live. The Public Realm Plan will transform the town,' said Mr. Hore, adding that much of the work outlined in the public realm plan will be undertaken within the development plan period and large elements will proceed within the next twelve months.

However, the plan also contains some more unusual and interesting features.

It contains a comparison of past and present photographs of streetscapes and buildings. The 'past' photographs were taken by William Cavanagh at the end of the 19th century.

These images are just some of those reproduced from a box of old photograph plates saved from destruction by Gabriel Lalor with a £5 bid at auction and lovingly catalogued, preserved and published by local historian James FitzGibbon. The present photographs, which were taken from almost identical vantage points, were expertly captured by another local photographer, Edward Delaney.

The plan also provides a window on New Ross 179 years ago through an extract from Parliamentary Representation Ireland Report 1832, which was bought at auction earlier in the year. The historic report on the New Ross Borough is reproduced in its entirety.

Even the story of the fairies in New Ross is retold.

All those people who made contributions or submissions to the plan, as part of the public consultation, are invited to attend the launch and will receive a complimentary copy of the plan. All schools in the plan area will be circulated with copies as will all the libraries and Chamber of Commerce.

ELAINE FURLONG
New Ross Standard

www.buckplanning.ie

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