Mayo County Development Plan 2022–2028

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   CHAPTER 12 SETTLEMENT 246 247 12.7.4 Economic Development The main employment sectors in the town according to Census 2016 (POWCAR) is the Services Sector (28.6%), followed by Education, Human Health and Social Work (23.2%) and Manufacturing Industries (12.9%). The town is well served in terms of convenience and comparison shopping, with three of the major supermarket chains located in or close to the town centre. There are two retail parks located along the old Ballindine Road. Potential exists in the town centre in the form of appropriately located undeveloped lands, to further enhance the convenience and comparison retail offer. 12.7.5 Social Infrastructure Claremorris serves as the retail centre and employment base for a larger rural catchment area and provides a range of services, social amenities and community facilities, including a hotel, library, swimming pool, Town Hall, two national schools, two secondary schools and numerous sporting and social clubs. Located to the south of the town are the Clare and Mayfield Loughs and the looped walk at McMahon Park, which constitute valuable natural amenities and visitor attractions for the town. 12.7.6 Physical Infrastructure Claremorris is served by the N17 and N60 national routes and has direct rail links to Dublin, and a potential future rail links along the Western Rail Corridor. It is located within a thirty-minute drive of Ireland West Airport Knock and has fibre optic broadband infrastructure (Metropolitan Area Network) available. Claremorris is served by an existing municipal wastewater treatment plant (5,333PE) and has a water supply from the Lough Mask regional water supply scheme. Works by Irish Water to increase the capacity of the municipal wastewater treatment plant (7,900PE) are expected to be completed in 2023, which will provide sufficient capacity for the projected population increase, as set out in the Core Strategy. 12.7.7 Heritage and Tourism The built heritage of the town is best reflected in the linear street pattern leading to the central square which gives the town its market town atmosphere. There are a number of protected structures (RPS) and historic structures of significance (NIAH) in the town, which greatly contribute to the urban structure and sense of place in the town. The recent development of McMahon Park Loop Walk around Mayfield and Clare Loughs has significantly enhanced the public amenity provision in Claremorris. These amenities have greatly increased the public awareness of the high-quality natural environment and biodiversity that exists on the edges of the urban core. Habitat mapping and a local Biodiversity Action Plan have been completed for Claremorris, which identifies areas of local biodiversity importance in the town. The attractiveness and potential of Claremorris as a standalone tourist destination and as a base from which to further explore the wider region has developed significantly in the recent years. The recently constructed hotels in the town and the development of the McMahon Loop Walk have been a success in attracting visitors and raising the tourism profile of Claremorris and this strategy aims to consolidate and build on this success. 12.7.8 Sustainable Communities Claremorris provides an attractive place to live, and is rich in heritage, natural beauty and amenity. The town plays an important economic, social and cultural role for the inhabitants of the town itself and the wider hinterland. The town also has good community stakeholder engagement and an active Tidy Towns committee. The Plan supports Claremorris’s transition to a low carbon town, noting that a communityled project by the Claremorris and Western District Energy Co-Operative, were successful in obtaining planning and financial support for a solar renewable energy project at Streamstown, Claremorris. The cooperative, which is focused on developing renewable energy projects, is a member of Community Power, Ireland’s first community-owned renewable electricity supplier. To help create sustainable communities, a strong emphasis is placed on building communities with a high standard of design, the principles of place-making, green infrastructure, permeability and connectivity, alongside the integration of community and recreation facilities. In this regard, a number of Town Centre Opportunity Sites have been identified to encourage development within the town centre. 12.7.9 Sustainable Travel The number of people who walk to their place of work, study and other services in town is above the national average (9.3%). According to 2016 POWCAR, 15.71% of the daily population walk. However, use of cycling as a sustainable mode of travel is less than 1%, compared to the national average (3%). Therefore, Mayo County Council promotes and supports the development of public transport initiatives, in keeping with the principles of Smarter Travel. Increasing the usage of cycling in the town will require further study (audit), including the provision of new or retrofitted infrastructure and adherence to DMURS guidance standards. 12.7.10 Placemaking and Regeneration Claremorris provides the focus for a wide range of activities that contribute to a sense of place and identity. Public realm enhancement works to the Town Square in the form of paving, planting and street furniture have greatly increased the attractiveness of the town centre. Further public realm enhancement works to the urban fabric of the town centre will be explored over the plan period. A main priority of the plan is the consolidation, rejuvenation and repopulation of the town centre, which in turn will support local businesses. Central to the physical and social regeneration of the town centre is the development of Town Centre Opportunity Sites. The Plan also includes provisions to encourage the redevelopment of derelict sites and buildings in disrepair on the approaches to the town centre, in particular on Mount Street and James Street. 12.7.11 Town Centre Opportunity Sites (Refer to Map CM 2) Four Town Centre Opportunity Sites have been identified for comprehensive redevelopment or refurbishment over the lifetime of the plan. The redevelopment of these sites presents an opportunity to contribute to Claremorris’s rejuvenation and revitalisation and to the overall improvement of the public realm and visual amenity. An indicative framework has been provided to guide the appropriate development of each site. Site A: Lands west of Western Rail Corridor Site B: Lands east of Western Rail Corridor Site C: Lands at junction of Station Road and New Link Road Site D: Lands on new link road and to the rear of Mount Street Site E: Lands rear of Dalton Street. Site F: Lands between Mount Street and Dalton Street. 249248

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   CHAPTER 12 SETTLEMENT 248 249 Site A: Location: Lands west of Western Rail Corridor. Area: Site area of c. 0.91 ha. Zoning: Town Centre Mixed Use Potential uses: Residential and Mixed-Use Map 12.14 Opportunity Site A Claremorris Site B: Location: Lands east of Western Rail Corridor. Area: Site area of c. 0.7ha. Zoning: Town Centre Mixed Use Potential uses: Residential and Mixed-Use Map 12.15 Opportunity Site B Claremorris Site C: Location: Lands at junction of Station Road and New Link Road Area: Site area of c. 0.41 ha. Zoning: Town Centre Mixed Use Potential uses: Residential and Mixed-Use Map 12.16 Opportunity Site C Claremorris Site D: Location: Lands at junction of Station Road and New Link Road Area: Site area of c. 0.41 ha. Zoning: Town Centre Mixed Use Potential uses: Residential and Mixed-Use Map 12.17 Opportunity Site D Claremorris 251250

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   CHAPTER 12 SETTLEMENT 250 251 Site E: Location: Lands rear of Dalton Street. Area: Site area of area of c. 0.35 ha. Zoning: Town Centre Mixed Use Potential uses: Residential and Mixed-Use Map 12.18 Opportunity Site E Claremorris Site F: Location: Lands between Mount Street and Dalton Street. Area: The site area of c. 0.86ha. Zoning: Town Centre Mixed Use Potential uses: Residential and Mixed-Use Map 12.19 Opportunity Site F Claremorris Claremorris Settlement Plan Policies CMP 1 To promote the development of Claremorris as a driver of economic growth for the southeast region and fulfil its role as a designated Self-Sustaining Growth Town and to further investigate the potential for the creation of an Economic Growth Cluster in tandem with the towns of Ballinrobe and Ballyhaunis. CMP 2 To support and promote the development potential of Claremorris as a transportation hub given its trans-nodal infrastructural location and siting along the Atlantic Economic Corridor. CMP 3 To support the reinstatement of the Western Rail Corridor, in particular to actively seek and promote the re-opening of the Claremorris-Galway rail link as well as a link to Sligo; and to safeguard and protect these potential rail links from redevelopment for nontransport related purposes, in order not to preclude their future uses as an operational transportation network. CMP 4 To support the development of Claremorris station for passenger and freight services and as a distribution depot. CMP 5 To support and develop Claremorris as a low carbon town, in conjunction with relevant stakeholders, including Claremorris and Western District Energy Co-Operative. Claremorris Settlement Plan Objectives CMO 1 To develop an attractive, serviced industrial land bank to the north of the inner relief road, on lands zoned for industrial development suitable for a range of high class and environmentally acceptable business and technology/industrial park type developments. CMO 2 To continue to facilitate the further development of the Mayfield Lough and McMahon Park as an amenity / recreation area in Claremorris. CMO 3 To support and facilitate the development of the six identified Town Centre Opportunity Sites in Claremorris for appropriate uses, as outlined in Section 12.7.11, and as generally permitted on Town Centre Opportunity Sites in the Land Use Zoning Matrix (Refer to Map CM 2). CMO 4 To provide a civic amenity facility in Claremorris. CMO 5 To examine the feasibility of, with the aim of constructing, the following road projects within the plan area: i. construction of an inner relief road from the N60 to the old N17 ii. construction of a link road from the L-5572-0 (Cloonconner Road) to the old N17 Claremorris/Ballindine Road, with the intention of extinguishing the vehicular right of way on the Cloonconnor Road to/from the N17 By-pass The above road projects will be subject to the normal planning and environmental considerations, including an assessment in accordance with Article 6 of the EU Habitats Directive, as appropriate. CMO 6 To safeguard and protect the Claremorris By-Pass from development for noninfrastructure related purposes that would prejudice its future use as part of the Western Infrastructural Corridor. 253252

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   CHAPTER 12 SETTLEMENT 252 253 CMO 7 To protect, maintain and enhance, in conjunction with the relevant agencies, the conservation value of Mayfield and Clare Loughs, their associated wetland habitats and rich diversity of plant and animal species and the extent, quality and connectivity of associated surface waters and wetlands as well as to promote the educational role of the lakes. CMO 8 To protect and enhance the conservation value of the disused railway lines in the town and their setting / margins as wildlife habitats and corridors notwithstanding that such disused railway lines may be developed at some future date as part of the County’s infrastructure / greenway network, in a manner that has regard to their inherent conservation value. CMO 9 To comply with the requirements of the objectives in the Economic Development Chapter of this Plan regarding Seveso II site ‘Calor Gas Teo’. CMO 10 To encourage development in the town of Claremorris in accordance with the Land Use Zoning Map. CMO 11 To encourage and facilitate the re-use and regeneration of derelict land and buildings for retail and other town centre uses with due cognisance to the Sequential Approach prescribed in the Retail Planning Guidelines 2012. CMO 12 To use active land management measures, such as the vacant site levy and derelict site levy to ensure the delivery of the projected housing units for Claremorris, as set out in the Core Strategy, on Town Centre Opportunity Sites and residential zoned lands. 12.8 Swinford (Tier II) 12.8.1 Location and Context Swinford is located in east Mayo adjacent to the intersection of the N5 and N26 national routes, on a tributary of the River Moy, the Derryonan River which runs through the town. The N5 lies to the south and the N26 runs through the centre and the town is located less than 30km northeast and southeast of Castlebar and Ballina, respectively. Swinford is located along the disused Western Rail Corridor. The population of Swinford has marginally increased over the last twenty years, from 1,386 persons in 1996 (Census figures) to 1,394 persons in 2016 (Census figures). Nevertheless, the population of the town has decreased by 7% since 2006, when the population stood at 1,507 persons (Census figures). The population of the town is the 7th largest settlement in Mayo, the 43rd largest in the Western Region and the 217th largest in the state. According to POWCAR 2016, the total number of jobs located within Swinford was 926. The Swinford labour catchment is the 37th largest labour catchment in the Western Region with a resident ‘at work’ population of 1,118 and a job to work ratio of 2.332. 12.8.2 History and Settlement Form The origin of Swinford is attributed to a ford crossing the river. The present-day settlement form is attributed to the Brabazon family, who planned the town on their estate. The demesne known as Brabazon Woods is part of the original estate and is a popular amenity in the town. The opening of the railway in the late 19th century strengthened the role of Swinford and the railway heritage of this era is a distinct feature of the town. The urban fabric of Swinford is historically rich, including key buildings which have been conserved and maintained for modern uses. 12.8.3 Function and Vision Swinford is located in the Claremorris–Swinford Municipal District. The town is the established administrative, commercial and service centre for a considerable hinterland in this part of the county. There are a number of significant employers in the public and private sector, including in the areas of healthcare and pharmaceuticals. Mayo County Council promotes the consolidation of growth within the established footprint of the town in conjunction with regeneration, public realm enhancement, while supporting local employment and the expansion of services to meet the needs of residents and visitors. Opportunities exists for Swinford to develop in a sustainable manner by reason of its close proximity to Ireland West Airport Knock and its location within the Atlantic Economic Corridor region. 12.8.4 Economic Development The largest employment sector in the Swinford labour catchment according to the Census 2016 is the Services Sector (34.6%), followed by Education, Human Health and Social Work (25.8%), ICT and Professional Services (14.2%) and Manufacturing Industries (11.9%). The town is well served in terms of convenience and comparison shopping with a major supermarket chain located on the southern edge of the town centre, a smaller supermarket in the town centre and a variety of independent traders in the town core. There is a Chamber of Commerce in Swinford who actively work towards the long-term sustainability of local business growth and development of the local economy in the town. Mayo County Council and the Western Development Commission (WDC) are working in collaboration to deliver “DigiWest”, a rural digital working hub network. The Council have selected the former courthouse in Swinford as the first digital hub under this project, with funding under the RRDF. The aim of this hub network is to provide a resource to local entrepreneurs, workers and communities in providing workspace with high-speed telecommunications capacity along the AEC. 12.8.5 Social Infrastructure Swinford is the retail centre and employment base for a larger rural catchment area and provides a range of services, social amenities and community facilities. These include a library, District Garda Headquarters, a district hospital, a post office, medical centres, a cultural centre, pre-school, primary school, secondary school, churches, banks, a Credit Union, enterprise centre, retail shops, public houses and a hotel. Swinford has numerous social and sporting clubs, amenity walks and a golf course. 12.8.6 Physical Infrastructure Swinford is served by the N5 and N26 national roads. The town also has direct bus links to Dublin, is located within fifteen-minute drive of Ireland West Airport Knock and has VDSLC broadband (Very high-speed Digital Subscriber Line) available. Swinford is served by an existing municipal wastewater treatment plant (6,500PE) and a public water supply sourced from the Carrowcanada Spring. There is sufficient capacity in this infrastructure to cater for the projected population increase as set out in the Core Strategy. Swinford has been selected as a location for the provision of free outdoor public Wi-Fi hotspots under the European Commission Wifi4EU scheme. This will provide free Wi-Fi for visitors and local residents in the town and hinterland, helping to bring about a digitally connected Mayo. 12.8.7 Heritage and Tourism There are a number of protected structures (RPS) and historic structures of significance in the town, which greatly contribute to the urban structure and sense of place. The protection, promotion and enhancement of the built and natural heritage of the town and its immediate environs is promoted in 255254

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   CHAPTER 12 SETTLEMENT 254 255 this plan. This includes the enhancement of features and areas considered unique and important and the protection of watercourses, while enhancing the accessibility and amenity value of same. These are measures which will also increase the tourist potential of the area. Mayo County Council have also identified local biodiversity areas in Swinford and have recently prepared a Local Biodiversity Area Plan for the town. Swinford is renowned for its fishing waters in particular the Callow lakes which yield excellent brown trout. Pony trekking and nature walks are among the many activities on offer to the visitor, along with a wealth of archaeological sites within walking distance. The Brabazon Woodlands is an important amenity for the residents and visitors to the town. 12.8.8 Sustainable Communities Swinford provides an attractive place to live, is rich in heritage, natural beauty and amenity. The town plays an important economic, social and cultural role for the inhabitants of the town itself and the wider hinterland. Swinford has an active Town Towns committee and many other organisations that contribute to the community of the town. The Plan supports community-led initiatives to transition to a low carbon town, including the formation of community power company, similar to Claremorris. To help create sustainable communities, a strong emphasis is placed on building communities with a high standard of design, on the principles of place-making, green infrastructure, permeability and connectivity alongside the integration of community and recreation facilities and supporting community-led projects. In this regard, a number of Town Centre Opportunity Sites have been identified to encourage development within the town centre. 12.8.9 Sustainable Travel The number of people who walk to their place of work, study and other services in town is below the national average (9.3%). According to 2016 POWCAR, 8.53% of the daily population walk. However, use of cycling as a sustainable mode of travel is less than 1%, compared to the national average (3%). In terms of public transport, 8.47% of people use the bus daily, which is above the national average (5.9%). Therefore, Mayo County Council promotes and supports the development of public transport initiatives, in keeping with the principles of Smarter Travel. Increasing the usage of cycling in the town will require further study (audit), including the provision of new or retrofitted infrastructure and adherence to DMURS guidance standards. 12.8.10 Placemaking and Regeneration The historically rich urban fabric in the centre of Swinford defines the existing character of the town, with wide main streets and an abundance of impressive two and three storey buildings, albeit with significant levels of vacancy and dereliction. The vernacular architecture makes a strong contribution to the character of the streetscapes and adds to a sense of place in the town. An objective of this plan is the preparation of a public realm plan for Swinford over the lifetime of the plan. A main priority of the plan is the sympathetic regeneration and reoccupation of the derelict sites and buildings in the town centre. Mayo County Council maintains a live GIS database of all vacant and derelict buildings in Swinford and will work with key stakeholders to actively tackle vacancy and dereliction, including through active land management options. In 2015, the Swinford Urban Regeneration Study was carried out by the Council, which identified key regeneration sites in the town centre area. These sites have been incorporated as Town Centre Opportunity Sites of this plan. 12.8.11 Town Centre Opportunity Sites (Refer to Map SD 2) Six Town Centre Opportunity Sites have been identified for comprehensive redevelopment or refurbishment over the lifetime of the plan. The redevelopment of these sites presents a significant opportunity to rejuvenate and revitalise Swinford town centre and make it desirable to live, work and invest. An indicative framework has been provided to guide the appropriate development of each site. Site A: Lands abutting Glebe House off Main Street Site B: Part of rear garden of Glebe House Site C: Lands off Station Road adjoining the WRC Site D: Lands off Brookfield Avenue Site E: Lands off Brookfield Avenue and Rivergarden. Site F: Pound Lane Site G: Station Road Site A: Location: Lands abutting Glebe House off Main Street Area: Site area of c.0.179ha. Zoning: Town Centre Mixed Use Potential uses: Residential and Mixed-Use Map 12.20 Opportunity Site A Swinford 257256

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   CHAPTER 12 SETTLEMENT 256 257 Site B: Location: Part of rear garden of Glebe House. Area: The site area of 0.107ha. Zoning: Town Centre Mixed Use Potential uses: Residential and Mixed-Use Map 12.21 Opportunity Site B Swinford Site C: Location: Lands off Station Road adjoining the WRC. Area: Site area of c. 0.14 ha. Zoning: Town Centre Mixed Use Potential uses: Residential and Mixed-Use Map 12.22 Opportunity Site C Swinford Site D: Location: Lands off Brookfield Avenue. Area: Site area of c. 0.16 ha. Zoning: Town Centre Mixed Use Potential uses: Residential and Mixed-Use Map 12.23 Opportunity Site D Swinford Site E: Location: Lands off Brookfield Avenue and Rivergarden. Area: Site area of c. 0.45 ha.. Zoning: Town Centre Mixed Use Potential uses: Residential and Mixed-Use Map 12.24 Opportunity Site E Swinford Site F: Location: Pound Lane. Area: Site area of c. 0.43ha. Zoning: Town Centre Mixed Use Potential uses: Residential and Mixed-Use Map 12.25 Opportunity Site F Swinford Site G: Location: Station Road. Area: Site area of c.0.11 ha. Zoning: Town Centre Mixed Use Potential uses: Residential and Mixed-Use Map 12.26 Opportunity Site G Swinford 259258

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   CHAPTER 12 SETTLEMENT 258 259 Swinford Settlement Plan Policies SDP 1 To promote the development of Swinford as a driver of economic growth for the east region of Mayo and fulfil its role as a designated Self-Sustaining Growth Town. SDP 2 To support and promote the reinstatement of the Western Rail Corridor. SDP 3 To support community-led developments, where appropriate, including the implementation of Community Futures Action Plan for Swinford (2013-2018) or any amended or superseding Community Futures Plan for the town. Swinford Settlement Plan Objectives SDO 1 To protect and enhance existing amenity facilities in Swinford, particularly the golf course, tennis courts, Amenity Park and Brabazon Woods. SDO 2 To protect and enhance areas considered unique and important in the town such as the Courthouse, the Famine Graveyard and Church of Ireland Graveyard, the Church, the Railway Bridge, the Signal Box and the Water Tower. SDO 3 To support and facilitate the development of the six identified Town Centre Opportunity Sites in Swinford for appropriate uses, as outlined in Section 12.8.11, and as generally permitted on town centre Opportunity Sites in the Land Use Zoning Matrix (Refer to Map SD 2). SDO 4 To develop the local economy by encouraging additional healthcare and pharmaceutical industries in the town and to promote the clustering of such industries on suitably zoned land. SDO 5 To ensure infill development respects the unique height-to-ratio building design in Swinford town centre along Market Street and Main Street. SDO 6 To protect the Spaddagh and Derryronan Rivers and all water courses and surface waters within the area, their water quality, ecology and function as ecological corridors, in this regard developers are required to show that any proposed development in the town will not adversely affect the integrity of the River Moy candidate Special Area of Conservation. SDO 7 To develop and maintain a pedestrian access to Pound Street car park from the town centre. SDO 8 To examine the feasibility of enhancing the link between the town centre and the Tesco development site. SDO 9 To support and facilitate the local community in measures to commemorate Swinford 2050 including oak tree planting on site to the rear of the former vocational school. SDO 10 To encourage development in the town of Swinford in accordance with the Land Use Zoning Map. SDO 11 To encourage and facilitate the re-use and regeneration of derelict land and buildings for retail and other town centre uses with due cognisance to the Sequential Approach prescribed in the Retail Planning Guidelines 2012. SDO 12 To use active land management measures, such as the vacant site levy and derelict site levy to ensure the delivery of the projected housing units for Swinford, as set out in the Core Strategy, on Town Centre Opportunity Sites and residential zoned lands (Refer to Map SD 2). SDO 13 To develop and maintain a civic and parking area on the infill lands located between Main Street, St Ita’s Terrace and Circular Road and to establish an appropriate traffic management plan to allow access from Main Street, Market Street and Circular Road. SDO 14 No new incompatible development is permitted within Flood Zone A/B areas and that these areas be maintained for the impacts of climate change in accordance with the provisions of the Flood Risk Management Guidelines (DoEHLG/OPW 2009) and Circular PL2/2014 (or any updated/superseding document). 12.9 Balla (Tier III) 12.9.1 Location and Context The town of Balla is located on the N60 national route, approximately 13km southeast of Castlebar and northwest of Claremorris. Balla is the 14th largest settlement in Mayo. The population of the town has more than doubled (143%) over the last twenty years, from 316 persons in 1996 (Census figures) to 769 persons in 2016 (Census figures). The focus of the settlement plan is to encourage job creation and population growth within the built-up footprint of the town, combined with service provision and attracting investment into the town. 12.9.2 Historical Context and Settlement Form Balla was originally known as Ros-Dairbhreach, the Oak Grove, and got its present name in the 7th Century from its association with St. Cronin. The town has developed north of the railway line and station in a linear form along the N60, with one wide main street and a local road providing access east of Main Street. Balla maintains a village character, however, there have been a number of housing developments constructed on the northern outskirts of the town, towards Castlebar. The structure of the town is well defined, with retail and commercial uses primarily located within its town core. Housing developments have been constructed along ‘an Straid Mhor’ Road beside St. Cronans Church and Balla primary school and an opportunity exists to consolidate development, by strengthening physical linkages between existing residential areas and the town centre and encouraging infill development, over the shop development, redevelopment, or occupancy of vacant properties. 12.9.3 Function and Vision Balla is located in the Castlebar Municipal District and functions primarily as a commuter town for larger urban centres, particularly Castlebar, which has influenced its rate of expansion. Balla provides a range of services and facilities to meet the daily needs of the local population. Consolidated growth within the development footprint, regeneration, supporting local employment, expansion of services to meet the needs of residents and visitors, together with measures to visually enhance the public realm will be key in realising the potential of Balla as a Tier III Self-Sustaining Town. 12.9.4 Economic Development Balla provides a range of medium to small retail outlets, as well as public houses and restaurants. Balla Mushrooms is a large-scale mushroom producer and employer in the area, while Balla Livestock Mart is located north of the town along the N60 attracting farmers into the town. Opportunities exist for the town to enhance its retail offer and the Council will look favourably upon the re-use of existing, vacant buildings in the town core for appropriate uses, such as local level convenience shopping in the town. 261260

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   CHAPTER 12 SETTLEMENT 260 261 12.9.5 Social Infrastructure Balla provides a range of services, social and community facilities, including a post office, pre-school, primary school, secondary school, community centre, parish hall, church, salons, a pharmacy, medical centre, community centre, retail outlets, restaurants and public houses. Balla also has numerous community groups, a strong community council and Tidy Towns committee and has benefited from the Community Futures Action Planning Process. South West Mayo Development Company is located in Balla and has developed numerous community-based programmes for the town. Balla won the national Pride of Place award in the 300-1000 population category in 2018. It is home to numerous sporting and social clubs along with recreational facilities. Sports and recreational facilities in the town include the town park, the GAA club, golf course with pitch and putt and children’s playground. 12.9.6 Physical Infrastructure Balla is located on the N60, which directly connects the town to the large urban centres of Castlebar and Ballina. The town is served by an existing municipal wastewater treatment plant (1,200PE) and a water supply from the Lough Mask Regional Public Water Scheme. There is sufficient capacity in this infrastructure to accommodate additional population increases in the town over the plan period. The town has high speed broadband and has been selected as a location for the provision of free outdoor public Wi-Fi hotspots under the European Commission Wifi4EU scheme. This will provide free Wi-Fi for visitors and residents in the town and hinterland, helping to bring about a digitally connected Mayo. 12.9.7 Heritage and Tourism Balla’s built heritage consists of its planned form, protected structures (2), record monuments (12) and local vernacular buildings, all of which are reflective of the historical development, sense of place and character of the town. Mayo County Council has identified ‘Local Biodiversity Areas’ in the town, which includes a strategy for the management of local biodiversity. The Balla Tower is one the main tourist assets in the town. The town park is another amenity available to residents and visitors alike. Balla is a base for many of Mayo’s tourist assets and products, with the Balla Tower to Ballintubber Walk forming part of the Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail. 12.9.8 Sustainable Communities Balla provides an attractive place to live and is rich in heritage and amenity. Community development is a core ethos amongst residents and there are many community organisations and groups which deliver programmes to enhance the town as a place to live and visit, for example a Community Futures Action Plan (2017 -2022) has been prepared for the town. Balla is located along the main daily bus route between Castlebar and Galway. A local community bus service operated by the Mayo Local Link also serves the town and the surrounding hinterlands. The County Council is keen to promote and support the development of public transport initiatives in keeping with the principles of Smarter Travel. The development strategy for Balla is to facilitate compact growth and re-populate the town core, together with providing a viable alternative to single rural housing within the surrounding countryside. New residential development will focus on compact growth to encourage a modal shift to more sustainable modes of transport such as walking and cycling. Stronger connections and linkages between residential settlements and the town centre is important in ensuring sustainable communities. A strong emphasis will be placed on the principles of green infrastructure, permeability and connectivity, alongside the integration of community and recreation facilities to assist with developing sustainable communities. It is necessary to consolidate and ensure the delivery of sustainable communities in Balla by accommodation a mix of housing types, densities, tenure and a high standard of design. 12.9.9 Placemaking and Regeneration Balla is an attractive town with a village ethos. The Town Park, Balla Round Tower and Fair Green are significant amenity assets in the town and contribute to sense of place for the town. The disused water tower south of St. Cronan’s Church is a landmark structure. The “Dawn Oak 2000” project took place to mark the Millennium where 2000 oak trees were planted, creating a new wood in the town park. Balla provides the focus for a wide range of activities that contribute to a sense of place and identity, including tidy towns, village enhancement programmes and ‘pride of place’. The town plays an important economic, social and cultural role. It is a priority to consolidate the existing centre and support existing businesses and activities, in order to maintain vibrancy. There is potential for regeneration of under-utilised lands, vacant sites and buildings within the existing built- up footprint of Balla, which will assist in revitalising and repopulating the town centre. Enhancement works comprising of paving, upgrading of pedestrian footpaths and crossings will enhance the attractive, traditional character of Balla. 12.9.10 Opportunity Sites Two Opportunity Sites have been identified for Balla (Refer to Map): Opportunity Site 1 Northern end of Elm Gardens Road to the east of Balla town centre. Opportunity Site 2 Southern end of Elm Gardens Road to the east of Balla town centre. These opportunity sites have been identified in Balla for residential purposes to further contribute to the rejuvenation and revitalisation close to and within the town centre. Proposals for development within the opportunity sites should be accompanied by a site brief and should comply with national guidelines that seek to achieve sustainable compact development and to integrate principles of good urban design and placemaking. Balla Settlement Plan Policies BAP 1 To support community-led developments, where appropriate, including the implementation of the Community Futures Action Plan for Balla (2017-2022) or any amended or superseding Community Futures Plan for the town. Balla Settlement Plan Objectives BAO 1 To protect and enhance existing amenity areas/facilities in Balla, particularly the round tower, fair green, town park, and its sporting and recreational facilities. BAO 2 To protect the town park and encourage its enhancement through the Neighbourwood Scheme (2017). BAO 3 To support and facilitate pedestrian mobility and safety in the town by introducing traffic calming measures and pedestrian crossings. 263262

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   CHAPTER 12 SETTLEMENT 262 263 BAO 4 To encourage and facilitate the re-use and regeneration of derelict land and buildings for retail and other town centre uses with due cognisance to the Sequential Approach prescribed in the Retail Planning Guidelines 2012. BAO 5 To support and facilitate the development of the two identified Opportunity Sites in Balla for residential development, as outlined in Section 12.9.10 (Refer to Map). 12.10 Charlestown (Tier III) 12.10.1 Location and Context Charlestown is located in northeast Mayo, adjacent to the N17 and N5 national routes and on the Mayo/Sligo border. It is situated approximately 50km northeast of Castlebar, approximately 9km north of Ireland West Airport Knock (IWAK) and is linked to Bellaghy to the north, which is in County Sligo. Charlestown is the 11th largest settlement in Mayo; however, this figure includes Bellaghy. The Charlestown labour catchment has a resident ‘at work’ population of 962, and a job to work ratio of 0.739. The population of the town has significantly increased (53%) over the last twenty years, from 675 persons in 1996 (Census figures) to 1,033 persons in 2016 (Census figures). The focus of the settlement plan is encouraging job creation and population growth within the built-up footprint of the town, combined with service provision and attracting investment into the town. 12.10.2 Historical Context and Settlement Form Charlestown is the youngest town in County Mayo and dates back to 1846 when the first house was built on what was previously bog with stepping-stones to the town of Bellaghy. The town is a planned town with wide streets and a central location for trading. The River Mullaghanoe is located on the western boundary of the town, which has developed to the east of the river. The structure of the town is well defined, with retail and commercial uses primarily located within its town core, and educational and other community uses generally on the outskirts. 12.10.3 Function and Vision Charlestown is located in the Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District. The town functions as a market town and local service centre, providing retail, residential, service and amenity functions for the local population and wider rural hinterland. The strategic location of Charlestown, along the AEC and proximity to IWAK and its economic SDZ, presents opportunities in terms of population growth, enterprise and employment opportunities. The plan supports measures to support local employment opportunities and an increase in services, together with measures to visually enhance the public realm, which will be key in realising the potential of Charlestown as a Tier III Self-Sustaining Town. 12.10.4 Economic Development The main employment sectors in the town according to Census 2016 are Education, Human Health and Social Work (27.5%), followed by the Services Sector (24.4%), and Manufacturing Industries (13.8%). The town is well served in terms of convenience and comparison shopping, with a range of medium to small retail outlets, as well as public houses and restaurants which provide a range of employment. The Westpoint Business Centre also provides space for start-ups and enterprise hubs. 12.10.5 Social Infrastructure Charlestown provides a range of services, social and community facilities, including a garda station, library, outdoor swimming pool, arts centre, town hall, post office, medical centre, pre-school, primary school, secondary school, Roman Catholic church, retail outlets, restaurants and public houses. Charlestown has numerous community, sporting and social clubs. Sports and recreational facilities in the town include the GAA club, Multi Use Games Area and children’s playground in the town park. 12.10.6 Physical Infrastructure A new municipal wastewater treatment plant (3,250PE) is planned for Charlestown with an expected completion date of 2020/2021, while Charlestown’s drinking water is sourced from a well at Tombohola outside the town. The town is located along the main daily bus routes between Ballina and Dublin Airport and Galway and Derry. A local community bus service operated by the Mayo Local Link serves the town and the surrounding hinterlands. The town is located on the north-south axis of the disused Western Rail Corridor linking Mayo with Sligo. The County Council continues to promote and support the development of public transport initiatives in keeping with the principles of Smarter Travel. 12.10.7 Heritage and Tourism Charlestown is a planned town with wide streets lending to the design and aesthetic of the town. The Mullaghanoe River is the main natural asset, which is part of the River Moy SAC. Along the river there is an informal riverside walk. Charlestown contains protected structures (2) and recorded monuments (7), which contribute to its sense of place. Knock Shrine, and Ireland West Airport Knock are in close proximity to Charlestown. Potential exists for the development of tourist accommodation for visitors travelling to and from these locations. 12.10.8 Sustainable Communities A Community Futures Action Plan (2015-2020) has been prepared for Charlestown. The development strategy for Charlestown is to facilitate compact growth and re-population of the town core, together with providing a viable alternative to single rural housing within the surrounding countryside. Settlement patterns play a fundamental role in influencing how people travel, both the distances undertaken and the modal choice. The provision of sustainable mobility options is only realistic for the town when development patterns locate populations close to employment centres and complementary services such as education, retail, leisure and community facilities. Stronger linkages between the existing residential settlements and the town centre are important in ensuring sustainable communities. New residential development must focus on compact growth, in order to encourage a modal shift to more sustainable modes of transport such as walking and cycling. A strong emphasis will be placed on the principles of green infrastructure, permeability and connectivity, alongside the integration of community and recreation facilities to assist with developing sustainable communities. It is necessary to consolidate and ensure the delivery of sustainable communities in Charlestown comprising of a mix of housing types, densities and tenure of a high standard of design. 12.10.9 Place Making and Regeneration The town square area located on the junctions of the N5 and N17 routes provides the focus for a wide range of activities that contribute to a sense of place and identity. Enhancement works would revitalise the town centre and provide social and environmental benefits to the local community and visitors to the town. There is potential for better use of under-utilised lands, vacant sites and buildings within 265264

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    CHAPTER 12 SETTLEMENT 264 265 the existing built-up footprint of Charlestown to drive the delivery of quality housing, services and employment opportunities, in tandem with supporting social infrastructure. Opportunities such as the further development of the river walk along the River Mullaghanoe, protection of the handball alley and Fairgreen, and appropriate planting, paving and lighting are supported by Mayo County Council. 12.10.10 Opportunity Sites Two Opportunity Sites have been identified for Charlestown (Refer to Map): Opportunity Site 1 At Lavery Heights to the rear (south) of the properties on Chapel Street. Opportunity Site 2 To the east of the existing Pine Grove estate on the southern edge of the town. These opportunity sites have been identified in Charlestown for residential purposes to further contribute to the rejuvenation and revitalisation close to and within the town centre. Proposals for development within the opportunity sites should be accompanied by a site brief and should comply with national guidelines that seek to achieve sustainable compact development and to integrate principles of good urban design and placemaking. Charlestown Settlement Plan Policies CNP 1 To support community-led developments, where appropriate, including the implementation of the Community Futures Action Plan for Charlestown (2015-2020) or any amended or superseding Community Futures Plan for the town. CNP 2 To promote and market Charlestown as an Enterprise Centre. CNP 3 To support the reinstatement of the Western Rail Corridor, in particular actively seek and promote the re-opening of the Claremorris-Galway rail link, as well as a link to Sligo and to safeguard and protect these potential rail links from redevelopment for non- transport related purposes, in order not to preclude their future uses as an operational transportation network. Charlestown Settlement Plan Objectives CNO 1 To revitalise the town centre and encourage the redevelopment of the backland areas to the rear of Church Street and Main Street where it can be demonstrated the development will not have adverse effects on the integrity of the River Moy SAC. CNO 2 To support and facilitate the construction of the N17 Knock to Collooney Atlantic Economic Corridor Road Project, which includes the N17 Charlestown By-pass. CNO 3 To protect and enhance existing amenity facilities in Charlestown, particularly the fair green, bowling alley, football pitch and the river area. CNO 4 To protect and enhance areas considered unique and important in the town such as the church, the library, the Arts centre, the Town Hall, the railway line and railway station, Westpoint Business Centre and the health centre. CNO 5 To secure sites for town centre parking. CNO 6 To protect the Mullaghanoe River as a salmonid status water course, and all water courses and surface waters within the area, their water quality, ecology and function as ecological corridors and as potential influences on the integrity of any Natura 2000 sites within an appropriate radial buffer zone. CNO 7 To continue to work and co-operate with Sligo County Council to ensure that a coherent and consistent strategy continues to be applied for the overall development of the Charlestown- Bellaghy Area. CNO 8 To support local sports and community groups in delivering facilities, including the delivery of a new town park on a site identified adjacent to the Church. CNO 9 To improve and enhance the river walkway within the town and pedestrian linkages within the town. CNO 10 To encourage and facilitate the re-use and regeneration of derelict land and buildings for retail and other town centre uses with due cognisance to the Sequential Approach prescribed in the Retail Planning Guidelines 2012. CNO 11 To support and facilitate the development of the two identified Opportunity Sites in Charlestown for residential development, as outlined in Section 12.10.10 (Refer to Map). 12.11 Crossmolina (Tier III) 12.11.1 Location and Context Crossmolina is situated on the Deel River, along the northern shores of Lough Conn, approximately 9 km west of Ballina. The town is located at the intersection of the N59 and the R315, a location from which there is ease of access to some of the most scenic places in Ireland, including Lough Conn, the Nephin Mountains and Ballycroy National Park. Crossmolina is the 2nd largest town in north Mayo and the 10th largest settlement in Mayo. The population of the town has marginally decreased (5.3%) over the last twenty years, from 1,103 persons in 1996 (Census figures) to 1,044 persons in 2016 (Census figures). 12.11.2 History Context and Settlement Form Crossmolina derives its name from the Irish Crois Ui Mhaoiliona meaning “Cross of Mullany.” This name is said to be in memory of O’ Maolfhiona, a chieftain of the ancient rulers of Clan Fiachra. The parliamentary Gazetts compiled in the 1840’s refers to Crossmolina as a market and post town with a population of 1,481 persons in 1831 and 1,672 in 1841, respectively. In terms of form, the town has developed on both the eastern and western banks of the River Deel, resulting in a split urban core. The eastern banks are loosely defined by the junction of Ballina Street and Mullinamore Street and the western banks are loosely defined by the junction of Church Street and Erris Road. The street layout of Crossmolina reflects the historical pattern of growth since the early 19th century configuration. This morphology is characterised by strong built edges and varying plot widths. In more recent times, the town has expanded in a linear form, along all approach roads, but most especially along the Ballina Road. 267266

Source Mayo County Council: Mayo County Development Plan 2022–2028 (2022–2028) · Licence the publisher's termsText read from the publisher’s PDF; tables, maps and drawings do not survive as text, and page numbers are the PDF’s (its first page is 1). Check the original before relying on a passage.