boyle local area plan 2012 - 2018 - Roscommon County Council

PART II: DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR 2012 – 2018 & BEYOND Chapter 8: Urban Development & Design
‣ Backland Development
Urban sprawl and ribbon development may often result
in unsustainable infrastructure costs. It is therefore
more appropriate to look to existing town centre
serviced land as an untapped resource in towns.
Traditionally, a typical feature of urban development is
the existence of relatively large rear garden spaces.
These typically take the form of elongated strips of land
which, in many cases are disused and disorderly. Such a
land bank, due to its town centre location, is often
serviceable and may provide potential for appropriate
sustainable development.
Whilst the appropriate development of such land
parcels is desirable, the Planning Authority would
encourage such development where the various land
owners can combine the holdings to form a viable and
developable land parcel. In this regard, the Planning
Authority would not be in favor of the development of
individual plots, a piece-meal approach to new
development. The development of larger plots of land is
more desirable, as it allows for a more strategic and
sustainable means of providing residential and
commercial accommodation. This is also dependent on
whether such development is appropriate in terms of the
built heritage of the area.
‣ Town Centre Development
Local retailers in towns and villages play a vital role in
maintaining the rural economy in many parts of the
County. The location of small retailers in the heart of a
town or village creates a focal point and a sense of
community. Boyle requires investment due to a lack of
street activity brought on by an excessive number of
vacant units. Boyle has the potential to develop its role
in supporting the network of smaller towns and villages
across the County. With regard to retail policy, RCC
seeks to encourage the development and expansion of
the retail sector in Boyle. This is to be achieved by
promoting and developing the vitality of the existing
shopping area within the town facilitating the provision
of local retail needs, and the expansion of the retail
area. The Council also recognises the important
contribution of family run and owned businesses to the
vitality of the town and will seek to encourage these.
Boyle has a compact retail and commercial base and
provides neighbourhood and local retail services to a
relatively local catchment. This serves an important
function in providing vitality and sustaining the area.
The demand for additional facilities will depend on
population increase and ongoing tourism developments
may augment shopping and commercial activities. It is
recognised that the town requires a more diverse retail
base and this will be encouraged.
Commercial activities in Boyle are relatively limited.
The Council will seek to facilitate the continual growth
of the service sector in the town in order to sustain the
commercial base, increase business confidence and
provide an improved service.
‣ Shopfronts & Advertising
In view of the rich built heritage in Boyle all
stakeholders in the town are encouraged to improve the
visual appearance of the town. Proposals for new shop
fronts and advertising signs should be sensitively
designed to protect and retain the historic character of
the town. The Council will consider the possibility of
encouraging high quality shop fronts through
competitions for best shop front, best streetscape etc.
‣ Public Realm Improvement
The Cresent area encompassing the car park,
Courthouse, Clock Tower and open space is the focal
area of the town (see Figure 12). However, this area is
currently dominated by hard surfaced car parking rather
than casual retailing and recreational uses.
The potential replacement of a portion of the car
parking provision in this location with a larger
improved landscaped public realm, essentially making
the town centre a pedestrian priority area, could greatly
enhance the Town Centre. Blurring the lines between
public and private space and creating a signature place
for community interaction and involvement could be of
great benefit to Boyle.
The use of additional landscaping and street furniture
would encourage residents and tourists alike to use this
space and in turn improve the vitality and vibrancy of
the area.
The enhancement of this area in the town would also
allow for an improved area for markets and an
entertainment space for street performance and music
events, when and if the need arose. An improved
planting scheme would also really enhance this area.
Ultimately the improvement works set out above would
assist in developing the retail function, a café culture
and vitality and vibrancy of the town centre in tandem
with the provision of additional off street car parking.
Boyle Local Area Plan 2012 – 2018 Page 113