boyle local area plan 2012 - 2018 - Roscommon County Council

PART II: DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR 2012 – 2018 & BEYOND Chapter 7: Economic Development & Employment
proximity to Lough Key. Retail provision in Boyle is
characterised by disbursed retail provision along Main
Street, Bridge Street and Patrick Street which largely
comprises of small local operators. SuperValu is a
dominant presence in the town and provides the
majority of convenience shopping in the town. There
are no other national/international multiples located in
Boyle.
Boyle is well served in terms of convenience retail
provision. The town contains a large Mace supermarket
as well as a purpose built SuperValu Shopping Centre
that has been developed in the town centre. The
SuperValu development has a number of ancillary retail
units including a giftware shop, hair studio, clothes
shop and pharmacy. The retail centre also
accommodates public seating, customer’s toilets and
baby changing facilities. It is a popular retail destination
in the town centre serving both weekly shopping and
top-up needs. Boyle also accommodates a number of
other smaller convenience retailers, for example
Londis.
Comparison provision in the centre is relatively poor
and is predominantly characterised by independent
retailers such as Boles of Boyle, which was opened in
1886. There is a lack of national or international
comparison multiples represented in the town and the
comparison offer is generally limited. This is
predominantly due to the town’s proximity to existing
provision in other competing centres such as Sligo and
Carrick-on-Shannon. Boyle also accommodates a range
of other retail service functions as well as pubs, offices
and other commercial uses. Upper Bridge Street, in
particular, has lost much of its retail function and is
characterised by offices, professional services and
public houses. There are several vacant units in the
town, some of which have a very rundown appearance.
In terms of accessibility, Boyle is readily accessible
due to its location just off the N4 National Route. The
town has adequate car parking although this is primarily
provided by on-street parking, free of charge. The
SuperValu development is also served by an extensive
area of car parking and further additional spaces are
also provided in the town square and at the Mace
Supermarket.
Pedestrian accessibility throughout the town is
generally good, there are however a lack of pedestrian
crossings. Pavements are generally of good quality.
Pedestrian linkages are also provided along the River
Boyle, although the physical environment of these areas
could be upgraded. The town is served by a bus route
serving Carrick-on-Shannon, Roscommon and Dublin.
Boyle has an attractive railway station and is served by
the Main Dublin to Sligo rail route.
Given the limited investment in Boyle in recent years,
the town centre is not considered to be as vibrant as
other towns in the County. Although the town is the
third largest centre in County Roscommon, it offers a
limited range of services and retailing facilities. The
proximity of Carrick-on-Shannon has impacted on the
growth of its retail function. The tight urban grain of the
traditional town centre restricts the development of
larger retail units within the core retail area. The
development of larger retail units within the town
centre would therefore require the amalgamation of a
series of units which may prove difficult.
One significant site with development potential in
Boyle is the site located on Patrick Street. It has direct
frontage to the street and currently accommodates an
obsolete and derelict structure. There is a significant
backland area to the rear of the structures. Further
potential development sites within the town include, for
example, the old Mill structure and associated ancillary
industrial buildings to the north of Patrick Street and the
vacant derelict lands opposite Mace. See appended
Maps 12, 14a & 14b.
Policies for Retail/Commercial
Policy 65
Strengthen the retail/commercial, residential and
recreational functions of the town centre, retaining
retail uses at the ground floor level.
Policy 66
Seek improvements to the visual quality of Boyle town
centre as part of new development and facilitate the
appropriate development of the town centre subject to
compliance with the development standards where
applicable contained in this LAP as well as the RCDP.
Policy 67
Encourage and facilitate the consolidation and
enhancement of the retail function of Boyle town centre
and its role in the County Retail Hierarchy.
Objectives for Retail/Commercial
Objective 99
Assess all retail proposals against the criteria and
recommendations set down in the Retail Planning
Guidelines, and the Retail Strategy for County
Roscommon.
Objective 100
Create a more attractive and safer pedestrian
environment including the provision of pedestrian
crossings, high quality pavements and cycle paths,
street lighting and street furniture in the area.
Boyle Local Area Plan 2012-2018 Page 94