Whitehead - Grow South Antrim
Whitehead - Grow South Antrim
Whitehead - Grow South Antrim
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Islandmagee Road<br />
Railway Line<br />
Kings Road<br />
Cable Road<br />
Marine Parade<br />
Belfast Road<br />
c OSNI<br />
1<br />
Welcome to the public exhibition of draft proposals<br />
for the <strong>Whitehead</strong> Masterplan. These boards have<br />
been prepared to inform the people of <strong>Whitehead</strong> of<br />
emerging ideas for the future of the village. We would<br />
therefore like to invite you to study these proposals<br />
and to let us know your comments by completing a<br />
feedback form and/or emailing us at whitehead@pau<br />
lhogarth.com.<br />
This masterplan has been commissioned by GROW <strong>South</strong><br />
<strong>Antrim</strong> through Carrickfergus Borough Council and is<br />
being developed by The Paul Hogarth Company, with<br />
guidance of a steering group of local stakeholders. It is<br />
one of three plans being developed simultaneously for<br />
Doagh, Toome and <strong>Whitehead</strong>. The masterplans seek<br />
to identify a range of initiatives by which to improve<br />
the village over the next 5 – 10 years. By studying and<br />
thinking about the village holistically, it is intended that<br />
individual projects can be coordinated to maximise<br />
their contribution to making <strong>Whitehead</strong> a better place<br />
in which to live, work, play, invest and visit. This plan<br />
will not replace statutory planning policy for the area,<br />
but help key organisations from the public and private<br />
sectors to target investment wisely.<br />
As we are all very much aware, Northern Ireland is in<br />
the midst of a major recession, resulting in spending<br />
cutbacks in both the public and private sectors.<br />
Funding for future projects will therefore be limited.<br />
It is therefore vitally important for villages such as<br />
<strong>Whitehead</strong> to plan for the future, so to ensure their own<br />
social, physical and economic sustainability. Once<br />
finalised, each of the projects identified in this plan will<br />
be subject to a process of costing, prioritisation and<br />
phasing. Key projects (or phases thereof) will then be<br />
taken forward by a range of different stakeholders<br />
subject to the availability of funding and more detailed<br />
development and consultation with landowners and<br />
statutory agencies. This will be set out in an Action<br />
Plan to accompany the final masterplan.<br />
<strong>Whitehead</strong>Draft Village Masterplan<br />
Introduction / Analysis
“ The unique identity of <strong>Whitehead</strong> will be strengthened to provide a safe and attractive place<br />
in which to live and to develop business and leisure opportunities. The Village will once again<br />
become a premier place to visit based on its rich heritage and wider natural environment.<br />
Increased accessibility combined with an array of sustainable community projects will assist<br />
in transforming <strong>Whitehead</strong> into a welcoming and thriving Railway Town shaped by its Victorian<br />
and Edwardian townscape and distinctive sense of place ”<br />
Establiched<br />
communities<br />
Green<br />
connection<br />
Railway<br />
preservation<br />
society of<br />
Ireland<br />
Potential<br />
landmark<br />
Village hub<br />
Approach<br />
routes<br />
Improved<br />
linkages<br />
Railway line<br />
Potential<br />
destination<br />
2<br />
What kind of place would you like <strong>Whitehead</strong><br />
to be in the future Finding an answer to this<br />
deceptively simple question is a critical first step<br />
in developing a masterplan for the village. The<br />
consultant team have worked with members of the<br />
local steering group to compose the above draft<br />
Vision Statement. This describes the kind of place<br />
we think <strong>Whitehead</strong> should be in the future. What<br />
do you think Any comments on how to improve<br />
this vision are welcomed. To illustrate the vision, the<br />
above graphic has been developed in the style of<br />
a railway poster, helping to define and promote the<br />
village to residents and visitors alike.<br />
To achieve this vision, a series of Aims and Objectives<br />
have been identified, which also remain in draft so<br />
that you can shape them accordingly. These two<br />
statements spell out the priorities for <strong>Whitehead</strong> as<br />
a better place for its residents and for visitors to the<br />
town. By improving the town for local people, whilst<br />
sensitively enhancing its capacity to once again<br />
serve as a day trip or weekend destination, we think<br />
<strong>Whitehead</strong> has immense potential.<br />
The draft Concept Plan shown above is the first<br />
step in physically applying the aims and objectives<br />
to the village. It outlines the key strategic moves<br />
proposed for <strong>Whitehead</strong>. This includes strengthening<br />
connections between all parts of the centre (Kings<br />
Road, the Recreational Grounds, Blackhead Path<br />
etc), so that they work together and that people<br />
can move easily between them. The concept plan<br />
also includes enhancing historic landmarks such<br />
as the castle, Victorian buildings and the White<br />
Harbour, so that they play a greater role in the life of<br />
the town and contribute to its social and economic<br />
vitality.<br />
<strong>Whitehead</strong>Draft Village Masterplan<br />
Introduction / Analysis
Proposed <strong>Whitehead</strong> Wood<br />
and Allotments<br />
New tourist facility at<br />
Bentra Golf Club<br />
Extension of RPSI facilities<br />
Improved connectivity<br />
Reshaping of the recreation<br />
grounds<br />
Promotion of a new<br />
visitor destination linked<br />
to Marine Parade and<br />
Blackhead path<br />
New civic spaces<br />
Sensitive infill development<br />
opportunities<br />
The Draft <strong>Whitehead</strong> Masterplan illustrates how the<br />
village could look in 10 to15 years time. It is made<br />
up of a series of individual projects which combined<br />
would have a significant impact on the village as a<br />
whole.<br />
The traditional centre of <strong>Whitehead</strong>, including<br />
Kings Road and Edwards Road, would be subject<br />
to public realm enhancements, improvements<br />
to shop frontages and formalisation of parking<br />
arrangements, with potential for new parking areas<br />
subject to landownership. Better foot and cycle<br />
linkages would be provided across the railway<br />
to the recreational grounds. This area would be<br />
comprehensively redesigned to improve the way<br />
in which the area looks and functions, including<br />
the creation of a civic space and improved setting<br />
for the Railway Preservation Society’s planned<br />
development. Links to the coastline would also be<br />
improved, with potential to refurbish and facilitate<br />
access to <strong>Whitehead</strong> Castle. Along the waterfront,<br />
upgrades to the quality of pathways and lighting<br />
would be accompanied by a more ambitious<br />
project to turn the Blackhead Path Car Park into<br />
an events space. This creates a much more<br />
attractive and lively area to increase the value of a<br />
refurbished Blackhead Path. Also, other key projects<br />
are the restoration of White Harbour as a potential<br />
destination for steam trains from the railway society.<br />
It is also proposed to enhance the arrival experience<br />
into <strong>Whitehead</strong> and to create better views to the<br />
town from the Coast and Glens Coastal Route,<br />
making it more attractive to the casual passer by.<br />
Public Realm<br />
Improvements<br />
Observation point at the<br />
“Blah Hole”<br />
We’re keen to hear your thoughts on the draft plan.<br />
Do you think these projects would help to achieve<br />
the vision for <strong>Whitehead</strong> Are there projects you<br />
particularly like or dislike Do you have suggestions<br />
for other projects that could help improve<br />
<strong>Whitehead</strong><br />
3<br />
<strong>Whitehead</strong>Draft Village Masterplan<br />
Introduction / Analysis
Green connection to<br />
Bentra<br />
Public Realm<br />
Improvements<br />
Signalised traffic lights<br />
at School<br />
Proposed extension to RPSI<br />
site<br />
Refurbished<br />
Blackhead<br />
path<br />
Outdoor<br />
Amphitheatre<br />
Islandmagee Road<br />
Upgraded pedestrian<br />
route<br />
Spill out space for RPSI<br />
Donegall Avenue<br />
Informal spill<br />
out space<br />
Restaurant<br />
Pedestrian Bridge<br />
NI Water Pump House<br />
Proposed Station building<br />
Youth Club<br />
Playground<br />
Alexandra Avenue<br />
Chester Avenue<br />
Oldcastle Road<br />
Multi Purpose Sports /<br />
Community Complex<br />
Boat Yard<br />
Clachan Pier<br />
Pedestrian route along<br />
railway<br />
Public Art<br />
Widened footpaths at<br />
King’s Road Bridge<br />
King’s Road<br />
Car Park / Public Realm<br />
Improvements<br />
Public Art<br />
New link route<br />
Improved accessibility to<br />
Castle and Marine Parade<br />
Civic / Event Space<br />
Forward Road<br />
Windsor Avenue<br />
King’s Road<br />
Redevelopment of Health<br />
Centre Site<br />
Development opportunity<br />
with parking<br />
Active Frontage on<br />
approach to Bridge<br />
Formalised pedestrian<br />
link to P&R/Chester<br />
Avenue<br />
Potential car park<br />
Village Square<br />
This board explains some of the key draft masterplan proposals in<br />
further detail. These include reshaping of the recreation grounds,<br />
the blackhead path car park and the traditional Victorian town<br />
centre.<br />
The Recreation Grounds are an important part of <strong>Whitehead</strong><br />
Village Centre, providing good facilities for a range of sports.<br />
However, the area is not as attractive or safe as it could be and<br />
scope exists to improve the provision of facilities by increased<br />
shared usage. The draft Masterplan therefore proposes a new<br />
building which accommodates first class facilities for sports clubs<br />
and community events. A new civic square is also proposed<br />
fronting onto Chester Avenue, to provide space for events and<br />
activities. The draft masterplan also proposes a new road link from<br />
King’s Road. This would provide a more direct connection with the<br />
town centre and help create a more prominent frontage to the<br />
Railway Preservation Society, which is earmarked for investment to<br />
improve its visitors facilities.<br />
King’s Road<br />
Cable Road<br />
Balmoral Avenue<br />
Victoria Avenue<br />
Chester Avenue<br />
Re-development<br />
potential<br />
Village Park<br />
Minor change to Cable<br />
Road alignment<br />
Environmental<br />
Improvements at railway<br />
crossing<br />
Railway line<br />
The Blackhead Path is a popular destination with locals and visitors<br />
alike. The draft masterplan proposes to repair and enhance the<br />
pathway, which has suffered from coastal erosion over the years.<br />
In addition, it is proposed to transform the car park into a visitor<br />
destination capable of hosting events, such as concerts, plays and<br />
festivals. This would include the design of an open-air amphitheatre<br />
and a flexible performance space.<br />
The Victorian centre of <strong>Whitehead</strong> has many qualities, including<br />
fine buildings and the retention of good independent retailers.<br />
The masterplan proposes a range of projects to restore the<br />
streets, improve pedestrian circulation, organise car parking and<br />
encourage further private sector investment. Included in the public<br />
realm proposals is the potential to design as a square, retaining<br />
parking but creating a far higher quality of environment.<br />
4<br />
<strong>Whitehead</strong>Draft Village Masterplan<br />
Introduction / Analysis