Whitehead Village Masterplan - Carrickfergus Borough Council

WHITEHEAD VILLAGE MASTERPLANCONSULTATION FEEDBACK REPORT7ANNEX AINVITATION POSTERNovember 2010

WHITEHEAD VILLAGE MASTERPLANCONSULTATION FEEDBACK REPORT8November 2010

WHITEHEAD VILLAGE MASTERPLANCONSULTATION FEEDBACK REPORT9ANNEX BPHOTOS FROM CONSULTATION EVENTNovember 2010

WHITEHEAD VILLAGE MASTERPLANCONSULTATION FEEDBACK REPORT10November 2010

WHITEHEAD VILLAGE MASTERPLANCONSULTATION FEEDBACK REPORT11ANNEX CFEEDBACK FORMNovember 2010

WHITEHEAD VILLAGE MASTERPLANCONSULTATION FEEDBACK REPORT12November 2010

WHITEHEAD VILLAGE MASTERPLANCONSULTATION FEEDBACK REPORT13ANNEX DFEEDBACK RECEIVED – CONSULTATION RESPONSESNovember 2010

WHITEHEAD VILLAGE MASTERPLANCONSULTATION FEEDBACK REPORT14What do you like about Whitehead?7 Community spirit7 Good rail/road connections6 Quiet nature5 Marvellous seafront – not taken advantage of5 Friendly people5 Central recreation grounds - good clubs andsports grounds4 Variety of shops with good accessibility3 Peaceful3 Blackhead Path – but needs improved3 Location – access to ports and nearby towns2 Haven - off the beaten track2 Love it – think it’s great2 Like it the way it is2 Small2 Old fashioned, dormitory village2 RPSI2 Beautiful town2 Coastal walks2 Relatively safe - low crime rate2 Lots of community activities/groups2 Great school2 Lots of activities for children/youths1 Victorian Heritage1 Tremendous character1 Welcoming1 Scenery1 Availability of services close at hand1 Whitehead Community Centre1 Windsor Community Association1 Eagles Football Team – well organised1 Gardening Society – flowerpot men/women1 Central train station1 Good cross-section of ages and social groups1 Coastal path1 Historical look – but needs a revamp1 Relatively quiet roads1 Good for families1 Rangers Club – good social centre1 Good footpaths and street lighting1 Good public transport1 Attractive, natural environment1 Plenty of cafes and fast food outlets1 Dedicated location for bonfire1 Boat yard1 Church organisationsWhat do you dislike about Whitehead?3 No baby changing facilities at recreationground toilets3 Poor condition of Blackhead Path3 Youth antisocial behaviour – railway station3 Parking in centre of village3 Lack of proper facilities for youth – pitches etc3 Too much dog fouling and litter3 No Police Station or presence2 The state of the play park – disgrace2 Untreated sewage at Blackhead2 Smell at Blackhead Car Park2 Limited shops2 Speed and amount of traffic1 Rangers Club in current location - image1 Split in two halves1 A few worn tired areas1 Feeling that areas sold for housing inbackhanded manner1 No clubhouse or amenities for Tennis Club1 Lack of commercial and social variety1 Useless slipway (dry half of the time)1 Parked cars1 Untrimmed hedges along paths – impedepedestrian movement e.g. Ransevyn1 Public transport is dreadful1 Extremely poor pathway along seafront1 Teenagers swearing at train station in evening1 No centralised community area1 No town centre1 RPSI grounds – should make way for parkland1 Ugly square buildings1 Lack of arts and crafts1 Exclusive shopping1 No allotments1 Lacks employment opportunities1 Too quiet – dead at night1 No enough to do for 11-18 age group1 Feel neglected by CBC – emphasis on C’Fergus1 Lack of leadership1 Derelict squash courts1 Two primary schools – children should beeducated togetherWhat kind of place would you like Whiteheadto be in the future?6 Place for tourists and locals5 Remain as it is today4 Improved sports club amenities3 Niche – Victorian railway based2 Restrict housing dev – population big enough2 Better parking2 Friendly2 Multicultural/Bohemian2 More varied shops2 Retain community spirit2 Reinstate position as a visitor destination2 More open spaces2 Needs hotel - places to stay2 Increased police presence1 Maintained Blackhead and White harbourpaths1 Bustling seaside town1 Local market – crafts etc1 Central focus point1 Most sustainable place in NI – train, cycling1 Exciting and relaxing place to live1 Maintain its quiet and enjoyable lifestyle1 Retain countryside aspect1 Increased employment opportunities1 Unique village with facilities for everyone1 Sensitive development of the centre (KingsRoad – Victoria Avenue area)1 To remain quiet1 More connected1 Safer roadsNovember 2010

WHITEHEAD VILLAGE MASTERPLANCONSULTATION FEEDBACK REPORT162 Maintain good access to/from Blackhead Path,boatyard and small pier for fishing2 Less dog fouling along paths – health issue2 Resurface Blackhead Car Park and ‘tidy up’2 Hotel facilities2 Children’s park/play area could be extended2 Need basic improvements for locals andtourists – toilets, parks and sea front2 Innovative events – murder mystery, ghostwalks, street theatre2 Cycle path to Downshire along railway line2 Development of cycle network out fromBelfast as far as Whitehead (along coast)2 Renovate swimming pool for local access2 Former Police Station – potential for moreparking2 Restore the community swimming pool1 Disabled footpaths need improved1 Whitehead is an ideal day trip location1 Promoting Marine Parade as a visitordestination1 Repainting the Rangers Club more in keepingwith seafront1 Artwork should be good quality by recognisedartist1 Victorian poster should show train movingtoward the village – not away1 Improvements to the quarry, scout hall andboat house should be included1 Conversion of Castleview Pavilion intochanging rooms in the medium term1 Circular walking route from Blackhead car parkto Yacht Club, Cable Road and King’s Road1 Difficulty in maintaining coastal path – coastalerosion, public safety etc1 Well signposted circular path at Blackhead1 Potential for one way system1 Traffic calming measures1 Parking at Whitehead Community Associationis an asset1 Additional parking required to serve increasedvisitor numbers at rec. grounds and RPSI site1 More parking required at Blackhead Path1 Enhanced community usage at school1 Retain as a village1 Do not remove green areas from centre1 Better eating facilities1 Need to address build up of seaweed bypromenade wall and car park slipway1 Develop the Beach Road and old quarry area1 Introduce a 20mph speed limit throughouttown to reduce congestion1 Seafront area could be more attractive tovisitors1 Flags at Orange hall and Rangers Club givewrong impression of town1 Sheltered sandy beach area between two piers1 Mini marina or harbour – sea faring tradition1 Improved family friendly facilities for tennisclub1 Ulster-Scots connection?1 Better street parking1 Don’t fix if not broken1 Whitehead still the envy of many towns andvillages1 Provide good roads and footpaths with lesslitter and fouling1 Brighter Whiteheads work has been excellent1 Improved transport and activities for youngpeople1 Great area for tourists – but not enough done1 The ‘12 th ’ car park – such a waste1 Additional footbridge at Chester Avenue sideof railway station1 Repair of upper path from Old Castle Road1 Better shops1 Improved sports facilities1 Rejuvenating old and historic buildings1 Skateboard Park for the young people who usestreets around Balmoral Estate Agency1 A museum to capture town’s history1 New park with more facilities for olderchildren - witches hat/zip line etc1 Less litter1 Removal of graffiti1 Mini illuminations at Lough front – Blackpool1 One way traffic system1 More events like Easter Races, Victorian Fair1 Toddlers storytime1 Increased advertising – booklets/circulars1 Projects linking kids, teen and seniors1 Sporting facilities need to be ‘joined up’1 School programme to help clean up litter1 Neighbourhood clean up programme1 Widening of path to ‘Blah Hole’1 Pathway from Ballycarry to Whitehead1 Nature walk from quarry to lighthouse1 Proposals will need funding to upkeep1 Floodlighting and safety measures1 Secure accommodation provided to Translinkfor buses – avoid garaging in CF1 Don’t overrun town with new apartments1 Craft workshops1 Historical references – attract tourists1 Allow B&B accommodation licenses likeBlackpool1 Better and cheaper public transport1 Highlight underground river markingIslandmagee1 Underground cables1 Secure caravan park1 Need to tackle concentration of alcoholics incertain areas1 Walking short cut between Riverforde andWindsorNovember 2010

WHITEHEAD VILLAGE MASTERPLANCONSULTATION FEEDBACK REPORT17ANNEX EFEEDBACK RECEIVED – PUBLIC CONSULTATION EVENTNovember 2010

WHITEHEAD VILLAGE MASTERPLANCONSULTATION FEEDBACK REPORT18Issues raised during the Public Consultation Event5 Refurbishment of Blackhead Path5 Barrier by slipway to prevent build-up of seaweed – bad smell4 Improved cycling provision3 New 4G pitch – current pitches too small2 Floating pontoon at pier similar to Portrush – enabling boats to moor2 Golden café – 1970s2 Open access to old swimming pool2 Craftshops2 Traffic calming - 20mph zone with speed humps2 Refurbishment of Gobbins Path2 Hotel2 Dog fouling – particularly on football pitches2 Question viability of civic space – redundant?1 Link to White Harbour1 Starter units1 Ballyclare craft connection1 Improved changing room facilities1 Bird watching facilities1 Quarry end – potential antisocial problems1 Train enthusiast facilities1 Whitehead Wombles – great work1 Disused kilns1 Run-off at railway station – manhole covers1 Unique tree planting1 Major congestion1 Main football pitch needs to be replaced1 Retain two pitches1 Pedestrian connectivity between Whiteabbey and Whitehead1 Bandstand1 Connection to towpath at Whiteabbey1 Small lake at quarry for birds and wildlife1 Hide along quarry walk for birdwatching1 Potential for breakwater across from roack outcrop1 Ballystrudder expanding onto Whitehead1 Entrepreneur facilities1 Secondary level education1 Pedestrian crossing at Library1 Extra car parking is welcomed1 Crossing at the school1 Zebra crossing along King’s Road1 Spread remit wider1 Roads are narrow – 30mph speed limit is too fast1 Footpaths at Railway Station – private property1 Pokie not serving the area1 Upgrade railway to a better service1 One way system1 Three junctions on Edward Road – very dangerous1 Pram / wheelchair accessibility1 Pier doubling up – slipway already1 Amphitheatre – possible white elephant1 New link road – potential race track1 Lighting the castle1 Recycle old buildings1 Slipway – very little use1 Steps off slipway need to be renovated1 Beach between swimming pool and yacht club1 Painted houses at Marine Parade are an attraction1 Antisocial behaviour1 Groups need to work together1 No bookmakers wanted in Whitehead1 Flooding of Blackhead Car ParkNovember 2010

WHITEHEAD VILLAGE MASTERPLANCONSULTATION FEEDBACK REPORT191 Hotel Kennedys at car park1 Bandstand back in situ at car park1 Car park dates from 1970 – area infilled by waste material from quarry1 Newcastle style promenade1 Limits of growth – no expansion1 Relocation of pitches to edge of townNovember 2010