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National Tidy Towns2000 Judges Report forBallincollig County Cork
OVERALL DEVELOPMENTAL APPROACH The material submitted with the application form was most useful in giving a full understanding of the state of developments to date at Ballincollig. With such a large population now the "village" aspect is difficult to retain and so many pressures create a changing environment the challenge of which the Ballincollig Tidy Towns development plan is attempting to address. The development plan sets out to deal with the very practical question of" where we are going and what do we want to achieve?" an integrated action area plan as your committee proposes is a very comprehensive look at the overall picture and shows a very positive process which will have successful results. In towns of this size a great deal of the work will be and can only be dealt with by public authorities and it is the job of the committee to be able to persuade and lobby to achieve results. The work with local residents groups and business community is of course an essential process
THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT There is a consistently high standard of business premises presentation through Ballincollig. The nameplates with their bi-lingual style are commendable. The great range of business and commercial premises along the main street uphold a good standard of presentation. The Gael Scoil and the Gun Powder Mills are obvious highlights. The fine wall extending for such a distance is an obvious advantage and lends a quality to the street diluting the effects of the many varied, coloured shops and business premises.
LANDSCAPING There are many imaginative landscape projects in Ballincollig, which give the area a very unique style -for instance the Ferns used close to the Poulavone roundabout with the inclusion of tree fern. The lovely weeping cedar tree at the Darby Arms and the wine and red coloured landscaped border using the New Zealand Flax and crimson maples. The planting at the AIB is also impressive and it is great to see such imagination used in landscaping rather than the same formula used on every occasion. The birch tree grove at the entrance by the ESB is another example of imaginative landscaping. Tree planting as has been done in many places -industrial and residential sites must continue to be the backbone of landscaping. The use of the major tress such as chestnut, ash, beech, sycamore and oak is very important where space permits so as in the same way as we currently enjoy mature versions of these trees, future generations will benefit from our legacy. Plant containers are always a valuable way to give a sparkle of colour in a town or village and such plantings are doing just that in Ballincollig. The Military cemetery restoration is an interesting project (very difficult to find entrance) the work is in early stages of development and is very promising
WILDLIFE AND NATURAL AMENITIES The regional park has much to offer in this respect. The river walk and beech walk are both well endowed with opportunities to enjoy the wildlife presented. The meadow area between the pitches and the retention of less frequently cut areas helps in regard to wild life also. Interpretation of such areas is important as the information may be taken for granted, as being common knowledge will not be so for many more people. This offers great possibilities for school projects and involvement in naturalists field clubs and conservation groups. Encouragement and incorporation of wildlife resources should be considered in areas other than the confinement of the park. Allowing the natural vegetation to develop underneath the birch grove at the ESB for instance or incorporation of wild flower areas within the huge grassed areas in housing estates or adjacent to industrial sites could be considered.
LITTER CONTROL The control of litter within the main areas of the village is good, although there was litter noted near shopping areas. The presence of litter on the river walk in the park was disappointing and also in the areas between the river walk and the beech walk. Some of this is being shredded by grass cutting, which compounds the issue. The area at the weir also showed litter. The glove dispenser is a very positive approach in the park: From the material submitted with the application forms the approach to dealing with the litter problems shows definite commitment and is sure to succeed.
TIDINESS Your efforts in this respect are very important, as you will have to persuade businesses to adopt a more tidy attitude toward advertising and displays of materials at stores. The tidiness is however quite good. Car parking areas in themselves do not always present the tidiest of situations. The use of trees and shrubs to form screening and barriers within parks helps to alleviate some of the problems. The area at the roundabout around West End Cycles could benefit from tidying.
RESIDENTIAL AREAS The huge amount of residential areas provides much opportunity for every individual to participate in the overall presentation of their estate and ultimately the entire of appearance of Ballincollig. Entrances to estates, and the large greens generally present, set the keynote for the estates. Where new buildings of estates is undertaken a watchful eye should be kept on the finish as time progresses. Builders and developers have a responsibility to provide a proper finished product in terms of the landscape and services as well as the individual houses. Parkmore estate has very attractive greens, tree and shrub plantings. Westgrove needs attention to the back area and needs a higher standard of finish at the road entrance. Fr. Sexton Park is well maintained and is in a pleasant condition. Coolroe Heights, Daffodil and Rosewood estates were looking very well.
ROADS, STREETS AND BACK AREAS The roundabouts in particular are very well presented. The enormous volume of traffic and the number of roadways, estates, commercial property entrances that emerge on the main street puts considerable strain on the roadway, as does the parking. The landscaping at both roundabouts and the various landscaped areas along the street contribute greatly to the streetscape. The planting along on top of the stone wall is particularly attractive and of very high quality
GENERAL IMPRESSION With the very impressive Integrated Action Plan and the work already performed there is no doubt as to the commitment present to set a high standard. The work of incorporating the very sizeable building programme into the village aspect of Ballincollig is a challenge. Large industrial premises need particularly good landscaping, camouflage of cars and an input to the resource of wildlife.
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