National
Tidy TownsS
2005
Judges
Report for
Ballincollig
County Cork
OVERALL
DEVELOPMENTAL APPROACH
From
the additional information supplied with the entry and the development plan for
the year I it is clear that there is a determined approach towards
improving the overall appearance of the village. As indicated in your plan the
committee needs the support of the entire community to deal with a rapidly
developing situation. It is therefore a very positive move to involve the local
schools and other community groups. It is important too that the committee is in
a position to call on different people to help out with specific projects.
THE
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
There
is a huge building programme in progress throughout the village at present. The
enormous scale of the new development in the centre of the village at the former
military base will make a significant impact on the community. This development
which carries the label of "A new Urban experience" will, when
completed, change the face of the area considerably. There are many commercial
developments taking place in different areas of the village such as those in the
Business Park on the Link road. The area of the-Ballincollig Technology Park is
also a thriving one and the area in this vicinity is tidily maintained. It is
noted that many existing buildings in the village are well maintained. The
premises of the Ballincollig Community Hall is very nicely presented. Also the
church buildings of St. Mary and St. John and that of Christ Our Light are
excellently maintained. The church building of St. Peter's, although located
outside the village east of the Poulavone roundabout, is also a lovely
well-maintained old building. School buildings too, such as Gaelscoil Ui
Riordain, Scoil Eoin and Colaiste Choilm were all well presented. The
development at Oriel House at the western side of the village is well in
progress and it is to be welcomed that the best features of the former premises
are being preserved.
LANDSCAPING
The
importance of well planned landscaping and planting throughout the entire
village cannot be overemphasised in view of the large scale building programme
which is in progress. The landscaping work at the main roundabouts, at the West
End roundabout, the Poulavone roundabout arid the new roundabout of Kilumney
Link East are all tastefully carried out. It is noted that there is a good
standard of landscaping in many of the mature residential areas. Where it is not
possible to carry out planting, the use of flower tubs, if carefully maintained,
is a good idea and a good example of this is at the Church of St. Mary and St.
John. Extensive landscaping work has been carried out at the Ballincollig Fire
Station and this looks very well. The Lattice Tree planting at the corner of the
AIB bank is attractive. It is noted that you are liasing with the County Council
in relation to planting. It is also suggested that your committee have a
vigilant dialogue with the various developers with a view to ensuring that the
important aspect of an adequate landscaping/planting programme is adhered to.
WILDLIFE
AND NATURAL AMENITIES
Due
to the huge growth of the village and its population, the wildlife and natural
amenities aspect of the competition will take on a new significance. The
community is fortunate to have a designated area like the community park so
close to the village. It is a most valuable amenity for the community and it is
being very well maintained. The mature trees and shrubbery in the vicinity of
the park are a good source of habitat for many species of wildlife. Having an
expert survey of the wildlife potential of the park is an excellent idea and
hopefully the findings of this will enhance the wildlife aspect of this
excellent amenity. The putting in place of an appropriate display map dealing
with the area's wildlife, plant life etc. would be a useful educational
initiative. The large containers sited in the park, some of which look quite
dilapidated, do not enhance the area. The grass was well trimmed and the park
furniture is well maintained.
LITTER
CONTROL
The
litter situation in almost all of the residential areas was quite good. Also the
litter situation in the vicinity of the schools was good -so your contact with
the schools in this regard is giving results. However the litter situation in
some areas needs to be watched, for example in areas of the main street in the
vicinity of shops. The community should fully support the efforts of the Litter
Warden who seems to be bringing about considerable improvement. Also involving
the schools and bodies like the Lions Club is an excellent idea. Litter is an
ongoing problem and it is an aspect of the Competition that all residents can
assist with. Immediately some of the litterbins along the main street would need
to be repainted.
TIDINESS
Considering
the level of building and development work, which is in progress in the village
at present, the tidiness situation overall is reasonably good. In those areas
where large-scale developments are taking place there cannot be much progress
until completion stage is reached. There are however many areas of the village
where there is a good level of tidiness. The Regional Park and the general
Inishmore area was very tidy. The general area of the Technology Park was quite
tidy. The entrances to both the Ballincollig GAA and the Ballincollig RFC were
both tidy. Your annual Shop Front competition can play an important role in this
aspect of Tidy Towns because, apart from the actual shop front aspect, it will
also encourage traders to aim for a higher level of tidiness in the vicinity of
their premises. There is scope for improvement in the areas around some of the
many businesses on the Link road.
RESIDENTIAL
AREAS
The
number of residential areas in and around the village continues to grow. In most
cases where development works are completed, these residential areas are
excellently maintained and well cared for. For example residential areas such as
Prospect Lawn, Aylesbury and Wyndham Downs are all beautifully maintained with
green areas neatly trimmed and with good landscaping work carried out. The
Innishmore Square area was particularly attractive; The large green area at the
Castlepark residential area was well maintained. In new housing developments, it
is important that an appropriate and adequate programme of planting accompanies
the development.
ROADS,
STREETS AND BACK AREAS
No
doubt the opening of the new bypass road was a major development for the
community and the village generally. It obviously substantially reduces a very
heavy traffic flow through the village and from that point of view eliminates
considerable congestion in the village area. On both the east and west approach
roads, the attractively designed bilingual signs for the village were noted and
those signs included the names of both the French and German areas with which
Ballincollig is twinned. The Ballincollig Saclay -Millennium Tree and the nearby
seat is nicely maintained. The colourful flower boxes planted at East Guide are
very attractive. However there is high grass and weed growth behind a wall and
in front of mature trees in this vicinity and this would need to be attended to.
The sculpture at the Poulavone roundabout is impressive. The new Children�s
Play area near the Health Centre in the vicinity of the Technology Park looks
very well; the use of natural stone in the boundary wall is to be welcomed. The
old stone wall across from Oriel House is a fine feature and is well maintained.
In the Castlepark area grass and weed growth along the kerbs would need to be
attended to. The tastefully designed wooden footbridge which facilitates access
to the Regional Park from the Inniscarra road is both attractive and useful.
GENERAL
IMPRESSION
Your
Tidy Towns Committee has a very important role to play at this stage of your
community's development. The village is undergoing unprecedented commercial and
residential development, development which will inevitably bring much change in
its trail. So it is of great importance to have a body like the Tidy Towns
Committee to monitor these developments and to influence where possible this
development. It is encouraging to note that your committee realises the
importance of retaining the most attractive aspects of the village and it is
hoped you will have success with this. Your aspirations to be classified as
"a town" are noted and you are wished good luck in all your efforts.
SECOND
ROUND ADJUDICATION
The
tremendous amounts of building development in progress and the consequences of
the bypass opening have created a new environment in Ballincollig. Tree
plantings over the past two decades are really maturing well and giving a great
impact to the town -particularly the trees groves in places and the range of
tree species planted is also of great value. Colourful bedding displays along
the roadside give a very cheerful appearance to this very long town. The housing
estates are of very high quality and the maintenance is generally superb. The
Technology Park offers an interesting contrast to the buildings of the town -the
nearby-vacated premises hopefully will get a new lease of life. Individual
houses within Innismore housing estate have made great efforts with displays.
The new tree plantings and grassed area opposite the R.F.C at the west end will
prove very attractive in time. The Poulavone roundabout was looking spectacular
at this adjudication. Some litter was noted through the car parking areas behind
the shopping centre and there are some raw sites on the upper road behind these
car parks. The town centre is progressing well and will have an important impact
on the town.
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