National
Tidy TownsS
2007
Judges
Report for
Ballincollig
County Cork
Overall Development
Approach:
While extensive
development is a feature of many centre in Cork in 2007, Ballincollig has been
effectively been transformed. The enormous Newtown Shopping Centre dwarfs all
similar development in other towns, while the range of buildings elsewhere makes
it critical that careful planning and monitoring takes place so that the
inherent attractiveness of this centre is not to be put at risk. Thank you for
the splendid presentation of your plans, which amply demonstrates your capacity
and determination to meet all challenges in the future. Thank you also for the
results of your Estates Competitions which gain indcates the extent in which
you have succeeded in enlisted the energetic, practical involvement of the
intire community in the Tidy Towns objective. We also read with great inetrest
the flora and fauna study of Ballincollig Regional Park.
The
extent of trees and shrubberies on the approach from the dual cariageway s
certainly most impressive, this is augmented by the excellent presentation of
many private gardens. It is pleasant that some reminders of the old military age
have been retained and incorporated into the new town centre. Large scale
development, Aldi and QV were neat and orderly. Work in progress continues on
the Shopping Centre especially the unfinished block. As a concept the extensive
use of squares throughout Ballincollig is a pleasant layout format to be
preferred to the linear streetscape. Our notes make frequent references to the
delightful tree planting throughout the town. Ballincollig Technical Park, the
Regional Training Centre with the Country Council was looking very well as was
Leesdale Drive where major developments were in progress.
.
The Built
Environment:
The incredible
extent of new buildings happening throughout the centre has already been alluded
to. The existing Fire Station with its very fine shrubs and grasses areas was
well presented as was the Medical Centre but unfortunately with some litter in
the foreground. Credit Union House was a joy while Harrington�s Pharmacy and
Crowley�s Funeral Home looked weel. Te hanging basket on O�Crualoai were very
good. Sadly some shop signs were not appropriate in their current locations. The
Westgate Foundation especially the front facing wall, with tress outside, was
veryeye catching. Down�s SuperValu looked well as did the School, Our Lady of
Good Council.
Landscaping:
The landscaping of
Ballincollig has been given great attention and is maturing extremely well. The
roundabout at poulavone was extremely attractive, featuring low level white
roses with higher red roses. A striking feature throughout the centre were the
many attractive gardens and communal grassed areas in the squares, mostly well
cut, often with suitable shrubs. The mature trees in Main Street looked
extremely well with the new young replacement saplings already planted on the
opposite side of the road. The footbridge from the Regional Park linking with
Inniscarra Road is a welcome facility. The quality of the build at the entrance
to the Limeworth Estates on the Kilnumney Road has established a very high
standard to be achieved in other locations.
Wildlife and Natural
Amenities:
The extensive study
of flora and fauna in Ballincollig Regional Park is an excellent basis in which
to develop over the next few years a suitable programme on works to advice and
accentuate still further the enormous potential and reaches of this fauna rich
location. It is hoped that you will follow through on the extensive survey by
the development of a three year wildlife and bird programme so that full
advantage can be secured from the extensive study. Don�t overlook the merit and
value of other, small scale, wildlife habitats throughout the centre. Many of
the estates Rose Wood, Beech Road, the Cloisters and Hazel Grove for example
have locations here a sutable areas can be set aside for development as a
wildlife habitat. Please remember that appropriate, native planting is
essential as the establishment of a suitable food chain a prerequisite to a
thriving birdlife.
Litter Control:
This aspect too has
clearly received attention from the committee but unfortunately things have not
improved. There were good litter bins on Harrington�s Street but quite an amount
of litter was noted at Castle Park. Shamrock Drive, and Mill Range equally left
room for improvement. We concur with your assessment that the tackling of litter
should be a first priority followed then by curb side weeds and then move on to
the overall presentation of the estates. Well done on the extent of litter bins
that are available end equally for the arrangements made for their frequent
servicing. The assistance you receive from the Lions Club and members of the
public are equally to be applauded.
Waste Minimisation:
Congratulation to
Scoil Eoin on securing its Green Flag status, this will prove a stimulus to the
other schools to be equally successful. The bring site was appropriately located
and clearly being put to good use. The introduction of the practice of
segregating litter in schools and elsewhere is applauded and to be encouraged.
The association with Cork Environmental Forum is beneficial as it does help to
extend further the philosophy of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
Tidiness:
Many of the
businesses and shop in the town were presented. Logitech and Cloud Nine Shops
were neat with trees and shrubs contributing to an excellent presentation.
Farran Technology was very well presented also. There were too many examples of
minor spoil at the basic of front facing walls. The very large sign for Q&V
needs simply to be washed. Some plastic bags persisted on approach road. Your
success in securing commitments from some of the resident groups to look after
their own area is a sizeable breakthrough ang helps significantly to reduce
those areas which reguire your own hand-on attention.
Residential Areas:
The massive
development at Old Quarter will be a significant addition to the housing stock
when it is completed. We are delighted at your success in securing the
involvement of residential groups to aid in the presentation of the areas. West
Grove estate with its delightful, open area was very well presented , as was
Muskerry where there was an absence of litter, with neatly cut grass in the
communal area was were the verges. Willow Drive presented mature houses arranged
around a central communal grassed area which was very well presented. The
retention of original rubble walls where ever possible is a delighful policy,
which has had spectacular success behind the new footpath at Kilnumney Road.
Coolroe Heights is well enhanced by the planting at the entrance area.
Roads, Streets and
Back Areas:
Few towns or village
have reached the same heights of success as you have with the Eastern Approach
Road. The extent of flowers which is echoed and reflected by the private houses
along this way give a positive boulevard feel to the centre. This overall high
impression is enhanced by the delightful signs in different languages. The
approach from Inniscarra is not to the same standard but has maintained an
excellent presentation generally. There was a quite an amount of debris on the
sides and centre aisle on the bypass route prior to the Poulavone Roundabout.
The plastic roundabout towards the west of the town seemed to be working well
and might, as soon as possible be replaced by an upgraded more permanent
structure. The Link Road look very well while in our judgement the Commercial
park was festooned with far too many signs, many of which did not reflected
creditably on their businesses. We would recommend that they all be replaced
with one single, suitable sign indicating both the location and names of various
businesses. A cooperative solution would clearly be more suitable and
aesthetically appealing while equally successful in the all important commercial
marketing sense.
General Impression:
Few centres have
experienced the same degree of expansion in such a short period of time or
achieved the same substantial increase in their marks as Ballincollig. It is a
tribute to all involved that you have remained so focused on the task in hand.
Equally your success iin generating interest through such a wide spectrum of
the community, be they private individuals, clubs area associations or
commercial concerns is to be applauded. Thank you for an excellent submission
backed up by a delightful and successful campaign.
Second Round Adjudication:
It was a delight to
visit Ballincollig for a first ever adjudication of this new and developing
town. First to greet this adjudicator was an impressive Failte sign on the
town�s entrance. The tree planting of previous years illustrates the great value
of sustained landscaping and no doubt will strengthen your endeavours for
further tree planting in the years ahead. It would be difficult to name a better
environmental investment. We commend the planners for the many new developments
and their efforts to integrate the old and the new. The now newly created square
will be your focal point for generations ahead. It is always a delight to find a
Green Flag at any school and we now note you are pursuing your second such flag.
We hope it will boost your Waste Minimisation mark next year. The large QV
advertising hoarding is quite dirty and in truth its removal would boots the
environmental appearance of this area. The Enable Ireland Clothing collecting
bin was overflowing and there is some abuse of the Bring bank at this site. We
like the large containers in the main street which are very effective. We would
encourage supermarket developers to plant trees at the varoius car parks. While
the Aldi car park is well presented an opportunity to plant tres has been
missed. The town�s streetscape is good and you have good opportunity to rise
your marks in this section. The public toilet is well positioned and was
inspected. There is a litter trap near the Maxol filling Station. Our highest
praise is kept for the landscapng at the Old Quarter Housing Estates; indeed
thay are the best encountered by this adjudicator and will now be included in
the Special Awards nominations for 2007. Indeed, autumn had come early in mid
August and the trees were already colouring on the estate approach. The
landscaping in these estates is a model for others to pursue. Roundabouts offer
opportunity for rich landscaping and many towns throughout Europe have turned
their roundabouts into virtual gardens appropriate to the traditions of the
town: you might consider developing a landcaped roundabout that would include
indigenous vegetable growing of Co. Cork. It would certainly attract attention
and project an image of initiative. We wish you well for 2008.
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