Proposals for Ballingarry/Slieveardagh Area
Submissions to be read in conjunction with County draft Development Plan 2003

(1) Ballingarry Village Junction proposals (drawing)
This existing site situated on Ballingarry cross roads was acquired by the housing Dept of Tipp S.R Co. Council some time ago. A dispute ‘over ownership’ held up the development. Ballingarry Community Council made representations to the dept of housing to have the site delisted and instead be used to widen this acute turn in the interests of safety as well as creating a fitting location to be used for a memorial corner. The above drawing was prepared by the Community council to explain their plans for this corner.

2 As envisaged in the draft plan “footpath to be provided from village to the Sportsfield” we ask that the path be extended to facilitate the residents of the houses known locally as “The Lower Group” . A footpath to be provided in front of the St Marys Road houses.

3 A “Hip” juts out nearly 3m from the front wall of Brennans house (last on the Left facing Callan in St Marys Road) to the road edge, we recommend removing this “hip” and grading the corner. Widening the roadway at this point would improve the safety of pedestrians and vehicles entering and exiting the Callan Road.

4 The village limits be extended to Scotts bungalow on The Commons road, adequate Street Lighting and a footpath be provided to the same house. We suggest that the drain on lower side of this road be piped, levelled and grass planted to enhance the roadway

5 The derelict ruins/houses on Callan Road be used for public housing.

6 The area following on from the 3 new Enterprise Units by Ballingarry Creamery ‘excluding’ the Priests house, but including the field following be designated as commercial.

The Commons Village
To be read in conjunction with draft development Plan

1 Foothpaths be provided from the village to the Community Sports Field, from the village cross roads to Nickey (RIP) Pollards gate (The Rocky) and through the village by the “Ball Alley”.

2 The derelict sites opposite the new School, opposite the old School and the former Creamery site be acquired by the Local Authority for public/private housing.

3 The Cross Roads known as “Jack Ryans cross” be widened for safety reasons, and for the convenience of pedestrians, trucks, coaches and all vehicular traffic.

Coalbrook Village
To be read in conjunction with draft development Plan

1 The derelict corner opposite Touhy’s residence be widened and repaired.

Slieveardagh in General
Proposals being submitted by Ballingarry Community Council Sub-committee to Slieveardagh Rural Development as an application for funding by B.N.S of a feasibility study to examine the following.....(click)
“Economic development balanced with environmental sustainability ”
Agriculture
Forestry
Renewable Energy
Energy efficiency & Management
IT
Education & Training for new opportunities
Tourism
Waste disposal
Recycling
Adding value to local produce
Water, adequete supply & quality
Affordable and environmentally acceptable rural housing

Renewable Energy
We recommend that the Slieveardagh Hills be designated an area most suitable for the development of Wind Farms, especially wind farms developed locally and those developed in a partnership involving the communities. The development of the wind energy resource would be a continuation of the tradition of energy production in Slieveardagh and would form a focal point to attract visitors and tourists to the area.
We recommend that consideration should be given to the provision of visitor facilities such as parking, signposts and marked pathways on wind farms thus adding to the amenity value of the area.
We believe that there is no conflict between a well-designed wind farm and the objective to develop tourism in the area.
The proposal in the Draft County development Plan to have extensive exclusion zones around villages etc. would greatly hinder the development of wind energy in Slieveardagh because of the settlement pattern in the area, we recommend that normal distances and exclusion zones be used in order to site windmills.
Electricity Infrastructure
We recommend that the Slieveardagh area be prioritised in the ESB plan to upgrade the network and that the new County Development Plan should facilitate this development. The absence of a strong electrical infrastructure in the area is a major impediment to inward investment and the expansion of existing businesses. The development of the renewable energy resources in the area could provide opportunities to strengthen the electricity network.
Commercial & Cottage type industries:
We recommend that the area be designate as suitable for the development of small businesses and cottage type industries. Since the demise of Antracite mining, workers have to travel great distances for employment; we suggest that there is potential in the area for the development of small industries:….“with encouragement” these small businesses would create employment and contribute to the economic life of the community, our proposed study will we believe substantiate this belief.
Four shops have closed permantly in Ballingarry Village and three in The Commons village since 1970, we have to arrest this trend.
Water Sources:
We are aware that there are serious problems affecting sources and the distribution of fresh water in a number of parishes in the area . The closure of the mines has created many man made aquifers holding substantial amounts of “Spring” water. Two levels with large flows drain the principle areas, one in Boulea, Ballingarry, the other near Ballynonty draining Earlshill. Both sites are accessible. We suggest they be investigated.
Derelict Site – Refuse separation
The old mine yard and buildings at Gurteen, Coalbrook , have become derelict and are in need of attention with regard to security and its possible use for illegal dumping: one of the items to be examined in our study is recycling of refuse/waste.
This hardcore yard and its buildings with leeching tanks already in situ would be suitable for a joint programme of recycling ,recovery and packaging of waste between the Local Authority and community operators as a pilot project. We are suggesting that the project envisaged be taken on board by the Co. Council and a joint study initiated. The experiences of communities in Sweden & Norway with similar projects could be examined.
There is technology available in both these countries to separate the different elements that go to make up refuse/waste. We suggest an examination of the proposal.