Glanmire completes its 'health check'

29/02/2024

The report describes the findings that were gathered in Glanmire as part of the Collaborative Town Centre Health Check (CTCHC) Programme, which has been developed by The Heritage Council and has now been applied to several towns and villages across Ireland.

The aim of the programme is to raise awareness, understanding and appreciation of the critical role that historic town centres play and the wide-ranging impacts that their vitality and viability have on overall socio-economic, environmental, and cultural growth and development, and on quality of life for citizens and visitors alike.

The programme focuses on:

· Land Use surveys to establish the overall vacancy rates in the town.

· Retailer surveys to establish current levels of commercial activity and outlook.

· Pedestrian counts to establish actual town centre visitor numbers.

· Shoppers surveys to rate visitor experience and satisfaction.

The study found that Glanmire has the potential to strengthen as a town and develop as an area with improved liveability. The results of the research also provide recommendations on how to reduce the dispersed nature of the Glanmire area, creating an identifiable town centre. Some of the key findings include:

· The consolidation of Glanmire’s vibrant environment and historical character will be central in maximising Glanmire as a key growth area.

· Glanmire’s vibrant community and distinctive built heritage has been fundamental to the identity of Glanmire and will require significant consideration in achieving a more distinctive town centre for the community.

· At present, the main commercially focused areas of Glanmire are dispersed and is a matter that must be addressed in identifying a centralised town centre for Glanmire. Identifying a town centre is a key consideration going forward in Glanmire . There is also a need to undertake a wider assessment of existing social and recreational infrastructure and to identify suitable locations for such infrastructure to meet the demands of Glanmire’s growing population.

The data collected through the process be used to inform future decisions for the area and it will also be used to deliver policies and plans for Glanmire.

Several major regeneration projects and initiatives are currently being progressed in Glanmire, such as: the Glanmire Flood Relief Project and the delivery of 15 projects under the Local Roads Improvement Scheme. These initiatives will greatly improve infrastructure in Glanmire. The findings of the Health Check will assist in identifying what other initiatives are required and will be of use in developing an overall planning framework for the Glanmire area.

The preparation of this Health Check was funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and Cork City Council, under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, TVRS, 2021.

Cork City Council would like to give a particular mention to the following groups for their input and support: Glanmire Area Community Association (GACA); Glanmire Chamber of Commerce; Elected Members from the Northeast Ward; Cork City Council electoral area; staff from Cork City Council and the residents of Glanmire who took the time to participate in the study. Sincere thanks are also due to Wessel Vosloo and his team from the Planning Partnership who carried out the research and finalised the report. The research for the Health Check was carried out in the summer of 2023.

The document in full can be viewed at https://publications.corkcity.ie/view/803611170/

For further information contact Donal Guerin, Strategic and Economic Development, Cork City Council at 021 238 98 56, donal_guerin@corkcity.ie.