ALL TOGETHER NOW IN CHARLEVILLE New town plan is of, by and for the people
CLLR. Ian Doyle, chairman of Charleville Heritage Society, who initiated the latest plan which will determine the socio-economic development in Charleville until 2023, says that formulating the plan was a great exercise in which many local clubs and organisations were involved and made valuable contributions to the finished document.
The initiative was delivered in conjunction with Ballyhoura Development CLG, who engaged the services of the Paul O’Raw Consultancy Company of Killarney to produce the final plan.
Mr. Doyle said the previous plan had delivered many amenities for the people of the town such as the community sports complex at Limerick Road, Charleville and the walkway in the Town Park, which is used extensively. This will now be upgraded and lighted with a running track for those interested in training for athletics.
There will also be a new entrance created and the children’s play area will also be upgraded to make the area fit for purpose in a town with an expanding population.
Charleville’s population grew by 6.2% according to the 2016 Census of Population with 4,253 individuals living in Charleville broken down as 2,113 males and 2,140 females indicating a marginal increase since the previous Census was taken.
The population includes a very significant migrant community with 18.9% being categorised as foreign nationals living in Charleville, a number significantly higher than in the Ballyhoura region.
“We are also an ageing population and this calls for more facilities for the elderly like access to medical facilities such as after-hours doctors service and locally based ambulance facilities and an more nursing home beds in Charleville,” said Mr. Doyle.
These will also be considered and investigated under the terms of the new plan when it is finalised, as will the provision of bus shelters on Main Street, where presently, people have to stand out in all weathers waiting for the bus services to and from Cork and Limerick.
We will also look at improving the timetable of the trains and buses to Cork Dublin and Limerick, especially the early morning services by rail to Dublin and by road to Cork and Limerick.
Access to the exits for the M20 from the town is also causing concern to the members of Charleville Chamber, as the location of these will have detrimental affect on the business life of the town, if they are not in locations convenient to the town.
The rapidly changing consumer trends are of concern to retailers, and an analysis of these trends is to be undertaken to determine the direction they are going.
Developing a tourist strand for Charleville is occupying the minds of those in Charleville Heritage Society, said Mr. Doyle and it is proposed to establish the Boyle Trail throughout County Cork, perhaps in conjunction with Cork County Council and Ballyhoura Development, and also to start the development of Moatville House as a tourist attraction.
Integration into the local community for those making their homes in Charleville is also to be encouraged and clubs and organisations will be asked to invite new residents to join in events and activities. Also to be looked at is the creation of a town website and to develop a Charleville App.