Consultation open on west Mayo town design statement

A TOWN design statement is being prepared by Mayo County Council for Louisburgh.

Submissions are being sought from members of the public about the plan - the closing date for submissions is January 10.

A design statement is very much about the built environment of a town, celebrating and making the most of its unique heritage, character, and all that is good about it.

It is also about identifying the town's weaknesses and setting about finding solutions for them.

It looks towards the future, how the town will grow and expand in the best way possible.

Key elements of the design statement include:

The public realm - its streets, laneways, parks, approach roads. etc.

Sustainability and addressing climate change.

A good public realm is always a place where people want to shop, socialise and do business, as well as live, walk, sit and socialise in. It will have attractive buildings and shopfronts, safe, wide footpaths accessible by all, limited traffic and no congestion, and lots of vitality, with outdoor seating areas and green areas.

A focus on sustainability will lead to not only reducing carbon emissions, but hopefully a less car dominated town centre, with more space for walkers, cyclists, outdoor seating, etc., creating an attractive public realm. It will not reduce footfall, shopping or general business.

The council highlighted some elements for the community to consider, including first impressions, i.e. the town edges and approach roads, traffic movement and car parking, existing footpaths - ease of walking around especially by persons with disabilities, reducing car use for short journeys - new walkways and cycle lanes, possible shortcuts to schools, etc., making the most of the river, creating a public space/civic square, what is missing in Louisburgh.

An online survey is available at https://forms.office.com/e/j1vGz0hwFZ.

The closing date for submissions is Tuesday, January 10.