Easkey Sea Front

2010-10-19T16:14:00.000-07:00

Easkey Seafront Proposal: We had a great presentation and meeting. We asked for a show of hands about the proposed hostel. The majority of people voted against the proposed hostel. We also identified the issues we had with the new proposed Mini Plan for Easkey. These are outlined below. The three local Councilors attended, Mary Barret, Michael Clarke and Joe Queenan. Also Deputy Eamon Scallon and Michael Carty from Sligo County Council attended. This presentation gave the residents of Easkey an opportunity to express their views on how we want Easkey to develop and grow.
Thank you to all the people who worked really hard to organize the Mad Hatters T Parties and the presentation. Great team work.

Now we wait for the Managers recommendations and see how the councillors vote.

Presentation of seafront proposal

2010-09-29T12:33:00.000-07:00

Monday 11th Oct 2010

9pm FRC (The Factory)

Public Presentation

On Easkey Mini Plan and Seafront developments.

Remember these?

Well as a result of your ticks we have put together a management plan for the Seafront. Now we would like to show it to you and get your feedback & ideas.

Additional information see

easkeyseafront.blogspot.com

Online survey closes 9th Oct 10

facebook Easkey Seafront Proposal

Your attendance & contribution will be invaluable.

Responce to Easkey Mini Development Plan

2010-09-14T10:13:00.000-07:00

This is the document submitted to Sligo County Council in response to the proposed Easkey Mini Plan signed by 40+ local residents.

We propose to develop Easkey Sea Front as an outdoor recreation area for local residents and visitors.

Easkey Seafront incorporates a shoreline, 14th Century Castle, Castle field including toilet/shower block (now closed), seafront road, Wrack Road and the common (marked in green). The area is designated by Sligo County Council as of historical, ecological and cultural/heritage importance.
The land is in the ownership of Sligo Co. Co., therefore it is owned by us, the people of Sligo.

Over the years a number of activities developed organically such as walking, cycling, fishing, camping, private parties, public events, surfing, swimming, canoeing and kayaking.

33.6 Tourism development. (Proposed Development Plan)

“A. Support the development of a small scale tourist facility and enhancement of the existing car parking area on the lands of Roslee Castle (Site TOU1)”

We do not understand the strange configuration outlined on the Zoning Plan page 95.
Why is part of the field (marked in yellow) excluded from the designated open space?
Not identifying this area as an Open Space fails to comply with the stated policies outlined under Zoning Objectives (OS) page 5
Volume 2 and does not afford protection for a vulnerable natural area around Roslee Castle.

We propose that the area marked yellow be included as an Open Space.

The Coast road (Scenic Drive)

Sligo County Council have the ability to pass By-laws relating to the coast road.

We propose to make the coast road a pedestrian prioritized area. We can still drive but people walking and cycling have the right of way.

We propose that camping and overnight stays be permitted in this area under the guidelines of the company charged with managing the seafront.

This way the land still stays in public ownership with Sligo Co Co. and is managed by local people for the benefit of the local community. The difference between a camp site and a caravan park is that a caravan park is a permanent feature with electricity and water supplies and does not cater for camper vans. A camp site is temporary and only exists when there are tents or camper vans there.

TOU-2 ?

Encourage the development of tourism-focused commercial development on site TOU-2. Residential development such as holiday homes and caravan parks will not be permitted on these lands.

The area identified for this kind of development is
the field outlined in pink on the road down to the sea.

Any development proposal for these lands should:
- create appropriate streetscape along the adjoining public road and provide a distinctive aspect along the northern extremity of the site;
- be based on an co-coordinated masterplan approach;
- be limited to two storeys in height and reflect the scale and character of existing development within the village;
- incorporate design features which take advantage of available panoramic views of the castle and coastline;
- include proposals for the relocation of the access road to the adjacent wastewater treatment plant in order to provide a consolidated layout;
- make provision for pedestrian links to site OS-1;
- incorporate an appropriate buffer zone around the wastewater treatment plant.”

We are concerned that any development in the area identified as TOU2 will destroy the view from Route R279, which is designated as a scenic route and visually cuts the village off from the sea.
We propose that this area remains part of the buffer zone and that be no new development to the North of Route R279 preserving the integrity of the “Visually Vulnerable Landscape”.

13.8 Buffer Zones

This is the definition of a buffer zone out lined in Volume 1 of the proposed County Development Plan.

“Establish a buffer zone around settlements, between the plan limit and
the development limit, with a view to:
- consolidating and containing settlements within a single development limit;
- safeguarding land for the future expansion of settlements and for
the provision of infrastructure;
- preserving views;
- protecting the integrity of archaeological sites and monuments in
the area surrounding the village;
- protecting and enhancing designated nature conservation sites (pNHAs, SACs, SPAs etc).

B. Reserve the buffer zone principally for agricultural use.”

Why does the buffer zone stop short of the designated scenic route?
This area (marked green) was classified as a visually vulnerable area, where the sky meets the land and sea is considered important elsewhere on the scenic route.

We propose that the area marked in green along the scenic route remain part of the buffer zone.

This proposal is a community led initiative to preserve the natural integrity and environmental structure of the Easkey seafront whilst encouraging eco-tourism and improved health and wellbeing of local residents and our visitors. The proposals and response outlined above are as a result of a two-year consultation process with local residents and visitors to the area.

Please do the survey. The more people, especially local people (any one who lives or comes from the area from Enniscrone, Easkey, Dromorewest and the Ox Mountains) that do the survey the stronger the case we can make.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZJWLR2T

Meeting about Easkey Mini Plan

2010-08-31T07:06:00.000-07:00

Thursday 2nd September at 9.00pm Easkey Community Centre.

There is a meeting this Thursday with the local County Councilors at 9.00pm about Easkey Mini Plan held at Easkey Community Centre.
This is a plan proposed by Sligo County Council in consultation with the local community, thats us. So we as community members need to be there.
To see the mini plan there is a hard copy in the post office and it can be accessed on line by going to
http://www.sligococo.ie/cdp/Volume2/
and clicking on Easkey Mini Plan. It would be good if we were all informed.
This will also give the community council an opportunity to inform the local community about their proposed plans for the area.

We were not let in to the meeting. It was a private meeting for only the directors of ECC and their invited guests ie. local councillers.

Easkey Mini Plan

2010-07-23T14:59:00.000-07:00

Sligo County Council are seeking feedback of their (our) DRAFT development plan.

The DRAFT Development plan has being published and Sligo County Council are consulting the public. There was a development meeting in Dromore West last Monday. I missed the meeting, did any one get there if so can you give us feedback in the comment box.

ITS BUMS ON SEATS AND VOTES IN BOXES TIME!

WE ARE BEING ASKED HOW WE WOULD LIKE THE SEA FRONT TO BE MANAGED?

Sligo County Council are presenting one option now it is time to present our own.

Please check out Easkey Mini Plan at

http://www.sligococo.ie/Easky/

This is what it says in the DRAFT development plan about Easkey Seafront

33.6 Tourism development

A. Promote the development of tourism-related infrastructure and facili-
ties within the village, in order to help increase visitor numbers and to
create more local employment.
of this Plan.

B. Support the development of a small-scale tourist facility and the enhancement of the existing car-parking area on lands at Rostee Castle. (Site TOU-1).

SITE TOU-1 is the Castle Field

The coastline is designated as visually vulnerable
The Green area has being designated a Sensitive
Rural Landscape. The castle field is not included,
Recieves no protection.

The purple field with yellow dots is SITE TOU-2
At the moment a green field.

C. Encourage the development of tourism-focused commercial develop-
ment on site TOU-2. Residential development such as holiday homes
and caravan parks will not be permitted on these lands. Any develop-
ment proposal for these lands should:

- create appropriate streetscape along the adjoining public road
and provide a distinctive aspect along the northern extremity of
the site;

- be based on an co-ordinated masterplan approach;

- be limited to two storeys in height and reflect the scale and char-
acter of existing development within the village;

- incorporate design features which take advantage of available
panoramic views of the castle and coastline;

- include proposals for the relocation of the access road to the ad-
jacent wastewater treatment plant in order to provide a consoli-
dated layout;

- make provision for pedestrian links to site OS-1

- incorporate an appropriate buffer zone around the wastewater
treatment plant.

This is a green field at the moment and this reads like a design brief.

Easkey Zoning Detail
This is a draft zoning proposal for Easkey Village.

Check out the castle field and the large blue block "community facilities".
I dont like the look of that. What you think?

Check out the yellow field with purple edge. This is SITE TOU-2.

Plan of action

The County Council think that our interests regarding the seafront are represented by Easkey community Council.
Are they?
If not how are we going to make Sligo County Council aware of this?

So I suggest we have a Public meeting where each proposal is presented.

A facilitated public discussion and consultation process.

Private ballet, voting booths and boxes and a public count and a kids get to vote in the kids
voting booths

The real work is in raising awareness and getting a conversation going. Talk to your family, friends and neighbours. Would you or they come to a public meeting? What would encourage people to engage with the sea front.

HAVE YOU DONE THE ON LINE SURVEY?

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZJWLR2T

As of 2.00am Saturday 24th July 2010 the survey stands at

72 People took part in the survey

Developing the sea front as a community resource for outdoor play facilities
and camping. 65 for 7 against

Wild Camping 60 for 11 against

The four top reasons people visit the sea front.

Walking 28
Aesthetic appreciation of natural environment 28
Hanging out 26
Camping 22

Pedestrianing priortising the coast road 60 for 11 against

Establishment of management co 65 for 6 against

Hostel at sea front 4 for. 64 against

Most wanted things

Eco friendly wc and shower. 56
Wild camping. 56
Wild open spaces. 49
Recycling facilities. 46
Kids playground. 42
Hostel. 4

Geographical spread of participants in the survey

Local respondents. 28
(Local is from Enniscrone to the Ox mountains to Dromore West and Easkey. Do you live here or are you from here.)

Visiting respondent's. 28

Please your input is vital please comment.
Thanks
Denise

World listening day

2010-06-17T16:38:00.000-07:00

World Listening Project

You are invited to participate in the first World Listening Day,

which happens on Sunday, July 18, 2010.

The purposes of World Listening Day are:

- to celebrate the practice of listening to the natural acoustic environment, listening to the world around us.

- to develop our environmental awareness.

Here is how you can participate in World Listening Day:

· You can set aside some time when you pay attention to your soundscape. Tuning into the sounds in your garden, surfing, fishing, walking or whatever out door activity you take part in.

· You can organize a listening party when people play field recordings, which could be made on your phone and shared.

· You can organize a soundwalk. I would love to walk blind folded down the river to the sea and record it, with a guide of course.

· Other possibilities…

Mad Hatters Tea Party May 2010

2010-05-31T14:47:00.000-07:00

Our second Mad Hatters Party was a great success. Tea and coffee flowed, kids raced around like kids should. They also got the opportunity to fly kites, vote on what they wanted to have at the front and shared their ideas by drawing their visions.

Kite flying

Voting tins

Survey Easkey Seafront

2010-05-31T14:37:00.000-07:00

We want to gather as much feedback as possible so we would appreciate if you would take a minute to complete our survey. Thank you

Click here to take survey

Joe

2010-05-26T16:23:00.000-07:00

Words of wisdom from a knowlegable gentleman.
This is what Joe thinks about how the sea front at Easkey, Co. Sligo should be managed.

Mad Hatters Tea Party

2010-05-22T05:03:00.000-07:00

Hi
We are hosting our second Mad Hatters Tea on Sunday 30th May in the afternoon.
Bring yourselves, your kids, a picnic and sun block, we will offer a cuppa, activities for the kids (three legged races, potato and spoon races and an opportunity for the kids to make drawings of what they would like to have at the front) and an opportunity for the adults to chill for a while in a beautiful place.

Information gathering

2010-05-20T15:07:00.000-07:00

Question to all who camp or who have camped at the seafront-
Would you be willing to pay for the privilege of camping at Easkey seafront?
We want to get the project off the ground using what we have now.
We are proposing that we provide, initially, clean toilets and running water and access to a landfill bin for a nightlyfee of €5, (children camp free). Once we get the new eco shower and toilet facility built we can offer more.
We are gathering info to make a case for wild camping to present Sligo County Council. We need your feedback.
Denise

Information at the seafront

2010-05-16T15:20:00.000-07:00

Today these notices went up on the toilets at Easkey seafront.
Both proposals were described with images. Spreading information on the ground.

Who is involved

2010-05-16T09:40:00.000-07:00

These are some of the people who helped put together this proposal. Others are joining and contributing on a daily basis.

Louis Smith, Zoe Lally (Irish Surfing Association), Denise Clarke, David Lavell (West Sligo Surfing Club), Paul O‘Kane (Irish Surf Rescue Association), Catherine O Neill, Kate Montaque, Richard Legg, Kerian Montague, Cormac Montague, Sheila Hegerthy.

Easkey Community Council's hostel proposal

2010-05-16T04:30:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday evening 12th Easkey Community Council (ecc) presented their plan for development beside the Castle to a number of business people from the area. They propose to build a commercial 100 bed hostel, with a restaurant without a drink license!, a museum/art gallery and external toilets and showers. They have spaces for caravans and camping, but no playground or facilities that can be used by local residents.Their rational is that by providing accommodation and a restaurant at the seafront that this will revive trade in the village.
Personally I don't see how putting a hostel and a restaurant at the seafront will help businesses in the village. There would be no need for visitors to visit the village at all. Ecc. already have a restaurant in the village which has been closed for a long time. Open it.

Another point that was made proposed hostel would supplement the income of the ecc. to help the council to meet their financial obligations. The same financial obligations that arise from the fact that they own and manage empty buildings in the village, a restaurant and they have one enterprise unit leased in the enterprise center. Better management of their existing resources would improve their financial situation with out having to destroy an area of natural beauty by constructing yet another building.

We do need a hostel in Easkey, everybody agrees with that. Ecc have a perfect site in the village beside the community center for a hostel. Why not build there and then we have the best of both worlds.

If the castle field was developed our jewel will be gone. For example, what ever is built in Enniscrone, the beach is still there. The castle field is really our beach.
Our proposal is about maintaining our wild beauty and developing a center of outdoor activities. A big play area for kids of all ages. By providing good play areas we meet a need for our community and attract visitors to the area. At the moment there is no playground for our local kids. People will travel for good play areas. So we attract people to the area, keep them there because the kids have plenty to do and then when they and the adults and tired and hungry they can walk up the beautiful river path to eat and drink in the existing establishments.

We propose that fees from camping can be used to maintain the facilities.

We suggest that Sligo County Council to pass a by-law

1. Pedestrian prioritize zone the coast road, with speed limit and 4 well placed speed ramps on the blind corners. We will still be able to drive along the coast road but all vehicles must give way to people walking and cycling.

2. That any one who camps at the seafront does so under the rules of a management company, a company made up of local residents and representatives of the land owners Sligo County Council.

Check out Easkey Seafront Proposal on Facebook. Make a comment. Tell your friends. Encourage dicussion.

Denise

Facilities proposed by Local Community

2010-05-09T17:17:00.000-07:00

* Design a beautiful, interesting and fun children’s playground. Another for young adults and older adults. Tone Zone playground for fitness.

* Small cycle & skate park for children

* Sligo County Council have the ability to pass By-laws relating to the coast road.

We suggest that By-Law could be

- make the coast road a pedestrian prioritized area.

We can still drive but people walking, kids on bikes have the right of way.

- Anyone who camps in this area does so under the guidelines of the management

company. This way the land still stays in public ownership via Sligo Co Co and company

manages it.

* Camping area would include the field at the Castle, the common and coast road. Form a club, which all campers join to facilitate insurance requirements. Campers pay a fee per night and that money goes to the upkeep of the facilities.

* Employ 1 or 2 people the maintain the facilities and manage the waste disposal.

To instal recycling banks. At a later date we can have smart card controlled access to

the facilities after hours and landfill waste disposal facilities (like the tecnology they have

being using on the inland waterways for years).

* Firepit/barbeque area designed and built with local materials.

* Sheltered seating in playgrounds and seating in other areas along the coast road.

* Demolish shower block, build sunken eco-building with dry room, solar water heating, showers, toilets and admin/storage room. (In the short term the existing toilet block can be used until funding is accessed to develop an enivronmental and aesthetically appropriate facility).

To develop Easkey as a Eco tourist destination on bike, foot, bus and chair. Build on the different activities

Introduction

2010-05-09T16:36:00.000-07:00

The area under consideration (‘Easkey Seafront’) incorporates a shoreline, 14th Century Castle, Castle field including toilet/shower block (now closed), seafront road, Wrack Road and the common. The area is designated by Sligo County Council as of historical, ecological and cultural/heritage importance.

The land on which Easkey Castle stands is owned by Sligo County Council and has been managed by Easkey Community Council.

A group of local residents have developed this proposal for Easkey Sea Front. It is based on feedback we got from local residents and visitors.

The aims

To set up a management company, run by local people, that takes responsibility for the area.

To pedestrian prioritize the coast road, we can still drive but cars, tractors, moterbikes give way to people walking and kids on bikes. Formalizing what we almost have now.

Maintain and develop the area through income generated from ‘wild’ camping fees.

To develop facilities for local people: kids, older people and for different out door activities.

To encourage health of residents and visitors through promoting walking/cycling and other outdoor activities.

To keep the seafront in public ownership.

To attract visitors to the village: support local infrastructure and businesses.

Maintain and sustain the environmental integrity of the area.

Improve access to the sea at Pol Gorm and at the common. Increase access for safety vessels, canoes and fishing and sailing boats at the common.

2010-05-09T15:24:00.001-07:00

This is Community led initiative to preserve the natural integrity and environmental structure of the Easkey seafront whilst encouraging eco-tourism and improved health and wellbeing of local residents and our visiters.

To insure that this is community lead, your opinions, ideas, concerns are required. Have a read and see what you think.

Please place your comment, we need your feedback.

The local residents Steering Group

Louis Smith, Zoe Lally (Irish Surfing Association), Denise Clarke, David Lavell (West Sligo Surfing Club), Paul O‘Kane (Irish Surf Rescue Association), Catherine O Neill, Kate Montaque, Richard Legg, Kerian Montague, Cormac Montague, Sheila Hegerthy,

2010-04-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

Easkey or Easky (Irish: Iascaigh, meaning "abounding in fish") is a coastal village on the R297 regional road in County Sligo, Ireland. It is located on the Atlantic coast, 26 miles from Sligo and 15 miles from Ballina, County Mayo. The village name derives from the Gaelic term for fish ('iasc') and 'Iascaigh' literally means "abounding in fish," due to the Easkey River that lies adjacent to the village itself. Easkey, as a parish, was originally called "Imleach Iseal." The area is popular in terms of its highly attractive scenery and the village has attracted a wide variety of tourists interested in water sports such as surfing, kayaking and fishing. The village boasts many attractive walking routes around the river estuary and coastline (with splendid views of the Slieve League and Benbulbin mountains) and through the local woods situated in the townland of Fortland. Geologists have become increasingly interested with the rugged coastline around Easkey, as it holds fossil structures that date back for millions of years.