Various events and meetings are taking place this summer in Killough to develop a new village plan for this seaside village.
Striking features, such as its tree-lined main street, historic buildings and coastal location, are being explored in public events such as village walks and photo safaris. Age specific activities have also taken place, such as a ‘Know your Place’ multi-media workshop in partnership with the SEELB run youth club.
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The Killough viilage plan initiative is starting to unfold.[/caption]
On Thursday 21 August, a Village Plan Update event will take place in the Quay Lane car park from 7pm to 9pm. Ideas and opinions captured in a public mapping exercise in July will be presented and more contributions will be welcomed. The consultation is carried out by PLACE, an independent organisation dedicated to the making of great places. Two local associations are the driving force for getting the new plan off the ground, the Palatine Trust and Lecale Conservation.
Doris Noe, Chairman of Lecale Conservation, explained: “Village plans set out recommendations for community-led actions, often in partnership with statutory agencies. For example, the extension and improvements to the Ropewalk footpath were made possible by the 2007 village plan. The 2014 plan seeks to embrace opportunities to develop new projects by looking at three themes: Quality of Life, A Place to Live and Work and Sense of Place’.”
The plan will be underpinned by a study of the built and natural environment centred in Killough and extend to its surrounding countryside, including St John’s Point, the settlement of Rossglass and the farming hinterland towards Downpatrick which contributed so much to Killough’s trade and historic buildings such as its grain and potato stores. The Palatine Trust has a track record of restoring vacant buildings in Killough, bringing them back to life by securing almost £800,000 of investment to the village. Down Rural Area Partnership and Palatine Trust are funding this plan.
Michael Corr, Director of PLACE, said: “PLACE is delighted to be involved in development of a new village plan for Killough. We are working with the community to ensure that the plan represents the needs and aspirations of everyone who has an interest in the village and the wider area. We invite everyone who has an interest in Killough to contact us at PLACE and please see the village plan website for further details and updates on the consultation process.”
Anyone wishing to contribute to the consultation please visit:
or phone PLACE on 028 9023 2524.
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The Palatine Trust is a buildings preservation trust, based in Killough. It delivered a Heritage Lottery Fund ‘Townscape Heritage Initiative’ in Killough in 2004 and has partnered with other community led projects in the village, including the Youth and Community Hall.
Lecale Conservation campaigns for sustainable development through the protection of the Lecale area’s outstanding built and natural heritage. Lecale is in the south-east corner of County Down, stretching from Dundrum in the west to Strangford in the east and from Inch Abbey south to St John’s Point lighthouse.
PLACE is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the making of great places. Further information at:
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