Call for village centre to be developed in Kiltoom

A local club is calling for a village centre or focal point to be developed in Kiltoom.

St Brigid's GAA club has submitted an appeal to Roscommon County Council “for the development of a village in Kiltoom” in what they say is in the strategic interests of the area and the county.

In a submission as part of the draft Roscommon County Development Plan 2021-2027 process, the club says there is a “thriving community” in the area built around GAA, soccer clubs and community organisations. However, there is a “major piece of infrastructure missing in this community: a village centre – or focal point – and the basic services appropriate to an area like this,” the club writes, adding that the few institutional buildings or businesses that exist are spread out along the main Athlone to Roscommon N61 road.

Crucially, the club points out that there is “no appropriately sized area zoned for residential housing to meet the needs of the local population nor the strategic interests of Roscommon county”.

The GAA club has been successful over the years, both on the sporting front, and as a community organisation, however, they claim its “continued success” is totally dependent on “having a sustainable population base” which they “believe is no longer guaranteed because of the planning policies currently being pursued in Roscommon and the absence of a population centre”.

In addition, the club stresses that it is “extremely difficult” to get planning permission in the area, and as a result, young people are being forced to move outside Kiltoom to get housing. Many of the houses up for sale in the area are very expensive and out of their reach, the club adds, saying that both of these combined “endangers our club's membership and sustainability in the long-term”.

It suggests a number of options should be considered in relation to the location of Kiltoom village, namely, the school/church areas in Ballybay, Hodson Bay service station area or St Brigid's club area. Interestingly, it goes on promote the idea that such a project would be an opportunity to “develop an exciting eco-friendly village that could serve as a pilot project for all such future developments,” something like an updated version of such a village in Cloghjordan in North Tipperary.

The submission, signed by Chairperson Michael McDonnell, suggests that a village centre would be intergenerational with a strong mix of housing for all social classes and age groups including those who wish to retire in the area. Open areas for all age cohorts should be another strong consideration, the club says, adding that this includes play areas, walking tracks, outdoor gym, park, gardens etc.

Aside from the club's interests, the submission gives other reasons why a village in Kiltoom should be developed, pointing out that for those moving into the Athlone area there are “very limited options to attract them” to Kiltoom, say in contrast, to the Westmeath side and a place like Glasson. As a result, Roscommon is losing out from an already small population base, the club argues, adding that it's vital that Roscommon County Council “establish the strongest links possible” between the rapidly growing Athlone and its surrounding communities like Kiltoom.

“It appears that there is too much emphasis on urban areas in the county, thereby putting at risk the viability of rural areas – such as Kiltoom and our continued capability to contribute to the development of our community” it adds, although it does not want its submission to been seen as anti-urban, more as a call to give encouragement to rural communities.

In the case of Kiltoom, the prominent GAA club believes the associated area plan does not do justice to the community infrastructure available to residents, namely the school, pitches, shops etc which are not excluded.

Transport links is another issue that should be re-examined between the facilities in Kiltoom and into the urban area of Athlone, the club contends, for those who live there and visitors. “Ideally, it would also include a cycle lane to Athlone – either along the existing road or more interestingly, as part of a walking/cycling track that follows the riverbank into town,” the submission says. Concluding, St Brigid's GAA club recommends that a “new village be considered as a matter of strategic importance to Kiltoom and Roscommon” and they believe such a development would would “attract national attention” and provide great opportunities for the area in the future.