The people of Ballymun, Dublin's major high-rise housing estate, got their first glimpse of what the place might look like when consultants advising on its redevelopment unveiled their initial concepts for the master plan. Ballymun Regeneration Ltd, the public company set up to oversee the scheme, put the ideas on exhibition on Saturday and the consultants also accompanied residents on "grumble walks" to hear what they want, or don't want, to be part of the "new Ballymun."
"It's early days yet," said Mr Ciaran Murray, the company's managing director, "but we want the local people involved from the start and we're already consulting with the 120 or so groups in Ballymun who represent different interests in the area."
Providing homes with a good social mix to replace existing flats as well as defining five distinct neighbourhoods in the area are among the priorities. People are also being asked to consider owning their own homes instead of continuing as corporation tenants.
The consultants want to hear people's views on the idea of creating a "Main Street" in place of Ballymun's inward-looking shopping centre, which has been targeted for replacement. A "vibrant town centre" with a mix of retail and commercial businesses is the goal.
Ballymun Regeneration Ltd is also seeking to attract "flagship projects" of regional or national significance to provide employment for local people.
