Riverside walk plans abandoned

Plans to develop a riverside walk to the Headfort Mausoleum in Kells have fallen through, because of planning restrictions in the Headfort Demesne Architectural Conservation Area (ACA). Cllr Sean Drew expressed his frustration and annoyance that proposals for a riverside walk and park at the River Blackwater between the Maudlin and Headfort Roads can no longer go ahead. He pointed out that no community gain or amenities have yet been provided to the people of Kells as a result of the zoning of lands made under the Kells Development Plan of 2007-2013. He said that a landowner had promised to transfer the lands, including the Headfort Mausoleum, into the ownership of the council, subject to the approval of planning permission for a small development of low density housing on the Headfort Road, near the new golf course. Cllr Drew said the landowner in question had been the only individual to date to deliver on his community gain commitment, as he had an agreement drawn up with the council to transfer the riverside lands to the council subject to receipt of planning permission. “The landowner, with the apparent encouragement of the council, proceeded with the preparation of a planning application for the low density housing proposal,” he said. Cllr Drew said that, as the planning application was nearing finalisation, the landowner was advised that a strong objection might be made on the basis of the county council-approved ACA, the terms of which prohibitied the development of new housing in the area. “As a result of this, the landowner has not proceeded with his planning application and the transfer of the riverside lands to the council will not now proceed. I am extremely annoyed at the chain of events that have resulted in the non-delivery of an eagerly anticipated community amenity for Kells,” said Cllr Drew. Cllr Drew said he understood the reasons for the ACA, but he urged the council to consider a review of the area included in the Headfort Demesne ACA. “Headfort House and its grounds are the central focus of this ACA, but they are now separated from the proposed riverside park area, due to the relatively recent development of the new course at Headfort Golf Club. As this buffer now exists, could the actual area included in the ACA be amended to exclude part of the lands near the proposed riverside park?” he asked. Kells Chamber of Commerce president, Geraldine Gaughran, said the loss of the proposed riverside walk to the mausoleum was a great dissapointment. She said the Chamber’s tourism sub-committee wanted to put Kells on the map as a walking destination and this project not going ahead was a great loss. “We are very disappointed, but we hope it will go ahead in the future,” she said.