Cllrs at a crossroads over controversial Enfield car park plan

Meath Co Council's planning report on a proposal to develop a car park at the rear of the Community Hub in Enfield has recommended that the development should proceed but with an amendment to relocate the recycling bins.

However, when the report was brought before Trim Municipal District councillors at their meeting on Friday, several councillors were not happy to proceed with the proposal as it stood, given the level of opposition to the plans locally.

It was explained that there were three options open to councillors. If they accepted the recommendation, then they note it and the development can proceed. They also had the option to propose an amendment or to reject it.

After a lengthy discussion, councillors agreed to note the report with an amendment that before any development of the site proceeds, further statutory or formal consultation must take place with all stakeholders including the Enfield Town Centre First Team.

One of the outcomes of the Town Centre First process in Enfield was the desire for the area at the rear of the community hub to be developed as an amenity area of some sort rather than be used as a car park.

Meath Co Council's recent part eight proposal included town centre parking to serve local businesses and commuters as well as the playground and community hub, together with recycling facilities, car charging facilities, bicycle parking and a civic plaza area of 1,200sqm.

The bulk of the site would provide for 107 parking spaces and there was strong opposition from locals who felt the area would be better served to provide civic amenities on what is currently the only council owned land in the area. At the same time, parking has been an issue for well over a decade in Enfield and the site is zoned for parking with any change from this use requiring a variation to the county development plan. Plans for the redevelopment of the Main Street as envisaged in the Town Centre First plan are also likely to result in a reduction in on-street parking.

A total of 134 submissions were received by Meath Co Council on the part eight proposal with just three of them supporting it.

While the planning report was brought before councillors for consideration, it will be a number of years before the council can develop the site, which up to recently accommodated Enfield Community College. This is because the temporary school buildings are to be reconfigured to accommodate the new community special school due to open in the town later this year.

Director of Services Des Foley confirmed that Meath Co Council has agreed a licence with the Department of Education and LMETB for temporary school facilities for two years with an option to extend this, which will enable the new special school get up and running.

He said they were very cognisant of the concerns that had been raised during the planning process and proposed that the report be noted with an amendment that further consultation would take place on the future use of the site prior to the development commencing.

Mr Foley said the part eight is not going to be enacted any time soon because they had entered the commitment with the special school so for the next two years, possibly three to four years. He added that a lot could change in the meantime in terms of other developments in Enfield and the possibility of other park and ride proposals or other amenity or civic space becoming available.

"It is a key central location and obviously we want to make sure that the best use and the right use is made of it, so that is why I am proposing that while you would note the part eight recommendation, it is not going to be binding in the sense that no development is about to commence and no development will commence until further consultation takes place with all interested stakeholders on the future use of the space as a multi-functioning facility," said Mr Foley.

He said the decision didn't have to be finalised that day, that it was a car park and other associated uses and that they should leave it open and that the time available now will be used to consider other uses by all interested stakeholders.

However, Cllr Ronan Moore who sits on the Town Centre First Team felt the amendment didn't go far enough and that he might not be sitting at the table in six months. He said he was representing the team and their desire was for the proposal to be amended. He was in favour of the amendment but felt it has to be formalised.

Cllr Joe Fox said it took a long time to get their hands on the ESB property and develop the hub and they must also be cognisant it is the only land they have. He said they also have representations from people in housing estates who can't get in and out of their homes.

"We have to be careful that we don't through the baby out with the bathwater. I think Des’ proposal is very sensible. The special school will be there for a number of years and that will give us time to see how things develop," and he proposed that they proceed and said they would still engage with the Town Team.

Cllr Aisling Dempsey said she agreed with Cllr Moore that the town centre first team and the number of submissions they generated was unprecedented in their term and it was great to see the engagement. She also said that some members of the town team were open to a compromise and accepted that some parking is needed.

Cllr Noel French was in agreement with Mr Foley's amendment. He said the special school being located there would allow time for a proper traffic and parking plan to be developed for Enfield.

Cllr Trevor Golden said he would be guided by the two councillors who represented them on the town team. He said Cllr Moore had pointed out they may not be here after the elections and he added that the town team might not last forever if there was a change in government policy. "We may never have an opportunity like this again where there has been so much interest from people in the area to do the right thing."

After a lengthy discussion and number of changes to the wording of proposed amendment suggested, it was finally agreed unanimously to note the report with the amendment to "note the part eight recommendation, however prior to the commencement of any development on site, further consultation will take place through a formal or statutory process with all interested stakeholders including the Enfield Town Centre First team on the future use of the space as a multi-functioning facility to include potential amenity and civic uses".