A Village Divided... How a plan for a long-sought playground has split residents of Longwood
Plans by Meath County Council to develop a playground on the Fairgreen in Longwood village have proven controversial with several residents in the vicinity objecting to the location, amid concerns over heritage, anti-social behaviour, litter and traffic.
At the same time, with funding in place to build the playground at this site, families who have been looking for the amenity to serve the growing village for well over a decade are anxious that the playground proceed without delay. While all parties are in agreement that Longwood needs a playground to serve the village which has seen its population rapidly increase over the past two decades, the location of the playground is proving hugely divisive.
For years sourcing a site has been the stumbling block and after a previous proposal for an alternative site fell through, Meath County Council brought forward this proposal for the Fairgreen. Consent has been given by Diocese of Meath and discussions had been ongoing in relation to the transfer of land.
The playground, if approved, would be located at the Garda station end of the green, with footpaths extended to serve the development. It would be enclosed by a 1.2m metal fence.
FOR... ‘If this doesn’t happen another generation of children in Longwood will lose out’
Whether the playground goes ahead as proposed on the Fairgreen or not, will ultimately be a decision for local area councillors when they hold their monthly meeting on Friday.
The part eight planning process for local authorities' own developments is a reserved function, meaning councillors will make the decision. When the plans were on public display as part of this process, a total of 34 submissions were made with 20 supporting the plans, two in favour in principle with some concerns and 12 which were objecting to the proposal.
The planning report that followed recommended that the playground development proceed and once this report is circulated, councillors have a six week period in which they can accept the recommendation, reject it or make an amendment.
The planning report was before councillors at their March meeting when councillors deferred making a decision after a vote. While councillors Noel French, Padraig Coffey and Paul O'Rourke wanted to take a vote that day, councillors Dave Boyne, Ronan Moore and Joe Fox wanted to hold off. With the Cathaoirleach having the casting vote the matter was deferred.
A lengthy debate took place at that meeting and if it had gone to a vote, the playground plans looked set to be knocked back.
At the meeting, Cllr French said he was very much in favour of a playground for Longwood but felt the green is an important historical site and should be left as a green and alternative site should be found,
Cllr Boyne and Cllr Coffey both said it was the wrong location and Cllr Fox felt that such public infrastructure needed to have full public support and when this wasn't the case, they should find an alternative. Cllr Paul O'Rourke spoke out in favour of the proposal as it stood while Cllr Moore said it was a difficult situation and the biggest concern was anti-social behaviour but he felt even if the playground didn't go ahead there, the anti-social behaviour would not cease.
Among the sites mentioned were the old St Fintina's Secondary School site but Director of Services, Des Foley outlined that ownership of that site was in dispute and it was not a site the council had control over.
He also pointed out that funding is in place for the current site proposed and there is no guarantee another site would be successful in obtaining funding. Whether any of the councillors have changed their views remains to be seen and a decision is due to be made at the April meeting of Trim MD on Friday.