Report Paul Murphy
Surveys of the people of Kells by Meath County Council show that they would like a designated area for walking, an official told a meeting of Kells Municipal District. Senior Executive Planner Wendy Bagnall was delivering a fresh presentation on council vision for the 357-acre historical and recreational area at Loyd just outside the town. A draft of a plan for the use of the area has been drawn up and public consultation carried out in 2023. Pre-draft consultation meetings were “very well attended”, showing that people had a great interest in the project.
There was nothing surprising in the feedback to the council in the in-person and online views. Some of the items coming up included the provision of toilets, improved play facilities and all of this was very helpful. Ms Bagnall displayed slides showing a plan that she said “would be very familiar to local people” – the location of the main entrance, the allotments, the car park, the playground, the Spire, the Famine memorial and where the little walks are at the moment.
An analysis had been done to show the strengths, the challenges, the opportunities. The issue of attracting more people to visit Loyd, the possibility of creating more recreational uses were also addressed. She knew that consultants were often employed on these projects but this was helpful because it enabled people to have a “fresh look” at a project. The consultants were given a “blank canvas” and told “see what you come up with”, she said. This had worked quite positively.
Lieder surveys
Lieder surveys of the land had been done and the archaeology of the Loyd area, including the Famine memorial, would be respected. The priority was to protect the archaeology and the wonderful panoramic view from Loyd. The area of the site nearest the town would be used for
“active recreation” , “a very active playground”, car parking and also a building of some sort.
Although car parking space would be available, people might prefer to walk from town, the official said. It was important to have a plan figured out for the next step of finding out how the project would be funded. Ms Bagnall said that the council was working on a plan for Old Johnstown in Navan and she hoped the Loyd plan would be “the next to be slotted in”.
In phases
In reply to a question from Sinn Fein Cllr Michael Gallagher about the timeframe for completion of the plan, the official said the plan would have to be done in phases. Some of it would require Part 8 approval and some parts won’t. Some of the funding might be recreation based, some of it community aspects. The first item was to get the planning done and then figure out the funding. In reply to Cllr Sean Drew she said it was intended to put the plan on display for about four weeks. The plan being put before councillors was not the final version. He was looking forward to seeing the plan go on public display.
Cllr David Gilroy welcomed the plan. Cathaoirleach Cllr Sarah Reilly said it was great to see something down on paper at last. Local people had been crying out for a community centre for years and it was good to see that being mentioned. Cllr Mike Bray said he was happy enough with what he had heard about the plan from Ms Bagnall
She said the Spire of Loyd was open up again on 6th June by appointment.
