Special meeting planned to discuss Athboy playground

The controversial proposal to provide a playground on the Fair Green in Athboy will be the subject of a special meeting of Kells Municipal Council within the next six weeks.

At their monthly meeting yesterday (Monday) councillors agreed to leave a decision on the Part 8 planning application for the facility, until they received clarification from the Trustees of the Fairgreen on whether they would give consent for the construction of the playground if planning permission and funding was available.

Engineer Pat Shore told the meeting there had been 19 submissions on the proposals, many of those representing groups of people. The submissions expressed concern over the impact the development would have on parking, traffic and anti social behaviour.

He said there was nothing in the objections that they cannot address in time or as part of the proposed scheme.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Sarah Reilly told the councillors they had the option to accept reject the proposal or take six weeks to consider it.

Cllr Mike Bray said there had been a lot more than 19 submissions.

"There were something like 60 and many of them were from community groups.

"Every single one of the submission were expressing concern about the location of the playground. We have all received numerous calls and texts about this in recent weeks," he said.

"At a meeting a number of weeks ago, the general feeling was that we weren't going to progress this project because of the scale of concern and the submissions made against it. For it to formally end we needed a letter from the Trustees withdrawing their consent and we thought that was on track to come in. I don't think it has come in. What has happened since?"

He pointed out that the funding stream for the project was no longer there and asked why the proposal was still before them.

Cllr Bray said there was a lack of clarity on where the Trustees stand - they had indicated they had given consent for the Part 8 application but not for construction - and this needed clarification.

Mr Shore said that as regards the funding scheme, if permission was granted the scheme would be shovel ready for the next round of funding.

Cllr Eugene Cassidy said every town and village wants a playground, but the question is where.

"There is confusion that has to be sorted out here. Before we waste any time we should ask the trustees if the project was granted permission and funding was available in the morning would they consent to the construction of the playground."

Cllr Cassidy pointed out they had six weeks in which to hold a special meeting to make a decision.

Cllr Sean Drew seconded the proposal to seek clarification from the Trustees.

Cllr Peter Caffrey proposed that as there was so much objection to it, they should look for another site and this was seconded by Cllr Michael Gallagher.

Cllr Bray said that to be fair to the Trustees they should seek clarification.

Cllr Sarah Reilly said the project was one of the most contentious items in her 15 years as a councillor. "It is unfortunate because usually when I see playgrounds on the agenda, I an very supportive.

"If we wait for the six weeks we can then make a much more fully informed decision," she said.

The councillors agreed to take the six weeks to consider and to clarify the Trustees' position.

Cllr David Gilroy who is one of the Trustees of the fairgreen was excused from the meeting in view of his role.