Regional Sized Community Park Needed in Ashbourne

I have lived in Ashbourne for the majority of almost 40 years. My [Redacted_Personal Information]and [Redacted_Personal Information] live here, and we have made the decision to raise our children in Ashbourne due to strong ties to our family, friends, and community. My children are the third generation in my family to experience the ongoing failure of local government to provide the town with adequate freely accessible and open public greenspace. 

I fully support Motion No.111 submitted by our local County Councillors, and unanimously supported by the other Councillors in Meath in attendance for the vote, under the Draft Meath County Development Plan (2021-2027) to rezone 33 hectares (80 acres) from R/A Rural Area to F1 Open Space with the view to create a public park in Ashbourne. I support this recommendation based on the following facts:

• Research completed in 2017 by Future Analytics Planning consultants determined that there is a significant dearth of freely available and publicly accessible open greenspace in Ashbourne. Given current and predicted population growth within the town, the report concluded that Ashbourne requires 33.4 hectares of greenspace by 2026 (see reports attached). Meath County Council’s own population growth projection, as per the Ashbourne Written Statement of the County Development Plan, exceeds that of Future Analytics and leads to a figure of 35.9ha of greenspace required. The research found that Ashbourne benefits from large tracts of greenspace within the town (96ha), however the vast majority of this (76.4ha) is under the ownership of private sports clubs and can only be enjoyed by those with the financial means to pay for membership. It is of the utmost importance that no attempt is made to include these areas of greenspace within calculations of Ashbourne’s freely open and publicly accessible greenspace as, to do so, would be a dishonest representation of amenities available to the general public. In addition, the research also found that of the very limited open greenspace available within the town, a significant portion of this is within existing residential developments and the Chief Executive of MCC has previously observed that greenspace within residential areas are not intended to meet the needs of the wider community (responses to submissions on the Draft Meath County Development Plan). Furthermore, of the greenspace that was identified as freely available and public open greenspace, a portion of this was not freely accessible (i.e. access points have not been developed to allow for ease of access of buggies, mobility aids etc.). An example of this is the approximately 2 acres parallel to the Broadmeadow River and behind Gaelscoil na Cille which is overgrown, strewn with litter including glass bottles, and is dangerous to access; however drone footage/google maps would give the impression of a sizeable pocket of riverside greenspace. The Future Analytics report, and the follow-up addendum, have been published since 2017 and, to date, the findings have not been refuted by evidence-based research. It is also important to note that Future Analytics are a highly reputable consultancy, recently acquired by KPMG, who have been commissioned by local authorities. Of interest, Future Analytics completed a report for MCC for the Draft Meath County Development Plan 2020-2026 Retail Strategy and came to a similar conclusion, namely “Ashbourne’s rapid growth in population has been accompanied with only limited growth in open space and recreation space…The level and quality of open space and recreation provided for the adjacent residential population are also low”.  
• During Covid-19 Level 5 restrictions, the lack of open greenspace in Ashbourne was highlighted as an ongoing scandal. Ashbourne, the second largest town in Meath, offers miniscule areas of freely open and publicly accessible greenspace for the thousands of residents confined to a 5km travel limit. While the community complied with public health advice and government travel restrictions, residentes were forced in their thousands to rely on narrow, overcrowded footpaths for daily exercise and respite from the challenges of home-schooling, working from home, and cabin fever in general. Land in ownership of private sports clubs was not open to the public. The true amount of freely open and publicly accessible greenspace was laid bare and highlighted the need for a large community park within the town. Meath County Council agreed with same! The Council have committed to “prioritise the delivery of a town park of regional scale…in Ashbourne” (SOC OBJ 12 in the Draft Meath County Development Plan, Part 7 Community Building Strategy). While it is noted that, following the unanimous support by Meath Councillors to amend the zoning on 33ha of land (formerly Killegland Farm) from R/A Rural Area to F1 Open Space, the Chief Executive gave the opinion that “The quantum of land detailed on the map submitted with this motion is far in excess of that required to facilitate the public park and that for which funding would be available”, attention is again directed towards the findings of the Future Analytics research which determined the need for 33.4ha. It is of note that Fingal County Council define “Regional” as parkland in excess of 50ha. Navan benefits from a park of regional scale, Blackwater Park, which comprises 26.7ha.
• The area of land (formerly Killegland Farm) identified for the development of an 80-acre (33ha) park is ideal for a number of reasons. It is within 1.5kms of all homes within the town making it accessible by foot/bike for a large majority of residents. Currently, residents of Ashbourne must travel (by private or public transport) outside of the town to access a park. This contravenes Council Strategy in relation to climate action and active travel. The proposed site for the park is within easy reach of the town centre which provides access to car park spaces, public toilets, restaurants etc. The lands do not require any major new roadways.  
• There is no shortage of research to support the many benefits of access to greenspace – physical health, mental health, economic, community cohesion, environmental and climate etc. The lack of adequate mental health services within Ireland is well documented and the pandemic has added further strain to an under-resourced system. Access to greenspace and opportunities to exercise are both evidence-based interventions that support positive mental health. In Ashbourne, the absence of a park means that residents cannot benefit from certain freely accessible opportunities to exercise, such as participation in the hugely successful Park Runs. Children are denied the opportunity to play safely in a park, free from the risks associated with moving vehicles and traffic pollution.  
• On a personal level, it is very challenging (and not without risk) bringing [Redacted_Personal Information] children for a walk or cycle around Ashbourne. There is a steady stream of vehicles through the town and the paths along the N2 are dangerous for a preschooler learning to scoot/cycle. Walking/cycling through housing estates requires high levels of vigilance for cars reversing out of driveways. The pandemic saw a dramatic increase in delivery drivers accessing residential areas; this was a huge cause of anxiety due to an increase in children playing outdoors while schools were closed and the frequency and speed of many delivery drivers coming into residential areas. It is frustrating having to pack up and leave our town every weekend just to access a park for the children to play safely. 

I request that this submission is given thorough consideration and I thank you in advance for including my submission in your review.

Regards

Claire McGrane