Belfast students to boost Julianstown design work

The ongoing village design work at Julianstown is to get a major boost this month with the arrival of over 20 students from Queens University, Belfast. The students, from the faculty of architecture and civil engineering, have chosen the village for project work they are doing on a module entitled 'Landscape and Village Design'. As Julianstown village had been chosen to take part in a national Heritage Council pilot programme on village design, it was seen as the perfect focal point for the students. The Heritage Council's planning officer Alison Harvey, a past student of Queens University, advised the college to base their project in Julianstown. The students' course focuses on issues that are widespread in contemporary rural Ireland, including small settlement design, the relationship with landscape context and sustainable village environments. Emer Dolphin, chairperson of the Julianstown Residents' Association (JDRA), said it was a wonderful opportunity for the committee members. "There is already a major body of work and research in existence so the students can really hit the ground running and take time to meet with committee members and the community. It is yet another milestone moment for all those involved with the project," she said. Just before Christmas, the committee held a very well attended meeting for landowners and developers within the village at the Glenside Hotel. Developers in attendance included those from Ballygarth and the Old Mill, who were all very positive and open in their plans for the town. A lively discussion ensued after initial presentations during which a number of issues were highlighted including the need for better road signage in Julianstown. Those who attended heard some trucks go up the cul-de-sac at Smithstown because of bad signage and it was suggested there should be a roundabout at the top of the Laytown Road. Some people felt there should be much better traffic-calming or a bypass to enable safe movement in the village, while others felt that the volume of traffic could potentially create employment and an economic benefit for the village. There were also different views about the number of cars and trucks using Julianstown to avoid the M1 motorway toll. Everyone agreed that there was a need for a centre with a shop, coffee shop and post office, though there were different views on what level of housing development might be needed to make this sustainable. There was general consensus that redeveloping the Old Mill site is a priority for the village. Several suggestions were made for the site, including an hotel or a centre that could be linked to the river or significant historic heritage.