Council looks to develop woodland park at Loyd

Kells Town Council is to investigate the possibility of developing a woodland park on council land in Loyd. At a meeting of the town council last week, members supported a proposal by Cllr Conor Ferguson that the council develop a facility in that area. Town clerk Jarlath Flanagan said he would meet with the Crann group which had earlier approached the council with a view to develping woodland, to look for its advice. The council will also receive a report shortly on the possibility of providing a riverside forest walk from Maudlins to Headfort, which was to have been developed as part of the town development plan. Cllr Ferguson said a woodland area at Loyd would be a huge amentiy for the people of Kells. “We could have woodland paths where people can walk, jog and cycle,†he said. Cllr Ferguson said that farmland at Loyd had a monetery value for the council but to have some of the land in woodland would have leisure, health, amenity, educational and environmental value for Kells. Cllr Brian Collins supported the proposal and said the council should also start mapping the woodland areas in the town, including the forest overhanging the river, He said a woodland area at Loyd would have many benefits for the town. “The more trees and greenery around, the better for the town,†he said. Cllr Brian Curran said a woodland walk would be a wonderful facility where people could appreciate nature. Cllr Sean Drew said that a riverside walk was to have been one of the benefits gained from rezoning of land in the area and this should be developed as the woodland was already there. “I support the motion but there should be a focus on the riverside walk, as the woodland park would take years to develop,†he said. Cllr Bryan Reilly agreed that they should focus on the riverside forest, which was already there, although he felt they should also look at the proposal for Loyd. Cllr Tommy Grimes pointed out that the land was there at Loyd and there was a strip of overgrown land that would be ideal. He said there were government grants that could be accessed to fund the project and he agreed that they should also look at overcoming the hurdles involved in developing the riverside forest. Cllr Ollie Sweeney said that trees and greenery would enhance Loyd and agreed with Cllr Drew that they should pursue the development of the riverside walk. Cllr Ferguson said he agreed they should try to develop the riverside facility but pointed out that the council did not own that land, while it did own the land at Loyd. He said it would take 20 to 30 years to create the forest, but it would be there for hundreds of years. Jarlath Flanagan said that Crann, the voluntary tree organisation, had approached the council a little over a year ago about the possibility of developing a woodland area at Loyd. He said he would approach the group again and see what advice it could give the council. Cllr Sarah Reilly said the council would have to look at maintaining the existing walkway at Loyd.