Residents opposed to playground site choice in Johnstown

Just a week after it was announced that Meath County Council had found a site for the long awaited playground for Johnstown on a green area  in Johnstownwood, opposition has already begun mounting from local residents who say the green of a housing estate is not suitable for a playground and car park.
Traffic congestion, anti-social behaviour and the loss of the green area in their estate are some of the main reasons why residents of Beech and Maple in Johnstownwood are against plans to locate the development on the site identified by the Council.

The green proposed is close to the entrance to St Stephens NS where there are already huge problems with traffic congestion at school times.
At last week's meeting of Navan Municipal District Council, councillors were told that the council intended to move forward with planning early in the new year for the playground.
A local resident said they are not opposed to a playground but says there has got to be a better location, such as the Johnstown People's Park. 

“We really want it for the area but not in a housing estate. It is not going to work. There is already incredible congestion and this means we would have it on a Saturday and Sunday as well.”
A meeting on the issue has already taken place and local residents are planning to put in objections once the playground plans go on public display in the new year.
Local councillor Sinead Burke is encouraging residents to voice their concerns when the plans go on public display.
She said: “Firstly, it is great that something for the community is finally happening in the Johnstown area. A playground came number one in the list of needs for the area in last year's survey. However, I completely understand the nervousness and fears that some residents near the proposed site have. It is important for all residents to voice their concerns and their comments once the detailed plans go on display.

“At the moment, we don't know how big the playground will be, the specific site where it will be, will it have railiings, will these be locked and will there be any car parking spaces? These details still need to be worked out and it is important everybody has their say. The plans will go on public display early in the new year. We will then all have a full picture of what it is going to look like and I will be proposing a public meeting between residents, councillors and engineers to discuss the project and I will also be encouraging members of the public to go submit their concerns once the plans go on display.”