New civic space plan for old Johnstown aims to recapture the village centre atmosphere

The centre of old Johnstown Village is to be revitalised to recapture its friendly village atmosphere with a ‘village centre’, housing and commercial units, and a civic space.

Meath Co Council commissioned a conceptual plan for the area to provide a ‘village centre’ with defined streetscape and frontages and highlighting existing heritage.

It will be designed to be in keeping with existing architecture, height and density and to include a public space for flexible use.

At a meeting of Navan Municipal Council last week, engineer Wendy Bagnall, said that like many areas the provision of facilities in old Johnstown village had failed to keep pace with residential growth.

She explained the proposal is for the centre of the village, where the council has acquired four vacant properties.

The next steps are to further develop the conceptual plan, seek part eight planning permission and apply for funding.

The proposals are for mixed use developments with a civic space to the rear and side of current vacant properties, incorporating environmental sustainability and commercial viability.

Public realm works to enhance the area and active travel measures would be incorporated into the design.

"We will look at how people walk to and reach the village from all the new housing development.

"A survey of what people wanted in Johnstown showed they want pitches, playgrounds and community facilities, but thy also want somewhere to met like a village plaza."

"It is a lovely village with loads of activity anytime you go here," she said.

Cllr Tommy Reilly said the area couldn't accommodate the new cycling facilities. "It has to be looked at from a pedestrian point of view. Footpaths have to be a priority."

Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons called for high visibility lighting and CCTV.

Cllr Yemi Adenuga said it was a great opportunity and called for CCTV to keep it safe.

Cllr Eddie Fennessy said that despite everything that's been built up around it over the past twenty years, Johnstown, somehow managed to retain a quaint country charm about it.

"Thankfully, the council's plan not only retains that charm, but enhances it.

"I'm really impressed with the overall design, it makes good use of the space around the site and utilises it in such a way as to preserve the integrity and village feel of the area.

"Of particular interest is the construction of a central plaza. Such an amenity will provide local families and community groups with a dedicated space to organise communal events and activities. It will be well used for generations, I'm sure."

Cllr Francis Dean called on the Council to relocate the pedestrian crossing from L5050 at Old Johnstown village to the Kilcarn Road, directly opposite the village veterinary clinic. This will blend in with the regeneration of the derelict site. Local residents have flagged concerns about its present location.”

He was told work to examine the public realm in the village will consider the needs of road users and particularly the needs of pedestrians, including the optimum locations for pedestrian crossing facilities.

The meeting was told the council's transportation section is of the view that the existing crossing is on a line for residents of Cill Foireann and the Oldtown Road wishing to access shops, takeaways and services and that moving the crossing at this moment would be premature pending the design of the public realm scheme and a more pedestrian friendly layout for the junction of the Oldtown Road and the L5050.