Council urged to review proposals for Dunville estate facilities and amenities and to include community centre

Meath County Council has been urged to provide a community centre at Dunville for the people of Johnstown.

Councillors urged the executive to review proposals for the community facilities at Dunville to include a community centre at last week's meeting of Navan Municipal Council.

Last month extensive plans for a playground, all weather pitch, teen hang out zone and a small coffee shop at community lands at Dunville were outlined to councillors.

At last week's meeting, Cllr Emer Tóibín called on the council “to review the current plans and include a dedicated community centre for Johnstown.”

She said that while she welcomed the various components of the plan, she was deeply disappointed at omission of a community centre.

“It is now over 25 years since the first houses were built in Johnstown. It has been an incredibly long journey to reach this point - to finally see a proposal on the table. We only get one shot at this. We must get it right. That means listening to the people of Johnstown, and delivering on what they need and have waited so long for.”

Cllr John Duffy said anti-social behaviour was an issue and one thing every resident association said, going back 15 years or more, was that they needed a community centre.

Cllr Yemi Adenuga said she hoped the councillors’ views would be given consideration.” I hope we will get a response to the suggestions made.”

Cllr Alan Lawes spoke of the many groups in Johnstown that don't have a home. “The boxing club doesn't have enough floor space, the karate, the Irish dancing club and many other groups don't have a home.

“We need a community centre that local groups can use and call home. In all areas we have anti-social behaviour. To have a home for young teenagers to use would help reduce anti-social behaviour.”

Council Director of Services, Martin Murray said last month's presentation was just a proposal to show you where the project currently is.

“Your views will be taken on board, but there will be a formalisation of that through the public consultation process. That was the initial draft.”

He said there are proposals for a community centre at Farganstown but that project is currently under appeal.

“There is also a parallel project - the old Johnstown public realm project where Mrs Butterly's house is earmarked for a community building.

“Your views on Dunville have been heard and will be relayed. There is a second process of formal public consultation. Your views have been heard, there will be modifications and there will then be a part 8 process,” he explained.

The plans presented last month included an extensive lawn area with a circular walking track, a table tennis area, a teen zone with social seating, a biodiversity area and sensory garden on a four acre site. The proposals include a circular building with a hangover canopy, which would house a small coffee shop, with sheltered seating outside.