Planning application for the rejuvenation of Johnstown Village to be lodged

A NEW community centre in Johnstown will see three new meeting and activity spaces in the centre of Old Johnstown village, a meeting of Navan Municipal Council heard last week.

The new community facility will feature a 100 sq metre community space at the rear of the old Mrs Butterly’s premises, while two smaller meeting rooms of 30 and 60sq metres will be created in the original building.

Next month, a part eight planning application for the facility will be lodged as part of the Johnstown Village Enhancement Scheme, which also includes a redesign of the public realm, village gate ways, 21 social housing units as well as walking and cycle routes.

At last week's meeting, David O'Reilly, Senior Executive Engineer said the area had developed dramatically over the years and this was an opportunity to respond to that.

He said the plans included redesigning the street, developing the old Mrs Butterly's building into a community facility, designing a civic space and creating village gateways.

"It has become bit of a ratrun at the moment," he said.

Councillors were told that proposals for junction with the road down into driving test centre from Metges Road would include a raised surface, making it safer for pedestrians.

"Quite a lot of people use this junction to go to old Kilcarn," Mr O'Reilly said.

"Moving up towards Johnstown village, there will be three metre wide shared surface for pedestrians and cyclists on the left as you go to into the village.

"From the shop towards the Church the plan is for a raised surface, re-enforcing the sense of core of the village, "There will be no loss of parking but to regularise what is there, the spaces will be marked out."

The plans include improved footpath links to the church and a ramp at the very top of hill slowing traffic down coming into Johnstown and a disabled parking bay will be provided on the Walterstown Road near the pharmacy.

The council has plans for 21 social housing units in the area of the old Mrs Butterly's premises as well as for a retail unit, which could have a number of uses including a coffee shop, clothes shop or butchers.

The age friendly housing units include two bed apartments, three bedroom houses, two bedroom houses and two bedroom bungalows.

The original Mrs Butterly's building will be untouched but an extension to the side of it will be demolished as it encroaches on junction.

There will be two meeting rooms of 60sqm and 30sqm in the old building and at the back there will be a100sq metre community space. The building will also feature storage areas, toilets and a reception area.

"It is designed for universal use. It could be used by mother and baby groups or age friendly activities.

"Th foyer arrangement will allow multiple activities at one time.

"The building will be surrounded by a covered colonnade around the edge and all this will open out open out onto the plaza where you can have Christmas markets, farmers markets, public events."

Councillors were told the plaza would have modular paving, high quality planting, street furniture and seating.

Cllr Emer Toibin said the plans looked fabulous and asked who would manage the community building.

Cllr Eddie Fennessy said the plan had everything, community infrastructure, civic plaza space, a streetscape upgrade and a mix of disability and age friendly residential units. "Johnstown Village will be transformed for the better and I welcome this proposal in its entirety."

Cllr Yemi Adeunga said it was encouraging to see "a people centred vision of a community space with a focus on safety, active travel and residents."

Cllr John Duffy said that the proposed community facilities were what was needed in Johnstown village and he was delighted that the housing was included too. "The management of the building will be very important" he said.

Cllr Francis Dean said he welcomed the plan. "We are lacking something in old Johnstown Village at the moment and it like race rack. "This is a great proposal," he said.

Councillors were told that expressions of interest would be sought from community groups in the area and the chosen group would run and operate it for a nominal fee.

- Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme