Rose Barrett
Labour’s Deputy Duncan Smith and Corina Johnston, local area representative, call for a Civic Centre in the growing hub of Donabate.
Smith and Johnston noted: “The population of the Donabate Peninsula is projected to grow to approximately 20,000 over the next ten years. The residential zoned land in the Donabate Local Area Plan provides for approximately 4,000 residential units. Last week, phase 1 of the Glenveagh Development (1200 housing units) in Ballymastone commenced. This week a revised planning application for 1020 residential units in Corballis was advertised.
“While the outcome of these applications will see the provision of a Nature Park in Corballis and a Sports Hub at Ballymastone, there are no indoor community facilities provided to cater for an additional 3000 residential units. Census (2022) shows that 41pc of the population of the peninsula (11783) are under 30 while 31pc are under 19 years. There is a huge need for a youth centre and the provision of youth services.”
The Local Area Plan includes the following objectives for such a facility: Objective 6.3 to support the provision of a community facility on lands at Ballymastone; Objective 6.12 to support the provision of a community/cultural/exhibition and performing Arts centre for Donabate-Portrane, multi- functional community buildings which are not used exclusively by any one group.
A spokesperson for FCC said: “The Donabate peninsula continues to be a key focus for FCC, which is why we are committed to delivering a wide range of community projects in the area. This includes the €10m investment for the sporting and community facilities at the Ballymastone Recreational Hub, the new Donabate Library and a network of Active Travel routes such as that under construction across the Broadmeadow Greenway.”
However, Ms Johnston added: “A Civic Centre should include: a performing theatre with a fully equipped stage, seating for 100 people, Workshop/studio space, meeting/education rooms, café, youth centre, sensory room, a dedicated area with historical facts on the area, and an Outdoor Children’s play area amongst other facilities”
Ms Johnston noted the FCC Tilberry site located off the Corballis Road would be an ideal location among other sites to meet a civic centre, to meet the growing needs of the existing and future residents of Donabate. “Duncan brought our proposal to the attention of the CEO of FCC recently. The funding for this much needed project could be provided from state grants, FCC and developers contributions on foot of permissions for large developments.”
- Get a glowing look with celebrity favourite JCat’s ‘SkinSurance’ Foundation!
- RSA warning following heavy rainfall and winds: slow down!
- WINNERS OF YOUNG CHEF YOUNG WAITER AWARDS AT EVENT IN TITANIC BELFAST
- Revised LRD application for 1020 homes and nature park in Donabate
- Dáil abuse and verbal attacks intolerable and intimidating with 13 arrests made
