€3 million action plan for Cherry Orchard approved
By Maurice Garvey
DETAILS for the €3 million action plan (2017-2022) for Cherry Orchard were presented at the recent Dublin City Council South Central area meeting and approved by members.
The action plan proposes to radically improve the area for the better, and establishes a framework for the delivery of a village centre - long overdue in an area that experiences social and economic deprivation.
Details of the draft plan arrive on the back of extensive consultation undertaken in the community by Dublin City Council and Ballyfermot Chapelizod Partnership.
The key person behind the plan is Dublin City Council’s Cherry Orchard Project Manager David O’Donovan.
He said one of the main elements is to strengthen and “enhance education.”
“We need to get local kids into second and third level education, and highlight the second level schools available in Ballyfermot,” said O’Donovan.
“A lot of parents in Cherry Orchard send their kids to schools in Clondalkin and Palmerstown. We want them to send their kids directly to second level schools in Ballyfermot.”
According to the report, the proportion of the population in Cherry Orchard whose highest education achieved is up to Junior Certificate – a figure twice that of Dublin City.
Key issues in the research revealed a general feeling the area has been disenfranchised and the community feels let down by previous promises made by statutory bodies and agencies.
An overwhelming consensus is that Cherry Orchard needs a village centre and out-of-hours community services for youths and vulnerable residents.
A framework for the village centre contains a supermarket, hair salon, café, newsagent, social enterprise hub, among other elements.
Land bound by Park West Avenue and Banville Park is deemed the most appropriate site to accommodate local retailing.
Sinn Féin Councillor Daithí Doolan said: “After months of consultation it was great to see the final plan. This is a major step forward for Cherry Orchard – a road map which can lead us to a better, safer community.
“This plan is committed to delivering services, a town centre, jobs and education. These are the cornerstones for a sustainable community. Dublin City Council are aiming to build affordable housing in Cherry Orchard for the local community. So services will become more essential for this area.
“It is important that Dublin City Council continues to work with the residents and government agencies to make this plan a reality. The €3 million is well worth investing. I will be demanding the money is made available so the real work can start as soon as possible.”
Timeframes are set for each action on the basis of short, medium and long-term delivery.
The biggest fund provided by DCC within the plan is for a multi-disciplinary family support team for Cherry Orchard – €1.1 million – which will provide speech therapy, family and mental health support.
