Biodiversity centre and cafe plans set for Liffey Vale House

REGENERATION plans are in place to create a biodiversity education centre and café in the picturesque surroundings of Liffey Vale House.

The proposal by Dublin City Council’s Parks, Landscape & Biodiversity Department, could see an investment of €3.8m, should planning permission be approved in the coming months.

The city council appointed a conservation architect led by Blackwood Associates, to develop proposals for the sustainable development of this site, which has been derelict for over 20 years.

According to a report prepared for members at the South Central area committee meeting this week, the Cois Abhann centre will offer opportunities for people to learn about animals, plants, and “ecological systems that thrive in close proximity to the city and along the river’s edge”.

“The house and gardens will intertwine to form one unique experience of nature with learning opportunities throughout.”

Liffey Vale House will be restored and a classroom, large enough for school groups, a small café and public toilets will be constructed.

The grounds of Liffey Vale will become publicly accessible with the insertion of pathways and outdoor interpretive materials.

Located on the northern banks of the River Liffey at Longmeadows along the Chapelizod Road, the site will be linked to the linear Liffey Valley Park and Chapelizod, through the transfer of lands from the Department of Defence to the west.

This area will include disabled parking and a bus pull-in area for schools and other tours.

Access to the site will encourage sustainable transport through, walking, cycling and public transport. Some additional accessible parking bays are also provided within the site.

The centre will provide multi-purpose interactive spaces, both internal and external, to build awareness and interest in the natural environment.

According to the report, it will “offer a range of educational activities, children, youth and community programmes and events, workshops, training, and exhibitions focused on building awareness of nature and biodiversity.”

Cois Abhann will run a range of initiatives aimed at encouraging young people to come together to meet like-minded young people and develop their interest and enthusiasm for nature.

Liffey Vale once accommodated a family who tended a garden and orchard along the River Liffey’s edge.

Today, the lands are home to multiple habitats containing a range of species who moved into the damp walls, the overgrown orchard and adapted to life along the water’s edge.

The report proposes issuing construction tender documents in Autumn 2022 with construction work to begin early next year and to take approximately 12 months to complete.

Project costs will be funded from the Parks Capital Programme with some additional grants.