Liffey Valley Park plans would include family activity centre
A SPECIFIC Local Objective (SLO) to explore the potential for the development of a park at Edmundsbury and Woodville in Lucan – including reintroducing access to Shackleton’s Mill – should be included in the upcoming County Development Plan, according to a submission.
The submission was lodged by a collection of architects and town planners, namely the O’Flynn Group, McCutcheon Halley Chartered Planning Consultants, Sherwood and Associates, Arup, Mary Tubridy and Associates, and Denis Byrne Architects.
The improved access to Shackleton’s Mill, a water-powered flour mill which was in operation until 1998 and later purchased by Fingal County Council, is a key part of the plans.
“Redevelopment of Shackleton Mill as a tourism attraction is hampered by its poor access, being located to the south of the ‘Lower Road’.
The lack of parking for coaches and cars near the site remains a major obstacle,” according to the submission.
“The only viable option for direct and safe access to Shackleton is to introduce parking to the south of the river with a pedestrian bridge.”
Plans for a ‘Liffey Valley Park’ are detailed in the document, including the development of an interpretation centre and a family activity centre.
Provision of a pedestrian and bicycle access point to Shackleton’s Mill, protected routes through wooded landscape, and a protected route containing a river crossing for bikes and pedestrians, is accounted for in the submission.
An SLO that allows for a feasibility study for a park at the site is being requested by the group of architects and town planners, who noted that it would benefit a number of different pursuits – such as tourism, heritage, culture and recreation.
“This overarching objective would act as a catalyst for the practical realisation of the aspirations of a Liffey Valley Park as envisaged under the Liffey Valley SAAO (Special Area Amenity Order) objectives,” they stated.
“It is also considered appropriate that this overarching objective aims to investigate and determine viable and appropriate uses to support and facilitate the realisation of a regional Liffey Valley Park.”
