Plan to enhance 'special areas' of parkland for amenity use in Kilkenny

The proposed plan will cover the popular areas of the Abbey Meadow and the Moat Field, in the centre of the town.

Speaking to a meeting of Callan Thomastown municipal district councillors, consultant JJ Digby, of Digby Brady Landscape Architects, said the intention of the plan “is not to fundamentally change the character of the two sites, but to build upon what is already there: improving access and amenity, facilitating further use by the community, strengthening biodiversity, and helping people to better appreciate the very considerable natural and cultural heritage of the two sites.”

He said this project seeks to build upon “the considerable work already undertaken by the local community, Callan Town Team and Kilkenny County Council to establish and improve these two very important public open spaces.”

Both the Abbey Meadow and the Moat Field are popular and well used green spaces in the town, for walking, community events and education.

Detailing the proposals, Mr Digby said these are special sites and deciding on ‘potential enhancements’ required careful consideration.

“We have recreation and public access, archaeology and built heritage, the King’s River and its floodplain, biodiversity and European nature conservation designations, and a long history of community involvement in both spaces,” he explained.

The heritage features of the area were one of the main influences on the proposals, Mr Digby said.

Abbey Meadow contains the remains of the medieval Augustinian Priory, while the Moat Field contains the historic ground foundations of a motte and bailey structure. Both are registered national monuments.

As part of the project, a geophysical archaeological survey was undertaken across the sites.

While the results were not fully conclusive they gave guidance on where new interventions could be proposed with the lowest risk to potential archaeological remains, Mr Digby said. However, disappointingly for local history buffs, the survey did not reveal any signs of an expected cloister area adjacent to the ancient priory.

The King’s River flows through both sites and was another main influence on the proposed plan. This is designated as a Special Area of Conservation, meaning the habitats and specials that inhabit them must be protected.

Mr Digby assured councillors that a habitat and species survey took place and an ecological assessment.

With this in mind, the plan has no proposed in-stream works. Existing vegetation is being retained as much as possible, and the proposals include additional planting and habitat enhancement. Lighting, where proposed, is intended to be carefully controlled and wildlife-sensitive.

Substantial portions of both Abbey Meadow and the Moat Field flood regularly. The proposals incorporate the natural floodplain rather than trying to alter it.

In preparation of this plan, Mr Digby said, there has been extensive public consultation with the local community since the start of this year.

“In addition to those public events, there has been extensive engagement with community organisations, schools, local stakeholders and relevant statutory bodies, as well as ongoing discussions with the various sections of Kilkenny County Council,” Mr Digby said.

A further public consultation event will be held in due course.

“The engagement has been particularly useful because both spaces already have a long history of community stewardship and improvement,” he told the meeting.

“We are conscious that we are building on work carried out over many years by local organisations and individuals rather than starting with blank slates.”

Included in the proposed plan for the Moat Field are an enclosed dog park area, the conservation and renovation of ‘Mary Power’s cottage’ as well as public toilets and a community garden.

In the Abbey Meadow it is proposed that there be a small, nature-based play area, an outdoor learning/community space, additional planting including orchard and horticultural elements, and a stepped connection across the existing flood-relief mound.

Walking routes in both areas will be improved and extended and accessibility is an important theme in the project, Dr Digby said.

Municipal District chair, Cllr Deirdre Cullen, said the area is “a hugely important community space” but cautioned there is “a hell of a lot of work to be done before we see anything.”

Cllr Stephanie Doheny noted the “great engagement” in the public consultation in the town. She said the nature based play area would be great to see as the local schools already use the nature space a good bit.

Cllr Joe Lyons agreed it was important that people had their say and they were delighted to be involved in the process.

The next steps for the project, Mr Digby explained, include applying for planning permission and, if that is granted, seeking funding for the work.

Once the plan is in place it can be implemented on a phased basis, he added.

Area Engineer, Declan Murphy, clarified that features like the cottage renovations and dog park will need planning permission. Other aspects of the proposals, like the steps or the outdoor classroom area, might be exempted from the planning process if they are carried out under the ORIS scheme, on council land and under a certain threshold.