VILLAGE GREEN PROJECT IN MALAHIDE WILL SHOWCASE HOW TO REFRESH AND IN OUR TOWNS

Village Green project in Malahide will showcase how to refresh and improve the quality of green spaces in our towns.

Significant work has been progressed on the Village Green Improvement Works project in Malahide which will see the current Village Green redeveloped into a new green public space which will re-invigorate and improve the quality of the village green and to enhance the open space as an area to visit and enjoy for all. These works have commenced over recent weeks and are expected to be completed by the end of the year. This will see a major aim of the Public Realm Strategy for Malahide 2014 accomplished even with the difficulties that have been brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Fingal County Council through out the year has striven to continue and complete major public realm projects in a safe manner despite the restrictions that Covid-19 places on our ways of working. The Council continues to deliver on key public space infrastructure which will provide new opportunities for the residents of Malahide.

The project led by the Council’s Parks and Green Infrastructure Division is set to re-invigorate and improve the quality of the village green and to enhance the open space as an area to visit and enjoy for the residents of Malahide and tourists.

The works have been undertaken by Malahide-based company Peter O’Brien & Sons Landscaping Ltd, which was awarded the contract following the conclusion of a competitive tender process.

The plan for the Green seeks to reaffirm its place as a centre within the village and introduces historical ‘markers’ which hint and suggest historical uses on this particular space.

The Mayor of Fingal Cllr. David Healy spoke on the progress of the project: “The Village Green project was part of a larger overall Public Realm Strategy for Malahide which sought to improve the public space that is available to the community of the town. To see that substantial progress has been made on this project, notwithstanding the delays caused by Covid-19 restrictions, is a wonderful example of our continued hard

work as a Council. The restrictions have delayed this project but the commitment to provide an improved amenity for Malahide has not changed and this green space will provide a needed break into nature in the middle of the town for the residents.”

“The project will provide a wonderful new focal point for both residents and visitors to Malahide as it will link into the Fingal Coastal Way, a network of greenways that will allow for easier and safer walking and cycling opportunities in Fingal.

The Malahide-Broadmeadow greenway is just one of several greenways that will be a great way to link two of our regional parks for walkers and cyclists, and the Village Green will provide many opportunities to benefit from the increased footfall and cyclists that these greenways will provide. I look forward to seeing the project completed shortly.”

The scheme forms part of the Public Realm Strategy for Malahide undertaken by Fingal County Council in 2014. The approved plan for the Village Green resulted from an extensive public consultation process and was designed by Murray and Associates Landscape Architecture and involves a series of public realm improvements, including the installation of new paving, street furniture, re-contouring the open space as well as planting. The Town Plaza to the Green will be enlarged, providing a new urban plaza at the transition space between the village and the Green.

AnnMarie Farrelly, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council spoke about the benefits of the investment to the town and the opportunities that it will provide: “Fingal County Council’s significant investment in this project will greatly enhance the core village area, providing a new and improved space for both residents and visitors to relax and enjoy. The works will strengthen the link between The Green and Malahide village while creating a strong focal point and identity within the village and will also enhance the coastal views that can be enjoyed from the open space.”

“The Green will become a hub for the wider greenway network that is currently under construction. These greenways will provide new infrastructure for residents and visitors to travel around the county via a scenic route and the Village Green in Malahide can be a central point for these travellers.”

The project reflects the important link between the built and natural environment, providing a wonderful redesigned space for people to enjoy both the village and the sea.

The Village Green space in Malahide will help to complement the larger network of greenway walking and cycling infrastructure, such as the Portmarnock-Baldoyle Greenway and the larger Fingal Coastal Way, that is currently under way.

Fingal County Council is delivering an ambitious programme of greenway infrastructure at present. The Fingal Development Plan 2017-2023 aims to promote and facilitate movement to, from and within Fingal, by integrating land use with a high quality, sustainable transport system that prioritises walking, cycling and public transport.

The Village Green in Malahide will be the hub of a larger Greenway network in Fingal as new Greenway projects are set to join the already completed Portmarnock-Baldoyle Greenway.

Planning permission was also granted in May to Fingal County Council for the €12 million Broadmeadow Greenway project which will see the creation of a new greenway that will link Malahide and Donabate across the Broadmeadow estuary. The Greenway will travel from Malahide Castle to Newbridge House through varied and scenic landscapes including demesne and parklands, estuarine landscapes, rural farmlands and village environments with the coastline a constant companion on the journey. It will become a destination greenway for local residents, tourists and day trippers while also playing a role in the developing network of sustainable transport routes in Fingal.

These greenways will form part of the larger Fingal Coastal Way project which will see a 32km greenway built along the Fingal coastline from the Newbridge Demesne in Donabate to the county boundary, north of Balbriggan. Fingal Coastal Way will provide a high quality, safe and environmentally sympathetic coastal walking and cycle route that will connect Newbridge Demesne, Donabate, Rush, Loughshinny, Skerries and Balbriggan. The connection between the other greenways already completed or under works will see a complete greenway route going from the very north of the county into Dublin City itself.

The Village Green can become a hub of economic activity and social gathering place for travellers using these new networks either commuting to work or visiting the county. The Town Plaza, one part of the new Village Green, will be a paved open space and can be used for various cultural and commercial events. This project will provide those possibilities to the residents of Malahide.

Director of Planning and Strategic Infrastructure Matthew McAleese said: “The completion of this project with its improved layout and facilities will add to this popular amenity in the town for everyone to enjoy. This is wonderful new piece of public realm infrastructure will see part of the Public Realm Scheme Strategy for Malahide completed.”

Senior Parks Superintendent Kevin Halpenny said: “The involvement of the local community in the planning and design process for the redevelopment of The Green is a great example of the benefits of local input into public realm projects. The reimagined new space will be a wonderful amenity for the local community to enjoy as well as taking advantage of the redeveloped public amenity for several occasions and events.”