By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Municipal District Council meeting
Enniscorthy Municipal District Council members expressed unanimous support for the Turret Rocks masterplan presented by Senior Executive Architect and Special Projects at Wexford County Council, Shay Howell at the monthly meeting held in the Council Chamber at the Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy, this morning.
The 8.24 hectares site at Killagoley on the eastern side of the River Slaney will feature 50 housing units – 15 affordable two-storey houses and 35 two-storey social units (houses and apartments) – and 14 metres of two-way roadway, paths and cycles lanes.
The site will feature a biodiversity area, wildlife corridors, community centre, skatepark, parking, and a pavilion style tea house designed to honour the heritage of the former ‘Coffee House’ at Turret Rocks. There will also be an outdoor auditorium like the Ballykeeffe amphitheatre in Co. Kilkenny!
The site will share two grass pitches, an Astroturf field, and a tennis court under the auspices of the Wexford Football League.
The project received the full support of the councillors. “Great news for the town, especially the eastern side. It is very ambitious, I welcome the houses and the safe route to the town,” said Cllr Aidan Browne, who questioned; “Where is the funds coming from?”
Cllr Jackser Owens welcomed the project. “It is fantastic for the far side of town. 50 houses is a massive number and the soccer is positive. I support it 100%. It is a great venture.”
Cllr Pat Kehoe said it was a great boost for the eastern side of the town. He would have liked more houses built on the site, but he promised his support.
Cathaoirleach Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy was anxiously to push quickly for the Part X1 and suggested to avail of all grants possible.
Surveys will be finished in 8-10 weeks, after which a Part X1 application is planned to start phase one. There were no mention of cost and securing funding remains a key challenge.
Gone forever is a previous proposal to operate a cable car from the Turret Rocks to Enniscorthy Castle!!!
WexfordLocal.com 