£800,000 plan for Omagh playpark approved, despite ‘grave concerns’

AN £800,000 scheme to transform the play amenities at The Grange in Omagh into a ‘destination playpark’ has been given the green light despite concerns from local residents.

Five people living in the area fear that the development – which will see the existing footprint of the park double in size – may result in increased traffic, including cars, vans and buses.

Officials from the Department for Infrastructure also expressed concerns about the development due to the narrow junction at the entrance to the playpark at Lisanelly Avenue.

But at a planning meeting last week, Fermanagh and Omagh councillors pressed ahead by giving the development approval with conditions, including an the provision of an enhanced crossing point. The council will also be required to move the barrier to its premises at the nearby Grange back as it has encroached on Roads Service property.

Speaking at the meeting, local man, Desmond Preston said that the five residents had ‘grave concerns’ around road safety and infrastructure issues.

He said there could be more problems with vehicles turning at the entrance to the private properties on Lisanelly Avenue, including buses and lorries.

“We are in favour of the playpark going ahead, but it’s just that these issues around safety and infrastructure need to be addressed,” he added.

Mr Preston also expressed concerns about increased traffic congestion around the residents’ properties when the new park is busy.

The meeting heard that work on the main entrance at Lisanelly Avenue would not take place until a separate application for a major road widening scheme to accomodate the Strule Education Campus is decided upon. It has been under consideration for months now, after being deferred by councillors earlier this year.

Planning officer, Darren Lawther, said it was anticipated that pedestrians coming from the town centre would not be walking down Lisanelly Avenue at any point, but would instead enter the park from the main entrance on the Old Mountfield Road.

He added that an improved crossing point would be provided and a fence erected to ensure that pedestrians weren’t walking on the roadway at Lisanelly Avenue.

He said that the council would also following a recommendation by the Department for Infrastructure to monitor the traffic levels when the new playpark becomes operational.

It is expected that work on the new playpark will begin before the end of this financial year.