WEXFORD CO. Council has announced plans for the development of a large new neighbourhood park, costing an estimated €1.5m, for Wexford town, with the purchase of the lands for the public amenity at an advanced stage.

The 18-acre park is to be located at Killeens, Wexford, close to the site of the proposed new Loreto secondary school.

Following the announcement, Mayor of Wexford, Cllr. George Lawlor welcomed the development, saying the new public park would be a “welcome and significant addition” to the amenities of Wexford Town and District.

He said: “I am delighted to be able to confirm the development of this new public park for the enjoyment of the people of Wexford and the surrounding area. The population of Wexford is increasing rapidly as evidenced by the most recent census and it is essential that Wexford Co. Council, as the primary provider of public services in Wexford, continually invests in the amenities of our county, ensuring they are developed and expanded to keep pace with the growing needs of the community.”

Wexford County Council Chief Executive Tom Enright described the new neighbourhood park as an important and much needed public amenity: “The provision of a large, high quality neighbourhood park at this strategic location will complement and add value to the new Loreto School to be built close by, and provide an important balance to the relatively high housing density in the area and will act as a strong focal point in the development of the surrounding community.”

He added that is was an opportune time to invest in public open space as land prices were at a relatively low level but would not remain so in the face of renewed housing demand.

“It is also important to plan for the future and to have public amenities at the centre of future development and not pushed out to the margins.”

Mr. Enright confirmed that the Council still intends to develop a public amenity on the site of the former landfill at Carcur once environmental mitigation measures have been agreed with the EPA.

The 18-acre park at Killeens will offer a range of amenities to be developed over time. The development cost of the park is estimated at €1.5m. The planning process for the park is due to commence in the coming weeks and will involve a public consultation process. It is hoped that construction works will commence in 2016.