Northwoods to be replanted
mayo |
environment |
press release 
Wednesday April 19, 2006 00:38
by Keith Martin- Councillor - Westport Town Council
6 years after petition was taken up Northwoods to be replanted
6 years after Keith Martin began campaigning for the replanting of the Northwoods area Westport Town Council confirms it will begin works in the area in May.
Cllr Keith Martin has also welcomed the news that the replanting of the Northwoods will go ahead this November.
Cllr Martin says he "can assure the council that there has been full consultation on this matter. I spent the day at the Leisure Park for the consultation meeting and I serve as the Pairc Na Coille Representative on the Northwoods Neighbouring Consultation Committee.
"It is over 6 years since I took up a petition to have the Northwoods replanted. And I welcome the commitment made here today to begin works in May and June and for planting to begin in November at the latest.
"The upgrading of the pavements will be most welcome as will any appropriate signage. What was made clear to me at the consultation in November 2005 was that no-one wants any more furniture in the woods.
"Benches and seating are being used as locations for anti social behaviour. The general consensus is that it should be removed altogether and not expanded on.
"I want to note the work put into this project by Simon Wall and Peter Gill and I look forward to the conclusion of this on-going sore-point by the end of this year."
Councillor Keith Martin, Labour member of Westport Town Council, has warmly welcomed the announcement of the approval of the town's application for grant aid under the Neighbour Wood Scheme. The grant has been approved by the Dept of Agriculture and the Forestry Service. The scheme supports the establishment or development, by local authorities, of woodlands in or near centres of population for the purpose of public enjoyment and recreation.
The grant will go towards the replanting of the Northwoods area of the woodland between Pinewoods and the New Road. The grant application was a joint application between Westport Town Council and the committee set up by local residents who estates neighbour the woodland of which Keith Martin is a member.
Cllr Martin says "I welcome this news as will all those who have been involved in getting the area replanted. I was on the original committee which brought this proposal to the council and I am delighted to see it approved. A major condition of the grant is the involvement of the neighbouring estates in the replanting of the woodland and we are all eager to see new trees going in as soon as it is suitable for planting."
Cllr Martin has been a campaigning for the replanting of the area for several years beginning with a petition he took up in 1999 protesting about the re-development of the Northwoods area. The re-planting of the Northwoods has been an on-going issue ever since. Cllr Martin concludes "I am delighted with the announcement of the grant approval, it means a lot to me personally and to my neighbours on the Newport Road. We have a wonderful opportunity now to plan and plant a woodland area that will serve as a recreational and community asset for the entire town for many years to come."