By Maura Fay

maura.fay@meathpost.com

Plans to build a children’s playground at the Porchfields in Trim have been sharply criticised by a Trim public representative.

Councillor Phil Cantwell said it was the location of the playground and not the playground itself that he had strong objections to. He said Meath County Council had bought the Porchfields several years ago to protect the land against development and now they were seeking to build a playground and car park on the site.

He said the Porchfields was an area of great sensitivity and said Meath County Council had not carried out an Environmental Impact Statement on the proposed location for the playground.

Cllr Cantwell said he feared that if a car park was built on the Porchfields it would be a stepping stone to allow the Council build a park and ride facility or development on the site.

He described the Porchfields as an important part of Trim Heritage, adding that the Council should not build a playground near the busy Trim ring road. He also said the Council had not offered any alternative locations for the playgrounds.

The playground is currently going through a Part VIII planning application whereby Meath County Council is seeking approval to go ahead with the building of it from councillors.

Cllr Cantwell said it was important the playground was built in the right location as a Part VIII planning decision cannot be appealed to Bord Pleanála.

Trim Area councillors met yesterday (Monday) morning to discuss the playground.