Public consultation event on draft masterplan for Dungiven raises concerns

A number of concerns have been raised over a planned public information event to discuss a draft masterplan on the regeneration of Dungiven.

The public information session will be held this evening (Wednesday, July 17) between 5pm and 8pm in Dungiven Sports Centre, Curragh Road.

Representatives from lead architects Hall Black Douglas and McGarry Consulting, along with staff from Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, who commissioned the masterplan, will be in attendance.

Short presentations on the draft masterplan are expected to take place at 6pm and 7pm.   

Key projects included in the masterplan include the development of a digital hub at Main Street. According to the masterplan, rising provision of flexible employment post-pandemic sets the context for a satellite offices, hot desks opportunities and the facilitation of working from home in the local residential community.

A public realm scheme is also included in the masterplan. Priority projects include carrying out remedial works to improve footpaths in the town, particularly around the northern end of the village and improvement works to create a public plaza to the forecourt of Dungiven Castle to facilitate meaningful public space and event space.

Other projects include to improve the gateway to Dungiven and reveal the full potential of Dungiven Castle as access to the Castle Gardens and a backdrop to a village square, improvements works to shopfront facades to address dereliction, improve the overall aesthetics of the village and encourage further investment int he village centre.

Improved signage to ensure Dungiven’s assets are accessible and to improve tourism in the area, improved street lighting and the addition of street planters which could double up as seats and semi-mature planting of trees along the Main Street are also part of the public realm scheme.

While there are currently no plans for relocating the Health Centre at Dungiven, the masterplan states there may be value in considering alternative locations within the town to create a long-term base, which other regeneration elements could be configured around. The consolidation of Health Centre provision with pharmacy and dentist/ physiotherapy facilities as part of a mixed use development towards the northern edge of town 'could potentially protect the longer term sustainability of Dungiven’s local healthcare service'. The masterplan states that the relocation of the Health Centre could also improve the longevity of the Gaelscoil at the site in and adjacent to Dungiven Castle by allowing extension of the school facility into the Health centre site.

Community projects listed within the masterplan include a 4G pitch and clubhouse improvements at St Canice's GAC, playparks at Abbeyfields, Tracey’s Way/ Glenroe, Lackagh Park / Station Road and a community bus/ taxi to Owenbeg Park and Ride Link. Other recommendations include a walking/ fishing trail to Burnfoot along the River Roe, a wellbeing route to and around Owenbeg and a Museum of History.

More signage to promote and encourage more visitors to Benbradagh and more art and promotion of activities in Banagher Glen are also among the proposals in the draft masterplan.

Mairead McCormack, Chief Executive of Glenshane Community Development Ltd, has raised a number of concerns about the information event and the draft masterplan.

She believes the timing of the consultation is not good as it falls during peak holiday time for many people.

She also believes the masterplan doesn't reflect the detail of what came through in the consultations. 

“The key needs are there - digital hub and the public realm but consideration of granite or sandstone pavement surfaces is not mentioned at all, even though that was clearly discussed at the three previous consultations,” she said.

“It also includes a proposal for a new park at the Castle which was never mentioned in any of the consultations which would lead us to fear that these are ideas which the consultant is pushing, rather than listening to what was put forward previously.

“There is also no reference to zoning additional industrial land either and this is much needed as workspace in Dungiven is practically at full occupancy.”

Ms McCormack is also concerned about the lack of progress on the masterplan.

“This will be the fourth consultation, the first being in 2015, with nothing having been delivered,” she continued.

“What is the point in having consultations if they do not listen to what the community say?”

An online survey has also been created to help gather feedback with the survey closing at 5pm on Wednesday, July 31. 

Submissions or queries by email can be sent to liam@mcgarryconsult.com  before 5pm on the same date.

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council have been contacted for comment.