Tenders are currently being sought for a development feasibility study on Knocknagree village, North Cork Fine Gael Councillor John Paul O’Shea has said.
A service provider is being sought to conduct a development feasibility study on the village to maximise the potential of the ‘Fairfield’ and Community Hall through further development and to explore potential options with regard to future developments including a recreational walk, playground, crèche, sheltered housing and bio diversity projects.
Cllr. O’Shea welcomed the proposal to carry out the study and said the project should provide an accurate realisation of what can be achieved out of potential sites and facilities.
In conjunction with IRD Duhallow and the Department of Geography in Mary Immaculate College in Limerick in 2017, Knocknagree Community Group undertook two surveys – a Rural Vibrancy survey and a Community Engagement survey. The aim of these surveys was to identify specific areas that are in need of improvement and how vital local services and amenities can be sustained and developed.
Perceived Issues in Knocknagree include the need for amenities for youth and elderly, employment and housing, lack of proper meeting facilities, broadband, keeping the school open and developing services (shop and post office, public transport). The key findings were to concentrate on youth and families, quality of life, connectivity and to develop unique features (for example culture capital) rather than competing and doing what other villages have done.
Cllr. O’Shea said Knocknagree is similar to many other communities in rural Ireland in that it is experiencing population decline. He said the development feasibility study would explore ways in which to limit and reverse this trend, by developing a detailed ‘future proof’ plan for the village so that as a community it has adequate facilities and amenities that can cater for all age groups and therefore ensure the sustainability of the existing population and enticement of new families into the community.
The tender deadline receipt date is Friday, June 7th 2019.
