By Alan Healy
A Derry park is set to undergo a major transformation after ambitious plans were lodged which would see a futuristic ‘solar dome’ built on a derelict area of the site.
The proposals would see a renovation of the existing historic walled garden to the rear of St Columb’s Park House, and entail a new formal garden and lawn being put in place alongside a new piece of public art.
New railings, entrance gates and pillars will also be erected.
The plans also include ambitious proposals for an overhaul of an area of land at the park which has lain derelict for a number of years.
The vacant land, which houses a former helipad, had been earmarked by Derry’s council as the site of a proposed camper-van site which would have accommodated visitors to the city during the City of Culture celebrations in 2013.
Those plans were shelved after local councillors voted against the proposals following opposition from residents of Browning Drive and the Limavady Road.
However, the vacant site is now set to be transformed into a community education facility and acorn farm, the centrepiece of which would be a 20-metre high transparent ‘solar dome’.
The solar dome would be the focal point of a new acorn farm, which would also see a new outdoor classroom and amphitheatre.
In addition, there will be a number of smaller solar domes, polytunnels and a growing area at the acorn farm site.
The plans also include a pig sty close to the boundary of the site.
Popular
The use of solar domes as educational facilities is becoming increasingly popular, as they provide what their manufacturers describe as ‘unique outdoor classroom environments which stimulate creativity and bring learning alive’.
The ambitious plans were first mooted earlier this year, after it emerged that over £370,000 of external funding has been secured to date for the project from Peace IV, which will be used to complete the regeneration of the historic walled garden.
However, the wider details of the proposal have now emerged after the plans were lodged earlier this month with Derry City and Strabane District Council, who are also the applicant.
The plans are expected to come before a meeting of the council’s Planning Committee.
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