SOUTHSIDERS have been reminded that time is running out for them to have their say on the future of the historic Fernhill Gardens in Stepaside.
Local public representatives have pointed out that the closing date for receipt of submissions or observations is Tuesday, January 31.
Fernhill is a former substantial family residence with ancillary buildings located on 34 hectares that includes gardens, parkland, woodland and agricultural land overlooking Dublin Bay.
The estate was acquired by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council in 2015 with the intention of developing it into a regional public park.
Minister Shane Ross (Ind) has welcomed the prospect of public engagement on the development of Fernhill Park and Gardens.
“I strongly encourage people to participate in the public consultation around the design and development of the estate,” he said. “We have a wonderful opportunity to create something very special for the locality. People should make sure to engage with the process so that their voice is heard.”
In 2014, Minister Ross had praised the decision of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council to purchase Fernhill.
“The people of this part of the Southside desperately need a public park and I always believed that the historic estate needed to be protected from developers,” he stated.
Commenting on the proposed development, Cllr Deirdre Donnelly (Ind) added: “I was delighted to be present when the council acquired the house and gardens in 2015 and I am very excited about the proposed design and development of the property.
“This amenity, once opened, will be a welcome addition to the county given its history and heritage, beautiful landscapes, walkways and much more. It will attract large numbers of visitors not just from Dún Laoghaire Rathdown but outside the county as well
“I would ask members of the public and all interested parties to go online to find out more and have their say.
“These grounds have been purchased for the people of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown and it is only right that they have an input into the final design of the estate.”
Independent councillor Kevin Daly said he was pleased to see the council progressing with the Fernhill Gardens online public consultation process.
“We can now move to the next stage, and bring us all closer to having this wonderful amenity open to the public,” he said.
“I would urge members of the public to go online and make a submission.”
Fernhill House and Gardens form an important component of the historic landscape on the fringe of Dublin City.
It is considered an impressive example of a small estate dating back to around 1723.
Historic records indicate that the estate gardens and an arboretum were established in the 1860s, and extended towards the turn of the 19th century with the inclusion of a number of water features, rockeries and a collection of many unusual Rhododendron varieties.
The general design is said to have been strongly influenced by the Irish ‘naturalist’ gardener William Robinson (1838–1935), who spurred the movement that evolved into the English Cottage Garden style.
Further improvements during the mid-20th century to the walks involved additional topographical features and upgrading of the information on the plant collections, which facilitated the opening of the gardens to the general public.
It is now the opinion that the historic natural character of the site presents an opportunity for developing a unique public amenity, not only to serve the residents of the county and surrounding region, but also to become a prime visitor attraction in close proximity to Dublin and the Wicklow Mountains National Park.
The closing date for receipt of submissions or observations is Tuesday, January 31.
More information is available at: http://www.dlrcoco.ie/en/parks-outdoors/fernhill-park-and-gardens