Dunfield residents demand ‘alternative vision’

Planners who gave the green light to a social housing development in front of Dunfield Terrace are being urged to consider an ‘alternative vision’ for the Waterside quarry site.

Among the ideas being put forward for the area is the return of the land to public ownership so that it can be returned to park land with seating allowing residents and visitors to the area an uninterrupted panorama of the River Foyle and the Cityside.

Residents said they also wanted to create a safe space for wildlife and native or visiting birds.

Chairmwoman of the Dunfield Residents’ Association, Felicity McCall, said: “The Dunfield Residents, their elected representatives and support network are calling on the Planning authority to consider an alternative vision for the future development of the Old Quarry site in the Waterside.

“The Residents have found that the site is no longer zoned for housing but as an area of opportunity, so at our next meeting with the planners on Friday 4th October, we will present our vision for the wonderful opportunity for empathic future development the site offers. We will be calling on the all party support we have in Council to consider returning the site to public ownership, and the development of the area as an urban meadow, complete with seats, viewpoints, paths and flowerbeds, conserving the ancient trees and maintaining a safe habitat for the birds and wildlife.”

She continued: “It will be included in tourism trails as the only accessible viewpoint in walking distance from the city side; it’ll also provide an ideal natural amphitheatre and backdrop for the arts, from sculptures by Jim Hughes to live performances. Charities and environmental groups are there for us if the site comes into public ownership.

“Two weeks’ unofficial notice is woefully inadequate to have detailed plans in place but we have made a solid start. We have huge support from across the city, as this is a city-wide issue, and from all parties in Council, and our champions include the Project Coordinator with the City Walls Heritage Project, Mark Lusby, and Ross McGill of Sustrans.

“The Planners have for the first time in many years recommended approval of the developers’ application, largely, we understand, because the current application by Foyleview Builders is, for the first time, for social housing,” she said, continuing: “The Residents appreciate the urgent need for more social housing provision in the Waterside and support any programme that will reduce waiting lists: But the Council has confirmed it owns a number of much more suitable suites zoned for social housing in the area, at Top if the Hill and at Caw, and has indicated these can be made available.”

In the attached video Felicity spells out how she and other residents feel about the quarry face to the front of their homes.