In pictures: New walking and community trail with cabins, picnic areas and outdoor play proposed for Craigavon

If permission is granted, the community trail will include a 2m-wide permeable pathway, outdoor play, recreation and learning areas, five timber cabins, seating and picnic areas, low-level bollard lighting, landscaping and planting, together with associated access, fencing and site works.

The planning application has been lodged by McGurk Architects, Magherafelt, on behalf of Train 2 Be Smart, a Craigavon charity promoting mental health through sport and physical activity. A Planning statement submitted by the agent outlines the plans as follows: “The proposal seeks to provide an accessible, landscaped recreational and community facility incorporating a walking trail, together with areas for play, exercise, outdoor learning, social interaction and informal recreation.

“The proposed development has been designed to complement the existing school and adjoining recreational facilities, including the neighbouring 3G pitch. The application site comprises an area of open land adjoining Tullygally Primary School and the recently approved 3G pitch. The site is irregular in shape and contains existing grassed areas, trees, hedging and other vegetation. Existing levels vary across the site, and the proposed layout has been designed to work with these levels while providing an accessible pedestrian route through the development.

“The proposal represents an enhancement of the recreational and community use of the lands, rather than the introduction of an unrelated land use. The route has been designed to a maximum gradient of 1:20, with ramped access provided where required. Rest and seating opportunities are distributed throughout the route to provide an inclusive and accessible recreational environment.

“A range of complementary outdoor recreation, community and educational uses are incorporated within the landscaped setting, including inclusive play equipment and outdoor activity areas; outdoor gym equipment; forest school and outdoor learning areas; natural rock garden and stepping-stone features; picnic and social areas; reflection/contemplation areas; seating and rest points; insect/minibeast habitat and school project areas; areas of open green space and wildflower planting; and small timber cabins for outdoor classes and small groups.

“The proposed walking trail and outdoor learning/recreation areas are intended to serve both Tullygally Primary School and the wider community through a controlled access arrangement. During school hours, the facility will be available for use by the school, with the public access points secured to prevent unrestricted public access to the site. This will allow pupils and staff to make use of the walking trail, outdoor learning areas and associated recreational facilities within a controlled environment.

“Outside school hours, the access arrangement will be reversed. The access points connecting the facility with the school grounds will be secured by gates, while the designated public access gates will be opened to provide community access to the walking trail and associated facilities. The proposed cabins are modest, single-storey timber structures with a floor area of approximately 12.04m2 each. Their scale, form and timber finish have been selected to sit comfortably within the landscaped and natural character of the development.

“The proposed development incorporates substantial new native planting and landscaping, helping to reinforce the green character of the site and integrate the recreational elements into their surroundings.”

François Vincent, Local Democracy Reporter