Chibbanagh Planning Statement
Chibbanagh Planning Application – April 2015
Additional Notes
Recreational Developments / Facility Enhancements
The Department is undertaking a series of recreational developments across the Forest Estate which has already included improved car parking arrangements at a number its most popular sites including; Archallagan, Conrhenny, Cringle and South Barrule forests. These improvements are prioritised and based on expressed demand. They also fall in line with the Department’s long term strategy for maximising the recreational potential of the Forest Estate. The new car parks at the other venues have all been well received by the public.
Chibbanagh Plantation is one of the nearest recreational woodlands to Douglas and the main population catchment and is popular for cycling, horse riding, and dog walking. The current informal parking is inadequate and often overcrowded, forcing people to park on the main road.
Separation of activities
Formalising the parking arrangements will allow for separation of activities and will have a number of road safety benefits:
- Provision of space for horse boxes, thus taking horses off the road.
- Improved visibility splays to benefit vehicle drivers accessing and egressing the main entrance
- Re-positioning parking away from the main entrance to benefit visitors, so that children and dogs will be kept away from the fast main road running alongside the plantation.
- A picnic area with signage and interpretation will be separated from the parking area.
