The Best Residential Project Award (Biodiversity) has been awarded to CSR for the Mariavilla development in Maynooth by Cairn Homes plc. Mariavilla consists of over 350 homes now built across a number of new neighbourhoods to the north of Maynooth. Ongoing development will see further new homes in the maturing and attractive landscape.
Maynooth is a well established university town characterised by its historic buildings, demesnes and rolling parkland landscapes. The site is located a short distance from the town centre on the Lyreen River which forms a central corridor of green infrastructure through the site. The wooded river valley is connected along with retained historic hedgerows and field boundaries which structure the site into a series of neighbourhoods with small local parks associated with the retained hedgerows forming a necklace of linked green routes through the site.
A new road, Lyreen Ave, has been built along the river valley forming a green movement corridor through the centre of the site - a wide tree lined avenue with dedicated cycle lanes and generous footpaths, eventually crosses the river valley over a new bridge, to the south. All residents live a short walk from an attractive green space with amenities and nature provided in abundance.
The scheme is characterised by natural, simple, cost effective and robust materials, used well. Retained trees create maturity and those felled on site, sculpted to create incidental features in social spaces and play areas. Planting was selected for ecological value, naturalistic character and biodiversity value.
The integration of sustainable drainage (using existing ditches, new basins, swales, porous driveways), the preservation of existing natural features (river corridor, streams, trees, and hedgerows), and the provision of new ecological features (bat and bird boxes, meadows, and hedgerows) ensures the parkland landscape that provides so much value to the wider setting of Maynooth is carried throughout the new neighbourhoods for people and wildlife to share.
In places information boards throughout the site, explain the rationale for the design and management of these areas and allow people time to absorb and adjust to a new way of perceiving and experiencing public spaces,.
The award recognises that with careful master planning for scheme layout, responsive landscape design and a proactive client and implementation team, biodiversity, sustainability and quality living places can be delivered in our new urban environments.
"We have been using the services of CSR extensively for the last five years on numerous residential developments and have always been hugely impressed with the team's professionalism and resourcefulness. They have always provided us with excellent quality advice and output. Senior team members are always easily accessible, which is very important to us. The team have the experience and expertise necessary to provide effective guidance to us in all situations." - Compass Homes Ltd
“In Glenveagh’s experience the quality of CSR’s work has been excellent. This is particularly true for their attention to detail which has been paramount on a number of projects on which we have partnered together including large-scale public tenders."
CSR is pleased to announce that planning approval has been granted for a new adventure activity course by Zipit Forest Adventures Ltd at Rossmore Forest Park, Co. Monaghan. As planning consultants on this project, and others for Zipit, we are proud to support this exciting development that promises to bring unique outdoor experiences to the area. The development includes zip lines, net courses, tubing and other outdoor activities, designed to complement the natural landscape of Ireland’s most visited forest park. This project highlights CSR’s commitment to enhancing outdoor recreation and supporting community-focused developments across Ireland.
Read moreCunnane Stratton Reynolds is delighted to announce the promotion of Conor Healy to Associate Director in our Cork office. Since joining in August 2023, Conor has contributed significantly to a wide range of projects across the residential, commercial, educational, retail and sporting sectors. With over a decade of experience in Ireland and the UK, he brings strong strategic planning skills and a proven track record in securing planning consent. In his new role, Conor will continue to support the growth of our planning services, bringing fresh ideas and a commitment to excellence to projects throughout the country.
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