THE ongoing village design work at Julianstown is to get a major boost this February with the arrival of over 20 students from Queens University Belfast.

The students, from the faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering have chosen the village for project work they are doing on a module entitled 'Landscape and Village Design'.

The Heritage Council's Planning Officer Alison Harvey, (a past student of QUB) advised QUB to base their project in Julianstown.

The course is designed to explore the relationship between landscape and built form, within the context of the environmental and community sustainability debate.

It focuses on issues that are widespread in contemporary rural Ireland, including: small settlement design; the relationship with landscape context; sustainable village environments; and appropriate building design.

As Julianstown village has been chosen to take part in a national pilot programme on village design, ( VDS), a programme funded by the Heritage Council it was seen as the perfect focal point for the students.

'It really is a wonderful opportunity for the committee members' explained Emer Dolphin, Chairperson of the Julianstown Residents Association ( JDRA).

' There is already a major body of work and research in existence so the students can really hit the ground running and take time to meet with committee members and the community'.

It is yet another milestone moment for all those involved with the project.

As the process gains further momentum it has been agreed that a public consultation meeting will take place on March 25th at the Julianstown Inn.

'This will give us the chance to officially present our findings and outline the recommendations we believe will make Julianstown a sustainable and pleasant place to live and do business in', explained Alma Jordan-Delany PRO for the group.

'It is also worth noting that the findings we intend to present are not final nor by any means 'set in stone', all those in attendance will be encouraged to contribute their own thoughts on the future design and development of the village'.