Submission Regarding the Retention of High Amenity (HA-LV) Zoning at St Edmundsbury, Lucan
To: South Dublin County Council
Re: Retention of High Amenity (HA-LV) Zoning for the Lands at St Edmundsbury, Lucan
Dear Sir/Madam,
I wish to make this submission in support of retaining the existing High Amenity – Liffey Valley (HA-LV) zoning on the lands at St Edmundsbury, Lucan, and respectfully oppose any proposal to rezone these lands for residential or additional commercial development.
The lands at St Edmundsbury occupy one of the most environmentally, historically and visually significant locations within the Liffey Valley. Their existing zoning reflects decades of careful planning policy that has recognised the unique landscape value of this section of the valley and its importance within South Dublin County’s Green Infrastructure network. The current County Development Plan clearly states that the purpose of the HA-LV zoning is to protect and enhance the outstanding character and amenity of the Liffey Valley while restricting inappropriate forms of development. This objective remains as relevant today as when it was first adopted. (An Bord Pleanála)
The St Edmundsbury lands form part of an interconnected network of woodland, mature trees, hedgerows, open grassland and ecological corridors extending through the Liffey Valley. The Development Plan specifically identifies the area as an important Green Infrastructure asset and contains objectives to preserve existing woodland and hedgerows, improve ecological connectivity with Lucan Demesne and enhance public amenity rather than facilitate urban expansion. Rezoning these lands would undermine these long-established objectives and diminish the integrity of one of the county’s most important landscape assets. (SDCC)
Equally significant is the heritage value of St Edmundsbury. The lands contain protected structures and form part of the historic designed landscape associated with St Patrick’s Hospital. Their setting contributes substantially to the cultural heritage of Lucan and the wider Liffey Valley. The preservation of historic landscapes requires protection not only of individual buildings but also of their surrounding open landscapes, views and spatial character. Once these relationships are compromised through development, they cannot be recreated.
The environmental importance of the site also extends beyond its visual appearance. The Liffey Valley functions as a significant biodiversity corridor supporting habitats, wildlife movement and ecosystem services within an increasingly urbanised county. Maintaining continuous areas of open land is essential for climate resilience, flood attenuation, carbon storage and urban cooling. At a time when national and local policy increasingly recognises the importance of protecting natural infrastructure, reducing the extent of designated high amenity land would represent a step backwards.
While Ireland undoubtedly faces a significant housing challenge, this challenge should not be addressed by sacrificing lands specifically protected for their environmental and amenity value. The National Planning Framework promotes compact growth while recognising the need to safeguard strategic environmental assets. South Dublin County Council has identified substantial existing residential capacity elsewhere within the county, and housing delivery should continue to prioritise appropriately zoned lands, regeneration opportunities, brownfield sites and locations supported by existing infrastructure. The existence of housing need does not in itself justify the loss of irreplaceable landscape assets. (South Dublin Council Meetings)
Furthermore, permitting residential development on lands that have consistently been protected for decades would create an undesirable planning precedent. High Amenity zoning is intended to provide certainty that exceptional landscapes will remain protected in the long term. If such protections can be removed whenever development pressure arises, confidence in the Development Plan and the integrity of the planning system is significantly weakened.
The retention of the existing HA-LV zoning also aligns with broader public interests. The Liffey Valley represents one of the defining landscape features of Lucan and South Dublin County. Open landscapes, heritage assets and biodiversity provide lasting benefits to existing and future generations that cannot be replaced once urban development occurs. As Dublin continues to grow, the value of preserving these rare green landscapes within the metropolitan area becomes increasingly important.
For these reasons, I respectfully request that South Dublin County Council retain the existing High Amenity (HA-LV) zoning on the lands at St Edmundsbury and reject any proposal to rezone the site for residential or additional commercial development. Protecting these lands is consistent with the objectives of the County Development Plan, supports biodiversity and climate resilience, preserves the historic landscape of the Liffey Valley and ensures that one of Lucan’s most significant natural assets remains intact for future generations.
Yours faithfully,
Colin Bond