I write to you with the strongest support of the decision reached by the elected members of South Dublin County Council not to proceed with the proposed residential rezoning of the lands at Finnstown Castle, Lucan, under Proposed Variation No. 2 to the South Dublin County Development Plan 2022–2028
The value of such a historic site and its green space is far more beneficial to the residents of Lucan than trying to add a few more houses into an unsuitable site.
These lands make a highly important contribution to the ecology, ancient landscape, biodiversity, Green Infrastructure and the visual amenity of Finnstown and the greater South Lucan/Adamstown area.
The level of development that has already taken place, or is in progress, in the area of Lucan and nearby surrounds is unprecedented in any other area of South Dublin, or any part of Dublin.
The volume of homes already delivered and still in progress as part of Clonburris provides more than the fair share towards the allocations required to be absorbed by Lucan.
SDCC has a responsibility to ensure there is sufficient land available to meet Government housing targets under the revised National Planning Framework (NPF).
The Council's own figures show that the revised National Planning Framework (NPF) baseline housing requirement has already been met. The overall package of proposed rezonings provides approximately 30% more residential capacity than the Government's baseline requirement. Because of this, there is no planning necessity to rezone the lands at Finnstown Castle in order to comply with national housing policy.
The impact of any attempts to rezone have been outlined as damaging to the residents in the area as well as unnecessary with the volume of surrounding developments in progress and already planned.
Omitting Ref No.3 entirely and leaving Finnstown Castle as-is must remain in place.
For these reasons, I respectfully ask that the elected members' decision be upheld and that amendment ref no.3 be removed.