Chapter: MA St. Edmundsbury
Topic: MA6.1
I, support the elected councillors' decision to reject the proposed residential rezoning of the lands at St. Edmundsbury and to retain their existing High Amenity (HA-LV) zoning.
Ireland needs more homes, as does South Dublin. However our County already has sufficient zoned land to cover several years construction. What is actually in short supply in South Dublin is greenspace and lands that are preserved for biodiversity and nature. Without these, the dwellings that we hope to build throughout the County cannot be homes and South Dublin will not be an attractive or sustainable place to live. The lands at St Edmundsbury are zoned High Amenity for this reason. They are an amenity for the county, and the region and are part of the infrastructure that will makes it possible for the County to prosper while growing.
Our 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. As a result, there is no planning necessity to remove the existing High Amenity (HA-LV) zoning from the St. Edmundsbury lands.
The Liffey Valley is part of the green lung for the Dublin region. If we lose this, we will lose a contiguous green area stretching from Islandbridge to Straffan. Building on St Edmundsbury would break this green thread which is a haven for nature and biodiversity. We should, respect the democratic decision of the elected members, and ensure that High Amenity land is not lost where there is no demonstrated strategic need to do so.
Maintaining the High Amenity zoning is therefore consistent with the principles of proper planning and sustainable development by balancing environmental protection with the provision of sufficient land for housing in appropriate locations.
For these reasons, I respectfully ask that the elected members' decision be upheld and that the existing High Amenity zoning at St. Edmundsbury be retained.
Yours sincerely
Justin Byrne
Address: Personal Information