Observations for MA for Variation 2 of SDCC Development Plan

I fully support that there is no bulk purchase of any residential developments to allow individuals and families to purchase a home. 

I strongly support MA6.1 and the removal of the proposal to rezone the lands at St. Edmundsbury, Lucan. 

• St. Edmundsbury SHOULD NOT be rezoned for residential development as this land is part of the green corridor leading into the Liffey Valley Strategic Amenity (SAA).
• This green connection is essential for safeguarding biodiversity, landscape value and public amenity in the wider Liffey Valley.
• This land is one of the remaining open green, agricultural spaces along the Liffey Valley, home to established ecosystems and should be purchased by the state to safeguard it for future generations. Allowing these spaces to be replaced with concrete would be a tragic disservice to those who come after us.
• The land supports a diverse wildlife habitat including species protected under Irish & EU Law. We all saw during COVID how vital accessible open space was for physical and mental wellbeing.
• The land is adjacent to the Lucan Road which is already blocked daily with traffic heading to and through Lucan Village. This road can’t cope with any additional traffic.
• There are multiple protected species living and thriving in St. Edmundsbury and they need to be protected. All of the building and development in Lucan and Adamstown has already driven wildlife out of their habitats, this can't be allowed to happen again.

• Woodland nearest the main road was carefully planted in the 18th Century. In other areas of Ireland the government is paying landowners to plant and maintain woodland, it doesn't make sense to remove this established woodland.