I wish to support Material Alteration MA 6.1 and respectfully ask the Council to retain the omission of the residential rezoning of St. Edmundsbury.
I recognise that Ireland urgently needs additional housing, and I fully support the development of appropriate sites to help address the housing shortage. However, I do not believe that every remaining green space should be developed, particularly one that is as significant to Lucan as St. Edmundsbury.
St. Edmundsbury is one of the last remaining substantial green spaces in the area. It provides an important habitat for wildlife, flora and fauna, contributes to biodiversity and offers local residents a place to walk, exercise and enjoy nature. Access to natural spaces plays an important role in physical and mental wellbeing and becomes even more valuable as communities continue to grow.
The area is also an important part of Lucan’s history, heritage and identity. It is a distinctive landscape that contributes to the character of the village. Once this land is developed, it cannot be restored to its current state. Future generations deserve the opportunity to experience this unique environment rather than losing another irreplaceable green space.
While the NTA notes that the site has access to public transport, my own experience is that transport services in Lucan are already under considerable pressure during peak times. It is not uncommon for several buses to pass without stopping because they are already full, meaning residents can experience lengthy waits before being able to board. This suggests that existing infrastructure should be carefully considered before additional large-scale housing is introduced in the area.
I would also ask that consideration be given to whether local infrastructure and services can accommodate further significant development alongside the need to protect biodiversity and the character of the area.
I respectfully ask the Council to retain St. Edmundsbury as protected open land and to support the proposed Material Alteration removing the residential rezoning. Housing is essential, but so too is preserving the natural, historical and cultural places that make Lucan unique. Once these places are lost, they cannot be replaced.
Lucan has grown significantly over many years, and while I welcome appropriate development, it is equally important that the community retains places that connect people with nature, local history and the unique character of the area. Development should enhance a community, not gradually remove the spaces that make it special.