I, Amit Ahuja, wish to express my support for the elected members' decision to retain the existing High Amenity zoning at St. Edmundsbury by rejecting the proposed residential rezoning of these lands.

The St. Edmundsbury lands form part of the wider Liffey Valley landscape and make an important contribution to rich biodiversity, visual amenity and the County's Green Infrastructure network. They help maintain the distinctive character & ecology of the valley and provide an important green setting, between existing developed areas.

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. As a result, there is no planning necessity to remove the existing High Amenity (HA-LV) zoning from the St. Edmundsbury lands in order to comply with national housing policy.

Retaining these lands also avoids the cumulative loss of green space in the Lucan area and protects an important environmental asset for future generations. The gradual erosion of High Amenity land through individual rezoning decisions can have significant long-term consequences for landscape character and ecological connectivity. The Liffey Valley itself is home to ancient woodlands and ancient ecosystems dependent on them, and the more buffer we can give around these areas, the better.

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.

Signature: Amit Ahuja

Address: Personal Information