I wish to make this submission in support of the decision of the elected members of South Dublin County Council not to proceed with the proposed residential rezoning of the lands at St. Edmundsbury, Lucan, under Proposed Variation No. 2 to the South Dublin County Development Plan 2022-2028. I respectfully request that the existing High Amenity (HA-LV) zoning for these lands is retained. 

I fully recognise the importance of delivering new homes in South Dublin, particularly social and affordable homes, and I support the Council in ensuring that sufficient land is available to meet national housing requirements. However, housing delivery should be directed to appropriate and sustainable locations. In my view, St. Edmundsbury is not the correct location for residential rezoning, particularly where the Council has already identified sufficient residential capacity elsewhere. 

The St. Edmundsbury lands form part of the wider Liffey Valley landscape and make an important contribution to biodiversity, ecological connectivity, Green Infrastructure, visual amenity and the distinctive character of the valley. The lands also provide an important green setting and buffer between developed areas and sensitive natural habitats. Once High Amenity zoning is removed, it is extremely difficult to restore, and the cumulative loss of such land can have significant long-term consequences. 

The South Dublin County Development Plan identifies the Liffey Valley as an important landscape and Green Infrastructure asset. Planning decisions should remain consistent with the adopted County Development Plan unless there is a clear and compelling planning justification for departing from it. In this instance, I do not believe such a justification has been demonstrated. 

Retaining the current High Amenity zoning would therefore achieve a more balanced and sustainable planning outcome. It would allow housing targets to be met through more suitable lands, while protecting one of the County’s most important environmental and landscape assets for current and future generations. 

For these reasons, I respectfully request that the elected members’ decision be upheld and that the existing High Amenity (HA-LV) zoning at St. Edmundsbury, Lucan, remains unchanged.