To Whom It May Concern,

I wish to formally object to the proposed rezoning of lands at St. Edmundsbury, Lucan.

Lucan has already experienced substantial residential growth over recent decades and is bearing a disproportionate share of population expansion relative to many other areas of South Dublin County. Further rezoning and development in St. Edmundsbury would place additional pressure on infrastructure, public services, transport networks, and community amenities that are already struggling to meet current demand.

Traffic congestion is one of the most serious concerns. Lucan experiences chronic peak-hour congestion on key routes including the N4, R136, and surrounding local roads. Residents regularly face significant delays accessing work, schools, healthcare services, and public transport. Any substantial increase in housing density or population arising from rezoning will inevitably generate additional vehicle movements and further worsen an already unsustainable situation. The road network in and around Lucan was not designed to accommodate continued large-scale development without significant investment in transport infrastructure.

The area also suffers from poor and inconsistent public transport provision. Despite population growth, public transport services remain overcrowded, unreliable, and vulnerable to delays caused by road congestion. Many residents remain heavily dependent on private cars due to the absence of high-capacity rail infrastructure and insufficient quality public transport alternatives. Proceeding with further development before delivering meaningful transport improvements would be irresponsible and contrary to sustainable planning principles.

There are also serious concerns regarding overdevelopment and population imbalance. Lucan has seen continuous residential expansion while many other parts of Dublin have not experienced equivalent levels of growth. This concentration of development places extraordinary pressure on schools, GP services, childcare facilities, recreational amenities, and community infrastructure. Residents are increasingly finding it difficult to access essential services due to growing demand and inadequate capacity.

Public safety and policing resources represent another significant issue. The community has experienced increasing concerns regarding anti-social behaviour, traffic safety, and general policing visibility. Existing Garda resources are already stretched across a rapidly growing population. Further residential development without corresponding investment in policing and community safety measures risks undermining the quality of life and sense of security for existing and future residents.

The proposed rezoning would also threaten an important wildlife and natural habitat area. Green spaces such as those within and around St. Edmundsbury provide vital ecological value, supporting biodiversity, wildlife corridors, flood mitigation, and natural amenity space for local residents. Once these habitats are lost to development, they cannot easily be restored. Protecting remaining green areas should be a priority given ongoing environmental and climate challenges.

Additionally, further development would increase pressure on drainage systems, water services, healthcare facilities, school places, sports clubs, and other community amenities. There is also a risk that the character of the area, which contributes significantly to Lucan's attractiveness as a place to live, would be permanently altered through excessive densification.

In summary, the rezoning of St. Edmundsbury is premature and inappropriate given the existing challenges relating to traffic congestion, inadequate public transport, overdevelopment, insufficient public services, public safety concerns, and the loss of valuable wildlife habitat. Planning policy should prioritise the protection of existing communities and the delivery of necessary infrastructure before considering any further expansion.

For these reasons, I strongly urge South Dublin County Council to reject the proposed rezoning of St. Edmundsbury, and all other areas close to Lucan.

Yours faithfully,

Ciaran Henry
Personal Information
24/07/2026