Ref: 
Support for omission of Ref no. 3.
I strongly support the decision of the elected members of South Dublin County Council not to proceed with the proposed residential rezoning of the lands at Finnstown castle, Lucan, under Proposed Variation No. 2 to the South Dublin County Development Plan 2022–2028.
SDCC has a responsibility to ensure there is sufficient land available to meet Government housing targets under the revised National Planning Framework (NPF). I fully support that objective.
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. Because of this, there is no planning necessity to rezone the lands at Finnstown Castle in order to comply with national housing policy.
These lands make a highly important contribution to the ecology, ancient landscape, biodiversity, Green Infrastructure and the visual amenity of Finnstown and the greater South Lucan/Adamstown area.
For these reasons, I respectfully ask that the elected members' decision be upheld and that amendment ref no.3 be removed.
In addition I and fellow residents would like to propose a view of what we would like for the grounds of Finnstown castle to become. We propose to have an SLO added now or to the next County Development Plan. We suggest that SDCC pursue taking the lands of Finnstown Castle into public ownership with a view to extending Tandy’s Lane Park facilities for the residents of Adamstown and Lucan. This would provide a connected green space from Lucan to Adamstown and additional Park facilities for the increased rezoning in Adamstown. Our vision of the grounds are outlined overleaf.
Ref: 
Support for omission of Ref no. 6.
I strongly support 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.
SDCC has a responsibility to ensure there is sufficient land available to meet Government housing targets under the revised National Planning Framework (NPF). I fully support that objective.
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. Because of this, 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, at this point.
These lands make a highly important contribution to the ecology, ancient landscape, biodiversity, Green Infrastructure and the visual amenity of the greater Liffey Valley. Once High Amenity zoning is removed, it is extremely difficult to restore.
For these reasons, I respectfully ask that the elected members' decision be upheld and that the existing High Amenity zoning remain unchanged.
I strongly endorse the amendment requiring the DART+ South West rail service—or an equivalent transit option—to be fully operational prior to major housing development. This change greatly strengthens the proposal by guaranteeing that crucial public transport is ready before new residents arrive. Communities in Lucan and Adamstown have long endured rapid population growth without matching infrastructure. Insisting that the rail service be fully functioning, rather than just started, ensures reliable sustainable transport for the area. Overall, this amendment aligns with the core principles of proper planning, sustainable transit, and climate action, and it should be kept as is.
I strongly support the additional Specific Local Objectives inserted by the elected members for the Adamstown South & West (Outer) Strategic Development Area.
This area represents one of the largest potential future growth areas within South Dublin County. It is therefore essential that the planning framework recognises that large-scale residential development must be accompanied by the delivery of the infrastructure and public services required to create a sustainable community.
The additional Specific Local Objectives strengthen the Development Plan by recognising the need to plan for:
- A new Garda station and community policing facilities to serve the growing population.
- Additional healthcare infrastructure, including provision for future primary healthcare services.
- A swimming pool and leisure facilities to meet the recreational needs of existing and future residents.
- Strategic road infrastructure to support future development and improve connectivity.
- Enhanced public transport infrastructure, including DART+ South West, Luas and wider strategic transport improvements.
Community facilities and supporting social infrastructure necessary to create a balanced and sustainable community. These objectives do not prevent development. Instead, they ensure that future growth is properly planned and that essential public infrastructure is recognised within the Development Plan from the outset.
As Adamstown continues to expand residents should not continue to have to wait years or decades for the delivery of facilities that are fundamental to creating a complete community. Including these objectives within the Development Plan provides a stronger policy framework for securing the investment required as development progresses.