I support retaining St Edmundsbury as high amenity lands for the following reasons;

Compliance with the National Planning Framework- enhance amenity, preserve heritage, transition to a climate resilient society - which this summer is surely demonstrating to us all is increasingly important and we can’t keep avoiding making hard decisions for the sake of the planet, and future generations of Lucanians, and humanity. 

Compliance with NPF; green infrastructure aligns with NPFs focus on biodiversity, climate action, natural capital.

Development would sever ecological corridors and damage the landscapes integrity. 

The NPF emphasises the importance of high-quality "sense of place" and community well being and this plot of land, and all that it entails is a crucial part of that. 

I urge the council to stay strong in the knowledge and belief that preserving St Ed’s is the right thing to do for Lucan, for Dublin and beyond. 

I note that the NTA have indicated they have no objections to the development of housing, and I urge the council to not give that too much weight. It is my firm belief that whilst it would be convenient for the NTA to see housing developed in an area adjacent to the village, and well served already with buses, as they would have very little to do, it would not serve locals well at all. Buses are already beyond capacity, with no substantial improvements on the horizon, the commuting time to the city centre has grown extensively over the past decade and adding more housing along this route would only have a detrimental impact, never mind on the horrendous congestion in Lucan village. 

So for both the massive environmental benefits by retaining St Ed’s as it is, and to avoid having a negative impact on both the village, and those commuting through / by the area, I urge the council to retain the existing High Amenity zoning, and to not now, nor ever, rezone the land to residential.