I, Alan O’Neill, am writing to formally support the proposal to retain the lands at St. Edmunsbury as high amenity lands.

I have lived in Lucan for 44 years and I strongly oppose the proposed rezoning of the St. Edmundsbury lands, which are currently zoned High Amenity and perform a critical role in maintaining the character, biodiversity, heritage, and environmental quality of the area, especially given that it is directly adjacent to the Special Amenity Area of the Liffey Valley.

The lands include very old woodlands with mature oaks and beeches and include Protected Structures and are rich in biodiversity and wildlife.

This site is integral to the green corridor, feeding into the Liffey Valley Strategic Amenity Area (SAAO) and should not be rezoned for residential or any other use, except to be added to the SAAO.

Residential or other non-High Amenity rezoning here would fragment habitat irrevocably (that has already been driven off adjacent land parcels due to development), erode heritage, and risk groundwater impacts with potential harm to the River Liffey. This is precisely the type of environmental degradation the NPF and Project Ireland 2040 seek to avoid.  

Future generations will not be forgiving if we rezone this unique, historic and irreplaceable natural landscape. We should be fighting to extend the SAAO with a view to having a wild Liffey Valley Area park, not build houses on current High Amenity land.

Lucan’s current infrastructure is already at breaking point. More intensive development in this area would lead to increased congestion and put a massive strain on public services which area already under immense pressure. This area simply could not handle further development. There is already a permanent state of gridlock in the area and there is no logic to adding to this already significant problem while ruining a treasured local amenity in the process.

I am strongly opposed to this rezoning and I respectfully request that SDCC remove the proposed rezoning of St. Edmundsbury and designate the lands as part of the green corridor feeding into the Liffey Valley SAA, safeguarding biodiversity, heritage trees/planting, and landscape value.

Lucan has borne a substantial share of the county’s housing delivery. Continuing to rezone additional lands—particularly environmentally sensitive areas like St. Edmundsbury without first addressing major infrastructure, service, and quality‑of‑life deficits, is neither equitable nor sustainable.

Signed:

Alan O’Neill