I welcome the decision of the elected members of South Dublin County Council to retain the existing High Amenity (HA-LV) zoning on the St. Edmundsbury lands in Lucan and to reject the proposed residential rezoning under Proposed Variation No. 2 to the South Dublin County Development Plan 2022–2028. I respectfully ask that this decision be maintained.

The St. Edmundsbury lands make an important contribution to the ecological health and landscape character of the Liffey Valley. They form part of a wider network of green infrastructure that supports biodiversity, provides habitat for wildlife and helps maintain ecological connectivity between natural areas. As development continues across the county, these remaining open lands become increasingly valuable in supporting resilient ecosystems and protecting the unique character of the valley.

The importance of safeguarding landscapes such as the Liffey Valley is now reflected in national planning policy. The Environmental Protection Agency’s guidance on Landscape Character Assessment recognises that landscapes should be valued not only for their visual qualities but also for their biodiversity, ecological function, cultural heritage and contribution to green infrastructure. This broader approach acknowledges that healthy landscapes deliver multiple environmental benefits and should be protected as interconnected systems rather than viewed simply as undeveloped land.

The Planning and Development Act 2024 further reinforces this approach by requiring development plans to provide for the conservation, protection, management and enhancement of landscapes, biodiversity, ecological networks and natural heritage. Retaining the existing High Amenity zoning on the St. Edmundsbury lands is fully consistent with these objectives and reflects the growing national emphasis on protecting environmentally sensitive areas.

I fully recognise the need to provide sufficient land to meet future housing demand. However, the Council’s own evidence demonstrates that the revised National Planning Framework (NPF) baseline housing requirement has already been achieved. In addition, the overall package of proposed rezonings provides approximately 30% more residential capacity than the Government’s baseline requirement. In these circumstances, there is no overriding planning need to rezone environmentally significant High Amenity lands for housing.

Planning decisions should seek an appropriate balance between meeting housing needs and protecting the natural assets that contribute to the quality of life of existing and future communities. Once High Amenity land is lost to development, the biodiversity, ecological value and landscape character it supports cannot easily be restored. Retaining these lands will help safeguard an important part of the Liffey Valley for future generations while remaining fully consistent with national planning policy.

For these reasons, I respectfully support the elected members’ decision and request that the existing High Amenity (HA-LV) zoning on the St. Edmundsbury lands be retained