Dunboyne Combined Residents Association 

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Community Voice interview with John Bruton

Recent decisions by councillors on Meath County Council which will have a major impact on the residents of Dublin 15 have been condemned by community groups on both sides of the Dublin/Meath border. The proposals have also highlighted apparent ‘divisions’ between local party councillors and their TD colleagues.

Meath County Councillors have voted to support a controversial new town near the border with Dublin 15 at Mulhuddart. In spite of opposition to the proposals from planning officials, the councillors have decided to place a revised County Development Plan on public display as a first stage in a rezoning process.

The plan provides for the development of the new town near Kilbride just beyond the county boundary at Mulhuddart. Much of the land involved is owned by the Bovale, a company which has featured prominently in the Flood Tribunal Hearings.

Community groups from the Dunboyne and Clonee areas are among those who have formed the new South Meath Planning Alliance. The group are opposing plans by Meath Councillors to rezone the lands along the Dublin border for major housing developments. They are particularly critical of a proposal to rezone 42 acres of land at Dunboyne Castle for residential use.

The Dunboyne Combined Residents Association points out that all of the Councillors had agreed before the local elections last year that there should be no rezoning of the castle. According to Cllr. Nick Killian, a local Fianna Fáil councillor who is supporting the rezoning proposal, the situation has now changed in the area. "We have rezoned 250 acres at Clonee for a business park and this land will now help provide accommodation for employees," he said.

Meanwhile, Minister of State and local TD Mary Wallace has met the Dunboyne Combined Residents Association and told them that she played no part in the rezoning as it is a matter for local representatives. Coincidentally, local Councillor Nick Killian is employed as a full time political advisor in Mary Wallace’s Department.

Local Councillors and Community groups in Dublin 15 have been highly critical of the moves by the Meath politicians. Cllr. Gerry Lynam told Community Voice that he "would be shocked and horrified if they rezone these lands." Cllr. Lynam was also critical of past and present councillors from Dublin 15. "It would be very harsh for us to tell them (the Meath Councillors) what to do when our own councillors rezoned land right up to the Meath border. They should have left a green belt between the two areas." However according to the Councillor, "they cannot be allowed to take their services through Dublin 15 as our services are barely adequate to meet our requirements."

Fine Gael leader, John Bruton, who represents the Meath constituency has also condemned the rezoning proposals. Speaking to Community Voice, Deputy Bruton said that he completely shared the concerns of people in Dublin 15. He said that, in particular, he was "not happy with the huge rezoning that is taking place in Dunboyne, Dunshaughlin and Ratoath. I am particularly unhappy that it is taking place in advance of any decision on the proposed rail service. If we knew where the rail line between Clonsilla and Navan was going then proper decisions could be made" he said.

According to Deputy Bruton " to decide now to build huge numbers of houses without knowing what’s happening with the railway is going to pour more traffic onto the roads of Dublin 15 and this will further deteriorate the quality of life for people in the area."

Asked about the role of his own party’s councillors in the process he said "This is bad planning and I am not happy with it at all." (Published in "Community Voice" Dec. 00)

Contact: Jim McGrath : Tel: 01.8252189 Email: mcgrathjim@esatclear.ie
 

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