|
|
|
Vo1 1 Issue 5 DUNBOYNE
COMBINED RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION Dec.
2000
UPDATE ON THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN
All residents of Dunboyne are
aware of the recent flooding and the upset and trauma caused to families
affected. We send our best wishes to those who are working very hard to
get their homes back to normal for Xmas. Our thoughts are with them at
this time. We know that the work and support of neighbours and friends
was very much appreciated. DCRA pledges to work to ensure that this tragedy
will never again happen in Dunboyne.
On the very day that Dunboyne was flooded under several
feet of water and many homes being destroyed, our six local Councillors
were down in Navan voting to rezone a further 200 acres of land for residential
development in Dunboyne. Most of these lands are directly in the flood
plain for the rivers and all of it likely to exacerbate future flooding
problems for Dunboyne.
Our Councillors have let us down.
- They reneged on their pre-election promises to protect
the green belt.
- They have ignored the expressed wishes of the 1,600
people who sent letters.
- They have dismissed the votes of 700 residents at a
public meeting.
- They have ignored the advice of professional planners
in Meath County Council.
- They have treated the Strategic Planning Guidelines
(Government Policy) with disregard.
- They have ignored the views of John Bruton TD.
- They have ignored the view of the Dunboyne Fianna Fail
Cumann.
Who do these Councillors represent?
They certainly do not represent the residents of Dunboyne,
nor Ratoath, nor Ashbourne, nor Clonee, nor Kilcock. Whose interests are
they representing? Consequently the South Meath Planning Alliance have
called for their resignation. This whole process resmbles that which took
place in County Dublin in the 1980s and should be investigated by a third
party.
HOW COUNCILLORS VOTED
The Green Belt: Meath County
Council Senior Planner advised against rezoning but Brian Fitzgerald ,
Independent, proposed the rezoning. Oliver Brooks, Fianna Fail seconded,
the two other Fianna Fail Councillors, Nick Killian and Conor Tormey,
voted in favour. Fine Gael Councillors: John Fanning voted in favour,
Mary Bergin voted against. Dunboyne Castle: Rezoning proposed by
Mary Bergin FG, seconded by Brian Fitzgerald. With the support of all
the other Counillors.
Question: How many residents
does it take to balance the scales with one developer or one landowner?
Answer in thousands please.
OUR TDs
- Fianna Fail: Mary Wallace - DCRA repeatedly
asked for a meeting over a period of nine months. Eventually, at a meeting
in November, she told DCRA she knew nothing about rezoning and development
in Dunboyne, she didn't want to know, she could not bring influence
to bear inside or outside her Party, Fianna Fail Councillors can vote
as they like (i.e.as independents!) and she never discussed these matters
with her Personal Adviser who works daily in her office, Cllr Nick Killian.
Minister for the Environment, Noel Dempsey, in response to a
Dail Question (22.11.00), said that his Department was writing to Meath
County Council seeking comments on the compatibility of the proposals
for Dunboyne and Clonee with the Strategic Planning Guidelines and asking
for a full report within four weeks.
- Fine Gael: Leader, John Bruton does not
want any development until the railway project, if ever, is in place
and is in agreement with DCRA regarding no development of Dunboyne Castle
until alternatives are explored. However, his FG Councillor, John Fanning,
voted for rezoning both the green belt and Castle lands, while Mary
Bergin proposed the rezoning of Dunboyne Castle grounds.
SO WHAT HAVE THEY VOTED FOR?
127 acres of green belt rezoned
@ 12 houses per acre = 1,524 houses
48 acres of Castle grounds rezoned
@ 12 houses per acre = 596 houses
Walshe's, Courthill 23 acres
some high density = 500 houses
Total 2,620 houses
At 3 person per dwelling this
would increase the population of Dunboyne by 7,860
Therefore the population of
Dunboyne would rise from its present 5,500 to 13,360
The Consequences for Dunboyne
- Building on lands recently flooded will pose a higher
flood risk to existing residents.
- The whole character of Dunboyne village would be destroyed
forever
- Dunboyne would become an extension of city sprawl and
cease to be a Meath village
- Our already chronic traffic situation would become
a nightmare
- We would need to more than double our existing school
facilities
- Our present social and community facilities would be
totally inadequate
- The quality of our environment would suffer serious
deterioration.
What Can We Do?
- The Councillors will take their final vote on the rezonings
in January and we have until 20th December to put our views
in writing to Meath County Council. It is vital that we all do this.
- DCRA has taken legal advice on the letter attached.
Having read it, understood it and if you are 18 years old or more, please
sign. Every effort will be made by your Residents Association to collect
your letter and return it to Meath County Council. Should this for any
reason not happen please post it to the County Secretary, Meath County
Council, County Hall, Navan by 20.12.00.
- You may wish to talk to
your elected representatives: Noel Dempsey:6793377; MaryWallace:
6670344; John Bruton:6184424; Mary Bergin: 8255080; John Fanning 8350492;
Conor Tormey: 8351803; Oliver Brooks: 046.25276; Nick Killian: 8256700;
Brian Fitzgerald: 8251847, or click
here for more details.
DCRA works consistently for the development and
preservation of Dunboyne and presents the views of its residents to Meath
County Council and will continue to do so.
To have DCRANEWS & DCRA Information
emailed to you on a regular basis please contact: mcgrathjim@esatclear.ie
What improvements
do you wish to see in Dunboyne? Please send
mail
Return to top of page
DCRAMail@netscape.netw
|