Sustainable Planning
Green Party Councillor for Greystones Lourda Scott has said Wicklow County Council’s refusal to grant permission for a development of 98 homes on the outskirts of the town was the correct one.
Cairn Homes had applied last year for permission to develop land at Coolagad, Blacklion, in Greystones, with the initial plans seeking the construction of 600 houses at a 26-hectare site which surrounds the Temple Carrig School.
Permission was sought under the fast-track strategic housing development (SHD) application to An Bord Pleanala. Under the SHD scheme, applications for developments of more than 100 units go directly to An Bord Pleanála rather than the planning authority of Wicklow County Council.
This was then progressed on a phased basis, beginning with 98 two-storey houses on an 8.47-hecatre site, with plans for a creche building of 734 sq. m. with 23 car parking spaces and 12 bicycle parking spaces.
Plans also included a new vehicular entrance, with signalised junction and pedestrian crossing provided off the R761 (Rathdown Road); cycle lanes wwould also be provided along this section of the R761 on both sides.
In its refusal to grant permission for this phase of the development, WCC pointed to the County Development Plan 2-22-2028, “which indicate the housing targets for the Greystones-Delgany settlement in the plan period have already been reached” as well as the “scale and quantum” of the housing proposed.
“The settlement strategy set out in the Wicklow County Development Plan 2022-2028, which sets out the strategic role and function of Greystones-Delgany as a level three self-sustaining town, wherein the priority is for balanced growth and a focus on the consolidation of the existing built up area,” it said.
“The scale of development being proposed would be excessive and would result in unbalanced and unsustainable growth of this level 3 settlement,” it added.
“The proposed development would therefore seriously injure the amenities of the area, would be premature resulting in development that is not in accordance with the order of priority for sequential development of lands and would be contrary to Sustainable Residential Developments in Urban Areas.”
Cllr Scott, who had previously highlighted her concerns to the Bray People around the lack of capacity in local services, particularly with regard to a medical centre and GP services (the application had referred to a medical centre being located nearby but which is closed to new patients), said: "I believe that WCC have made the correct decision in this case. While social and affordable homes are still badly needed, this development was not going to offer that.
“I have previously raised concerns about the lack of infrastructure being in place and the lack of capacity in local services for the current population in Greystones-Delgany area.
“For example, many people who have moved to the area are unable to register with a GP. The Council have refused planning permission on this instance as it is clearly stated in the County Development Plan that the housing targets for the Greystones-Delgany settlement have already been reached.
“We cannot keep building at an unsustainable rate and now need to concentrate on improving the amenities for our community. A lot of public consultation and input from elected representatives went into forming the strategies of the county development Plan. It is good to see the democratic process now being reflected on the ground,” she added.
