Update on ST1 draft Local Area Plan- Residential Component Removed

We are pleased to let you know that Fingal County Council voted by 12 to 9 to remove the residential component of this LAP at a meeting on Wed 13th Dec. This was in response to a motion tabled by Councillor Ciarán Byrne. The reasons for our desire to see the housing component removed were as follows:

	Residential component could be used as a “Trojan Horse” to allow zoning for large scale housing West of the railway line in the future
	Residents of the ST1 park would be cut off from the rest of the town due to poor pedestrian access to these lands and the physical barrier of the railway line
	There are already several other residential developments planned for the town in the near future on the East side of the railway line. We believe these will meet demand for housing in the town in the short to medium term and that there is no case for building an additional 120-200 units in this sensitive location.

As a result of the councillors’ vote, the LAP was immediately withdrawn by the County Manager. The SCA remains enthusiastic about the idea of an ST1 park in this location and looks forward to working with the Council on the next draft of the LAP. To hear a recorded webcast of this Council debate and vote go to:

http://www.fingalcoco.public-i.tv/site/#pp7396

It is good to see local democracy at work. Our thanks to Councillor Byrne, those councillors who supported his motion and to all those who helped to lobby on this issue.

Skerries Community Association