It might appear to be contradictory and even obtuse to question any proposal to build new housing these days. Councillors who have dared are almost invariably rounded upon as Troglodytes opposed to providing people with homes.
It was unusual then that a motion from Councillor Patrick Quinlan of the National Party regarding a proposed new development in Fingal was only defeated by the casting vote of the Chairperson of an area committee meeting yesterday after the vote was tied 6 for with 6 opposed.
That motion called on the Council to ensure that the existing rural Scribblestown Lane and Dunsinea Lane (currently little more than a grassy path through fields close to the river Tolka) are not permitted to be used as a road for construction traffic connected to a proposed development site.
Several months ago Fingal County Council approved significant variations to their already published Development Plan for 2023 – 2029. As we saw yesterday with regard to Coldcut in south county Dublin, such variations carry major implications for the people who live in the areas affected.
Among the Fingal variations (sounds like Elgar but the consequences will not be so elegant) is one that proposes major changes in the place where I live. Namely, that several thousand houses will be built on lands that are described by the Council as part of Dunsink. That is what was the ‘green’ area in which the famous observatory (above) is located.
The motion from Councillor Quinlan relates to part of the enormous impact that the development – if it gets final approval – will have on the local area which is currently a large and pleasant rural space between Finglas and Blanchardstown.
The specific proposals for how the variations impact on the several hundred hectares of agricultural and other green spaces now rezoned as residential development land are set out in a presentation that Fingal County Council published last Thursday. This is the Dunsink Urban Area Plan that was presented to a meeting of Councillors yesterday before an area meeting that considered the motion critical of the impact on the existing communities.
On publication of the plan, the Mayor of Fingal, Councillor Tom O’Leary of Fine Gael, claimed that “The decision to accommodate an additional 5,000 new homes marks a significant step toward meeting the housing needs of one of the country’s fastest-growing and most diverse populations.”
All major events and trends are best understood at local level. I can look out my window and see exactly where the lush green fields and trees will be obliterated at the end of my road which forms part of the boundary between Dublin City Council and Fingal.
Apart from its historical importance, it was once the site of Scribblestown House owned by the Rathborne family who were Dublin candlemakers since the 1400s, the fields are also used by a highly successful horse and pony club which has provided training for owners and proper stabling and care for horses who were once a common and forlorn sight roaming the roads.
PETITION OF RESIDENTS
A petition of residents of the existing Scribblestown estate which I have seen indicated overwhelmingly support for a motion from Councillor Patrick Quinlan of the National Party which was submitted to Fingal County Council.
That motion calls on the Council to ensure that plans to use the existing rural Scribblestown Lane and Dunsinea Lane (currently little more than a grassy path through fields close to the river Tolka) are not permitted to be used as a road for construction traffic connected to the proposed development site. The neighbouring Valley Park residents group had also written to each of the relevant elected Fingal Councillors asking them to support the motion.
Local community activist Stephen Redmond who has been letting local people know about the plan for the rezoned green area told me that the overwhelming reaction has been one of opposition. “Local people realise the implications that the proposal will have for what remains of a valued amenity and we will be waiting for the public consultation to ensure that this is made known.”
Mayor O’Leary’s reference to Fingal being host to “one of the country’s fastest growing and most diverse populations” is central to why people are concerned about proposals such as the one for Dunsink.
The official projections from the Central Statistics Office show that 90% of foreseeable population growth will be made up of migrants. Which clearly implies that 90% of new demand for most things will be from people who have arrived into the State. That includes housing.
When I look out my window, or bring my dog for a walk, I am entitled to ask along with my neighbours and other members of this community why we ought to be expected to surrender what we have in the interests of people and powerful forces with which we have nothing in common – with whom we share no mutual interests. Another of the bases of the ‘Social Contract’ redacted.