Criticism and disappointment of councillors supporting the rezoning of Coldcut lands

COUNCILLORS have expressed their disappointment and criticised their fellow South Dublin County Councillors and the Chief Executive for supporting the rezoning of the Coldcut lands.

The decision to rezone the lands was made at a special SDCC meeting on October 19, following a vote between Councillors, which saw 20 for the rezoning and 18 against, with two abstentions.

Councillor Daniel Loftus shared his disappointment at the decision to reverse a ruling that was made four months prior, as several Councillors changed their position or abstained from voting on the rezoning of the land.

Prior to the vote, the Chief Executive told elected members that it was not necessary to vote on this decision again, but Councillors chose to hold another.

Cllr Loftus pointed to the Council’s approval of several sites across the county for housing, saying Councillors have “gone above and beyond the shortfall of land for housing”

“At the rezoning meeting in June, SDCC approved the rezoning of adjacent land at Liffey Valley which could bring 1500 homes to the area.”

“The council will never get another chance at purchasing a piece of land of this size in North Clondalkin. This land has been and should continue to be used for recreation and for its sport facilities. I and others have been advocating for the council to purchase this land and develop it for use by the local community, and I will continue to do so.”

Cllr Loftus expressed frustration at the “government’s demand that SDCC must rezone a number of areas for housing.”

“They have sent the word down to local authorities across the nation to rezone land for more housing. This so called ‘action’ on housing is 15 years too late and is having adverse effects on our area.”

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme