Groups meet to discuss Cookstown development
By Aideen O'Flaherty
A MEETING which was held by three local community groups where elected representatives spoke about the future development of Cookstown Industrial Estate has been described as “very positive” by the chairman of the Belgard Heights Residents’ Association.
The meeting, which was organised by the Belgard Heights Residents’ Association, Tallaght Community Council and the Ambervale Cairnwood Community Group, was held recently following a recent grant of permission for a residential development in Cookstown Industrial Estate.
An artist impression of residential developments in Cookstown Industrial Estate
South Dublin County Council granted permission for the development of 107 apartment units on Second Avenue in Cookstown Industrial Estate last February, with the majority of the units consisting of one- and two-bedroom apartments.
Local residents have voiced concerns about this planned development, and what it means for the future of Cookstown – which prompted the local community groups to hold a meeting to invite local elected representatives to respond to their concerns.
Peter Forde, chairman of the Belgard Heights Residents’ Association, told The Echo: “The meeting went really well, there was a good turn out from public reps, it was all very positive.
“The main point that we made is that in the 2016-2022 South County Dublin Development Plan, which came into effect in June 2016, Cookstown Industrial Estate was rezoned for enterprise and residential uses.
“Within the framework of the development plan there was to be a Tallaght Town Centre Area Plan.
The future
“The significance of the Tallaght Town Centre Local Area Plan is that it would put more shape on what the future of the industrial estate will be, and how much of it will be residential, and how much of it will be enterprise.
“Our concern is that developers are exploiting the industrial estate for residential developments in the form of apartment blocks, made up of small one- and two-bed units with little or no provision for families, which we regard as a priority.”
The meeting’s attendees were informed that a draft outline of the Tallaght Town Centre Local Area Plan is “in the pipeline”.
A spokesperson for South Dublin County Council was contacted for comment, however, they did not respond in time for print.
