Residents object to nursing home plans for green space
By Maurice Garvey
OVER 400 residents took to the streets on Saturday to support the ‘Save the Clondalkin Convent Campaign’ – voicing their opposition to proposals for a 155-bed nursing home in the heart of the village.
Plans by Bartra Property Ltd were approved by South Dublin County Council, and an appeal is currently in place with An Board Pleanála, which is due to make a decision by October 21.
A large crowd turned out for the Save the Clondalkin Convent campaign (Images: Tommy Keogh)
The campaign has come together in recent months to object to the development, which if approved, would be built on green space beside the 162-year-old convent.
Barta Property Ltd is part of the wider Bartra Capital Property group founded by developer Richard Barrett.
Members of the campaign group say they are frustrated with the lack of consultation by the Presentation Sisters, urging them to “talk to residents”.
They are also concerned with the aesthetics of the proposed new build, which they say, “contrasts negatively with the beautiful surroundings of the convent” and adjoining church.
Spokespeople for the group, Eddie Murphy and Monica McGill, say Clondalkin is attracting more visitors, due to the development of Brú Chrónáin at the Round Tower visitor centre.
Residents protesting at the weekend
“The campaign is based on us taking a stand to save as much of the old village as we can and voice our opposition to plans that will dwarf what is part of our heritage,” they said.
“We respect the needs of the local Presentation Sisters to develop facilities for the more senior members of their order but we do not accept that another nursing home of this size is needed in the heart of what is already a busy, built-up and at times, clogged-up village.
“This is a valued green area, used by local primary schools and the new proposed development is out of scale and out of taste with the surrounding buildings.
“There is also a colony of swifts and bats whose habitats would be obliterated if the building works go ahead.”
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