Residents raise concerns over Hibernia plans
WATCH:
UP TO 100 residents gathered in Kingswood on Saturday to voice their concerns about the proposed development of over 3,500 residential units at Newlands Cross and Gateway.
As reported in The Echo last week, developer Hibernia REIT has called the proposed development Newlands Farm, however the land will need to be rezoned from agricultural to residential units for the plans to be considered.
Up to 100 residents turned out for a socially distance photo to protest against the proposal to rezone Newlands Farm
Some residents in nearby areas have expressed concerns about the plans, which they discussed at an outdoor, socially distanced gathering over the weekend.
Kingswood resident Mary Keogh, who has lived in the area since 1982, told The Echo: “Absolutely no one I spoke to in the area over the weekend was in favour of the plans.
“If it goes ahead, we’ll lose the last bit of unspoiled green space between Tallaght and the Naas Road.
“For many of the people who bought houses here, one of the main attractions was that there was unspoiled green space.
“The proposed development is massive – we only have 1,600 houses in Kingswood.”
Other aspects of Hibernia’s plans for the site include the development of a community centre, a sports pavilion, and the restoration of the former home of the prolific poet and novelist Katharine Tynan.
An artists image of part of the proposed development
A survey was carried out by market research company Behaviour and Attitudes last year on behalf of Hibernia, where 501 householders in Kingswood, Ballymount Park, Kilnamanagh and parts of Belgard and Clondalkin were asked about their views on the proposed development.
Of the 501 people who were interviewed for the survey, 230 resided in Kingswood.
Six focus groups composed of residents from the area were also interviewed for the survey.
The survey found that 53 per cent of respondents were in favour of new homes, 43 per cent were in favour of more rental accommodation, and 60 per cent saw the development of more homes and apartments to rent, rather than buy, as being a priority.
The primary concerns that respondents had about the development were an increase in traffic levels and “excessive population density”, while 88 per cent wanted the natural environment to be enhanced and for cycling to be encouraged, and 82 per cent wanted more sports facilities in the locality.
Overall, 54 per cent of the respondents said they were optimistic about the plans, 28 per cent said they felt pessimistic about the plans, while 19 per cent were undecided.
Ms Keogh, however, said she feels this isn’t the case on the ground from talking to her neighbours and other residents, who she said are against the plans.
When asked about the provision of new housing at the subject site in the context of the ongoing housing crisis, Ms Keogh said: “If they were building affordable housing for young people then I’d be all over it like a rash.
“My son and daughter have had to move out of the area because they couldn’t afford houses here.
“But the majority of what Hibernia want to build here is for rent – they’re making sure that people who are renting will never be able to buy their own homes, because they’ll be paying so much to rent.
“If they were offering affordable housing, we’d give it a chance, but what they’re offering is just debt for life by renting.”
Hibernia previously stated that the development is to be a mix of private, affordable and social homes to rent and buy, but a breakdown of how the housing will be divided wasn’t available at the time of going to print.
Ms Keogh said residents also have concerns about infrastructure in the area, such as waiting lists for local schools and issues with traffic and public transport at peak times, that they fear will be overburdened by the proposed development.
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