Residents ‘reviewing’ legal options after housing schemes get green light
By Mary Dennehy
SPRINGFIELD residents are “reviewing” their legal options after two housing schemes on green spaces within their community were given the green light by South Dublin County Council this week.
On Monday, councillors voted in favour of two housing schemes on green spaces in Fernwood and Maplewood, which together consist of 40 homes for older people.
Since the proposed development went to public consultation in July, hundreds of residents have united to save the two green spaces, with community meetings and public demonstrations taking place.
Some 596 submissions were also lodged with the council.
According to Brian Nolan, Chair of St Mark’s Residents Association: “Residents believed that with more than 590 submissions made that we would have been listened to, that our voice would have been heard.
“Residents feel badly scorched by it, councillors just didn’t hear our message, the voice from the community was ignored.
“Councillors didn’t listen to the rationale in nearly 600 submissions.
“It’s very disappointing.”
He added: “We don’t have a problem with councillors having a different point of view, it’s that they didn’t listen… this was not about social housing, it was about saving our green spaces.”
When a proposed council development goes to Part 8 public consultation stage, the option to appeal a decision with An Bord Pleanala does not apply.
Most developments by a local authority are subject to a public consultation process, with a report being compiled and presented to members of the council based on the submissions and observations received.
“We understand the valuable role of the Part 8 process but we feel this time it has denied us a natural justice”, Brian said.
“We are now reflecting on the decision by the council and reviewing our legal options.
“This is something we may pursue.”
‘Disappointment’
Former Dublin hurler and Springfield resident David (Dotsy) O’ Callaghan was present in council chambers on Monday, when councillors voted on the developments in Fernwood and Maplewood.
“There was a lot of disappointment with the recent decision made on greens and obviously our local political parties were under pressure to vote this through in the current housing crisis”, he told The Echo.
“However, it was very disappointing that there wasn’t more support shown to the residents of Springfield.
“Personally I believe this scheme to house older residents and free up three-bed homes is a fantastic idea from the council but one would have to seriously question the taking of not one but two fields within a singular housing estate for this large development.
“Why is this not being more evenly spread out around the vast region of South Dublin County Council land?”
TAGS Tallaght
