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8th July 2014 • Volume 21, Issue 25 • Leader House, North Street, Swords, Co. Dublin. • Tel: 8•400•200 • info@northcountyleader.ie
Residents Worried About Swords Development A
n application for planning permission for 28 residential units on the site of the old Mantua Park Caravan Park in Swords, has been lodged with the County Council. This proposed development is a cause of great concern for residents in the adjoining estate of Seatown Villas, the oldest estate in Swords.
By Patrick Finnegan Submissions closed last week, with a number of objections from residents, who now await the decision of the local authority. The County Leader spoke to some of the Seatown Villa residents, who articulated their concerns. They met on the green in the estate, which has long been a feature there, but now looks like it will be opened up to residents of the new development. They all recognise the need for the houses, but are concerned about the erosion of their privacy, as well as safety concerns for children, due to the increase in traffic volumes in this quiet estate. Another concern is the height of the duplex apartments, which they maintain are too high, and utterly inappropriate in such an area. The residents have the full support of local councillors, Darragh Butler (FF) and Paul Mulville (NP). Seatown Villas resident, Thomas Lowndes said, “The plan is to build four apartments, eight one bed apartments, eight duplexes and 16 terraced houses. There will be three storey buildings, which is a bone of contention for us. We also do not want to share our green, which will happen due to the removal of the existing fence. Kids play football here, and with an open plan area, they will be in danger from increased traffic flow. If there was a wall constructed between the two estates, then that would be acceptable to us, just like it was in the old Mantua Park,” he said. Lowndes also said that a large part of the objection was that the proposed houses are not family oriented and will be used as buy to let, as opposed to families living there. The Planning Permission notice Dolores Campion said, for the new development at the “We don’t object to old Mantua Park site
See page 20
Pictured are Seatown Villas residents, who gathered to show their concerns at the propsed new development at Mantua Park. Included are, Pat Monaghan, Paddy Gerrard, Joan Parker, Tommy Ellis, Cllr Darragh Butler, Kitty Weldon, Thomas Lowndes, Alice Gerrard, Dolores Campion, Frank Redmond, Brigid Redmond, Josie Collins, Teresa Greene, James Perry and Bernie Perry
new houses being built, but we don’t want three storey homes overlooking us. This means our privacy will be taken away. The removal of the fence is a huge issue for us all. There were mobile homes in there for many years, and we hardly knew they were there, but opening the whole area is not acceptable,” she said. Councillor Darragh Butler said, “This proposed development is totally out of keeping with the existing, long established mature estate of Seatown Villas, one of the iconic original Swords estates. Under no circumstances can any development take place that results in the boundary fence being removed. The Seatown Villas open space belongs to Seatown Villas and the boundary fence must remain. Children must continue to be able to play on this open space, without being between two roads; without Seatown Villas becoming a short-cut to North Street, pubs, etc. This boundary fence must remain in place to save the distinct characteristic of Seatown Villas. The open space cannot be used simply as a selling point for this proposed new development that is totally out of character with the area. These are two distinct estates and must be maintained,” he said. Councillor Paul Mulville was in agreement when he said: “Residents of Seatown Villas have raised serious concerns about the proposed development at the old Mantua Park site. Residents are not
against housing being built at this location, but they have put forward their objections to a number of matters, including the proposed 3 storey height of the development, the impact it will have on the existing green space, and the potential increase in traffic, in an area already facing ongoing traffic difficulties related to the local school. Residents must be listened to as part of the planning process and they have my full support in this regards” he concluded.
Darling Of The Dubs Little Molly McNally from Balbriggan, who is capturing the hearts of people all over the North County, has managed to cast a spell over the Dublin football team. She was the All-Ireland Champions’ guest of honour at their recent Leinster football championship tie against Wexford at Croke Park. See our account of how she got on with the champions on page 7
Possible Property Tax Relief For Local Residents There is a possibility that residents of the North County may be in line for some reduction in their property tax bills from next year. However, it all depends on the local authority being in a position to avail of 80 per cent of funds collected in the area. This arrangement is due to take place next year. This relief was to have been extended to 11 local authorities across the country, who have raised sufficient money from the household charge. However, fresh cuts to local authority funding, will mean these councils will not be in a position to pass on the reductions. It is planned that local authorities will be able to reduce the property tax by up to 15 per cent, in areas where sufficient funds have been gathered. The good news is that our local authority is one of only two in Paul Reid, CEO Fingal Dublin (the other being County Council Dun Laoghaire/ Rathdown), that will have a surplus of money to pass on to residents. This is thought to be in the region of €3 million. Many will see this as a testament to good money management, in an area where compliance with the property tax has been high. Speaking to the County Leader, Paul Reid, Chief Executive of the local authority said, “The process has to be worked through yet. The Government needs to make a decision on this. There will then be a public consultation process and the elected members will give it due consideration, regarding any variance to the current property tax base,” he concluded. The planned cut in property tax in the areas where there is a surplus, is one that is causing deep dissension within the coalition, Fine Gael wants local authorities, who benefit from the bigger tax takes, to use the extra money to pay for services funded by the exchequer. Labour, on the other hand, is eager to give hard-pressed house owners a break, by reducing the property tax.