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17th January 2017 • Volume 24, Issue 01 • Leader House, North Street, Swords, Co. Dublin. K67 P5W4. • Tel: 01 8•400•200 • info@northcountyleader.ie • www.northcountyleader.ie
Rural Resident’s Entitlement To Go Local councillor, Anne Devitt (NP) has expressed her concerns that people living in and around the Lissenhall area of Swords, presently zoned as rural, will find themselves living in an area which will be rezoned as “Metro Economic Corridor” (MEC), next March. This re-zoning is part of the Fingal Development Plan which was voted for by local councillors, incorporating submissions by the public. Cllr Devitt claims that “the worrying consequence of this rezoning, is that, come March, they will no longer be able to build a one-off rural house for a family member two kilometres from their own home, as exists now under the rural housing policy.”
By Patrick Finnegan Cllr Devitt said, “After this Development Plan, Lissenhall is going to be zoned Metro Economic Corridor (MEC), which means it will be high to middle density housing. This area includes the land to the left of the R132 as you approach the Donabate roundabout from Swords, around Emmaus Retreat Centre and further in towards Balheary. Some of this land is still in private ownership and Cllr Devitt maintains that the families there would expect to be able to continue to live in a rural area or their children to be able to do likewise.” She continued, “At the moment, they can apply for a house or a site for one family member within two kilometres of where they live under the Rural Housing Policy. From March 2017, they will no longer be living within land that is zoned ‘rural’ and will be living in land zoned MEC. People living in land zoned MEC do not have any right to a house within the rural area, under our (FCC) rural housing policy. So if a family member on these lands hopes to build a house in the future in the rural area, within two kilometres, they need to make their application before
the March deadline. Otherwise, they will lose this right forever,” said a concerned Devitt. This area is sparsely populated at present, but these residents may be in for a rude shock, if they want to exercise their entitlement of building a family home for one family member within the rural area. Devitt criticised Fingal County Council for their perceived double standards regarding the rural community. She said, “The Council, within the Development Plan, states that it values rural Fingal for its amenity value. I believe they do not value the rural community as much as they value the rural amenity. The rural community has lived here for generations and has a desire to live in rural Fingal for generations to come. In the case of Lissenhall, a rural community has found that its land is being re-zoned for the benefit of the development of the urban area of Swords. The small number of people living within that rural area deserve to be catered for and to continue their rural life, slightly outside the zoned land.” “It is my opinion that the Council should provide permission for that particular group of rural people, who are being discommoded by this vast land zoning. They should be accommodated further out in the rural area, so they can continue their rural way of life. This particCllr. Anne Devitt ular area will remain rural in fact, but not in zoning until Metro North is delivered, which could be up to 10 years away,” she said. A spokesperson for the County Council told the County Leader, ““As part of the Fingal Development Plan review
Pictured are members of Donna's Mover Groovers who took part in the 32nd Rolestown Panto, 'Little Red Riding Hood', which started on 13th January and continues on 20th, 21st and 22nd January at Rolestown Hall. Also pictured is Dave O'Sullivan (Professor Nasty) aka Deco Bishop from Fair City
process, a full assessment of all land use zoning across the county was carried out in order to prepare a long term strategy for the future development of Fingal. As a result of this review, the Draft Plan includes a number of long term strategic objectives, including the designations of lands to accommodate key priority infrastructure projects, as set out in relevant government strategies and programmes. “One such strategic objective is the designation of lands within the Metropolitan area, as per government guidelines, to facilitate Metro North whilst also facilitating high density mixed use employment generating activity and appropriate residential development on these strategic lands. “By identifying Lissenhall as a key future development area, the Council is seeking to maximise the opportunities created by the delivery of this key piece of strategic infrastructure in accordance with best planning practice and
the principles of sustainable development. “The Rural Housing Policy has also been reviewed and amended. As is currently the practice, individual applications for individual houses are assessed as set out in the objectives of the Fingal Rural Housing Policy and the wider objectives of the Plan and as such will be the case for future development proposals for housing on these lands.”
Malahide School Celebrates Link To Historic Battle On Tuesday 10th January, a film depicting the exploits of the brave Irish soldiers who fought at the Battle of Jadotville in the Congo, was shown to 270 students at Malahide Community School. The school has strong connections with some of the soldiers who took part in the battle, which took place in 1961. The main speaker was retired Army Commandant, Leo Quinlan, historian and advisor on the making of the film ‘Siege of Jadotville’. Leo has a unique perspective, as he is the son of the gallant officer, Comdt. Pat Quinlan who, through his strategic ability and courage, ensured that his troops in ‘A’ Company all came home from six days of fierce and desperate fighting. Hollywood actor, Jamie Dornan, portrays Pat Quinlan in the film. Also present was Leo’s brother Michael, manager of the canteen in the school and Michael’s daughter Aimee, who also works in the school canteen. One of the teachers in the school Mr. Brian McManus is son of the late John
Pictured at the showing of 'Siege of Jadotville' at Malahide Community School are, Aimee Quinlan, Michael Quinlan, Principal Patricia McDonagh, teacher Kevin Manning and Leo Quinlan, who gave an expert talk on the battle. Also pictured is the citation from the Irish Government, which was received in 2005 finally recognising the exceptional bravery of the soldiers
‘Butch’ McManus, who was one of the heroes of the ‘Siege of Jadotville. He received a letter of commendation from his commanding officer, Pat Quinlan following an ambush at the old airstrip. He rarely spoke about what happened in
the Congo during his tour of duty and did not seek any special recognition, because in his view they were simply doing their job. Inexplicably, the bravery of the soldiers went unrecognised by the UN and the
Irish Government and it was not until 2005 that the Irish Government finally recognised their outstanding bravery. The school connection with Jadotville does not stop there, as fourth year student, Peter Boyne is also related to a member of A Company who fought in Jadotville. Leo gave a presentation following a viewing of the film to the students along with a number of invited guests. He explained the process of making the film, along with a detailed analysis of the tactics adopted by his father, which saved the lives of all the Irish soldiers. The afternoon proved a great success and Malahide Community School is very grateful to Leo for his generosity with his time and knowledge. The event was arranged as a tribute to both the late Commandant Pat Quinlan of A Company and recently deceased John ‘Butch’ McManus, a member of A Company. It was also to commemorate the bravery of the Irish soldiers who fought in Jadotville against incredible odds.
Burgandy House, Forster Way, Swords Tel: 807 7999 or 807 7998 indiespicegrill.ie