Green councillor defends stance on Little Sugarloaf!

"Since my initial comments were published in the Wicklow Times, I have been personally contacted by Mr David Cox of Fragrances of Ireland" says councillor de Burca."He has pointed out that much of the land on the Little Sugarloaf is owned by his company and that he felt my comments had been unfair. I explained to him that many local people are unaware of the exact ownership of the land on the Little Sugarloaf and that the situation is further complicated by the fact that a public right of way crosses part of this land and that the area has traditionally been widely used by locals and by hillwalking groups for amenity purposes".

"Given the controversy which occurred last year when this company attempted to enclose some of the area without planning permission, it is not surprising that local people would have reacted with alarm when bulldozing of the site recently took place" says councillor de Burca." I enquired of Mr Cox whether Fragrances of Ireland had contacted local people to inform them of what was happening in advance of undertaking the recent bulldozing, but unfortunately they had not."

She has, however, warmly welcomed the public assurances given by the company that walkers can still enjoy access to the Little Sugarloaf and has stated her belief that constructive and reasonable engagement between landowners and members of the public in such amenity areas is the only way forward.

Councillor de Burca has also expressed her concern that so many areas which were formerly available to the public for amenity purposes are now moving into private ownership. She believes it is vitally important for public rights of way in areas such as the Little Sugarloaf to be protected and argues that the local authorities should take a lead role in this area.

"Unfortunately, Wicklow County Council has failed to list any public rights of way in its 1999 County Development Plan and this means that adequate protection for rights of way has not been put in place" says councillor de Burca. "I am also aware of several public rights of way which have been officially extinguished by Bray UDC over the past few years. This is a very worrying trend and is not, I believe, in the public interest".

For further information please contact Deirdre de Burca on 086 8061450 or email deburca@wicklowgreens.org.