GREENS CLAIM PRPOPOSED DEVELOPMENT FOR LITTLE SUGARLOAF IS UNSUITABLE FOR AREA

According to Green Party councillor, Deirdre de Burca, the industrial development that is being proposed for this area is unsuitable because this is one of the "most beautiful, historic and unchanged rural environments in the Bray Area, and in the Northern part of the county". Councillor de Burca points out that at a time when the population of Bray is in critical need of open spaces, family spaces and recreational spaces, it is exremely short-sighted of Wicklow County Council to consider using these lands for industrial development.

The Green Party is concerned that the current Wicklow County Development Plan has designated this area as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Councillor de Burca draws attention to several sections within the County Develop Plan that set out objectives to protect this area.

"For example, if you look at page 26 of the County Develpment Plan, it says that the council will reinforce and preserve the scenic quality of this zone by restricting development on it" she says. "The Plan also says that the council will prmote, in co-operation with the various relevant organisations, the more extensive use of this zone for such activities as touring, mountaineering pony trekking, sight-seeing, walking etc.How can the council square these objectives with putting the equivalent of large industrial sheds on the slopes of the Little Sugarloaf" she asks?

Councillor de Burca has also pointed out that the roundabout and road which it is proposed to build off the Southern Cross Road to give access to the new developments will open up other adjacent lands for development on the Little Sugarloaf. "This development would also have serious implications for traffic congeation along the southern Cross road which is already a problem, particularly at peak times" says councillor de Burca.

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