Concern Over Increased Housing Density In Greystones
April 26th, 2001
An increase in the density of housing in Greystones could destroy the carefully crafted plan for the town which had been based on a population of 17,000 according to a claim by local Town Commissioner Derek Mitchell. Expressing his concern at a meeting of the Town Commission on Tuesday night, Councillor Mitchell said the increase will allow 11 houses per acre.
`The town will now have a population of 19,000 which is higher than Sligo. The area will
Councillor Mitchell
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need appropriate facilities such as public sports pitches, swimming pool, community centre, arts centre and many more. The Strategic Planning guidelines for Greystones state that these facilities should be available at the same time as or even ahead of new housing development', he said.
Councillor Mitchell added that a proper access road from the N11 is also needed. `The Minister is discriminating against Greystones as he is only giving 15 per cent of the cost of this expensive road whereas in Wicklow Town he is funding 60 per cent of the access road there. `The Fianna Fail Minister must fund this road and the community facilities if he is forcing these extra people on the town', he said.
The Councillor also pointed out that all counties surrounding County Wicklow employ architects except Wicklow. Increased housing densities need better design and councillors have been calling for the employment of an architect and design guidelines for over a year but none are in place.
`Some time ago I suggested that the new access road to the town should go through the new houses at Charlesland and the IDA Office Park as this would be more direct and the traffic would interfere less with existing houses in Killincarrick and Burnaby Park. I welcome a proposed change which will make it possible', he said.
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