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Brady accusses Council of lying to residents of Vartry Heights, Roundwood

Sinn Fein councillor John Brady has accused Wicklow County Council of breaking promises and ignoring the views of residents in Vartry Heights, Roundwood, by trying to impose more houses on them, against their will.

Cllr Brady said “Residents in Vartry Heights in Roundwood where shocked this week when Wicklow County Council erected 2 signs in their estate on 2 green areas which are used by local children to play, stating that the council intended on building 4 houses on the green areas. Wicklow County council in 2006 had plans drawn up for a refurbishment scheme for the estate which was warmly welcomed by the residents. However following a meeting with the officials of the council they where informed that for the scheme to go through a number of houses would need to be built on the green areas. The residents voiced their opposition and they where given assurances that the new houses on the public open space would be dropped from the scheme.”

Brady continued “There was no more consultation with the residents only assurances that the refurbishment of the remainder of the estate was to proceed without anymore houses being built. The residents where truly shocked to see the signs erected on 2 of the 3 small green areas the children have to play on. Plans are also in place to put increased parking areas on the 3rd public open space”

Cllr Brady went on to say “I was contacted by the residents during the week and immediately contacted the Housing section in the council who told me that there are no plans to build any houses in Vartry Heights, however after a meeting with the residents and reading the signs that where erected this is totally untrue. The signs state clearly Wicklow are trying to impose more houses on the residents.”

Cllr Brady concluded “What the residents of Vartry Heights need is a refurbishment scheme to provide better living standards for all the residents, proper roads and speed ramps, footpaths and for their concerns to be listened to by the council. There are no facilities for the children of the area as it is and for the council to try and take the small playing areas away from the children and residents is a disgrace. The council has another housing scheme in the area for 34 houses and this should proceed, but the council should also be investing in better amenities in not just Vartry Heights but also in the village of Roundwood, and leave the open spaces for the children to play.