Bord Pleanála decision on Donaghcumper - courageous and visionary
I am absolutely delighted with An Bord Pleanala's decision to reject Kildare County Council’s permission for a housing estate within Donaghcumper Demesne. I was one of a number of people/organisations who appealed the decision. Together with Cllr’s Mary Glennon and Tony McEvoy I also opposed the rezoning of the land back in 2002.
Just as those who created the wonderful 18th Century designed parkland in the connected demesnes of Castletown, Donaghcumper & St Wolstans showed great vision; I believe Bord Pleanala has taken a courageous and visionary decision by helping to ensure this stunning landscape is not destroyed.
The Bord gave 3 reasons for its refusal which can be summarised as follows.
1. The fact that Donaghcumper House and Demesne is protected. This together with its proximity to the internationally important Castletown House. The landscapes of these two demesnes, Castletown & Donaghcumper, were designed in unison, as such, it was deemed the development, if permitted, would seriously injure the amenities of the area.
2. The potential of adverse impact on the ecology of the site, with otters and bats protected under the Habitats Directive specifically referred to.
3. The potential for encroachment on to the Liffey Valley, the landscape of which is deemed to be of high amenity value.
While I don’t wish to prejudge the second appeal, the grounds for refusal would give those of us who have also appealed the second decision, reason to hope for a similar outcome. (The second appeal relates to a permission for the infrastructure that would, if allowed, support high density high rise development 09/665). In total 16 separate appeals have been lodged from a wide variety of groups such as the Irish Georgian Society, the Castletown Foundation, the Celbridge Action Alliance the Celbridge Community Council with myself and Cllr Padraig McEvoy making a joint appeal.
I want to put on record my appreciation for the work done by the Celbridge Action Alliance, just this week they delivered well in excess of 4000 submission’s to Kildare County Council seeking that the Donaghcumper lands are rezoned Amenity. The expertise and strength of the appeals, from the largely voluntary community groups, led by the Celbridge Action Alliance, was obvious to all during the 5 day oral hearing last November.
Celbridge is rightly very proud of its Historic Town, the centrepiece of which is Castletown House and its associated neighbouring demesnes. This decision opens up a window of opportunity to focus on the kind of town Celbridge can become, where 21st century needs are met, without compromising the amazing heritage of this town.
See the decision and the inspectors report by following this link 233937: Donaghcumper Demesne, Dunaghcumper, Celbridge, Co. Kildare. (08/439)