Several significant planning applications have been received by Fingal County Council over the holiday period. One of these relates to the proposed development of the ‘backlands’ in Castleknock village while another relates to a proposal to build 538 dwellings in Diswellstown, between Mulberry Park and Burnell Park.

• Castleknock village planning meeting – Saturday January 17th 12pm-1pm
Myo’s, Castleknock

• Diswellstown planning meeting – Saturday January 17th at 2pm-3pm
Myo’s, Castleknock

“When the developments of the Castleknock ‘backlands’ was first mooted during the summer, I held a very well attended meeting in Myo’s to bring local residents up to speed. There was widespread concern about the scale of the development, particularly as to how it might affect the residents of Castleknock Park and surrounding estates. It is important that they are not in any way impinged or overlooked.

“In response to a series of objections and submissions from local residents, including that of Cllr. Peggy Hamill, Uxbridge Properties Ltd. have come back with what the council describes as ‘significant additional information’, presumably to allay the fears of residents but to ensure that their proposed development of the ‘backlands’ area of Castleknock goes ahead.

“Now that that this ‘additional information’ has been submitted to Fingal County Council, I will be hosting an update meeting for local residents in Myo’s at 12 midday on Saturday, 17th January.

“We are talking about land that could be used for a key-stone development which could become a centre-point of the community. Personally, I would find it very difficult to support any development of the ‘backlands’ which did not protect and enhance the integrity of Castleknock’s village character.

“As I have said before, the development of the ‘backlands’ provides a wonderful opportunity to concentrate on building smaller, town-house type homes for local people looking to downsize. I know plenty of people around Castleknock whose family has grown up and left the nest leaving them in a house which is far too big for their needs.

“In relation to the proposed development in Diswellstown, any development of that size requires careful consideration. Given the current state of the property market, and the vast number of houses for which there is already planning permission in Dublin 15, I fail to see how granting planning permission for over 500 new houses makes sense.”