Wicklow councillors who recently rejected proposals to rezone large tracts of north Wicklow have come up with an alternative strategy for the area. The 15-point scheme, which includes elements of "social planning", is designed to upgrade services for the community "to an acceptable standard before any more large-scale development".
The move follows a recommendation in the Draft Development Plan that an additional 2,000 houses be built, from which development levies could be used to finance road-building in the area. Councillors led by Mr George Jones (FG) rejected this approach, arguing that the roads should have been provided under the 1989 Development Plan.
Mr Jones said the proposals, which he had outlined to the county manager, could be a blueprint to lead the area into the next century. One of them, to expand and develop the local health centre, was clearly outside the council's remit, but Mr Jones argued that the council should take a lead in making a case to the Eastern Health Board.
Similarly, he proposed the council should deal with a range of State and semi-State services such as the Dublin Transportation Office and Iarnrod Eireann about co-ordinating an approach for the impending arrival of the DART.
On land rezoning around Greystones Harbour, where the financier, Mr Albert Gubay, has proposed a £50 million marina, the blueprint advises making amendments to the plan to ensure public support.
A local campaign is calling for a reduction in housing associated with the project. Mr Jones feels the council should get behind the campaign rather than financially underpin Mr Gubay's plans by land rezoning.
He also argues that the emphasis on developing north Wicklow as a dormitory suburb has deprived the area of industrial development, and wants to see additional land zoned for a business park.
