FINGAL county councillors have embarked on land rezoning moves in Swords which could increase the town's population by at least 15,000 - triple the figure that the planners say it can accommodate.
The council has already exceeded the 5,200 maximum increase recommended by the planners by rezoning two large tracts of land to the south of Swords, at Crowscastle and Fosterstown, for industrial and residential development.
The Crowscastle and Fosterstown rezonings are the only ones adopted. However, the agenda includes several other contentious rezoning motions which are to be considered at a series of special meetings in the coming weeks.
The Crowscastle land, owned by Mr David Daly, formerly of Manor Park Homes, is intended for development as a business park with its own "biocycle" sewage treatment plant and would not, therefore, have to rely on public sewerage.
In the case of Fosterstown, Bovale Developments Ltd - controlled by Mayo-born brothers, Mr Michael Bailey and Mr Tom Bailey - wants to develop 75 acres for suburban housing and a further 20 acres for an industrial estate.
Motions to rezone the two land parcels of land were proposed by Ms Anne Devitt (FG), who currently chairs the council, and Mr Cyril Gallagher (FF). They were both among the most active land rezoners during the last round in 1993.
It is estimated that the latest rezoning decisions - if confirmed by the council after being publicly exhibited for a month would increase the value of the Crowscastle and Fosterstown land by several million pounds.
But the planners insist that the existing sewage treatment plant in Swords is "overloaded" and the town will only be able to absorb an additional 5,200 residents after a new plant is commissioned in three or four years.
Councillors were provided with a menu" of different sites which the planners considered suitable for rezoning. They were told that they could rezone some, but not all, of these sites, bearing in mind the 5200 limit.
The criteria suggested by the planners are that rezonings should consolidate existing and proposed development, facilitate job creation, develop the town centre, provide the necessary infrastructure and retain the green belt.
However, one of the motions tabled by Ms Devitt and Mr Gallagher would rezone 20 acres of the green belt separating Swords from Malahide. This site adjoins the isolated Drinan housing estate permitted in 1977 by the late James Tully.
Another motion, tabled by Mr Gallagher and Mr Michael Kennedy (FF), would rezone a larger parcel of land at Barryspark, east of Drinan. This is supported by the estate's residents because it would give them "critical mass".
By far the largest tract of land proposed for rezoning - again, by Ms Devitt and Mr Gallagher - involves 160 acres off Rathbeale Road, north of Swords, for a mixed development of housing, industry and shopping facilities.
This land is mainly owned by a Dublin property developer. Mr Gerry Gannon, who is also seeking to have 13 acres of land at Rathingle rezoned for housing, via a motion tabled by Mr Seamus Lyons (FF) and Mr Liam Creaven
The case made by the pro rezoning councillors is that Swords needs to be developed as the county town of Fingal, that there is a big demand for housing in the area and that it is up to the county council to facilitate expansion.
