Madam, - Gene Feighery (November 14th) commented on my statements about Dun Laoghaire Golf Club. May I explain my position?
The planners in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council have recommended that large areas of the county be rezoned for residential use to cater for future housing needs. The population of Dun Laoghaire town is declining, so if more people do not move into Dun Laoghaire, facilities such as schools will be forced to close in the next 10 years.
Dun Laoghaire Golf Club wishes to sell its course, which is intersected by a busy road, and move to the foot of the Dublin mountains, which will protect that high-amenity area. The planners have proposed that most of the golf club land be used for housing, and a substantial portion will be public open space. I voted for the planners' proposal because it is a sensible solution to the falling population levels and is in my view sustainable development, the land being 10 minutes' walk from a DART station.
On the other hand I voted against the rezoning of the lands around Clontra in Shankill. I believe development there is unsustainable due to cliff erosion, access problems and the fact that the area is used as an amenity by the whole community.
Shankill has seen huge growth in its population over the past 15 years and it is lunacy to add to pressure on overcrowded schools in Shankill, while the urban heart of our county closes down underused facilities as its population declines.
Finally, I cannot understand how Labour and Green councillors can in good conscience vote against what an obvious example of sustainable urban development in Dun Laoghaire, while at the same time complaining about housing shortages and urban sprawl. - Yours, etc.,
Cllr BERNIE LOWE (FF), Abingdon Park, Shankill.