Luisne concerned about Rocks Valley
PLANS FOR CREATION OF ECO PARK USING DARGLE MATERIALS
LUISNE Centre for Spirituality in Kilcoole has expressed concerns about the proposed dumping of materials from the Dargle basin at Rocks Valley.
Their concerns include fears of damage to a stream which runs through the lower walled garden at Luisne. They said that it is likely that the stream could completely disappear. ‘ This is only one fallout factor in the entire proposal,’ they said in a statement.
They have called on the council to remove loads already tipped at the entrance to the Rocks Valley as they say bitumen should not be stored on unlined soil.
They have also said that without derogation licences the council cannot proceed with moving badgers or cutting down the trees in the area where bats roost.
The council pans to install an ‘eco park’ at the valley. Discussions between officials and residents have been under way, with a meeting on the subject held last month.
Marc Devereux of Wicklow County Council said that while the officials have considered alternatives extending to 15 sites, this is the preferred one.
He told a meeting of Greystones Municipal District that this is a good use of the space.
He said that the council owned land could be reclaimed, using materials from the Dargle.
‘I know there won’t ever be 100 per cent agreement,’ said Mr Devereux. ‘ That’s the nature of the beast. But successful efforts have been made on our part to allay concerns.’
If an infill site proceeds there it will take 18 months to complete, with nine trucks per hour containing 18 tonnes of landfill material.