Save Little Sugarloaf
A public meeting was held last Tuesday Night (12th) in Plucks of Kilmacanogue to clarify and discuss the proposed roadway and rezoning of lands on the lower slopes of Little Sugarloaf. The meeting was well attended and some very strong concerns and objections were voiced along with some very intelligent and considered alternatives. One clear outcome is that the community will no longer allow planning by stealth and demanded timely notification and full transparency on any proposed plans that will affect the local community.
As discussed at the meeting, It is worth pointing out that the TII (Transport Infrastructure Ireland) report for the N11 noted that the council’s proposed Little Sugarloaf roadway was superfluous to the needs and unfeasible on the grounds of its environmental impact to the area. It is also worth pointing out that the roadway proposal is contrary to the vision and goals of the Wicklow County Development Plan 2016-2022.The committee urge you to all to review the WCDP here to make an informed decision and please visit; wicklow.ie/stages-wicklow-county-development-plan;
Of the 8-elected county councillors in Bray, the organisers were pleased and grateful to Cathaoirleach of Bray Municipal District Cllr Christopher Fox, Cllr Joe Behan, Cllr Steven Matthews and Cllr Michael O’Connor for their attendance and their commitment to voicing the concerns of the community of Kilmacanogue, it is important to note that the proposed plan will not be passed or rejected just by the eight councillors in Bray but the vote will necessitate all 32 elected councillors in Co. Wicklow. They would also like to thank TD John Brady for his attendance and his input throughout.
As was suggested at the meeting by several of the councillors present, individual objections have far greater impact than a single submission signed by a few hundred people. With that in mind, this proposal must be objected to in order to allow time to consider alternatives. If you feel strongly enough to object and to voice your individual concerns and to protect our community and our area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, then you must email planreview@wicklowcoco.ie with your objection noting your address as only one objection is allowed per household.
According to the councillors in attendance, the view is that with enough submissions of objection this would trigger a review of the plans with further consultation required before any plans are finalised or implemented. Following this it was also suggested that we as a community create a civic association for Kilmacanogue that would give us better representation into the future on all matters associated with our community and any further planning proposals that affect us all. Meeting chairman David Devine says they will be calling a meeting regarding this proposed civic association shortly. If you wish to volunteer your services or propose anyone to help create and steer this association then either PM Kilmacanogue News and Views Facebook page directly or email to news@kilmacanogue.ie.
However, these notes must also be partial and accept that there is another side to this development. Residents on the N11 have waited for up to 10 minutes to get onto this road to exit from their houses at busy times due to the constant flow of southbound traffic and they would welcome a slip road out the back of their gardens to get to the village and turn around for Bray.