‘No’ to SWAP proposal in Bray
THERE was a large attendance in the public gallery in the council chamber on Monday during discussions on the Chief Executive’s report on submissions to the Bray Municipal District Local Area Plan 2018.
The majority of onlookers were members of the Little Bray community group SWAP (Safety with Alternative Plan), who want high density development planned for the 3.5 ha corridor of land alongside the river Dargle stepped back onto the high ground.
Their homes are located upriver from the proposed development.
Cllr Joe Behan pleaded with other councillors to support the issues raised by SWAP.
‘ They are a community group with no other interest than to protect their homes. They have been consistently opposed to development on this flood plain for ten to twelve years now. We don’t know what will happen regarding flooding and because of this uncertainty I err on the side of caution,’ he said.
Cllr Behan proposed that the size of the park should be increased from two hectares to 3.5 hectares; that it would be located along the river front and that no retail zoning would be included for that area. He also advised that the proposal was supported by Councillors Oliver O’Brien, Steven Matthews, Brendan Thornhill and Michael O’Connor.
‘ That’s five out of the eight councillors in Bray. If this decision was being made in Bray it would be passed because we would have a majority,’ said Cllr Behan.
Cllr O’Connor said: ‘ The land is on a flood plain so it makes no sense to build on it. There is no sense in removing this land. Where will the overflow water