Lower Point Road residents sign petition

June 1997

THE Lower Point Road residents’ group, opposing the development of houses beside the Navvy Bank, collect 2,500 signatures in support of their campaign.

Before Dundalk urban council is a planning application from Ardos Holding Ltd., c/o P. J. Tobin & Co., Eimear Court, Market Square, Dundalk, seeking permission for development of sites and construction of 32 bungalows at Point Road.

It sparks the residents’ action, and very quickly turns a local matter into a town issue.

The committee claims if it had more members, signatures could be collected from everyone in Dundalk.

‘ The Navvy Bank walk is irreplaceable. People come to it from all areas of the town to unwind, and don’t want to be looking at more houses and roads right beside a scenic, peaceful walk,’ says a spokesperson for the residents.

They claim the Navvy Bank is as important to the quality of life as ‘roads and water.’

The group obtains a report on birdlife in the area, and it lists 36 species encountered from the Navvy Bank to Soldiers’ Point.

In addition to local ‘ birders’, the area is also regularly visited by others from Newry, Drogheda, Dublin and Belfast, the report by Dr. Don Hodgers continues.

He adds ‘ birders’ believe the area should not be used for housing, rather be designated as an area of special scientific interest and a nature reserve.

There is also a call for the pond to be re-instated.

‘Even though it is of very small size, there are few freshwater ponds so close to the coast anywhere in the locality.’