Cutting the grass takes on added meaning in fight for green space
LOCALS took advantage of the fine weather over the weekend to cut the grass in the green area in front of their houses on Fairfield Close on Goat Street. It was a simple display of community spirit but it carried a deeper message as residents oppose plans by Zinbar Grove Developments to build nine houses and two apartments on the grassy slope in front of their homes.
In the planning application submitted to Kerry County Council the green area is described by the developers as a “disused open space” and they say the new houses would help “make the town a more effective and attractive location in which to live”.
An additional submission on behalf of the developers by planning consultant Derek Daly, who previously worked in Kerry County Council’s planning dept and with An Bord Pleanála, says the green area “was never envisaged from the outset to be retained as a public open area”.
“It is absolutely unsuitable as an area of public open space,” Mr Daly states. “Areas of public open space by definition require to be useable, functional and readily accessible. The site provides none of these owing to the gradient and configuration. It would not offer a suitable location as a public children’s play area as it is in immediate proximity to a busy road or comply with appropriate norms for passive and safety surveillance.”
The residents couldn’t disagree more. In a flood of objections against the development lodged with Kerry County Council they argue that the site was specifically provided as open space as part of the ‘parent permission’ (when planning permission was granted for the construction of Fairfield Close) and that “the area is currently being used by local residents, especially young children, as an amenity area for recreational play due to its safe, enclosed and defensible nature.”
It could be another two months before Kerry County Council makes a decision on the planning application because of delays caused by the coronavirus lockdown, but in the meantime the residents of Fairfield Close will continue cutting the grass as they stand up for their green space.