Leading writers oppose Emmet Park development

November 1994

Six of Wicklow’s most distinguished writers have lent their support to the campaign of ongoing opposition to plans for a new supermarket complex and associated housing development in the centre of Bray.

In a letter to this newspaper, the local literati have demanded to know why the Wicklow County Manager approved the controversial planning application for the Dunnes’ stores development at Emmet Park in the face of widespread opposition within the local community.

Claiming that ‘democracy has been trampled on’, the writers called for a referendum to ascertain the views of local people on the issue.

The letter, which will give heart to local residents planning to appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanala is signed by ‘Glenroe’ script writer Wesley Borrowes, ‘Riordans’ creator and author James Dunne, playwright Bernard Farrell, writer and abbey Theatre Director Tomas Mac Anna, ‘Strumpte City’ author James Plunkett, and author and playwright Professor Robert Hogan.

In their letter,r the authors say that Bray UDC’s recent decision to allow planning permission for the development called for examination and claimed that ‘nobody appears to want such a development, except officials and some councillors.’

The letter went on to outline the lengthy campaign of opposition to the scheme and the grounds on which it has been fought, such as loss of amenity, adverse impact by traffic and pollution,loss of local property values.

The letter went on to recall the depth of local opposition to the scheme at a number of public meetings as a result of which 17 named societies appealed to the council to reject the application.