We very much welcome plans for compact growth and regeneration to facilitate population growth and the promotion of densities along public transport corridors. We also welcome plans to develop a comprehensive network of signed pedestrian and cycleways linking residential areas to one another, to the village centres, schools, recreational hubs and railway stations. Plans to re-use and rehabilitate existing housing stock in rural areas in preference to new-build and to direct rural generated housing demand to villages and rural clusters with access to quality public transport are also welcome. These developments are positive moves towards reduced car usage (and therefore reduced congestion, emissions and air pollution) and accessibility to efficient public services for all.
The plan proposes to retain existing tree-lined approaches to all towns and villages to preserve their special character. We ask that this is carefully planned to avoid the retrospective removal of mature trees that are later discovered to be unsuitable for footpaths.
In terms of zoning, we ask that agriculture should be situated close to where people are living (e.g. land around Skerries town) so that growth is self-sustaining. Areas with high quality soil surrounding towns should be identified for development of further sustainable agricultural practices to build resilience in the area of food security within Fingal and the rest of Ireland. In this, organic and regenerative agriculture should be supported and prioritised wherever possible.