Press Release: Dún Laoghaire 10 November 2005

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Dún Laoghaire, Environment and Justice Press Releases

10 November 2005

Green Party delighted with planning decision on Booterstown helicopter

The Green Party has welcomed An Board Pleanála’s ruling that the landing of a helicopter adjacent to the Booterstown Bird Marsh in South Dublin constitutes development.

The Green Party has consistently opposed the landing of a helicopter by property developer Bernard McNamara at that location. Back in February 2005 Mr. McNamara had given assurances that the helipad would be removed. However in late April the helicopter landings resumed. At that time the Green Party stated the landings posed a risk to Booterstown Bird Marsh and to local residents as well as to traffic on the nearby Rock Road and rail passengers on the DART line.

Green Party TD for Dun Laoghaire Ciarán Cuffe said that, “I’m delighted with the news. It’s a sensible decision that sends out a message that developers should respect the views of local communities. Hopefully the residents of Booterstown can sleep a little easier knowing that the helicopter landings won’t be permitted. 

“We’ll be keeping an eye on the site, and Mr. McNamara can be assured that if he does seek permission for a helipad, people will make their views known through the planning process. I’ve no doubt that the swans in Booterstown Birdmarsh will also be celebrating.”

Local Green Party Councillor Nessa Childers said that, “This is a great success. Local residents in Trimleston Avenue and St. Helen’s Road in Booterstown already have lots of traffic noise from the Rock Road. The last thing that they wanted was helicopter landings on top of all that.”

The steps that led to the An Board Pleanála’s ruling that the landing of a Booterstown helicopter landing constitutes development are the following;
Ciarán Cuffe TD sought a declaration on 29 April 2005 from Dublin City Council under Section 5 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 2000 that the landings or takeoffs of a helicopter at the ‘Ashcastle’ Site at the Rock Road on the boundary between Dublin City and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown constituted development. 

Dublin City Council issued a decision on 15 June 2005 stating that such activity at that location constituted development under the Planning Acts. Ashcastle Developments Ltd. a company under the control of Bernard McNamara had also sought a similar Declaration by the City Council and was also informed that such use constituted development.

Ashcastle Developments Ltd. a company under the control of Bernard McNamara appealed that decision to An Bord Pleanála on 5 July 2005. In an observation to the Board Ciarán Cuffe TD stated:
“…There has been a rapid increase in the ownership and use of helicopters in Ireland in recent years. This has led to an increase in noise and disturbance for human beings, flora and fauna. It is crucial that the planning system exerts some control over this development…”

An Board Pleanála’s decision of the 7 November 2005 upheld the view of Dublin City Council that the helicopter use would require Planning Permission.

                                                           Page last updated 10 November 2005