Writings: Submissions by Ciarán Cuffe / Bray Golf Course Lands

3 July 2006 

The Secretary, An Bord Pleanála

64 Marlborough Street

Dublin 1 

Your Ref. Pl 06D217910

Observation on Appeal(s) re. Planning Application D05A/790 to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. Site at the Dublin Road, Bray, Co. Dublin. Applicant: Pizzaro Developments Ltd. 

Dear Sir, 

I write to express my concern at the poor design quality of the Planning Application and the increase in traffic and loss of amenity resulting to the residents of Corke Abbey if granted. I support the creation of additional housing and shops close to the heart of Bray, but ask that you take into consideration the following points: 

1.            This road comes up to 25 metres closer to the back walls of some of the Corke Abbey houses than the route shown in the Development Plan map.  A new road to the south of these houses would expose the residents to traffic, noise and potential intrusion. Providing residential development with back gardens that would back on to the Corke Abbey Residents’ rear gardens would alleviate this problem. Failing that, I would ask that you provide a wall to their rear that protects them from the road. It is curious that an access route is being provided this far north from the development and I request that the alignment should be reconsidered. 

2.            The proposed entrance road at the North of the application would function better as a street rather than as a road. It appears incongruous to place a suburban road and roundabouts in a location that is designated for town centre development. I ask that it be redesigned in a manner more suitable to an urban location. Roundabouts do not work well in urban locations as they favour cars rather than pedestrians or cyclists. In a town centre location urban design rather than road engineering should be the main priority. In addition no detailed design is provided for the major town centre development at the Industrial Yarns site. Detailed road design is premature prior to the submission of a coherent design for the Industrial Yarns site. 

3.            I am concerned at the levels of car traffic arising from the proposed development. I fear that it could give rise to greater traffic congestion. I ask that a Mobility Management Plan that favours pedestrian and foot traffic and public transport be provided. I note that there is no funding or time-scale given to improving public transport in the Application, and ask that this be conditioned into any permission. 

I enclose a cheque for fifty Euro and ask that you acknowledge this observation.

Sincerely,

Ciaran Cuffe TD