A draft “Framework Plan” was recently shared by Fingal County Council where it stated that “the development strategy for Donabate, as set out in the Development Plan, is to promote the provision of all necessary community, commercial, cultural and social facilities in tandem with new residential development”. It further states that “there was a high level of agreement about the needs of the Donabate community: such as…the need for a civic / cultural / arts centre - a performance space etc. was also highlighted.” While it is great that the need for an indoor cultural centre (that would benefit the entire community) is acknowledged and referenced in this draft framework, we need to see real progress on accomplishing this objective. Presently, there is significant residential development in Donabate without the provision of adequate facilities. Now is the time to locate a suitable site for a cultural centre. If the Council is serious about providing adequate space for social and cultural facilities, then they should commit to this objective. The Tilbury site is a perfect example of a location that would be ideal for a standalone, multi-purpose cultural centre. It is in an excellent location, between the planned developments at Ballymastone and Corballis East. Given there will be thousands of houses built in Donabate in the coming years and we’ll likely have a population of over 20,000 by 2030, we cannot miss this opportunity to build a standalone, multi-purpose cultural centre. The Local Area Development Plan for Donabate clearly commits to providing support for the provision of a “Community / Cultural / Exhibition Arts Centre.” Development Plans cannot merely be aspirational documents. We have a reasonable expectation as a community to receive adequate indoor cultural and social facilities to match the significant residential development in our area. An action plan should be put in place with the Council and community groups to ensure that this objective is realised. If you agree with what I’ve stated here and would like to support this campaign for a cultural centre, please email me at: EoghanDockrellFG@gmail.com