Fingal County Council recently announced plans to build 18 houses on the green space in Orlynn Park. The site was zoned for residential development back in 1999. A campaign and motion to redesignate the area as Green Space in last year’s development plan failed. Under the Minister’s new Planning & Development Bill 2023 (Section 179A) this piece of land is exempt from the regular planning process which means that there is no opportunity for the public to make observations. We currently have nearly 500 houses under construction in the town with an existing population of 10,000, 3,300 under 17’s and are the fourth most densely populated town in Ireland. The facilities to support this population have not been provided. In a survey we conducted last year was stark reading with Lusk coming bottom of the list in every single category when compared to towns of similar sizes in the country.
Education, community facilities, sports facilities, medical, legal, supermarkets, shops, restaurants, bars, things to do, tourism, theatres, libraries, festivals, Lusk came last in every category. Communities need spaces for social interaction, cultural activities, and community gatherings to thrive. Insufficient facilities can lead to a decline in community engagement and cohesion. A town of 10,000 people without a single restaurant is an indictment of our local authorities’ poor planning. People in the community have been working hard for years to improve our town, the one barrier that we always meet is the lack of any space left. Mens shed, community gardens, basketball nets, farmers markets ( given our location as one of the biggest food producers in the country) to name but a few that cannot be accommodated.
In this context, the taking of this green space is nonsensical. Lusk Action Group will be opposing this in the strongest possible way. Our LAG AGM will take place on Monday 4th March at 7.30pm in the Cottage community centre. All are welcome to attend. If you are interested in joining our committee, please contact us at luskactiongroup@gmail.com
