Stillorgan Reservoir project is a missed opportunity to extend public access to much needed green space– Smith

Fianna Fáil Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Councillor and Local Election candidate in Stillorgan, Donal Smith has said that the decision to deny the public from accessing 15 acres of green, landscaped land once the Stillorgan Reservoir project is completed, is at odds with the Council’s strategy on improving green infrastruture in the area.
In June 2017, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council granted planning permission to Irish Water for extensive works at the Stillorgan Reservoir. The initial decision to grant planning permission required Irish Water to provide green open space with public access. However, Irish Water later won its appeal to An Bord Pleanála to prevent access for the public.

“The fact that some 15 acres of land in Stillorgan is set to be landscaped and developed but members of the public will be denied access to it, is ludicrous to say the very least,” said Cllr Smith.

“The development and maintenance of green space is essential particularly in urban centres to preserve natural habitats and biodiversity and equally to promote regular exercise and activity. When the reservoir is completed, this garden will be on our doorstep, yet no one will be able to avail of its health, environmental or recreational benefits.
“There are several sports clubs in the area whose facilities are already overstretched and could have used these acres of land to expand to meet demand. Instead, under the current plans the gates will be locked and locals won’t have access to it.

“The Local Authority’s existing Green Infrastructure Strategy recognises the health and recreational worth of striking a balance of green, urban public space. It also highlights the inadequate provision of this kind of amenity in the wider Sandyford/Stillorgan area. Irish Water has been allowed impede the council’s ability to ever fulfil that objective.

“Other cities such as Seattle in the US have provided acres of open park space by covering its reservoirs. If its possible internationally then it is possible here in Ireland too once we’re ambitious enough to make it happen.

“The explanations given by Irish Water to block public access to the land when completed are not satisfactory. The Minister for Environment, Eoghan Murphy must intervene in order for the eco-friendly benefits of this land to be fully realised for the entire community.

“I intend on continuing to campaign to ensure that Stillorgan residents can gain much needed green space from this ongoing project.”