Phoenix Park homes will add to locals’ misery

AN BORD PLEANÁLA’S decision to grant planning permission for over 2,300 new homes and apartments on the site of Dublin’s former Phoenix Park racecourse site has angered opponents of the €670m scheme.

Rejecting an appeal by the Phoenix Park Preservation Association, the planning authority said it decided the development was in accordance with the 'proper planning and sustainable development of the area'.

Since the racecourse closed in 1990, a number of proposals had been made to have the valuable property developed.

According to Fine Gael Senator Sheila Terry, the decision would add to the misery of 75,000 residents in Castleknock and Blanchardstown struggling to cope with the appalling existing infrastructure.

"This will be the fourth new town in the area in recent years. Instead of responding to the need for transport, schooling and other facilities, the Government has sat back and left the residents to cope for themselves," said Ms Terry.

Labour TD Joan Burton said huge profits would go to four or five individuals behind the project who would give nothing towards much needed infrastructure.

Both politicians said there were insufficient secondary school places to meet existing demand, while the railway line could not cope with the current demand.

Progressive Democrats Senator Tom Morrissey said An Bord Pleanála had set a condition that no more than 500 houses could be occupied before a €4m railway station in nearby Castleknock was operational.

In 1998 the main grandstand was damaged by fire, which Gardaí believe was deliberately started. Later that year the 100-acre site was sold to a leading firm of house builders for €47m.

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael members of Fingal Co Council voted for rezoning of the site in October 1998 when Labour and Green councillors wanted it preserved as open space.

A €445m scheme by a US corporation to provide a 63,000-seat stadium, an indoor arena, a 349-bedroom hotel, a national conference centre and a casino eventually withered.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, before entering government, indicated he would not be prepared in government to amend legislation to allow a casino said to be the 'financial engine' driving the entire scheme.