Land rezoning ignores public opinion

THE recent debate in the Irish Examiner on urban rezoning land issues reflected the countrywide nature of the problem.

Here in Cashel, most of our councillors recently voted for the sale of two acres of public land to a developer, for a hotel and commercial units. The land in question is surrounded by mature, protected trees and is under grass, being naturally suited as a much needed town park.

Strangely, the land was left out of the last Cashel Town Plan Conservation Area. Now, Cashel people are being asked to live with a five-storey hotel squeezed onto a tiny site.

Think of the negative visual impact this will have on the nearby Rock of Cashel. It’s a Trim Castle fiasco all over again, and it’s not good enough for a heritage town with 250,000 visitors a year.

If unsuitable rezoning of land can occur in Cashel, and decisions are railroaded through without public debate, what hope is there for the rest of Ireland?

Richard O’Brien

Boscabell

Cashel

Co Tipperary