Sir, - The chairman of An Taisce, Michael Smith, writes (Opinion, April 4th) that Strategic Planning Guidelines strictly limit new housing to local needs only in the hinterland areas of Kildare, Meath and Wicklow. However, he may not be aware that the SPGs were updated in April 2000 to allow for the possibility of greater development "along rail lines" in these areas. The SPGs do not provide any means to give local people priority to the restricted number of houses to be built. Commuters are likely to able to outbid the children of locals, thus forcing them out of their areas, as has happened in other countries with similar restrictions. Councillors have a responsibility to see local people are housed. The SPGs should be amended to give locals priority where new housing is restricted in the national interest. Having campaigned for 21 years to get the DART extended to Greystones, I am a firm supporter of the SPGs' emphasis on rail transport. The Dublin Transportation Office is currently finalising plans for major investment, including electrification, on all rail lines radiating out of Dublin, except the Wicklow one. The SPGs have identified Wicklow town and Arklow as development centres because they have a rail service. However, the train service is not good enough to support the SPGs as it takes 1 hr 55 mins to travel the 40 miles to Arklow. A major improvement is needed. - Yours, etc.,
Derek Mitchell, Member, Wicklow County Council (Fine Gael) and An Taisce, Greystones, Co Wicklow.