Sir, Frank McDonald did us a service (Irish Times, May 28th) by publicising the rezoning plans prepared by the Celbridge and Clane Area Committees of Kildare County Council (KCC) for North Kildare towns. A population increase from 32,200 (1991 census) to 88,800 is being enabled. Yet these towns retain the road network they had in 1971 (combined population 6,636) and most of their working folk funnel into. Dublin on the saturated M4/N4 dual carriageway.
Frank McDonald's article makes it clear that everyone, bar Labour and Democratic Left, are the demons of the piece. This is particularly perverse, as the proposals for the three largest towns Leixlip, Celbridge and Maynooth were prepared by the, Celbridge Area Committee.
This comprises Councillors, Colm Purcell (chairman, Labour) John McGinley (labour), co-opted in place of Minister Stagg, Catherine Murphy (Democratic Left) a left wing majority, with, only one each from Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. This alliance added over 700 acres of housing lands to the 450 acres left undeveloped since 1985.
Leixlip's development plan was, approved substantially as drafted on October 3rd, 1994, when the County Manager told the council that the Leixlip draft had been recommended unanimously by the Celbridge Area Committee except for seven areas. The main areas subsequently approved by the whole council include an additional 84 acres of housing lands zoned in Easton and Barnhall townlands, which were decided by the Celbridge Area Committee on the propositions of Labour Councillors Purcell and McGinley and supported by Catherine Murphy (DL) and Gerry Brady (FF). At the full decisive meeting of KCC, Councillors Murphy, McGinley and Purcell voted against their own recommendations which were predictably passed by councillors from outside their area!
In the Leixip development plan (Section 1.4), the same councillors decided that it was the policy of the council to make Maynooth, Celbridge and Leixlip equal in size. Clearly this accounts for their zoning spree, contrary to their voters' wishes.
In October 1994, Leixlip Town Commissioners, on my proposal, formally requested the Minister for the Environment to use his powers to vary the Leixlip development plan in the light of the many anomalies which had arisen in its production. My proposal had the support of over 4,000 Leixlip residents, given in writing. Nevertheless the Minister defined to enquire into the matter.
In view of the recent calamitous decisions and planned decision relating to the whole of Kildare, it behoves the Minister to use his powers to bring sense to the councillors who represent this area. On July 9th I formally asked him, and await his considered response. Yours, etc., The Toll House, Salmon Leap Bridge, Leixlip Co. Kildare.