Sir, - I have followed the recent correspondence between councillors De Burca and Mitchell with some dismay. For the ordinary people of Wicklow it is irrelevant which of these councillors objected to the Kilcoole and Newtown plans first, or who objected most. These villages are facing development plans which conflict with the strategic planning guidelines and are completely contrary to the wishes of the local communities - so much so that the Minister for the Environment has threatened to relieve Wicklow County Council of its responsibility for strategic planning in the county. Despite this, few elected representatives have spoken out against the plans.
The people of Kilcoole and Newtown need the support of the councillors who oppose these plans and they need to present a united front in order to have the plans rejected. I appeal to councillors De Burca and Mitchell to resolve their differences and focus their attention on giving the people of Wicklow the leadership they need. - Yours, etc.,
Fiachra Etchingham, Member, Greystones Town Commission, Mountainview Park, Greystones, Co Wicklow.