Have your say on the Proposed Bremore Regional Park Development Project – Minister Joe O’Brien

16th April, 2021

Minister Joe O’Brien (Green Party)

Fingal

16^th April 2021

Have your say on the Proposed Bremore Regional Park Development Project – Minister Joe O’Brien

Minister Joe O’Brien has wholeheartedly welcomed the proposed Bremore Regional Park Development Project and all the hard work that has gone into getting the project to this stage. He believes that extensive stakeholder engagement is necessary to ensure that consideration is given to all views to best serve the needs of the local community. That is why he is encouraging people to have their say and contribute to the Public Consultation process which is open for submissions.

Minister O’Brien commented:

“In my own submission I have requested that better provision for biodiversity be included in the plan. As part of the rejuvenation plan for Balbriggan there was to be a consultation on a biodiversity plan for Balbriggan as a model of excellence, which has not happened yet. I would like to see a stronger emphasis on biodiversity in the Bremore Regional Park project. I would like to see some of the spaces used with biodiversity in mind. As a rapidly developed urban space it’s important that Balbriggan makes further room for biodiversity. I think this would be warmly welcomed by many in the community and I think our appreciation for biodiversity has increased in the last year. It’s important to note too that biodiversity came up a lot at some of the initial ‘in-person’ consultations on the park at the Bracken Court Hotel back in 2019. So it’s important that this is better reflected in the plan.”

He continued:

“I have also supported others in their call for better facilities to support sea-swimming. There has been a substantial surge in popularity for sea swimming in the last few years and particularly so during the pandemic. Sea swimming provides enormous physical and mental health benefits. I would like to see the plan explore facilities to support this activity to include a safe place for people to enter the sea in addition to the provision of a changing area.”

The closing date for making a submission is 30^th April 2021 at 11.59pm. Submissions can be made by logging on to https://consult.fingal.ie/en/consultation/proposed-bremore-regional-park-development-project or in writing by post addressed to: Senior Executive Officer, Planning & Strategic Infrastructure Department, Fingal County Council, County Hall, Main Street, Swords, Co Dublin K67 X8Y2.

ENDS

For more information please contact johanna.walsh@oireachtas.ie