Dublin farm to sell lands to developers

Owners of one of the last urban farms say future is safe despite the sale of three acres.

The owners of one of the last remaining Dublin urban farms, the Airfield Trust in Dundrum, say its future is not under threat in spite of a decision to sell part of the land for development.

The trust has decided to sell three acres of land adjoining the new Luas station currently being built on the western boundary of its 35-acre property. It has also successfully applied to Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council to keep residential zoning for much of the remaining land. The planners had proposed this be zoned as open space in the current development plan, but county councillors overturned this last month.

Airfield Trust is a private trust company set up in 1993 to administer the estate and wishes of the late Letitia and Naomi Overend, who lived most of their lives on the estate. The facility embraces a farm and gardens, a restaurant, educational programmes and arts and crafts courses.

The trust had argued in a submission to the council that its lands were a vital asset whose "potential development value" with residential zoning was "essential" for its financial security.

However, in spite of the application to retain residential zoning, the trust has "absolutely no intention" of selling any more land to developers, according to the chair of the trustees, Mr John Edmondson. While it was being run at a loss at the moment, a variety of options was being explored to improve its financial health.

Local Green TD Mr Eamon Ryan last night called on the trust to seek State assistance rather than sell off any land. "If they sell any land it will kill the essence of what is magical about the place," he said. Mr Ryan welcomed the trust's plan for redevelopment but said its land should be zoned open space or amenity.

One of the biggest housebuilders in Dublin, Mr Gerry Gannon, is currently completing an apartment block, Rockfield, to the south of Airfield. Mr Gannon said yesterday he would be interested in acquiring the Airfield lands but had not done any deal.

The trust also sought to have Airfield House, which dates back to the 1820s, removed from the list of protected structures in Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown. An architect's report was submitted which argued that while Airfield was "visually pleasant, its architectural significance and interest are virtually non-existent". However, the council says the house remains on the protected list.

The sale of the land, known as Dudley's Field, will finance a redesign of the property, with a new entrance gate from the west instead of the north and a reorientation of the farm and gardens.