RESIDENTS have expressed concerns about the impact on health and the environment of the proposed £20 million shopping centre and residential development in Bray, Co Wicklow.
In a written submission to the Bord Pleanala hearing in the town yesterday, Mr Charlie Lennon, general secretary of the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland said more than 3,000 pupils would have their school lives "blighted and disrupted" by increased traffic, noise levels, fumes and dust.
He said schools in Dublin and Cork had closed or moved from industrial and commercial centres because of the impact of traffic, noise and fumes.
A large number of objectors attended yesterday's hearing. They are appealing Bray Urban District Council's decision in October 1995 to grant permission for 156 residential units on a 17 acre site at St Cronan's, Emmet Park and Loreto Convent to Noonan Developments Ltd.
They are also objecting to the decision to approve the creation of an 85,573 square foot shopping complex and a 423 space car park at Bray Emmets' GAA ground.
Ms Mary Ashall, representing parents and teachers at Loreto secondary school, said 39 conditions were imposed on the site developers but the schools' concerns had not been considered.
Ms Miriam Hennessey, speaking for St Patrick's school, said the school's 26 teachers were vehemently opposed to the development. St Patrick's - the second largest junior school in the State with 960 pupils - would lose its last surrounding green spaces due to the size of the proposed development, she said.
Ms Mary Brandon, representing parents of St Cronan's pupils, said parents were concerned about an increased risk of traffic accidents around the school.
Mr Jim Stewart, an economics lecturer in Trinity College, Dublin, said the proposed development would be disastrous for existing Bray businesses and would result in jobs being lost.
He said the developers agreed that about half of the 200 jobs envisaged would be seasonal, part time, and low skilled.
Mr Aidan Gibney, chairman of the Novara and Sidmonton District Residents' Association, said its 300 members were shocked to find that no civic amenity was proposed in the commercial development.
Mr Aidan Gibney, chairman of the Novara and Sidmonton District Residents' Association, said its 300 members were shocked to find that no civic amenity was proposed in the commercial development.
Their major worries were loss of residential amenities, serious disruption during the three year construction period and inevitable traffic chaos.
Mr Declan Molloy, a businessman, said 88 out of 118 businessmen in the town opposed the proposed development.
Mr Paddy Mooney, of Colohan Terrace Residents' Association, said that if Emmet Park was developed into a commercial complex his members' adjoining houses would be open to vandalism, and intruders would be able to gain easy access and escape through the complex.
Another objector, author Mr James Plunkett, told the hearing that it was distressing to; see the democratic process failing to safeguard lifestyles and the environment against more powerful agencies. He was critical of Bray UDC's decision to; grant planning permission.
Ms Mildred Fox, the Independent TD for Wicklow, said there was no need for a supermarket development to go ahead on the Emmet Park site which instead should be developed as an amenity park.
If permitted, the proposed development would destroy one of the last green spaces in the heart of Bray, create traffic congestion, endanger school children and jeopardise existing small shops, she added.
The hearing resumes this morning with evidence from Bray UDC planning officials and Noonan Developments.