Sir, - I wish to express my deep dismay at An Bord Pleanala's approval of the Sonas Centre development.
That decision was clearly taken on narrow economic grounds, the justification for the destruction of so much of Dublin's architectural heritage, and without reference to recognised planning norms or to basic social and environmental considerations. It took no account whatsoever of the legitimate concerns and wishes of the West Dublin community and its elected representatives. Moreover, it is in clear contrast with the encouragement which the area's most distinguished resident, the President, Mrs Robinson, has so consistently extended to community associations, local initiatives and grass roots democracy.
It is outrageous, that in a country whose Constitution gives primacy to democratic values and the role of the family, that an unaccountable body of faceless appointees can throw a community to the commercial wolves. It's unaccountability is compounded by the arbitrary nature of this body which is apparently free to ignore the clear precedents set by its own previous rejections of relatively modest development proposals for the same site.
This arbitrariness is further borne out by the blatant discrepancy between the specious grounds on which the Sonas approval was justified by An Bord Pleanala and its recent earlier rejection of a far more modest proposed development in Bray on the grounds of its being "seriously excessive" and injurious to the amenities of that area.
Is this yet another instance where the already amenity rich south county area is protected and enhanced, while the comparatively neglected north county is further ignored? It appears that the Phoenix Park, the best of our limited amenities, is now to be sacrificed for the profit of a few.
However, despite An Bord Pleanala's shortsighted and irresponsible decision, this particular matter is very far from being closed. It is already apparent that the people of West Dublin and their many supporters in the wider community are determined to maintain their total opposition to this grotesque development. The Government and the Opposition parties should not underestimate or ignore the depth of public feeling on this issue. - Yours, etc.,
Castleknock,
Dublin 15.