Sir, - After attending a large public meeting objecting to the proposed new development of Stillorgan shopping centre, I would like to offer my sympathy and support to the residents whose homes will be overshadowed by this huge high-rise development.
I believe that the massive new four-storey shopping centre planned for this site will have a far reaching impact on the whole Stillorgan area, destroying the village atmosphere that Stillorgan has managed to hold on to. There are already major traffic problems in the area and I believe that local roads in the Mount Merrion, Kilmacud, Stillorgan, Blackrock and Goatstown area would be unable to cope with the increased volume of traffic that an enormous shopping centre would bring. A number of local schools are situated in close proximity to the site.
Stillorgan is a well established area with facilities for all ages, with its busy and popular fresh-air shopping centre at its core. The centre was considered both daring and innovative when it opened, and is still thriving. How I wish that modern architects and designers and planners would actually visit and shop in the places they now design. Will architects and planners have the good sense to retain the concept of a two-storey fresh-air shopping centre that is the heart of Stillorgan!
Does the Stillorgan area actually need more shops? I hope that those supposed to be representing us will say "no!" - Yours, etc.,
Stillorgan Grove, Blackrock, Co Dublin.