Skerries locals ‘dismayed’ as rejected proposal gets second chance

Skerries locals are “dismayed” at a recent planning application proposing the development of a petrol station and business park, says a local councillor.

This is the second time that Sneem Property Limited has applied for permission to develop on the sites located at Milverton and Townparks on the outskirts of Skerries town.

The property firm’s original application was rejected by Fingal County Council last year on several grounds.

It is understood that there is minimal change to the new application which submitted to the council earlier this month.

The application proposes the construction of a “building containing mechanic, tire sales, and petrol station,” with six pumps and the first phase of a business park containing four, two-storey buildings.

However, local councillor and Mayor of Fingal Seána Ó Rodaigh says that this application “is the same as the last one,” and has garnered many objections from the local community.

“Last year, the application was turned down by Fingal County Council and five grounds, as it contravened the local area plan,” she told Northside People.

One of the reasons why it was rejected, Ó Rodaigh says, is that the proposed site is subjected to flooding – an aspect that the developer has not addressed, she says.

“The only difference I can see between the old application and this one is instead of a petrol station, it now says a building with petrol pumps with six rather than the original 12.”

“I have no objections to a business park in Skerries, but not on a flood zone and not beside a historical bridge.”

Ó Rodaigh says that Sneem’s decision to file for permission for the development during the summer has caught people off-guard.

“I have been contacted by a few people in the area who were not aware of the proposal due to being on holidays or were just not around.”

Last year’s proposal garnered 60 submissions from local residents and politicians, with 59 objecting to the development and one being in favour of it.

“I suppose there is dismay in the local community as to why the same application was submitted again,” says Ó Rodaigh.

“I would be amazed if it was accepted – maybe the owners want to show that it does have plans for the land, but I’m not sure.

“I would like to encourage people to contact me if they have any questions and make submissions to Fingal County Council.”