High Court to hear application against Bulloch Harbour housing proposal

by Rebecca Ryan
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The High Court will be hearing the application by local campaigners against a housing development at Bulloch Harbour, Dalkey next week.

Earlier this year, the controversial development got the green light from An Bord Pleanala for three three-storey houses, two apartments, a cafe and a number of other buildings.

There has been anger among some locals, who feel the proposals don’t fit in with the landscape of the surrounding area, and there are also concerns about the potential for flooding.

Save Bulloch Harbour is a campaign led by Bulloch Harbour Preservation Association (BHPA), made up of local boat owners, fishermen, harbour users and residents.

Next Monday, October 14, the high court will hear BHPA’s application for a judicial review of An Bord Planala’s decision to grant planning permission for the proposed development.

In a statement, the group said: “If the hearing gives us leave to pursue the judicial review, we would expect that by November, we will be given a date in 2020 for the actual Judicial Review.”

The group feel that the views of the local Bulloch and Dalkey community have been “completely ignored.”

“The finding by ABP pays no attention to the special character, heritage and history of this small working harbour, and will cause enormous disruption to the existing small businesses, residents, small boat owners, harbour users and tourists.

“Dublin’s vulnerability to coastal flooding caused by global heating has been recently highlighted by a major study of scientists in 24 countries, including Ireland. 

“Sea-level rise is a big threat to Bulloch Harbour, which was clearly demonstrated during storm Ophelia when huge waves over 30 meters high crashed over the area where Bartra are proposing to build houses. 

“Combined with overtopping, resultant waters with no place to drain to at high tide, formed two huge fast flowing rivers around and through the proposed development.

“Extreme weather events such as storms Emma, Ophelia and now Lorenzo have highlighted the vulnerability of Bulloch Harbour to these storms which are now more frequent,” said the statement.

BHPA will hold a public meeting on Wednesday 23rd October in Fitzpatrick’s Castle Hotel, Killiney at 8pm to explain the judicial review process and the case being pursued. 

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