HUMPHREYS WELCOMES STATE PURCHASE OF HAROLD’S CROSS STADIUM
Labour spokesperson for Dublin Senator Kevin Humphreys, and local Labour Cllr Mary Freehill have welcomed the purchase of the Harold’s Cross Greyhound stadium by the Department of Education for provision of the future schooling needs of the area. Senator Humphreys and Cllr Freehill are now calling on Dublin City Council to immediately start work on a local area plan for Harold’s Cross to ensure future sustainable planning for this area.
Senator Humphreys said:
“While I was disappointed to see the stadium close, I welcome that the site will remain in public ownership and will now be available to provide a badly needed secondary school for the area.
“In fact development of a school, or schools, on the site, which is over 6.5 acres in size, would not preclude the continued operation of the stadium for greyhound racing due to the large site available.
“There are limited free, second level school options in the area for parents, and both I and my colleague Cllr Mary Freehill have been campaigning for a number of years for a such a school to be provided in the Dublin 6, 6W, 8 and 12 areas. A large of number of new families are now living in the area, as evidenced by the expansion of a number of local primary schools and constructio of new homes.”
Cllr Mary Freehill said:
“I have been campaigning for a Local Area Plan (LAP) for a number of years for Harold’s Cross. We have seen a large number of new developments and planning applications recently.
“At a recent public meeting we held, it was the overwhelming view of the community that a LAP is now needed for Harold’s Cross. This has been supported recently by An Bord Pleanala decision against an apartment complex due to the lack of a LAP.
“I also welcome the news that the Department will review the educational needs of the area through a demographic review and it should ensure that Dublin 6W is included in that review.”