Limerick travellers criticise planning in relation to housing development near halting site

OCCUPANTS of a Traveller halting site say more weight is given to the impact of a new housing development on bats, birds and hedgehogs than on the humans living alongside the development area and the horses which have long grazed there.

Councillors have approved proposals to build 57 social and affordable homes in a new housing estate at Toppins Field across from the Maldron Hotel in Roxboro on the R526 .

The field lies adjacent to the halting site, and it now means that when the diggers move in, the horses grazing in the field will likely be removed.

Martin Casey and Margaret Casey, who live in Bay Six of the Toppins Field site, said: “We have heard that a great deal of attention goes into assessing the impacts on the environment – on the wildlife of creatures, and of nature, the trees and the flowers, the bats, the birds, the hedgehogs and more. Yet we are inhabitants of the land already, and, in such sharp contrast, no-one has come to ask us about our lives and the impacts on us of such developments.”

In response, Mayor of Limerick John Moran – whose report recommended approval of the development – said that European planning laws must take into the account the protection of plants and creatures on land.

He also pointed out that nobody is actually living on the land where houses are proposed to be built.

The residents also said building of homes in the field will intensify what they already experience as being “trapped in”.

“There is intense over-crowding in the small bay on the site that our family has had to stay in. Also, there is intense overcrowding of vehicles in the driveway into the site.”

In a letter to council, Philomena Casey, whose address is at Bay Three of the Toppins Field site, wrote: “I have raised eight sons here on this corner of the Toppins Field. Taking care of the horses is what has helped them to believe in themselves and to believe in work that is worthwhile when it has been so hard to find work as a Traveller.”

She wrote if the horses were to be taken away, it would “crush” one of her sons.

“Our horses too, need to be thought about, and given attention to their needs, just as the other creatures of the Toppins Field are being given attention in the planning application booklets,” added Ms Casey.

William Casey, who is also at Bay Three added: “It is not that I object to houses being built for people who need them, and I know many indeed do need them, but these plans are being carried out with complete disregard for our lives who already live in the Toppins Field and whose horses graze the field and are being looked after here for longer than the site itself has existed.”

Daniel Casey, who has the same Bay Three address, wrote in his letter to council: “I can hardly believe that the plans are being made with complete disregard for the horses.

“It is known they are here and that I am minding them. It is known that we have tried to find other land for them to be kept on, but that has not been possible.”

For his part, Mayor Moran in his report acknowledged individually each concern raised. In many cases, he wrote that he recognised the families’ relationship with horses, but it “is not a relevant planning matter”.

“Issues relating to horses will be dealt with outside of the planning process,” he wrote.

Councillors approved the development at last month’s metropolitan district meeting.

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