New Plan Approved For Greystones Delgany Kilcoole.

The framework will guide future development in these Wicklow areas.

Wicklow Councillors voted to amend parts of the County Development Plan at their February monthly meeting. It allows changes to the planning framework for these areas.

The new framework will replace the current Local Area Plan 2013-2019 and is being adopted as a variation to the existing Wicklow County Development Plan, which remains valid until 2028.

The adopted plan follows several months of work by district councillors, who reviewed submissions from the public and assessed national, regional, and local planning policies.

Key measures include zoning 38 hectares in Greystones-Delgany for new housing in two phases, protecting watercourses, and creating green spaces in Coolagad and Bellevue Hill,

The plan aims to balance population growth, housing targets, and community needs.

Sustainable transport and walkways are promoted. 

Kilcoole retains its status as a self-sustaining town

Key changes include strengthening riparian protection in Coolagad with a central green area along the watercourse, designating land east and south of the Charlesland R774 dual carriageway for Active Open Space, and addressing environmental concerns at Bellevue Hill with a requirement for a publicly accessible looped trail.

Housing delivery targets set out in the updated guidelines are higher than before, but the local authority says there is currently no shortage of zoned land in the county to meet them.

The plan was verified by the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly to ensure it remained consistent with the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy.

Cathaoirleach of the Greystones Municipal District, Lourda Scott is praising the collaborative efforts of her district colleagues and the council staff.

We went through every submission carefully, often several times, discussing and refining our ideas.

While we did not always agree on every point, we maintained a respectful and constructive dialogue throughout. What united us was a shared commitment to do what is right for the people we represent and to ensure that this plan delivers real benefits for our community.

As the current cathaoirleach, she oversaw the final stages of the planning process.

Now that the Local Area Plan has been formally adopted, council officials say the process will ensure that the planning framework for Greystones-Delgany is robust, meets population growth targets, and balances housing needs with community and open space uses.