Wicklow Sinn Féin local election candidate for East Wicklow Anthony Hill has described the campaign to maintain public access to Magheramore beach a civic responsibility for the whole of Wicklow.
An application to build a €40 million development on the cliffs overlooking the beach at Magheramore was turned down by Wicklow County Council but is currently being appealed by developer Paddy McKillen Jnr to An Bord Pleanála. An Bord Pleanála needs to uphold the decision of Wicklow County Council and refuse the planning permission for Magheramore.
While the right of way is currently still open, there are fears that it is in danger of suffering a similar fate to other rights of way in the county, such as the European golf club at Mizen head in Brittas Bay, the lighthouse at Wicklow head, and the North Beach in Arklow which has been illegally blocked off.
Sinn Féin had previously led out on a campaign calling for Wicklow Co. Co. to purchase the site due to public concerns over the future of the site. Particularly in relation to continuing access to the beach, and in relation to the conservation of the wider area.
To the credit of Wicklow County Council, it agreed to try to acquire the site but were outbid by a private commercial entity who paid half a million euro over the asking price for the site.
Anthony Hill said:
“The importance of keeping public access open at Magheramore cannot be overstated.
Members of the public can currently enjoy access to the local lighthouse, and to Wicklow head, all of which is in danger of being ended if the right of way is closed off.
Sinn Féin has led the fight to keep the right of way open for years.
My colleague John Brady TD previously published a submission to Wicklow County Council in opposition to the planning application.
While Wicklow County Council has turned the planning application down, this decision is now under appeal by an Bord Pleanála.
The original application provided no safeguards to protect the public right of way that existed to Magheramore Beach through this site contained in the application.
I am calling on An Bord Pleanála to provide clarity as to the current status of the planning appeal, and to give a commitment to preserve the right of way for ordinary people. There have been continuous attempts to restrict access for ordinary people to some of the most beautiful parts of Wicklow, and we do not want to see Magheramore end up the same way as the European golf club at Mizen head in Brittas Bay, the lighthouse at Wicklow head, and the North Beach in Arklow. All of which have had their right of way cut off. We need to ensure that members of the public have full access to the outstanding amenities and sites of local beauty in the area at Magheramore.
An Bord Pleanála needs to uphold the decision of Wicklow County Council and refuse the planning permission for Magheramore.”