The government has been slammed for its decision to deny public access to 15 acres of green space after the completion of the Stillorgan Reservoir project.

The initial decision to grant planning permission in 2017 required Irish Water to provide green open space with public access. However, Irish Water later won its appeal to An Bord Pleanála to prevent access for the public.

Local Fianna Fáil election candidate Donal Smith hit out at the "ludicrous" decision, claiming it is at odds with Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council's strategy on improving green infrastructure in the area.

Cllr Smith said: "The development and maintenance of green space is essential particularly in urban centres to preserve natural habitats and biodiversity and equally to promote regular exercise and activity. When the reservoir is completed, this garden will be on our doorstep, yet no one will be able to avail of its health, environmental or recreational benefits.


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"There are several sports clubs in the area whose facilities are already overstretched and could have used these acres of land to expand to meet demand. Instead, under the current plans the gates will be locked and locals won't have access to it.

"The Local Authority's existing Green Infrastructure Strategy recognises the health and recreational worth of striking a balance of green, urban public space. It also highlights the inadequate provision of this kind of amenity in the wider Sandyford/Stillorgan area. Irish Water has been allowed to impede the council's ability to ever fulfil that objective.

"Other cities such as Seattle in the US have provided acres of open park space by covering its reservoirs. If its possible internationally then it is possible here in Ireland too once we’re ambitious enough to make it happen.

"The explanations given by Irish Water to block public access to the land when completed are not satisfactory. The Minister for Environment, Eoghan Murphy must intervene in order for the eco-friendly benefits of this land to be fully realised for the entire community.

"I intend on continuing to campaign to ensure that Stillorgan residents can gain much needed green space from this ongoing project."

(CM/JG)