Consultation has officially begun on a Master Plan for the lands at Castlelands in Balbriggan.

The Master Plan is designed to create an appropriate sustainable planning and development framework for a 24.2 hectare residential zoned site at Castlelands. This will ensure the coordination of the complimentary social, community and physical infrastructure in tandem with housing development.

The Land Development Agency will deliver between 800 and 1,000 mixed tenure units under a ratio of 90% private and affordable and 10% social.

Fingal County Council's plan aims to facilitate the early delivery of a strategic central area of public open space, a primary school site and recreational facilities on the site ahead of the housing provision. The development of the Castlelands Link Road to the Skerries Road has also been recognised as a priority in the first phase of the plan.

"We are very conscious of the need to ensure that Balbriggan develops in a sustainable manner and our approach to the Castlelands Master Plan reflects this," said AnnMarie Farrelly, Director of Planning and Strategic Infrastructure at Fingal County Council.

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"We have taken on board the feedback from the initial public consultation last August and are proposing that strategic infrastructure, such as the link road, open spaces and recreational facilities, go in first before the housing is delivered. This is a strategic landbank which is close to the town centre and requires a high quality solution that will benefit existing as well as future residents of Castlelands and Balbriggan.

"The Castlelands Master Plan is aligned to the Balbriggan Socio Economic Strategy which will be supported by €10 million capital fund allocation over the next three year while an additional capital sum, in excess of €10million, has also been allocated for the completion of the Balbriggan to Skerries Greenway, the development of Bremore Castle into a premier visitor destination, the development of Bremore Regional Amenity Park, and upgrades to cycle ways and connectivity in the town.

"As the local authority, we are working with residents and other key stakeholders to transform Balbriggan and we have already introduced free town centre Wi-Fi and Heritage Trail while contractors have just moved on site to construct the new Skate Park."

Members of the public can have their say on the Master Plan from 07-28 May via online submissions at consult.fingal.ie/en/browse, by email to [email protected] or in writing to: Senior Executive Officer, Planning and Strategic Infrastructure Department, Fingal County Council, County Hall, Main St, Swords, Co. Dublin, K67X8Y2.

The council is also hosting a Public Information Evening in Castlelands Community Centre on Tuesday, 21 May, between 4pm and 8pm, where members of the public and other interested groups are invited to drop-in and talk directly to members of the Planning and Strategic Infrastructure Department about the contents of the draft Master Plan.

Comments received through the submissions will be assessed before the Master Plan is brought before the monthly meeting of Fingal County Council on 08 July for approval.

(CM/JG)