Bray residents have used a public meeting to voice their opposition to a proposed apartment development along the local coastline.

Community representatives said new builds, close to Bray Head, would detract from the seafront's scenic beauty.

The Save Our Seafront Campaign group has received backing from Bray councillor Hugh Lewis, who addressed the meeting.

He said: "As an elected public representative I wish the group well and it is important for us to link campaigns in other areas.

"We have fought a number of successful campaigns including Saving St Michaels Hospital."

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Activist Wayne Flanagan-Tobin said: "We have been mandated to fight against current development plans and had a proposal to escalate the campaign which was agreed by all present."

He said locals had viewed the relevant maps and determined the development would "impact on the visual amenity" of Bray Head which is one of four places in the country to have a SAAO (Special Area Amenity Order).

Under Schedule Two of SAAO - 'Objectives and Policies for the Prevention and Limitation of Development' - it states: "to ensure that development does not reduce the landscape and environmental quality of adjacent natural, semi-natural and open areas."

Discussing the development, Flanagan Tobin said: "There is no place for a 36 metre tower or indeed any tower whatsoever close to a protected heritage area and the whole proposal is outside the remit of the Bray Development Plan.

"In very general terms, the development just doesn’t fit with the town’s seaside legacy. We need investment in the town centre. Bad planning breeds a sense of isolation and a lack of attachment to any sense of community."

(PR/KMcA)