PRESS RELEASE 2 February 2005

Green Party calls on councils to prosecute over helipad

The Green Party has called on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and Dublin City Council to initiate enforcement action regarding the development of an unauthorised helicopter landing pad beside Booterstown Bird Marsh.

The works were carried out on the boundary of the two County Council's jurisdictions between the Tara Towers Hotel and Dublin Bay.

Green Party TD for Dun Laoghaire Ciarán Cuffe stated today that,  "It makes a mockery out of our planning system if a developer is allowed to flout the law and construct a helipad in such a sensitive location. I have written to the Enforcement section of both Councils urging them to take action in this issue under the Planning Acts."

"Booterstown Bird Marsh is a unique bird sanctuary in an urban area. It is a delicate wildlife and plant habitat, sensitive to change. The lands to the north of the marsh where the helipad is being constructed provide valuable nesting and roosting land. However this land has now been significantly damaged by the works."

"A previous proposal to develop apartments and parking on this site was turned down by An Bord Pleanála. It is wrong for the developer to start site clearance, earthworks, the construction of an access road and use of the site for helicopter take-offs and landings without going through the proper planning process."