Land from a city farm being sold off to Developers . . . . Despite what the WILL said!

dublin | environment | news report

Sunday January 11, 2004 23:49

by Michael Lemass

Airfield is a working farm in Dundrum. I spent the first 18 years of my life growing up beside it and I am concerned about its future and the community's right to have access to it as a rare amenity in the area.

Rumours are that property developers have other ideas though. One example of this has been Gannon Developments and John Finnegan buying some of the farm’s land already, where they built the car park for a Luas station and several high rise appartment blocks.

John Finnegan also runs the Pembroke Estate which was set up by William Petty, Oliver Cromwell's physician.

A number of groups are looking into the running of Airfield and what would become of the land if it were to go out of business. There seems to no-one employed who has any relevant experience in running a city farm.

I think there is massive potential if it is run as a city farm by experienced people who understand how important it is to protect it and make it a sustainable operation.

There is an opportunity to object to what is going on there.

What I have written above is just my opinion but below is more factual information about the situation which my sister has been investigating.

Im not sure if you have much interest in this sort of thing yourself but perhaps you might be able to forward it to other people who might want to do something about it.

Thanks for taking the time to read it

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Dear Friend,

You may have heard that the Airfield Estate in Dundrum, which was left in trust by the late Overend sisters, Miss Letitia and Miss Naomi, is in danger of more development. Those who knew the sisters are in no doubt that the prime object of the Trust was the preservation of the estate as an amenity for the people of the area and that they were horrified at the thought that Airfield might be developed for housing.

Unfortunately, after the Overends’ deaths, the Trustees of Airfield disposed of a large block of land that is now being developed as the Riversdale apartment complex. We understand that a decision has recently been made that another field (Dudley’s Field) will be sold. The Trust Chairman has stated (Irish Times 13th December, 2003) that "Airfield finds itself in the position of many charitable trusts – asset-rich, cash-poor". However, latest published accounts show that the Trust holds investments in excess of €10.5 million and cash at bank in the region of €2 million.

Some time ago Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council took the decision that the land at Airfield should be rezoned Category F "Amenity", which would offer a degree of protection to the estate. However, in early November the Trustees successfully applied to have six fields zoned back to Category A "Residential", with provision for an access road. This would appear to indicate their intention to sell yet more land for development.

The Council will shortly ratify material alterations to the Draft Plan. Written submissions or observations with respect to the proposed amendments may be made to the Planning Authority up to 5.00 p.m. on Tuesday, 20th January, 2004.

See http://www.dlrcoco.ie/planning/DP2004-2010/Amend_AdDec03.htm

We urge you to:-

1. Send an e-mail to devplan@dlrcoco.ie stating that you wish to ensure that Airfield and its land are preserved as an open space for the people of Dublin in line with the wishes of Miss Letitia and Miss Naomi Overend. Indicate (a) that it is your wish that the whole estate retain its Category F "Amenity" zoning and (b) that the house should continue to be a listed building. Your name must be stated on your e-mail.

2. Forward this e-mail to those in your address book who you know would be interested in the fate of Airfield. They need not necessarily be residents of the Council area.

The Trustees’ apparently have the legal right to sell land, but in the light of the Overends’ stated wishes we question their moral right to do so. Copperfastening the "Amenity" categorisation of the land may make it more difficult for them to sell the land for development. Currently, it appears to be the only hope.

We understand from an old friend of the Overends that Miss Letitia said she was determined that "Nothing deeper than a spade shall ever dig into the earth of Airfield". May it be so!

Rose Mary Logue, 14 Woodley Park, Dublin 14.

Angela Lemass, 1 Sydenham Place, Dublin 14