Wicklow Council has refused Cairn planning permission to build 98 houses at Coolgad, Greystones. The reason for refusal is that Greystones has exceeded its population target for 2028 and thus there is no need to build on peripheral greenfield sites on the edge of town, even if they are zoned residential.

Last years Census showed that the population was 300 below the target of 21,727. There are over 1,000 houses with permission, many being constructed, so when occupied the population will be at least 23,000, probably 24,000.

Cairn have applied on the same, but larger, site for 586 houses as a Strategic Housing Development to Bord Pleanala in April 2022 but no decision has yet been made.

‘There has been a huge expansion of Greystones but this is the first time I have seen a refusal based on being over target population. The challenge for the local authority is to get the infrastructure, transport and budget to support all this development’ said Cllr Derek Mitchell (FG).

These population targets come from Government & Regional Policy and Councils are required to implement them.