PERMISSION has been granted for the construction of three houses on the Weston Close site where over 300 hundred people were massacred and then buried in the 1600s, much to the disgust of locals who opposed the plans.
However, far from taking the decision lying down, the residents and Cllr. Eamonn Long are already putting together an appeal which will be lodged with An Bord Pleanála.
Dara O'Reilly grew up on the nearby Kilmantin Road and lodged a submission to the town council planning department on behalf of her 78-yearold mother who still lives in the area.
She says the sense of disbelief over the Council's decision to give the development the thumbs up is widespread. 'Everyone on the road objected. There are a number of issues but the historical nature of the site is definitely one. It's a burial ground. The plans say if any remains are found they will be buried at the back of the houses and that's just disrespectful.' Residents also wonder if the Council's decision to grant planning permission was at all swayed by the fact that one of the conditions includes the developer contributing €7,500 toward the port access and town relief road.
It is believed that 310 locals were massacred in 1641 by British troops and then buried somewhere in the area. The original construction of the houses in Weston Close in the early '90s had to be halted for a period when a local man found some remains while out with a metal detector.
Myles BUCHANAN
Wicklow People
www.buckplanning.ie
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