Green space fenced off in 2018 now a wilderness 

The residents of the Beaulieu View housing development on the Termonfeckin Road, are rallying to restore a green space that has been fenced off since 2018.

Originally developed in 1990, Beaulieu View is home to approximately 36 families, with over 100 residents affected by the loss of this key public amenity.

The space, which was maintained by residents for nearly three decades, is the only public open space available within the estate.

Despite rulings from both An Bord Pleanála (ABP) in 2019 and Louth County Council (LCC) in 2022, confirming that the green area serves as a public open space, the developer of the neighbouring An Rian estate, Lorrac Developments, has continued to fence off the land, preventing its use by the community. 

Local Independent Councillor Declan Power, who is supporting the residents in their fight to restore the green space, said:

"This is a matter of fairness and community well-being. The residents have looked after this space for years, and it is unacceptable that it has been taken from them.

“Both ABP and LCC have confirmed this is public land, and I am calling on Louth County Council to take immediate action to rezone the area as an Open Space and Recreational Area." 

Kevin Callan, Independent Councillor and General Election candidate, added his support -

“This green space is vital for the families of Beaulieu View” he said. “The residents have endured years of uncertainty and stress, especially those living near the fenced-off area.

“The Council must act now to restore the land for community use and ensure this developer respects the decisions made by planning authorities.

Cllr. Callan stressed the importance of re-zoning to ensure the space is protected in the future, adding that the Council has a duty to act swiftly in response to the residents' concerns.

 The residents are also calling on Louth County Council to rezone the land from its current A1 Existing Residential zoning to Open Space and Recreational Area. This rezoning would allow LCC to move forward with enforcement actions to remove the fencing and return the land to the community.

A spokesperson for the Beaulieu View Residents Association said, “I remember the many summers I spent on that green area growing up, it really is sad to see our only open space callously fenced off in this way.

“Beaulieu View is a tight-knit community, we take great pride in our estate. We're raising this as a matter of serious concern not just for ourselves but for every housing estate in Co. Louth.

“Open space is open space and it should be protected. The question we all need to ask ourselves is if it can happen here where will it happen next? We will continue the good fight to have our space restored.”

The green space at the end of the estate’s first cul de sac was explicitly designated as a public open space in the original planning permission for Beaulieu View, approved in 1990. However, despite repeated attempts to build on the site, both An Bord Pleanala and LCC have refused permission, stating that the land is crucial for the amenity of Beaulieu View residents.

The residents of Beaulieu View are now urging Louth County Council to expedite the rezoning process to protect their open space and restore it as a communal area for the estate.