It is with deep regret that I am initiating this call to action, but I feel that it is a bridge too far and what is at stake is nothing short of the erosion of local democracy and the diminution of the traditional functions of democratically elected councillors and the rights of local communities to have a say in local development.

Longford Greyhound Stadium was purchased by Longford County Council in 2021 following persistent lobbying by the Members of Longford Municipal District that we take this key and historic site into public ownership with a view to developing it as a sporting and recreational amenity for the enjoyment of the entire community.

The goal of this regeneration was to open access to the amazing Royal Canal Walkway via a new cycle path/walkway that would connect the Park Road with the Canal Walk thus providing a convenience for the people living in the many surrounding residential areas including Teffia Park, Glack, Padraig Colum Heights, McEoin Park, Glebe View, The Hollows, Shannonvale and other areas within the catchment. This measure was only this week formally adopted by the Members of Longford MD through the Part 8 Planning Process together with the development of a long sought after Skatepark on the site, something that has been rightfully demanded by our young people for far too long.

I have proposed further development of the overall site with of the provision of much needed soccer facilities for the use of the many youth teams within the town and its environs. I have also proposed a mini-harbour/kayak launch pad to allow access to the canal for people wishing to utilise the amenity for water sports. This would be such a positive outcome for the site and the Members of Longford MD fully endorse that these measures be considered within the overall plan.

Only last year we completed the statutory process of adopting our County Development Plan 2021-2027 and we succeeded in retaining the Recreational Zoning of the site to protect a part of town with an existing proliferation of housing from further residential development and ensure the future use of the site would be for sporting and recreational enjoyment.

Just last month it was revealed that the Longford Greyhound Stadium site was selected by the OPW as its preferred option for the development of Modular Housing to accommodate refugees. It was further revealed that owing to “Emergency Powers” enacted by Government, that the OPW would not be required to go through the statutory Part 8 Planning Process. This effectively removes the community from their statutory right to public consultation on this matter; and removes the democratically elected councillors (and representatives of the people) from any role in the decision-making process. In my view this unprecedented move is attack on local democracy and on local communities who I believe should always have the right to be involved in the conversation.

Given all of the aforementioned, I and other councillors have argued that the site is completely inappropriate, and we have even suggested alternatives such as investing in the Main Building at Connolly Barracks to create temporary apartments for the refugees until this crisis ends.

Let me be clear, this objection is not anti-refugee. Longford has always done its part in responding to the various refugee crisis and we will continue to do so. 

This objection is Pro-Local Democracy; Pro-Local Community; Pro-Local Decision Making; but Anti-Centralisation of Power to a Government who has shown zero respect for the communities and local democratic institutions who are and always have been the bedrock of this State.

I am calling on you, the People of Longford and those of you from other locations who value local democracy and community rights, to please sign this petition, lobby your local TDs, if needed join in future protests to ensure the retention of the Longford Greyhound Stadium site as a non-residential, recreational zone for the enjoyment of the entire community.

NOW is the time for action, as this is a battle for the very soul of local community!

“There is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at the flood, leads onto fortune.” Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar

 

Thank you!

Cllr Gerry Warnock

Longford County Council