Dear Supporter of Protect Kenilworth Square,
Thank you for signing our Petition earlier this year. The fight to Protect Kenilworth Square continues - even over the festive season! Kenilworth Square is a vital green urban lung amidst a sea of ever-expanding developments in Dublin. It is surrounded by 86 protected structures.
As you may know, we lodged a Judicial Review to challenge the decision by Dublin City Council to grant the Spiritan-run St Mary’s College an Exemption from planning for an artificial pitch and surrounding 1.2m high fence. We, the community, believe strongly that the plans are not suitable for this heritage, residential area. Unfortunately the planning process did not allow us any other option but this costly judicial review. It is estimated that the case will be heard in the High Court in six or more months’ time.
The Planning Exemption is merely Phase One of a publicly published plan which is described as a ‘redevelopment’ of Kenilworth Square by St Mary’s College, Rathmines.
Phase Two’s publicly published proposals include the installation of 6 x 18m high Floodlights, a Car Park inside the park, a new large Pavilion, a new Vehicular Entrance, felling of many heritage trees and planting of a curtain of trees to block off the current views into the closed-off park, disconnecting it from the area surrounding the park which is used as a local amenity for those who regularly walk and jog around the square every day.
St Mary’s College’s stated intention is to rent out the plastic pitch on a rotational basis to football and GAA clubs from all over Dublin, similar to the renting out of its artificial, flood-lit pitch in Rathmines.
If implemented, the redevelopment would mean the destruction of a beautiful and intact Victorian Garden Square, as well as the destruction of the park’s ecosystem, including wildlife habitats and feeding grounds. It would also result in severe light and noise pollution, major traffic congestion locally, and parking issues for the local community.
Support for Protect Kenilworth Square
1: Share our Petition
The committee representing the Square's residents has 93% written pledges of support. 4,300 leaflets were also delivered to the surrounding streets to inform locals about the issue. Over 3000 people have already signed our Petition - but we still need more people to support our efforts to Protect Kenilworth Square. Please share the petition with your contacts today, as widely as possible.
Protect Kenilworth Square Petition
2: Contact Local Councillors
Contact local councillors to express your views and ask them to support having the park at Kenilworth Square declared an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA), as was granted to Dartmouth Square. We are also seeking a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) for many of the endangered heritage trees.
3: Support our Network too
The proposed destruction of Kenilworth Square is similar to the current Iveagh Gardens issue where destruction of heritage and biodiversity is also at stake in this city centre gem. We have been fortunate to speak to those who are driving the campaign to protect Iveagh Gardens. We ask you to consider signing the Save the Iveagh Gardens petition too. Save Iveagh Gardens Petition
Thank you sincerely for your continued support of Protect Kenilworth Square.
4: Follow, Like & Engage
5: Join our Christmas Campaign
Would you like a ‘Protect Kenilworth Square’ Christmas Wreath for your home door or gate? Get in touch with us to request one - we still have a few remaining; these wreaths were kindly, anonymously’ sponsored by a local resident.
Thank you for your support and Merry Christmas!
The Protect Kenilworth Square Committee