Fingal councillors will assess plans at special meeting

Most councillors in Fingal County Council are keeping an open mind on the proposed Vega City development until it is debated at a special meeting next week.

The consortium behind the proposal, United Entertainment Partners (UEP), has been meeting with councillors in the area in recent weeks to discuss the proposals ahead of the council meeting.

Cllr Donald Murray (FF) of Balbriggan said the scale of the project was "frightening" but that it was important to debate the issue first.

"It would have a huge impact on what is a largely rural community. It looks great and sounds great, but would have huge implications on traffic, planning and the environment," he said.

Cllr Ciaran Byrne (Labour) of Skerries, who has spoken to the consortium, said more detail was needed before the plans were accepted or rejected.

He said the development's impact on a number of areas - including retail, traffic and water supply - needed to be clarified.

"The scale of the proposed development would be greater than Intel's, so we can't just 'pooh-pooh' it if these problems can be resolved. It would, for example, account for a few per cent of the GDP," Cllr Byrne said.

Cllr Cathal Boland (FG) said that, while there was a large degree of scepticism towards the project, it needed to be thoroughly debated.

"My view is that, if the proposal is real, there is an obligation on all of us to look at it, challenge it and see if it stands up on its merits," he said.

Local TD Mr Jim Glennon, who was uncontactable last night, has also adopted a cautious approach to the plan, describing it as "entirely aspirational".

The proposal will be the subject of a special meeting of the county council on Monday 24th November at 3.45 p.m.