We oppose the destruction of Malahide castle woodlands. If you want to join in and help preserve the woods and parklands of Malahide Castle Demesne for future generations, we are always looking for passionate locals and experts on planning, environment issue and traffic management to help us success in overturning the councils decision to approve these plans to install a forest adventure centre in a fragile natural woodland environment and greatly extend the Bridgefield carpark with the removal of a GAA pitch.

This joint proposal Car Park and Woodland Adventure Centre voted against once (5/3) but voted for at full Council meeting (18/16) FF/FG and Independents DESPITE petition of 2500 people objecting and their own legal advice.

This decision was carried mainly because 3 local councillors supported it and the misrepresentation of Malahide Community Forum and St Sylvester’s GAA who were reported as supporting it. Neither organisation have voted to support these proposals, and do not have the mandate from their members. The Malahide Community Forum have instructed Fingal County Council to strike mention of their support from the Council meeting records.

To date no plans, environmental impact studies, or traffic studies have been provided by Fingal County Council to justify the merit of these plans.

Public opinion is being ignored ahead of a commercialisation agenda.

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Here is an open letter updating Fingal County Council on the proposed forest adventure centre and carpark extension in Malahide Castle Demesne:

Dear Councillors,

Unfortunately public awareness of these proposals was at best sketchy in the days leading to your vote, but in the weeks following Fingal County Council’s approval there has been a huge surge in the public’s understanding and objection to these projects. A number of factors have encouraged this, and I ask that you take a moment to investigate the following points further:

1. Due to the close proximity of trees in the threatened woodland, it is clear from inspecting the proposed site, that the adventure centre will not be possible without clearing routes for the various activities by removal of trees and extensive stripping of branches and foliage. This disruption of the woodland environment will also include the construction of commercial buildings in the woods for visitor orientation and centre management. 2. The proposed extended carpark will be utilised to cater for the required 200+ visitors per day to the adventure centre, and will therefore provide no relief, as claimed, at peak times to the parking issues effecting local businesses in Malahide Village. 3. The 11 parking spaces lost to the realignment of road markings within the village last month will be offset by the creation of 22 new spaces, with work confirmed to better realign spaces with the existing footprint of the Bridgefield Carpark. 4. Contrary to aiding local business with improved parking, these proposals will only add to the chaotic, chronic and unsafe traffic issues that effect the village, causing further harm to the reputation of the village regards accessibility and most importantly causing further harm to the businesses in Malahide by further exacerbating these current traffic issues. 5. The support of St Sylvester’s GAA to the proposal was offered without the required approval of the club’s committee or its members. To this day despite multiple petitions, the members have not been asked for their opinion, nor have any minutes been provided from any official club meeting to prove the veracity of this support. 6. Similarly, Malahide Community Forum never officially gave their support nor sought the opinions of the local resident associations that it represents. 7. And finally, the community doesn’t want it. If you agree, please sign our petiton: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/save-malahide-castle-demense-woodlands