Dublin city councillors say outreach about the major project has been to residents in the Fingal County Council area – leaving locals in affected city neighbourhoods, such as Finglas, without a proper voice.
The Ballymun City Farm group envisions farm animals, a community garden, and a nature trail. But first they need a lease from the council, and funding.
Local councillors are unanimous in wanting more than just housing, saying there should be shops, children’s play areas, a pub. Past plans to redevelop the site with private developers have, time and again, fallen through.
Empower the Family wants to provide affordable homes and childcare for students leaving care who are mums. It’s looking for a council site in Ballymun to start out.
Councillors are teasing out how to vote. Among the issues in play? A lack of clarity over the number of social homes proposed, a fear of really expensive rentals, and council funds.
Councillors face a choice: to sell the land, perhaps, and use the money for much-needed community facilities. Or to keep the land, perhaps, for much-needed affordable or social homes.
A six-week programme to improve community connectedness got serious when it came to the competition for the best coddle. “It got very competitive,” said Craig Keeley.
Stephen Hayden is pushing the council to provide land for a working farm that would produce organic food and give city kids a chance to learn how to rear farm animals.
