A planning application has been lodged for the Edros site (beside Tower Hill and Balscadden Beach)  in Howth. 
Application Ref F07a/1349 was lodged on 22nd Oct.  As the site is zoned
for amenity use, the Council cannot normally grant planning
permission.  However, at the Area Committee meeting today, the Planning
Department told us they were initiating a "material contravention"
procedure.  This means that the proposal is put on public display and a
3/4 majority of the Councillors will be required to approve it.

The Edros site has been disused since the community based sports club
which ran it sold it to pay off its debts. There is talk of support
from the applicant for amenity facilities in Howth.  However, there are
no concrete proposals and money in the bank is a long way from actual facilities which people can use.

In my view the only circumstances under which a residential development
on amenity zoned land should be considered is where there is clear
amenity benefit to the public.  This is not the case with this proposal.