Vol. 566 No. 4
151 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the reason Dúchas sent two different reports to Wicklow County Council in March and April 2003 with respect to the Blessington, County Wicklow, development plan; his views on the reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12889/03]
These submissions to Wicklow County Council were made by my Department in its role of prescribed body under the Planning and Development Acts in relation to heritage issues and as advisory comments to be considered by the council in finalising its draft Blessington area plan.
My Department's submission was revised following representations from the owners of the land involved that the first submission was inconsistent with earlier advice given by my Department on this matter, and that the proposed rezoning could proceed without detriment to archaeology by the provision of an appropriate buffer zone. Having considered these representations, my Department advised Wicklow County Council of its view that a minimum buffer zone of 250 metres in the case of the Rath Turtle Moat and of 150 metres in the case of a separate recorded monument would provide appropriate archaeological protection in this case.
