South Dublin County Council has been criticised over spending on the Dublin Mountains Visitor Centre at the Hellfire Club. People Before Profit Cllr Madeleine Johansson made the comments following the revelation that more then €600,000 have been spent already on the project, over €500,000 of which out of council funds. The council spent €477,640.52 on consultancy fees, € 78,097.28 on legal fees, € 18,178.93 on print and advertising fees and € 33,306.75 on planning fees bringing the total cost so far to €607,223.48. The project is currently in the planning stage with An Board Pleanala with further information requested by the board in relation to bird surveys.
Cllr Madeleine Johansson commented: “The proposed visitor centre has been opposed by residents and campaigners who are concerned about the impact of the development on the environment and wildlife in this area of cultural and natural heritage. The amount of money spent on this project could have been spent on much needed works and facilities in the area such as an upgraded car park, toilets and traffic management solutions. “There are serious concerns about the commercialisation of the Dublin mountains for the benefit of tourists but to the detriment of the environment and Dubliners. The current plan should be scrapped and the council management should engage with locals and campaigners to come up with alternative plan which would both save the council money and save our environment.”
Pic Credit: Save the Hell Fire.
To see the local campaign of Save the Hell Fire click here – https://www.facebook.com/SavetheHellfire/
