David versus Goliath: How Millbourne saved its green

An Coimisiún Pleanála's decision to refuse planning permission for three apartment blocks on the last remaining green area in Millbourne Estate has brought to an end a planning saga that has gripped the Ashbourne community for seven years.

For residents who spent years campaigning to save the open space, the decision was met with a mixture of relief and disbelief.

"Honestly, it was a mix of sheer disbelief and overwhelming relief," said Millbourne Residents' Association member Sarah Foley.

"After fighting this for so long, hearing the official 'no' felt like a massive weight had finally been lifted off the entire neighbourhood's shoulders."

It marks the culmination of a lengthy campaign that saw residents raise €45,000 to fund a judicial review against An Bord Pleanála's decision to grant planning permission for 30 apartments on the green, in what many described as a David versus Goliath battle.

"It means everything," said Sarah.

"Seven years is a lifetime to keep a campaign running. Kids who were toddlers when we started are in secondary school now. I was pregnant when we started and my son now plays on the green every day with his friends.

"This decision validates every flyer we dropped, every meeting we held and every objection we filed. It proves that our community's voice actually matters and that we weren't just shouting into the wind."

The planning application by Rybo Partnership, lodged in July 2019, sought permission for three four-storey apartment blocks containing 30 apartments and 30 car parking spaces on a half-hectare site at the southern end of Millbourne Estate.

Residents objected from the outset, insisting the development would remove the estate's only meaningful green space.

One of the campaign's most touching moments came when a young girl donated her First Holy Communion money so that she and her younger brother could continue to have somewhere to play.

The campaign even attracted the attention of the late Only Fools and Horses actor John Challis, who recorded a personalised video in character as Boycie, joking that he would send "the Driscoll Brothers" to deal with anyone trying to build on the green before urging residents to "fight the good fight."

"It's not just a patch of grass," Sarah said.

"It's where our kids play, where residents can sit and enjoy the fresh air. In an urban environment, having a safe, open communal green space is vital for everyone's mental and physical wellbeing. Once a space like this is built over, it's gone forever."

In June 2020, Meath County Council refused planning permission, citing the lack of open space within the existing housing development. However, that decision was later overturned by An Bord Pleanála on appeal.

Determined not to give up, residents launched a fundraising campaign to finance a judicial review of the decision.

"Of course there were times we wondered if we'd succeed," Sarah admitted.

"When you're up against well-funded developers and a complex planning system, it often feels like David versus Goliath. There were definitely moments of fatigue.

"But every time we looked out the window and saw children playing football or neighbours chatting on the green, it reminded us exactly what we were fighting for. We couldn't let each other down."

The judicial review, taken by the Millbourne Residents' Association, resulted in the High Court quashing An Bord Pleanála's decision on 15th October 2024 over failures in the environmental and appropriate assessment process. The matter was remitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála for reconsideration, with the Supreme Court subsequently determining that the case could be returned to the commission for assessment.

Following a fresh assessment, An Coimisiún Pleanála refused permission on 24th June, almost seven years after the original planning application was lodged.

The lands had originally been zoned 'A2 – New Residential' under the 2013-2019 County Development Plan but were subsequently rezoned 'F1 – Open Space' under the current 2021-2027 plan.

In its decision, An Coimisiún Pleanála found the proposed development would constitute "a material contravention of the land use zoning objective" for the site and would therefore be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

While welcoming the decision, Sarah said residents remain cautious as the developer still has time to challenge the ruling through the courts.

"We're definitely celebrating, but we're not naïve," she said.

"While we're enjoying this massive win, we're keeping our campaign network active. If we need to dig in and defend this decision, we're fully prepared to do so."

Looking ahead, she hopes the green can now be protected for future generations.

"We'd love to work with the council to secure its long-term future as a public amenity," she said.

"Down the line, it would be wonderful to plant native trees, install some benches or create a small wildflower area. We want to make it an even better space for the whole community."

Sarah believes the outcome sends an important message for communities facing similar planning battles.

"It shows that sustainable development shouldn't come at the expense of existing communities' quality of life," she said.

"Planning authorities need to recognise that green spaces were put there for a reason.

"My advice to other communities is don't give up and lean on each other. The process is designed to wear you down, but your strength is in your numbers. It takes an incredible amount of patience, but as our estate proved, communities can win."