Fine Gael Senator Jerry Buttimer has said the Local Area Plan for the Douglas area must be mindful of the needs of all its residents.
Speaking today Senator Buttimer said “Douglas has become a very attractive place to live, to work, to shop and to socalise in. The Village, the housing estates and surrounding areas have evolved into a community. This hasn’t happened by accident. It has taken a plan, a vision, supported by local authorities, developers, entrepreneurs and people
“Douglas is a bright village now; it has a vibrancy that needs to be retained. That vibrancy and life can be lost through over development as traffic parking issues threaten There is a tremendous community spirit in the parishes, communities that all make up Douglas. Every day as I walk about or drive through the village I’m struck by the developments and concerned at the gridlock. A village of shopping centre’s just wont work as we know from parts of Dublin. It is essential that the new plan for Douglas must avoid the mistakes of overdevelopment in many of the suburbs of Dublin. “
Senator Buttimer continued” This week there is much talk about the future plans for the site of the existing Douglas Cinema. This is an amenity that in my view needs to be retained. Leisure facilities are necessary in a village, and a suburb like Douglas. The cinema in its present location is an ideal location for the development of youth facilities. I would urge that consideration be made to developing this site as a specialist dedicated youth area which would include the location of a youth café, a cinema, and a youth club. These new amenities would augment the immense work of Community, voluntary and sporting organisations in the area.”
“Young people need to be looked after. We must encourage local authorities to develop facilities for young people. Cork County Council in formulating it’s a Local Area Plan for the Douglas area must be mindful of the needs of all its residents. “
“Every effort must be made to increase employment opportunities in the Douglas area. Ireland of the past was too concentrated on short term employment, now we need sustainable and long term job opportunities in the locality for the people of Douglas. “