Save Swords Greenbelt

Hi All,

Please check our website for an important update. Please like & share. Thank you!

https://saveswordsgreenbelt.com/2026/01/13/fingal-public-consultation-help-protect-the-greenbelt/

Proposed large-scale residential development on lands at Forest Road, Swords

Planning ref: LRD0057/S3E

Recently Save Swords Greenbelt campaign raised concerns about the proposed development of a distributor road within the designated Greenbelt zone as outlined in this application.

We urged the strategic planning department to uphold the existing zoning objectives as this proposed road undermines the very purpose of the Greenbelt, which is to prevent unrestricted urban sprawl, protect biodiversity, stop environmental destruction, mitigate climate change and protect the integrity of rural and urban boundaries and ultimately the health and wellbeing of our community.

Furthermore, we requested that this proposed road remain separate from, and not influence, any future considerations regarding the route of a potential Western Distributor Road for Swords.

This will safeguard sustainable community building v. developer led planning, the recommended strategy in Fingal County Council’s Chief Executive Report (Development Plan 2023-2029).

250+ submissions were submitted by residents asking for the Greenbelt to be protected.

In addition, we contacted all 7 Swords Councillors to voice our concerns.

5 out of the 7 Swords Councillors responded immediately and pledged their full support in continuing to protect the Greenbelt now and into the future. All 5 made submissions in support of the Greenbelt.

The 5 Councillors are; Cllr. Joe Newman (Indpt.), Cllr. Darren Jack Kelly (Indpt.), Cllr. Dean Mulligan (Indpts4Change), Cllr. James Humphreys (Labour) and Cllr. John Smyth (Sinn Fein).

Unfortunately 2 Swords Cllrs. Darragh Butler (Fianna Fail) and Luke Corkery (Fine Gael) did not respond to our emails and did not make a submission in support of the Greenbelt.

During the last Development Plan Cllr Darragh Butler (Fianna Fail) and ex-Cllr. Brigid Manton (Fianna Fail)) put forward motions, which if passed would have resulted in two Greenbelts being rezoned (Rivervalley, Ridgewood, Ashfield and Knocksedan Greenbelt and Uniplumo Greenbelt, Rathbeale Road).

This was despite 2,500+ objections from residents, community groups and other Cllrs.

In his recent election material, Cllr Luke Corkery (Fine Gael) stated “... there is a significant amount of work to be done at local level to address climate change…. promoting biodiversity and safeguarding green spaces…” We all know our Greenbelt is a vital resource in achieving these aims. Given this Cllrs comments, it's even more disappointing that he didn't respond to our request and chose not to make a submission to protect the Greenbelt. Clearly actions speak louder than words.

Once again we would like to thank all the residents, and the 5 Cllrs. who support the Save Swords Greenbelt campaign and all our community groups who together help protect our precious Greenbelt.

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Check out link below for more information.

https://saveswordsgreenbelt.com/2025/10/07/forest-road-development-road-through-greenbelt/

With the local elections taking place on the 7th of June, it’s important as a community we use our vote to protect our precious Greenbelt.

5 of the 7 Swords Councillors actively supported the campaign to save the Greenbelt.

In addition, the vast majority of people in Swords supported saving the Greenbelt and opposed rezoning.

Despite this, Cllr. Brigid Manton (Fianna Fail) and Cllr. Darragh Butler (Fianna Fail) put forward motions calling for two Greenbelts to be rezoned*

*Rivervalley, Ridgewood, Ashfield and Knocksedan Greenbelt and Uniplumo Greenbelt, Rathbeale Road.

Social Democrats (no Councillor in Swords) gave FULL SUPPORT to the campaign, as did Solidarity – People Before Profit (no Councillor in Swords).

Unfortunately, Fine Gael (no Councillor in Swords) provided NO SUPPORT to the campaign and have voted to rezone Greenbelts in the past.

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For more information please check out;

https://saveswordsgreenbelt.com/latest-news/

Some great news to share with the community…!

Both Greenbelts in Swords have been saved.

An attempt by Cllr. Brigid Manton and Cllr. Darragh Butler to rezone the Brackenstown (Rivervalley, Ridgewood, Ashfield and Knocksedan) and Uniplumo (Rathbeale Road) Greenbelts respectively was firmly opposed by a majority of Cllrs who spoke against each motion.

The Fingal Executive also urged rejection of Cllr. Manton’s and Cllr. Butler’s motions aimed at rezoning our precious Greenbelts. In addition, they confirmed there is a surplus of residential-zoned land in Fingal.

These rezoning attempts by both Cllrs. faced mass opposition from our community. It is a lesson that when we organise as a community we can bring in real change.

Our aim from the outset was to create a clean, safe and sustainable community for this generation (especially for our children) and the generation to come.

Many of the Cllrs. who spoke praised our campaign and said it was a great example of “people power” and local democracy in action.

Thank you to everyone who supported the campaign.

Special mention to the 5 Swords Cllrs. who actively supported Save Swords Greenbelt from the start.

They listened to the wishes of our community and championed the communities cause. They are; Cllr. Joe Newman (Indpt), Cllr. Ann Graves (Sinn Fein), Cllr. Ian Carey (Green Party), Cllr. James Humphreys (Labour Party) and Cllr. Dean Mulligan (Indpts4Change).

The campaign will remain active and continue to grow. We urge all of the community to get involved in the campaign and protect our precious Greenbelts.

Big turnout of residents at Fingal CoCo HQ today opposing Motion: 535 and calling for the Greenbelt to be protected!

It’s expected Motion 535 will be voted on tomorrow, Tuesday 11th.

If passed, we lose the Greenbelt forever.

We’re planning to meet outside Fingal County Council, Main Street, Swords, Tuesday 11th at 2 pm. We will have the campaign banner and will be handing out leaflets to the 40 Cllrs. urging them to oppose Motion 535.

Please make a special effort to join us, and ask your friends and family to invest just 1 hour in saving the Greenbelt.

Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever and our community will be left counting the cost. Not just this generation, but generations to come.

All of us, especially our children deserve to grow up in a healthy, safe and sustainable community.

Fingal CEO AnnMarie Farrelly has already confirmed there is enough land already zoned residential to cope with anticipated demand.

Destroying a vital Greenbelt as the climate change crisis gets worse makes no sense.

If you can make it, please confirm by sending us an email or if you have any questions contact us;

[email protected]

It's expected Motion 535 will be voted on next Tuesday 11th.

If passed, we lose the Greenbelt forever.

We’re planning to meet outside Fingal County Council, Main Street, Swords next Tuesday 11th at 2 pm. We will have the campaign banner and will be handing out leaflets to the 40 Cllrs. urging them to oppose Motion 535.

Please make a special effort to join us, and ask your friends and family to invest just 1 hour in saving the Greenbelt. Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever and our community will be left counting the cost. Not just this generation, but generations to come.

All of us, especially our children deserve to grow up in a healthy, safe and sustainable community. Fingal CEO AnnMarie Farrelly has already confirmed there is enough land already zoned residential to cope with anticipated demand.

Destroying a vital Greenbelt as the climate change crisis gets worse makes no sense.

If you can make it, please confirm by sending us an email or if you have any questions contact us;

[email protected]

We look forward to seeing you on the 11th.

Check out the Dublin Gazette report on opposing Motion 535 to Save the Greenbelt.

*99.4% of our community asked for the Greenbelt to be protected.

https://dublingazette.com/dublinlocalmatters/news/save-swords-greenbelt-cllr-brigid-manton-no-rezoning-533341/

Time is running out!, so please check out how you help;

https://saveswordsgreenbelt.com/how-you-can-help/

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*Fingal Draft Development Plan - Public Consultation

What is Motion 535 and why should you oppose it?

Please check out the Urgent Update with Action Required;

https://saveswordsgreenbelt.com/how-you-can-help/

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Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the amazing support, it's much appreciated.

We'd like to build a bigger and better campaign, but we can't do it without your help. So please make a donation big or small via Paypal by using the link below;

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/SaveSwordsGreenbelt

Thanks! ... and please keep sharing the campaign with your friends and family.

New report in the Dublin Gazette on Save Rivervalley, Ridgewood and Knocksedan Greenbelt.

https://dublingazette.com/dublinlife/swords-greenbelt-under-threat-56788/

Please LIKE & SHARE...

Do you want to save the Greenbelt? - find out how you can help by checking out below;

https://saveswordsgreenbelt.com/how-you-can-help/