9.10 CONSIDERATION OF ALTERNATIVES TO PROPOSED SITE DEVELOPMENT

The Development Facilitation Act states that each proposed land development area should be judged on its own merits and no particular use of land should in advance or in general be regarded as being less important or desirable than any other use of land. This implies that different land use options should be evaluated in order to establish their relative merit. The merits of the different land use options would be determined by the extent of their relative yields. Such yields include all immediate and long-term benefits to social, economic and environmental values associated with the principle of sustainability.

THE NO-GO OPTION

The no go option would entail that the property remain in its current deteriorated state. The current Industrial Zoning has the potential to have large negative impacts, seen that any Industrial Activity can currently be realized on site and have consequent pollution and related effects which could be much worse than what may occur in a well-designed “Business Zone” environment.

USES OTHER THAN THE DEVELOPER’S PREFERRED OPTION

The location of the properties lends itself to an up market type of development where any other form will be out of character to this prime lagoon view properties. An option such as the provisions of affordable/social housing will not be appropriate for the location. The developers, however are very well aware of the need for social/affordable housing and it is proposed that a leading European expert (author of Legislation in Ireland) will be brought to the Municipality to conduct a series of workshops / Seminars on Social / Affordable implementation at the Developer’s expense.