The Heritage Service, Duchas, has objected to the development of a new town centre for Blessington, in Co Wicklow, claiming that the selected site is worthy of national monument designation.
The proposed site, some 270 acres to the west of Blessington Main Street, has recently been the subject of a combined commercial and residential planning application, which fits in with Wicklow County Council's plans for the development of a new town centre and recreational facilities for the town. The application was made by Mr Bill Mulready, through Cookhill Ltd, Dublin.
In a letter to the county council, Duchas said that the entire site was worthy of national monument status, as it was the former palace and estate of Archbishop Boyle of Dublin.
The archbishop is credited with founding Blessington, which is remarkable for the width of its main street. He is also credited with building St Mary's Church in 1683 on the main street.
While the archbishop's palace is no longer standing, Duchas said the archbishop's estate was intact and contained many historical items worthy of preservation.
The area east of Blessington village is dominated by the Blessington lakes and local people claim there is nowhere else to expand.
Cllr Jim Ruttle said if Duchas proceed to make a national monument order for the land there would be no development and no relief road.
"The land was to be the hub of the new town centre, with amenities to be provided for local people. Community groups through the Blessington Forum have put a lot of effort into bringing about a consensus as to what the community needs." He had suggested excavating the foundations of Archbishop Boyle's palace and the development of a heritage centre linked to St Mary's Church. The Wicklow county secretary, Mr Bryan Doyle, confirmed that a planning application for a town centre development had been received but added that no decision had been made yet. The rector of St Mary's Church, Blessington, the Rev Nigel Dunne, said a community forum had been formed to achieve a consensus on the development of the village. He said most people envisaged "preserving many items of interest but also building on some of the site. It's very big and there is really no where else to build," he said.
Mr Paul Connolly, of Duchas confirmed its opposition to the development.
Asked if the service intended to make a national monuments order to prevent development of the lands, the spokesman said "it is too early to say.
"This is a historic landscape which is probably unique - there may be one other similar site in Northern Ireland - and what we are saying at this stage is that we are not happy about development plans for it."
But he did not rule out the possibility of a compromise.
