My name is Councillor Alan Tobin, I have the honour of being elected to the Ashbourne Municipal District since its inception in 2014. I am an avid community activist and want what is best for our town today and well into the future. The changes proposed for Ashbourne have been made by 5 like minded Councillors and then supported by our Councillor colleagues from around the entire county of Meath. What has been decided in these material changes future proofs our towns green spaces and as residential and industrial development takes place, these zonal changes will become important assets that will be for the use of the community that live, work and grow old here for generations to come.

I also represent the Ashbourne Youth cafe and Ashbourne Tidy Towns, both as chairperson. The provision of an 80 acres park, a wonderful entrance area that includes an art/education/amenity centre are so important for young people to learn about the environment, to have a park space to get some head space and for recreation are very important. This year, since Covid restrictions were implemented, the absence of parkland has shone an even brighter light on the fact that Ashbourne has no space where the public are not competing against motor vehicles, air pollution and noise.

The opportunities to create the best town in Ireland to live in are now reality, we have, as a community, come together to decide our future. This process has been a wonderful opportunity for people to discuss the future, have their say and shape their destiny.

As climate change measure force us to make the right choices for our environment and biodiversity we will afford each generation the chance to lower our carbon footprint. The additional spaces can and will be used to plant trees, allow for less intensive use of land, create an awareness of the importance of nature and help to begin the process in making the area carbon neutral while preserving hedgerows and adding to the existing flora and fauna in the area.