The important work of Jeanne Meldon: Honorary Life Member of An Taisce

Jeanne Meldon was a highly-qualified professional planner. Through her work on behalf of An Taisce in the 1990s and later years she made many important contributions to promoting an understanding of the relationship between principled and ethically-informed planning and the protection and enhancement of the environment in all its diversity. 

Jeanne’s earliest work on behalf of An Taisce was to compile a report published in 1992 on Structural Funds and the Environment: Problems and Prospects. This seminal document provided for the first time an in-depth analysis of the implications for the practice of planning in Ireland that arose from two major initiatives launched by the European Community. They related to Environmental Impact Assessment and reform of the Structural Funds.

The 1992 report was followed in 1993 by another document on Environmental Impact Assessment  - Theory and Practice in Ireland co-authored by Jeanne and other members of An Taisce.  These documents became key reference texts for many years among professional planners and senior public servants. More importantly, for An Taisce as a voluntary organisation they contributed enormously to enhancing its already high reputation as a well-informed advocacy organisation of substance and serious intent.

Overcoming challenges

The early pioneering work on how to overcome the challenges presented by the new context for planning and the environment was followed by careful monitoring by Jeanne, on behalf of An Taisce, of planning applications for substantial projects that were mostly co-financed via the Structural Funds. There were many such projects in the hey days of the Celtic Tiger era when clamours for employment generating economic investments, especially in rural areas, tended to ignore or belittle environmental implications. 

The most notable cases were the proposals in relation to a visitor centre and car park at Mullaghmore in the Burren and separately a car park at Luggala. She was deeply involved with former An Taisce Chairman Emer Colleran in the appeal against the Mullaghmore proposal. Her carefully argued written submissions coupled with extraordinary presentations and rebuttals of arguments put forward by experienced legal advocates on behalf of State agencies and others in a David and Goliath type oral hearing were sufficient to convince An Board Pleanala that the appeal submitted by An Taisce should be upheld. 

This was a groundbreaking victory which set the context for further successful appeals, in full or partially, against inappropriate planning applications at Luggala and other locations. A partial success was achieved through the conditions imposed by An Bord Pleanala on the permission for development of Carton estate which ensured that the public would continue to have access to walkways in the Carton grounds. That condition has since proved to be immensely valuable to the residents of Maynooth and surrounding areas.

Demonstration projects

Later, Jeanne’s work with An Taisce moved on, from appeals and critiques to leading demonstration projects. One example was a project with Margaret Sweeney in 1999/2000 to prepare a Strategy for Sustainable Tourism in the Coastal Zone of Mayo which was aligned with the Mayo County Development Plan. Prior to that Jeanne was the Manager and a senior researcher on a highly innovative EU funded LIFE project that involved An Taisce and Bord Failte. The project was part of a wider programme on Sustainable Tourism in Europe’s Peripheral Regions. The final report compiled by Jeanne and Conor Skekan had the title Tourism and the Landscape: Landscape Management by Consensus. It placed great emphasis on area-based plans with significant active local participation which was a pioneering management proposal at the time and is still highly relevant today.

In Europe and Ireland

A further dimension of Jeanne’s work with or on behalf of An Taisce was her engagement with like-minded NGOs, most notably WWW, across Europe. In recognition of her expertise and experience she was appointed to the Steering Committee of the European Environment and Sustainable Development Advisory Councils between 2003-2005. She was also a member of the Management Board of this high-level network.

In Ireland, on behalf of environmental NGOs - Jeanne was appointed to NESF (The National Economic and Social Forum) between 1993-2003 and Comhar (the National Sustainable Development Partnership) between 1999-2005. 

While coping with all these and other commitments she was always available to speak at local, regional and national workshops and conferences. Her renowned writing and editing skills were frequently drawn upon by the editors of An Taisce’s Magazine, Living Heritage.

More recently, her commitment to environmental education as a vehicle for behaviour change found expression in her involvement with An Taisce’s Education Unit.  She was a founder member of the Education Committee, which steered the Unit from its inception, beginning with the International Blue Flag and on through its work with schools to the hugely successful Green Schools programme. Jeanne is particularly popular with the staff of the Unit who value her unstinting support and recognition of their efforts but  also, for her integrity and her understated professionalism.   

By Pat Oliver — former Director and Chair of An Taisce, previous editor of the An Taisce Magazine.

In grateful appreciation to Jeanne Meldon, Honorary Life Member of An Taisce. Sadly, Jeanne passed away on 31 August 2024, may she rest in peace.

Banner image: Mullaghmore by Randi Hausken — Creative Commons