CONFIRMATION AND RE-AFFIRMATION OF MINUTES

Minutes of Lucan/Clondalkin Area Committee Meeting (1) 18th June, 2008

• H-I 1

To ask the Manager for an update on developments at the Round Tower site in Clondalkin?

• Q.3

To ask the Manager for an-up-to-date and detailed reply following my prolonged representations on the vacant lands adjacent to Lucan Educate Together National School, Lucan?  As previously stated these lands would have significant potential for educational/community benefits rather than not being utilised in the future.

• Q.2

To ask the Manager for an updated report on the proposed pathway along the Grand Canal and the installation of the underground power lines?

• Q. 1

Correspondence

No Business

New Works

No Business

Cathaoirleach's Business

No Business

That an update be brought to this Committee regarding the problem with the sale of the dwelling house in St. Patrick's Estate, Clondalkin.

• M.2

To ask the Manager is there a timeframe for the preparation of the next development plan, including what levels of public consultation will take place and how this will be advertised, which is particularly important given that members of the public are affected by decisions made yet may not always be aware of what is going on?

• Q. 4

To ask the Manager to present a detailed report for discussion on the Liffey Valley Advisory Committee.  Would the Manager include details of when this Advisory Committee was first established, how many times the Advisory Committee has met, including details on a year by year basis, what decisions were made and implemented by the Advisory Committee since it was established, what budget if any does the Advisory Committee have or had in the past, and what is the schedule of meetings for this Advisory Committee for the foreseeable future?

• Q. 5

To ask that this Committee supports the provision of local, professional and affordable childcare facilities in our community and asks the Manager to report on the planning and conditions relating to (address supplied) - it has been reported locally that there is nobody actually residing at these premises which is a condition of planning?

• Q.6

To ask the Manager for an updated report on any discussions with the owners of the Liffey Valley lands about further development of the lands in accordance with the Local Area Plan and if it is anticipated that Planning Applications will be made to the Council in the near future?

• Q 7

Correspondence

No Business

New Works

No Business

Planning Files

A. Large applications under consideration

B. Files requested by members - No Business

• H-I 4(A) Large Applications
• H-I 4(B) No Requests Received

Review of the County  Development Plan and the Preparation of the New Development Plan 2010 - 2016

• H-I 5

Cathaoirleach's Business

That the Manager would present a full and detailed report for discussion on the planning and enforcement history of developments at Weston Aerodrome, Lucan since the summer of 2002, including all outstanding planning and enforcement issues, particularly all the details and issues relating to the most recent Warning Letter issued to the developers of Weston Aerodrome, and what possible implications this may have, including another possible court case in pursuit of planning compliance?

• M 3

That this Committee recommends that South Dublin County Council initiates a compulsory purchase order process whereby a walkway/cycleway along the River Liffey from Lucan to Palmerstown would be initiated.

• M.4

That this Committee requests the Manager so seek the co-operation of the other relevant Local Authorities, including Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council, and Kildare County Council, with a view to the four Local Authorities jointly pursuing a Liffey Valley Park, including requesting the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to make a Ministerial Order, under Section 202 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, to make further Special Amenity Area Orders to preserve the Liffey Valley Lands which would be of great benefit to achieving a Liffey Valley Park.

• M. 5

That the Council enforces the condition that compels the Service Station on the N4 inbound carriageway at the old Lucan Road to keep the gate between it and the Old Lucan Road CLOSED at all times as this is a dangerous corner and pedestrians are especially vunerable.

• M 6

That the Manager would present a detailed and up-to-date report for discussion on progress made with the Campaign for a new Local Second Level School in Lucan South since my most recent representations on this very urgent matter, specifically since the meeting that took place with Officials from the Department of Education and Science School Planning Unit. What progress resulted from the contact made by the Department’s technical staff to the Planning Department in an attempt to arrange a joint site visit to inspect the Local Area Plan lands?  In addition can it be confirmed again that this new Second Level School will accommodate 1,000 pupils, and what is the up-to-date report on efforts to have this school opened by September 2009? (My detailed email refers)  

• M 7

To ask the Manager to write to the Minister for Health and Children and the Chief Executive of the HSE requesting that an urgent comparative survey be carried out of residents in St Ronan's Estate and in particular St Ronan's Gardens to ascertain incidences of cancer compared with elsewhere in North Clondalkin and similar socio-economic areas in Dublin?

Residents continue to be concerned about the effects of transmitters on a phone mast located at Ronanstown Garda Station, combined with an adjacent power grid line. If evidence was produced showing higher cancer levels when lifestyle and other factors are eliminated, it would ensure that the matter will be given more serious consideration by Comreg and other bodies. Similarly, if the issue was to be investigated and no deviation found from cancer rates in similar areas, it would reassure residents. In these tighter economic times, a stipulation should also be made to the Minister that this Council is not requesting a lengthy and costly survey by consultants, but rather one which could be carried out by qualified HSE staff, thus reducing the burden on the exchequer.

• Q. 8

To ask the Manager for an update on when it is planned to carry out a plebiscite to change the officially-recognised name of Palmerstown from Palmerston to Palmerstown and to outline whether residents of Whitethorn, who are considered part of Palmerstown, will be able to vote in such a poll?

• Q. 9

To ask the Manager to write to the Minister for Transport and Dublin Bus Management and request up-to-date research information as to whether there is currently sufficient schedules in the bus service for the needs of the residents of Lucan and Palmerstown, particularly at peak times.

• Q.10

To ask the Manager to agree to write to the Gardaí to request up-to-date details of what new arrangements are planned to introduce foot patrols in the Lucan and Palmerstown Parks, to compliment the foot patrols in our housing estates, following concerns expressed by local residents that there are increased risks to the safety of people in our parks, particularly following the reported attack on a girl in Griffeen Valley Park, Lucan?

• Q.11

To ask the Manager to write AGAIN to the Minister for Education and Science as a matter of great urgency, requesting the Minister to accelerate the development of the 2 storey, 16 classroom permanent building required by Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada, Lucan?  Since being established 3 years ago, Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada has been in temporary accommodation, spending 1 year in Lucan Sarsfield’s GAA and 2 years in Coláiste Cois Life, and with an additional 60 children starting in September 2008; the total number of children in Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada has exceeded 180.  (My detailed email refers).

• Q. 12

To ask the Manager for a firm date for the holding the agreed Plebiscite in Palmerstown?

• Q. 13

To ask the Manager if a reply has been received from An Garda Síochana in response to letters requested under Items 15622 and 15623 at the Area Committee Meeting (1) in June?

• Q.14

Correspondence

(a) Letter from the Minister for the Environment regarding the ban on sale of drinks in glass bottles

(b) Letter from the ESB regarding the removal of overhead power lines

(c) Letter from the Gardaí regarding the sale of alcohol to underage persons

(d) Letter from the Minister for Education regarding St. Andrew's National School, Lucan

(e) Letter from the Gardaí regarding the rising crime rate in Lucan 

(f) Letter from Minister for Education regarding truancy levels in schools

• Corr (a)
• Corr (b)
• Corr (c)
• Corr (d)
• Corr (e)
• Corr (f)

New Works

No Business

Consultation Committee for the Operation of the Drug Treatment Centre, St Loman's Road

• H-I 7

Cathaoirleach's Business

That this Committee supports the New Task Force established in the Lucan area on 17^th June 2008, comprised of all 5 Educate Together National Schools in the Lucan area, and requests the Manager to write to the Minister for Education and Science requesting recognition of patronage status for Educate Together in its application for a Second Level Educate Together School in Lucan, and that this Committee requests the Manager to emphasise the urgency of this matter, and will the Manager agree to report back to this Area Committee as soon as a reply is received from the Minister for Education and Science, particularly as there are now five Educate Together National Schools in the Lucan area and no Second Level Educate Together School, as preferred by many parents?

• M. 8

That the Lucan-Clondalkin Area Committee notes the continuing rise over the past two years in the Live Register numbers in the Clondalkin Social Welfare Office, is seriously concerned about high levels of unemployment in many parts of the Lucan and Clondalkin Electoral Areas, and requests the Manager to write to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment seeking a review, by FáS and other agencies, of training and other employment support programmes in the area?

That this Committee notes that construction of the Addiction Treatment Centre at St. Loman's Road, Lucan is at an advanced stage and requests the Manager to write to the HSE recommending that the HSE proactively promote the setting up of a monitoring committee, as suggested in the An Bord Pleanála decision on the Centre.

• M. 10

To ask the Manager if he will abolish proposals to place a 3.2 m high timber noise barrier along the N4 at the southern boundary with the Woodville Estate and instead raise to a height of 3.2 m the existing southern boundary wall on the east-bound off-ramp of the N4, which currently runs from the beginning of the off-ramp to near the junction with the Outer Ring Road. And, if he will also construct a new wall joining the existing wall at that point, continuing up to the junction with the ORR to meet the existing eastern boundary wall of the Woodville Estate, so as to form a continuous and uniform-looking boundary wall, serving also as a noise barrier?

• Q. 15

To ask the Manager to outline plans for the westbound slip road at the Texaco Garage/Foxhunter, which is currently jammed with traffic every day from 4.30pm to 7pm.  It is currently a single lane slip road, but motorists have over the past number of years had the common sense to form a left and a right queue on this slipway and created their own solution to this dreadful bottleneck. These queues have got larger since N4 works have begun and traffic on most evenings backs up beyond the Texaco Garage.  Are there plans currently to increase this single lane slip road to a two lane slip, including for example a peak time bus lane?

• Q. 16

To ask the Manager to outline in details the plans in place to deal with the traffic problems caused by the closure of the Esker Lane access to the N4, including for example a major increase in congestion from the Outer Ring Road/Willsbrook Road towards Lucan Village at morning school hours?

• Q. 17

To ask the Manager to agree to install Leixlip Road road signs to the west of Lucan village? The absence of this road signage is the cause of great inconvenience to local residents and could potentially be the cause of a threat to the safety of local residents, say in the case of the emergency services seeking directions.

• Q. 18

To ask the Manager to agree to inspect and review the gantry and road levels and road markings in the city bound approach to the M50/N4 roundabout? On a daily basis there is evidence of considerable confusion at this location, and there is every possibility that owing to the lack of clarity there will be an accident or accidents as a result. 

• Q. 19

To ask the Manager can the fence between the lane to the rear of Palmerstown Avenue and the N4 be fully restored and maintained in good order?  Also, can the lights on the lane between the Avenue and the N4 be restored to working order and maintained as the present situation is fostering anti-social behaviour and a source of serious annoyance to local residents?

• Q. 20

To ask the Manager for a firm date for the report on upgrading the Coldcut/Kennelsfort Road junction and the sequencing of the traffic signals between it and the Cloverhill junction as promised for the June meeting?

• Q. 21

To ask the Manager for a report on the work carried out by the Roads Maintenance Section to deal with flooding in the Lucan area during August, and if the experience of the consequences of the heavy rainfall will result in a review of the programme of maintenance of road/street gullies and drains?

• Q. 22

To ask the Manager for a report on repair works done on footpaths in Lucan Village since the beginning of 2008?

• Q. 23

To ask the Manager for an updated report on the placing of permanent bollards at Liffey Crescent, Liffey Valley Park, Lucan, as agreed with the committee of the Residents Association?

• Q. 24

Correspondence

No Business

New Works

No Business

Proposed Declaration of Roads to be Public Roads

The Old Forge, Lucan

• H-I (9)

Extinguishment of Public Right of Way at Killeen Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22

• H. I. (10)
• H. I. (10) Map

Cathaoirleach's Business

That the Manager would present a detailed report for discussion on my earlier requests for the introduction of a School-Time Restriction for Heavy Goods Vehicles on the Newcastle Road, Lucan. This Committee now requests the Manager to introduce a School-Time Heavy Goods Vehicles Restriction on the Newcastle Road, Lucan. (My detailed email refers) 

• M. 11

That the median and green edges of the N4, Glenpark open space, Laburnum open space and Heather Grove open space be restored to an acceptable standard and maintained as such now that the main construction work on the M50 has been completed around the Palmerstown intersection. This whole area is now in a very deplorable state dragging down the whole area and represents a serious breach of both the An Bord Pleanála conditions attached to this design, build project and of commitments entered into with residents' representatives. For example, that the open space in Glenpark would be restored to full use in pristine condition by June 2007 and in fact this area is still very unfinished.  Firm commitments with dates, etc. are now required if the quality of life of the residents is to be restored to anything like what it was before they were asked for, it's not for the common good, to endure dust, noise, disruption and uncertainty.

• M. 12

That this Council assists the residents of Wheatfield Estate and Oatfield in their efforts to close the laneway at Wheatfield Close and in doing so to source finance from the Government in view of these estates' close proximity to Rapid areas and that the Council is aware that more than 50% of these houses are rented to mostly transient tenants.

• M. 13

That this Committee recommends that South Dublin County Council dishes the footpath at 34 Boot Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.

• M. 14

That the Manager would present a detailed report for discussion on the junction on the N4 at Kennelsfort Road, Palmerstown village, and that this Committee requests the Manager to seek a meeting with the National Roads Authority, and that this meeting will included Council Members, to discuss what options are available for this junction as a matter of priority and urgency for the benefit of the residents of Palmerstown, as it is becoming increasingly difficult for the people of Palmerstown to access Palmerstown village, and particularly as the upgrading of the N4 and M50 progress, the consequences for Palmerstown residents will most likely mean less traffic light time for Kennelsfort Road/Palmerstown village traffic.

That the Manager initiates the process to have a HGV ban put in place during the hours of 8.30am to 9.30am and 1.15pm to 3.15pm on the Lucan / Newcastle Road.  The ban to incorporate the area from the N4 Newcastle Road junction up to and including Newcastle Village in order to create a safer environment for children traveling to and from the local schools (a total of six).

• M. 16

That the Manager would present an up-to-date report on the boundary walls of the N4 road widening works taking place, including the inconsistent and unacceptable boundary finishes to this major road project, that have become the source of great annoyance and upset to many local residents in the local community.

• M. 17

That this Committee instructs the Manager responsible to address the traffic situation in South Lucan and specifically to ban HGVs on the Newcastle Road (initially and as a matter of urgency during school commute times eventually at all times), the provision of a "green route" that facilitates pedestrians and cyclists along the Newcastle Road, the re-opening of the Esker lane to the N4 (Immediately to alleviate traffic congestion due to the N4 upgrade) and to bring a costed plan before this committee by at least February 2009.

• M. 18