Headed Items
Confirmation and Re-affirmation of Minutes
1. Minutes of the Lucan/Clondalkin Area Committee Meeting (1) 20th October, 2010
2. Minutes of the Lucan/Clondalkin Area Committee Meeting (2) 26th October, 2010
Roads
Questions
To ask the Manager to make a statement on the possibility of barring private transport users from making a left turn from the Coldcut Road onto Kennelsfort Road?
To ask the Manager to comment on the lack of continuation of the cycle lane on the western side of Willsbrook Road outside Esker Wood which could be leading cyclists to make unsafe road crossings?
To ask the Manager for an up-dated report on the planned date for installation for the new pedestrian lights at La Banca Restaurant in Lucan Village, and to thank the Manager for sourcing the funding for these much needed pedestrian lights?
To ask the Manager, further to my motion at the October meeting; for an update on my requests that the balustrading to Lucan bridge be repaired and repainted in accordance with recommendations of the National Tidy Towns 2010 adjudication report?
To ask the Manager to reconsider my previous request for installation of a signalised pedestrian crossing on Griffeen Avenue at Oldbridge Estate. The provision of a signalised pedestrian crossing at this location has been a long-held objective of the local community in Oldbridge, Rossberry, Tullyhall and Hayden’s Park Estates, from where many pedestrians, including hundreds of school children, have to cross the busy Griffeen Avenue to access Griffeen Valley Educate Together NS, the Griffeen Youth Centre, the local shops and bus-stops. The provision of a new signalised pedestrian crossing at this location could reliably be expected to increase the overall number of pedestrians crossing Griffeen Avenue and in particular to increase the numbers of children (and parents) walking to school; and therefore would the Manager agree that the fact that a traffic count warrant has not yet been reached should be disregarded as a reason not to install this importantly-strategic signalised pedestrian crossing?
To ask the Manager to prepare a report on Public Lighting in the Palmerstown area and in particular as to why up to nine of the Lights on the N4 at Palmerstown are regularly out and why when a new pole was put erected in Waterstown Avenue the light (as in the former pole) was not replaced.
To thank the Manager for persevering until he got the necessary funding to cut the grass on the N4 median at Palmerstown and to compliment the staff on the good job they did on the week-end of the 6th Nov and the community hope that this standard will be maintained in the future.
Headed Items
New Works
(No Business)
Proposed Declaration of Roads to be Public Roads
Hayden's Lane Access Road
Initiate a Comprehensive Analysis of Traffic Congestion of the Road Network in Lucan South of N4
New HGV School Time Restriction
Correspondence
Correspondence
(No Business)
Motions
Cathaoirleach's Business
(No Business)
That the Manager would present a detailed report for discussion on specific plans to resolve the chronic traffic chaos at the entrance to Esker Meadow Estate towards the entrance to Scoil Naomh Padraig and Colaiste Cois Life, particularly at school times? For many years I have made repeated representations to have this matter resolved, including representations to the Gardaí for a school-time presence in the interest of safety and a freer movement of traffic. To ask the Manager to report on proposals for the introduction of road markings that would restrict parking to one side of this road only, and that would allow better flows of traffic in both ways.
That the Manager will explore initiating a scheme and supporting schools in the Lucan area to encourage cycling to school. As part of the initiative that a pilot school would be chosen to determine the effectiveness in providing: a) road safety education to cyclists b) education on the health benefits of cycling and c) practical facilities such as bike racks.
Planning
Questions
To ask the Manager to seek that a meeting of the Liffey Advisory Committee be held in Clondalkin Offices and that these meetings be rotated between the local authorities that have membership of the committees?
To ask the Manager to give the most up to date situation with regard to a community centre facility for Adamstown?
To ask the Manager to give details of the progress of providing sports pitches for various users in Adamstown?
To ask the Manager to update on efforts to progress the taking-in-charge of Griffeen Glen Courtyard and Boulevard and in particular to advise on:
- What agreement has been reached on the taking-in-charge of open spaces;
- Efforts to repair the leaking manhole at Griffeen Glen Courtyard;
- Any other identified defects yet to be addressed;
- When the taking-in-charge is likely to be brought before the elected members for final consideration?
To ask the Manager if there has been any progress in securing a Contractor to carry out the "tie in" works on the northern side of the Hayden's Lane overbridge? (See Question 29, Lucan-Clondalkin 20th October 2010 ACM)
Headed Items
New Works
(No Business)
Planning Files
A. Large applications under consideration
B. Files requested by members
Correspondence
Correspondence
(No Business)
Motions
Cathaoirleach's Business
That the Manager would present a detailed report on the Taking-in-Charge of Rossberry and Griffeen Glen Boulevard Estates, Lucan, the report to cover the taking-in-charge of Open Spaces as well as Roads and Services, and that the Manager would make a statement on the length of time taken by the Council to take housing developments in charge, and if, in the context of the extreme reduction in the amount housing construction in the area, residents can expect a significant decrease in the time taken to take completed developments in charge.
That this Committee would agree, given the commitment made by South Dublin County Council to have the Liffey Valley lands, including at St. Edmundsbury, Woodville and Fonthill, preserved against housing development following the passing of my Motions, including at the June 2008 Planning Department Meeting: "That this Committee requests the Manager to write to the Minister for the Environment and Local Government requesting the Minister to make a Ministerial Order, under Section 202 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, to make further Special Amenity Area Order(s) to preserve the Liffey Valley Lands in South Dublin, including at St. Edmundsbury and Woodville. Particularly in view of the unanimous decision of South Dublin County Council expressed in my Motion passed in South Dublin County Council on 10th March 2008, including “it is wholly undesirable that any future housing developments take place in the Liffey Valley, including at St. Edmundsbury and Woodville, that would undoubtedly further damage the Liffey Valley Park as did, for example, the earlier housing developments at Laraghcon”, in the interest of the preservation of these lands, and given subsequent Motions passed that prompted further correspondence between the Council and the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, to initiate the process of extending the Special Amenity Area Order given the obvious reluctance by the Minister to exercise his powers in extending the Special Amenity Area Order(s), especially given the pre-general election promise by the Green Party in 2007 to extend the SAAO to these lands, and particularly given the Minister's silence on this matter in advance of the review of the County Development Plan - the time-scale that I had identified in my Motion to this Council on 9th June 2008.
That this Committee requests the Manager to initiate a feasibility study into the provision of an Enterprise Centre and ‘jobs hub’ in the Lucan and Adamstown area to include physical space such as 'hot-desks' and 'incubator units' for use by local entrepreneurs and business start-ups as well as providing a base for Local Employment Services and for training programmes run by CPLN Area Partnership and other bodies. In conducting this feasibility study the Committee further requests the Manager to liaise with CPLN Area Partnership, the County Enterprise Board, Enterprise Ireland, the developers of Adamstown SDZ and other potential stakeholders and to research all funding opportunities and existing premises in Lucan and Adamstown available to let and to report back to a future meeting of this Committee with a report under a headed item.
That the Manager bring forward a report detailing how the bond for the Riversdale Estate was dealt with (Item ID 24704 at the September meeting), and in particular to explain what, if any amount, was retained in lieu of the failure of the developer to deliver on Condition No. 9 of the Grant of Planning Permission which stated inter alia:
‘The walls at the rear of the proposed houses numbers 2 to 24 and along the western boundary of the site shall be retained at their existing heights and shall, prior to the construction of any of the houses hereby permitted, be repaired, made good and improved, where necessary, with walling that matches the said walls…..’ and to explain why the Council did not use the bond to address the situation.
Furthermore, this Committee notes that the wall in question was not erected as a boundary wall for the houses that back onto it (as is implied in the Report presented at the September meeting) but is rather a heritage wall that bounds the park and which An Bord Pleanála stipulated had to be preserved. The wall in question is at least as much the responsibility of the County Council as the owners of Waterstown Park as it is of the neighbouring residential properties. Both parties were entitled to have it properly maintained as per the planning condition prior to or at the same time as both the Estate and the Park were taken in charge/into Council ownership.
This Committee recommends that the matter be referred the next full Council meeting with the objective of having the Council carry out without delay the necessary works to the wall that should have been done as set out by An Bord Pleanála on Condition 9 and at no expense to the residents concerned.
That the Manager would present for discussion a report on the amount of land zoned for industrial and commercial use in the Lucan Electoral Area including figures for the total area of land zoned, how much of the land is serviced for water supply, drainage etc., the amount of such land, if any, in the ownership of the Council, and what actions does the Council implement to attract companies/businesses to locate their enterprises in the County.
That this Area Committee recommends that South Dublin County Council initiate the statutory processes required to exercise its powers under Sections 202 and 203 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 to extend the area subject to the Liffey Valley Special Amenity Area Order to include all lands zoned ‘I’ in the new Draft South Dublin County Development Plan.
That the Manager prepare a report on the recent decision by An Bord Pleanala, in the context of appeals against aspects the Councils Grant of Permission for the further development of the Liffey Valley lands, to reject the Council's Grant of Permission, and to advise if he considers that An Bord's decision has implications for the Council's approach to future Planning Applications for the lands covered by the Liffey Valley Town Centre LAP.?
Parks
Questions
To ask the Manager for a detailed update on the taking–in-charge of Rossberry Estate and the grass verge to the access road linking all Rossberry, Tullyhall and Hayden’s Park Estates to Griffeen Avenue?
To ask the Manager for a report on the provision of children’s play areas and to indicate what progress is being made in providing such a facility in the Palmerstown?
To ask the Manager if he will request the Park's Department to inspect trees in Sarsfield Park Estate, including trees in private gardens overhanging the footpaths) to establish if there are locations where tree branches/foliage are interfering with ESB wires (connecting public lamps, or otherwise) or are seriously reducing the effectiveness of the public lights in illuminating the footpaths/roads in the estate, and carry out any pruning which is warranted to eliminate the problem?
To ask the Manager if he will make a report listing the locations in the Lucan Electoral Area, to which householders can bring Christmas trees for recycling after Christmas, and if decided, the dates on which trees can be left for collection?
Headed Items
New Works
(No Business)
Correspondence
Correspondence
(No Business)
Motions
Cathaoirleach's Business
That the Lucan Area Committee congratulates the staff of the Parks Department for their work, in collaboration with the Dublin Mountains Partnership, Coillte, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown CC and Dublin City Council, on the Dublin Mountains Way Project, and requests the Manager to ask the Parks Department to investigate those aspects of that project, particularly the work with user groups, which could be used in a project to increase public access to and enjoyment of the lands in the Liffey Valley.
That this Committee requests the Manager to present a detailed report for discussion on the matters to be considered in progressing implementation of Specific Local Objective 25 of the newly-adopted County Development Plan 2010-2016, i.e. to "facilitate completion of the boundary fence that separates Bewley Grove and Mount Bellew Way running eastwards as far as the Outer Ring Road".
As a follow up to the offer made by Management in the Report to my Motion (Ref ID 24108) at the September meeting, this Committee calls on the Manager to have “movement sensitive lights” and CCTV installed on Glenaulin Park where it bounds Culmore Road, Glenaulin Road and Glenaulin Green. Residents, many of whom are senior citizens, living in these areas have to endure a level of anxiety due to ant-social behaviour that results in constant worry, fear and disturbed sleep. In addition, park users including young children, are in constant danger from quads, broken glass and other fall-out from un-controlled vandalism. It is very much in keeping with the Council's policy of reducing “the cost of yesterday” that such a pilot scheme be introduced in a park that was developed during an era when the problems associated with such “back-lands” could not be anticipated. This Council owes it to its citizens that we protect them today from the trauma resulting from the effects of “yesterday’s decisions”.
That the Manager would present a detailed report for discussion on the grass cutting programme for 2011 in the Lucan area. Specifically would the Manager report in detail on areas within our parks, open spaces etc., that have not as yet been taken-in-charge by this Council, or are currently in the process of being taken-in-charge by this Council, and that have been the subject of great inconvenience to local residents, Residents Associations etc., owing to great difficulties and delays in having these grasses areas cut on a regular basis.
That the Manager will give details about the extent of the post Halloween clean-up in the Lucan area.
That the Manager has all the roadside trees across the residential areas of Palmerstown examined and a report brought to this Committee before the next planting season showing how the Council intends to deal with those trees that are clearly unfit for purpose, e.g. some motorists have to “raise up” branches in order to get cars in and out of their driveways; pedestrians on many footpaths cannot use umbrellas; some trees block out sunlight from houses; other trees overshadow front gardens killing plant life and promoting moss; other trees drip sap onto parked cars and driveways; some trees have fruit (pears and cherries) that is both a danger underfoot for pedestrians and are being pelted by vandals at nearby homes. The general consensus across the community is that many of these trees are not suitable for an urban environment, would be fine in a park and that they have been let “get out of hand” to the point where pruning may not be the answer.
Development
Questions
To ask the Manager if there is any update with regard to bringing land into public ownership to accommodate an extension of Esker Cemetery?
Headed Items
New Works
(No Business)
Correspondence
Correspondence
(No Business)
Motions
Cathaoirleach's Business
(No Business)
Housing
Questions
To ask the Manager to set out the time-scale for provision of dwelling units at the former shop in St. Finian's Estate, Lucan, following earlier agreements I sought and got that this premises would not be utilised as a shop again. Recently there have been reported incidents to me of increased anti-social behaviour, including a recent fire, where it was reported to me that great stresses were caused to local residents in St. Finian's Estate?
To ask the Manager to actively support the management company directors and residents of Foxford Court in seeking to address serious building defects which require urgent repair. While it is noted that South Dublin County Council has no legal interest in this development other than as mortgagee, the Council does have a duty of care to residents since this development was sold as affordable housing and the council should not therefore simply refer residents to either ‘Homebond’ or to the developer but should instead actively support the residents on this matter?
To ask the Manager to update on the design and Part 8 planning process for the proposed new residential units on the site of the former shop unit at St. Finian’s Estate?
To ask the Manager if he will provide a list, by location, of the Traveller Group Housing and Halting Sites in the Lucan Electoral Area, specifying in the case of Halting Sites the category of site, i.e. permanent, temporary and emergency?
Headed Items
New Works
(No Business)
Correspondence
Correspondence
(No Business)
Motions
Cathaoirleach's Business
That the Manager would present a report on the number of requests received in 2010 from residents of Droim na Coille Estate, Lucan to examine and remedy faults, including dampness and mould growth on walls and inside cupboards/wardrobes, and provide information on the measures taken by the Council to remedy such faults, and if any expenditure by the Council on work to remedy faults has or can be recovered from the developer.
That the Manager would ensure that measures are taken to eliminate the anti-social behaviour taking place at the empty shop premises at St. Finian’s Avenue, Lucan.
Corporate Services & Libraries
Questions
To ask the Manager to write to the HSE Local Health Manager to request details of the expected construction timeframe for the new residential facility currently under construction at St. Loman’s Road and to request details of the full ranges of services to be operated from this new facility?
To ask the Manager to have the implications of the plebiscite that has resulted in the name “Palmerston” being officially applied indiscriminately (by the Council) across the community, e.g. the “Beautiful South Dublin” certificates recently awarded to Palmerstown Court were made out to “Palmerston Court”. It is unacceptable to residents that the name of their estate is being changed without consulting them. Can the Manager look into the possibility that, as a result of urbanisation, only residents and rate payers in “Palmerstown Village” need be consulted as to the correct name and/or is it necessary to have a plebiscite in each road and estate that has the name “Palmerstown” lodged with the planning authority when being developed?
Headed Items
New Works
(No Business)
Library News & Events
Correspondence
Correspondence
a) Letter from Tánaiste Mary Coughlan T.D., Minister for Education & Skills regarding sites for St. Andrew's National School and Esker Educate Together. Item ID 21881
b) Letter from Waterways Ireland regarding pedestrian access to the Grand Canal Bank. Item ID 24397
c) Letter from Waterways Ireland regarding ongoing and unacceptable problems being experienced by Clondalkin residents adjacent to the Grand Canal. Item ID 24714
d) Letter from Tánaiste Mary Coughlan T.D., Minister for Education & Skills regarding vetted escorts on school buses. Item ID 25288
e) Letter from CPLN Local Employment Services with updated information on Education and Training Courses organised by CPLN. Item ID 24914
Motions
Cathaoirleach's Business
That the Lucan Area Committee requests the Manager to write to the Minister for Education and Skills conveying to her the view of the Committee that the appointment of a Design Team for the approved Extension to Lucan Community College and requesting her to immediately communicate permission to appoint a Design Team to County Dublin Vocational Education Committee.
Environment
Questions
To ask the Manager what is the schedule for the cleaning of fallen leaves in estates in Lucan and Palmerstown villages? Many of our footpaths are completely covered with fallen leaves that are wet, and this is of great concern for many residents owing to the health and safety issues that arise.
To ask the Manger to report on those estates in Lucan which have missed one or more bin collection (for any bin) due to staffing shortages or similar problems since the introduction of the brown bin and to advise on what measures are being proposed to reduce future missed collections in these estates?
Headed Items
New Works
(No Business)
Correspondence
Correspondence
(No Business)
Motions
Cathaoirleach's Business
That the Lucan Area Committee recognises the vital contribution of retail and other businesses to the vitality and sustainability of Lucan Village, and also their rates contribution to the income of the Council required to provide services, including environmental services, notes that a number of owners of retail shops in the village have recently been requested to remove "sandwich boards" from the footpath outside their premises (where the boards were not causing an obstruction and did not seem to be a safety risk) or face sanction by the Council under Section 19 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997, and requests the Manager to assess the approach of the Council in interpreting this particular Section 19 of the Act, with a view to a more reasonable approach to the application of the legislation, so that owners of retail shops, restaurants and public houses can use unobtrusive temporary signs to promote their businesses.
That this Committee congratulates the Lucan Tidy Towns group on their result in the 2010 National Tidy Towns contest whereby Lucan Village’s overall marks increased from 269 last year to 276 this year and won the Dublin (South) County award. However while welcoming the improved cleanliness of the Lucan Village area, this Committee again expresses its serious concern over litter problems in the Lucan South area and further to my motion at the April meeting, recommends that a permanent hand-cart service be introduced in the Lucan South area with a primary focus on the areas and roads nearest to the Ballyowen Castle local centre, the Griffeen local centre and Foxborough. This hand-cart service would be of significant benefit in assisting efforts to address the very serious and highly-visible litter problems blighting some of these areas and in particular would be of advantage in allowing for more regular removal of litter from landscaped areas not subject to the regular street-sweeping rota. This Committee therefore requests the Manager to present a detailed report for discussion on how we could progress this proposal with specific reference to the human resources and financial matters involved.
In view of the fact that the level of dumping and fly tipping in the back lanes in Palmerstown, especially close to the Primary Schools, has reached crisis point, that the Manager bring forward a plan for consideration and the subsequent approval of this Committee so that this blight on the Palmerstown Community, which is also a drain on the resources of this Council, can be eliminated once and for all.
That this Committee expresses its continuing disappointment at the manner in which SDCC bins are returned in the Lucan area by the waste management staff following them being presented for collection.
Community
Headed Items
New Works
(No Business)
Application for Grants
(No Business)
Palmerstown Community Centre
Correspondence
Correspondence
(No Business)
Motions
Cathaoirleach's Business
That this Committee re-affirms and will not give up on its commitment to the provision of a public Swimming Pool in Lucan, condemns unequivocally the decision, supported by all the Coalition parties and members including FF, Green and Independent Dáil Deputies representing Lucan, to abandon, after the relevant Government Department had led this Committee and the Council "up the garden path" for years, including the years of the dear departed Celtic Tiger, by giving repeated written replies referring to the re-opening of the Swimming Pool Programme, the scheme of financial support for Local Authority Swimming Pools, recognises that this betrayal of the Lucan Swimming Pool Project, combined with the collapse in Development Levy income to the Council makes it very difficult for the Manager to raise the necessary finance for a Swimming Pool Project, nevertheless requests the Manager to meet with Lucan EA Councillors to discuss and explore any options that might be open to the Council, and the community of Lucan, to bring a Lucan Swimming Pool project to fruition.
That the Manager would present a detailed report for discussion on the long-awaited and planned Swimming Pool for the Lucan area. In the light of years of effort and representations by the Lucan community and Lucan Public Representatives, including many Motions passed by the Council and Area Committees in pursuit of this water leisure facility, and the Manager's efforts to provide a Swimming Pool for Lucan, that the Manager would report on his most recent efforts and discussions with the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport and the Department's response to our most recent request for funding through the Swimming Pool Programme, and what alternative initiatives, including possible joint ventures can be explored to deliver a Lucan Swimming Pool.