COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF TERENURE/RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE (2)
Tuesday, October 9th 2007
Headed Item No 10
Report on open space land at Willbrook Lawns
Following representations from local residents and public representatives, the Parks Department was requested by the Council’s Development Department to examine the potential of the open space lands at Willbrook Lawn. In order to establish the views of all interested parties the Parks Department met with a representative of the Willbrook Lawn Residents Association on October 1st last and with the residents of the house numbers 29 and 30 Willbrook Lawn immediately adjoining the open space on September 27th last.
The Willbrook Lawn Residents Association are requesting that the existing hoarding be removed and that the entire area be developed as public open space and as an informal play space for children of the estate.
The residents of no. 29 and no.30 Willbrook Lawn have highlighted concerns particularly relating to the potential for anti-social behaviour and associated risks to the security of their properties. However, both are willing to accept a compromise solution whereby the boundary between their properties and the public open space would be redefined to increase and optimise the area available as public open space while reducing the potential for security risk. The Council would propose to dispose of the remaining area of land to the residents of no. 29 and 30 subject to the agreement of terms and the approval of the elected members.
The following is an extract from a report presented to Terenure Rathfanrham Area Committee on June 5th, 2007 clarifying the Parks Departments view on the matter:
“This open space does not fulfil the criteria that we have adopted and applied in all schemes in recent years, going back over two to three Development Plans, for quality open space. It is not sufficient to simply provide a quantum of land for open space, it must be overlooked by housing frontage. Sites such as exists at Willbrook Lawn are not overlooked and in our experience of such cases, their use becomes dominated by anti-social activities, which is not the intended purpose. Since the establishment of South Dublin County Council we have embarked on a programme of eliminating backland sites by a combination of infill schemes or disposal to adjoining residents. In this case we are proposing that the land be sold to the adjoining residents, with indentures regarding the underground services and a condition that it not be used for infill purposes and the funding reinvested in improving open spaces in the vicinity.”
Taking the views of all parties into account, it would appear that there are two possible options for the future use of the lands at Willbrook Lawn as follows:
Option 1: That the existing hoarding be removed and that the entire area be developed as public open space. To achieve this, the Parks Department would undertake clearance of scrub and reinstate the area to grass which can then be maintained. It would be envisaged that new planting would be kept to a minimum in order to minimise cover for potential perpetrators of anti-social behaviour with the exception of some thorny planting along the boundaries of the two adjoining properties to enhance security. However, it is not considered appropriate to remove the hoarding and commence redevelopment of the open space until matters relating to the security and boundaries of the two adjoining properties are resolved. In particular, the boundary alongside number 30 requires to be reconstructed. Part of the open space ground is higher than that of the adjoining house at no. 29 and the height of the side boundary would need to be raised to avoid exposing the security of the house. In addition, an assessment of the stability and safety of the boundary wall alongside number 29 will need to be undertaken and any necessary remedial measures completed before the open space can be made accessible to the public.
Option 2: The role of the Parks Department has always been to balance the varying needs and concerns of the community. This proposal represents a compromise between the views expressed by all parties involved. The boundary of the open space would be redefined to increase the area of the public open space available for informal play. The proposed new boundary line would lie just in front of large side windows on house no. 30 thereby minimising risks to the property. The proposed new boundary line would lie in line with the rear of house no. 29 substantially increasing the open space area while the particularly secluded area behind this line could be incorporated into the property of no.29. It is proposed that the land would be sold to the residents with indentures regarding the underground services and a condition that it not be used for infill purposes and the funding reinvested in improving open spaces in the vicinity. As per option 1, the increased area of open space would be cleared of scrub by the Parks Department and reinstated to grass which could then be maintained. This overall proposal would have the effect of increasing the area of public open space for informal play, whilst minimising potential security risk to the adjoining properties and reducing secluded areas for anti-social behaviour.
To facilitate discussion on this matter, both of these options are illustrated on attached maps which will be displayed at the meeting.