COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE 1

Monday, October 15, 2007

HEADED ITEM NO 11.

Part 8 Report for new Playground in Sean Walsh Park

The Statutory Part 8 Consultation Process in relation to the proposed playground at Sean Walsh Park has now been completed and only one submission has been received in respect of the proposed development.

This submission whilst very supportive of the overall playground proposal, requested that the proposed public car-park adjacent to Watergate Estate be deleted. The reasons for deleting the car-park were put forward on a number of grounds including, the duplication of existing car-park facilities in the park, the general encouragement of increased car-usage, possible non-park related usage of the car-park, anti-social activity and other aesthetic issues. The specific points raised in the submission are considered to be valid on the whole but it is considered that many of the anticipated problems can be dealt with adequately, as part of the further detailed design of the car-park.

It should be noted that the nearest public car-park to the proposed playground is located adjacent to the existing Parks Depot at Whitestown Way which is approx. 1km away. It is envisaged therefore that the new playground because of its size and location may give rise to problems relating to on-street parking at Watergate Estate, particularly at weekends. For this reason it is recommended that the new car-park to serve both the playground and the eastern section of Sean Walsh Park should not be deleted from the overall scheme.

However, in view of the concerns, outlined in the submission, it is considered appropriate to defer the construction of the car-park pending a review of the traffic and parking situation in Watergate Estate, when the new playground is operational and fully opened to the public. It is recommended therefore that work on the procurement of the playground, in accordance with the proposed plans should now proceed.