COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF TERENURE/RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE (2)
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
HEADED ITEM NO. 2
Report on open space land at Willbrook Lawns
Arising from the members discussion of the report on the open space land at Willbrook Lawn at the Terenure/Rathfarnham Area Committee meeting on October 9th, 2007, the Parks & Landscape Services Department arranged a meeting with the Residents Association and the residents of nos. 29 and 30 Willbrook Lawns to further explore possibilities for bringing a resolution to this matter. This meeting took place on November 2, 2007.
Following lengthy discussions the following options were put forward for consideration;
Option 1:
That the existing hoarding is removed and that the entire area be reinstated as public open space. This option to be considered in the context of proposals put forward by the Willbrook Lawn Residents Association as follows:
· The Willbrook Lawn Residents Association would pay for the construction of a 9ft high wall along the existing boundaries of both properties no. 29 and 30. It was suggested that additional consideration might be given to the treatment of the top of the wall to reduce potential for intruders to climb over the wall
· Consideration be given by the County Council to the provision of public lighting on the open space to improve night time visibility and security. This matter could be explored with the Council’s Public Lighting Section.
· Examination of the existing tree cover on the open space to determine possible tree removals and tree pruning which would reduce cover for potential perpetrators of anti-social behaviour
· It is the intention of the Residents Association to establish a neighbourhood watch scheme and to liaise closely with the Rathfarnham Gardai in order to deter anti-social behaviour in the area
· The Residents Association would undertake to monitor and review the security of the open space in conjunction with the residents of nos. 29 and 30 and address problems should they arise.
· Consideration could be given to the erection of suitable netting on the boundary of no. 30 to limit the potential for intrusion of balls during play
Option 2:
That the boundary of the open space would be redefined to increase the current area 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 while the more secluded area behind this line could be incorporated into the property of no.30. The proposed new boundary line would lie in line with the rear of house no. 29 substantially increasing the available open space play area while the particularly secluded area behind this line could be incorporated into the property of no.29. Arising from the meeting on November 2, the residents of no. 29 put forward a further suggestion in relation to option 2 that a gated fence could be erected along the line of the proposed redefined boundary. These gates could be opened during normal park hours and closed at darkness thereby giving access for play to the entire open space during daylight hours. This proposal would be in addition to the measures listed in Option 1 above with the exception that the residents of nos. 29 and 30 would pay for the reconstruction of their own respective boundary walls.
Option 3:
That a low boundary wall topped with a high railing with gated access be erected along the end of the cul-de-sac between property nos. 29 and 30 which would have the effect of enclosing the entire open space. Control of the gated access would be exercised by the residents of the estate by key and would ideally be open continuously on a daily basis during normal park opening hours for use by all residents of Willbrook Lawn.
When agreement is reached the Council will put in place a programme for carrying out the specified works.
To facilitate discussion on this matter, the three options are illustrated on attached maps which will be displayed at the meeting.