COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, December 10, 2007

HEADED ITEM NO. 16

Towards a Liffey Valley Park Report

Environmental Resources Management Ireland (ERM) was commissioned by the Office of Public Works to conduct a study of the Liffey Valley, to prepare a Strategy for the delivery of a Liffey Valley Park and to create a management framework for the whole Liffey Valley. It was recognised that the surrounding areas in the vicinity had seen extensive population growth and that there was an urgent need to ensure that the valley could function and contribute to the recreational and green space facilities for the people of the wider area.

ERM engaged in pre-draft public consultation. The Draft Strategy was advertised and circulated in February 2006 for public comment. Copies of the Strategy Document titled ‘Towards a Liffey Valley Park’ were issued to Members of Council in December 2006.

The Office of Public Works, Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council, South Dublin County Council and Kildare County Council were represented on a steering group that guided the development of the Strategy Document.

Set out below is a summary of some of the key elements of the Strategy. It should be noted that this is a summary only. A short report of some 10 pages in length cannot contain all of the points, graphics, background research etc. which are in the 65 page Strategy Document itself or in the 93 page Annex Document. Both of these documents and an executivesummary of the Strategy are available to view on the Planning Department page of www.southdublin.ie

Strategy - Purpose and Geographic Scope

The overall aims of the Strategy were to:

- to provide an integrated management framework for the Liffey Valley and

- to create a process towards the establishment of a Liffey Valley Park.

The Strategy states that the “document represents the first comprehensive strategy for the River Liffey and its adjacent lands…. This Strategy provides for a process that will lead to the delivery of a Liffey Valley Park. It represents a contribution to the policymaking process in relation to the management of the valley. As such it will help inform the local authorities responsible for the valley” (Foreword).

The geographic area of the Strategy extends from Ballymore Eustace in South Kildare to Islandbridge in Dublin City. However, in terms of a priority area the Strategy states that in the first instance actions to create the Liffey Valley Park should concentrate on the area between Islandbridge in Dublin City and Celbridge in County Kildare. Therefore the Strategy concentrated on this geographic area, whilst providing more general policy guidance for the remaining Liffey Valley region.

In defining the initial Liffey Valley and Liffey Valley Park area, the following criteria were considered:

· How the Park can function as a viable river valley space providing recreational opportunities for the Greater Dublin Area;

· Public submissions that identified particular areas in need of stronger protection for conservation and recreation;

· A necklace of lands already in public ownership;

· Access opportunities;

· Visual catchments along the River Liffey, (i.e. lands that can be viewed from the River Liffey, key viewpoints along the River Liffey protected in County Development Plans, the visual character of the Liffey valley landscape); and

· An existing ‘start’ and ‘end’ point defined by existing recreational and tourist attractions along the Valley.

The Strategy presents a Vision for the Liffey Valley as a corridor and also sets a series of objectives to realise the Vision through building up the public parks and spaces in the Liffey Valley. It proposes this through a series of identified actions and priorities.

The Vision statement for the Liffey Valley is set out in the document as follows;

‘The Liffey Valley will be a high quality, vibrant and attractive environment, securing the potential of its natural resources and cultural heritage’.

The Strategy reinforces this Vision and as such the Strategy is seen as guiding the administration, management, allocation of resources and development control functions of the Office of Public Works and of the four Local Authorities.

The Strategy recognises the need to create new opportunities for the enhancement of the river valley. Thus “whilst the overarching objective is to maintain the integrity of the Liffey Valley and provide essential recreational space for the wider region, sensitively designed and appropriate development in certain areas will provide a means to bring further areas into public ownership and financial resources to the ongoing running of the Park”

The Vision is founded on seven objectives;

1. Establishing a launch programme for the strategy centred on the delivery of ‘flagship projects’;

2. Bringing planning and related policy together for the purpose of directing the development and management of the Liffey Valley;

3. Engaging the local and wider community and promoting the Liffey Valley as a site for recreation, education and the enjoyment of the environment for all;

4. Supporting sustainable economic activity and development that is sympathetic to the character of the Liffey Valley;

5. Ensuring the River is accessible through the public parks and spaces along the maximum extent of the Liffey Valley Park;

6. Protecting, conserving and enhancing the natural resources of the Liffey Valley in the interests of maintaining a diverse biodiversity and for the benefit of future generations; and

7. Ensuring the preservation, enhancement and continued use of the Liffey Valley’s cultural heritage assets.

OBJECTIVE 1 - Establishing a launch programme for the strategy centred on the delivery of flagship projects

The Strategy identified a number of Flagship Projects which collectively would establish a firm identity for a Liffey Valley Park and facilitate public usage. These Flagship Projects are intended to be undertaken in the early stages of the Strategy’s implementation and extend from Islandbridge to Celbridge. The main projects are as follows;

Boardwalks in the City

Opportunities are to be explored to provide riverside walkways including an extension of the boardwalk in the City Centre to Heuston Station and onwards to Islandbridge.

National War Memorial Gardens

The development of a river crossing from the War Memorial Park and the Phoenix Park is recommended.

Liffey Park

Dublin City Council proposal for a ‘Liffey Valley Park’ located between the War Memorial park and Anna Livia Bridge, to the west of Chapelizod.

Anna Livia Bridge

The Strategy proposes refurbishment and urban renewal works in the centre of Chapelizod.

Waterstown Park

Proposals for this public open space are being implemented by South Dublin County Council. The Strategy recommends completion of these works.

Guinness Bridge

This existing structure is central to the creation of linkages along the valley. Its refurbishment is seen as highly desirable given the potential as a river crossing link between Waterstown Park and the northern bank of the river with near access to the Phoenix Park.

Strawberry Beds Route

Traffic calming measures are recommended for the road that lines the north bank of the River Liffey between Palmerstown and Lucan. These measures will promote this route as a non-vehicular recreational route in the long term.

Anna Liffey Mills

The site of the former Shackleton Flour Mills, acquired by Fingal County Council, has outstanding scenic merit and is likely to be of great interest if refurbished as a visitor attraction for the Park.

Lucan Bridge

The Strategy proposes environmental enhancement works focused on maintaining and enhancing the setting of the weir and mill buildings in Lucan with particular emphasis placed on the renovation of the waterfront open space.

St. Catherine’s and Lucan Demense

Linked access between these parks is encouraged to bring the river amenity closer to local people as well as forging an association between the towns of Lucan and Leixlip.

Backweston

Light recreational activities are recommended as part of a recreational and land management plan for Backweston and an investigation into the feasibility of providing access at this location should be carried out.

Liffey Falls

Access to the Liffey from Leixlip town centre could be greatly improved and existing open space would be greatly enhanced by the provision of waterside walkways.

Celbridge Mill and River Crossing

Enhancement works to Celbridge town centre and the industrial heritage, including the pedestrian bridge over the River Liffey are recommended.

Riverside Park, Celbridge

A new riverside park for Celbridge is recommended

OBJECTIVE 2. Bringing planning and related policy together for the purpose of directing the development and management of the Liffey Valley

The Strategy proposes the establishment of mechanisms that bring planning and related authorities together for the purpose of applying policy and directing the development and management of the Liffey Valley.

The report recommends the formation of a new Strategy Steering Group to oversee the delivery of the Strategy. The report states that the OPW should provide an overall leadership and coordinating role on the new Strategy Steering Group. However the Local Authorities are seen as the driving force behind the Vision and the future of the Liffey Valley. The Report also states that each Local Authority should take direct responsibility for such actions that fall within their current statutory mandates and that the imperative is to commence the application of the Strategy.

Other recommendations include –

· Liaise with the Eastern River Basin District Advisory Council

· The Strategy Steering Group to consider the best and most effective means for community input to the Strategy.

· Preparation of design guidance to apply to planned development

· Visual impact mitigation measures to accompany large planning applications

· ‘Landscape Conservation Area’ designation be investigated and utilised.

The Strategy states that “there may be opportunities to permit sensitive and appropriate development in certain sections of the Liffey Valley whilst ensuring there is real community gain for the wider population, principally through land transfer”

OBJECTIVE 3 Engaging the local and wider community and promoting the Liffey Valley as a site for recreation, education and the enjoyment of the environment for all

Recommendations under this Objective include:

• A recreational and amenity policy to be adopted by each Authority aimed at providing recreational facilities for a diverse range of interests whilst recognising the ecological and built heritage of the Valley.
• Training initiative targeting local communities to provide guidance to visitors
• Historical built heritage, where appropriate, secured and if possible made accessible to the wider community.
• A landscape and facilities management plan to be prepared

OBJECTIVE 4 Supporting sustainable economic activity and development that is sympathetic to the character of the Liffey Valley

Recommendations under this Objective include:

• A tourism package for the Valley to be developed
• Information facilities to be developed
• Series of focused visitor facilities to be developed along the Valley
• Local Authorities to work with communities to address security needs
• Presence by Park Wardens
• A brand mark for the Liffey Valley to be developed and applied to all actions associated with its development
• Public/Private investment opportunities to include facilities

OBJECTIVE 5 Ensuring the River is accessible through the public parks and spaces along the maximum extent of the Liffey Valley Park

Recommendations under this Objective include:

• Establish a River Valley Park along the extent of the Liffey including, in the first instance, the lands within public ownership
• Integrated traffic management plan for the Liffey Valley to be prepared
• Opportunities to be taken, throughout the length of the Liffey Valley to secure water front lands for recreational purposes
• Series of mapped interpretative panels to be erected
• A common signage system to be developed
• A series of local facilities to include toilets, refreshment facilities, interpretation etc.
• Flagship visitor attraction that tell the story of the Valley to be provided in Shackleton Mills.
• Provision of a series of design options for future river crossings to be developed
• Consideration to be given to separated walking/cycling
• Create circular/looped walks and enhanced access between the Royal and Grand canals and the Liffey Valley Park
• Rights of way and land swaps from private to public ownership to be utilised as a means of increasing public ownership and access to the river in strategic locations where development opportunities exist.

OBJECTIVE 6 Protecting, conserving and enhancing the natural resources of the Liffey Valley in the interests of maintaining a diverse biodiversity and for the benefit of future generations

Recommendations under this Objective include:

• The development of the Liffey Valley to be enhanced by the application of appropriate designations that recognise natural amenities and ecologically valuable areas.
• The enhancement and enlargement of publicly owned open space for amenity purposes with the river as a focal point is to be conducted as part of the long term realisation of the Strategy in general.
• Detailed database to be held in respect of all environmental, built heritage and open space data.

OBJECTIVE 7 Ensuring the preservation, enhancement and continued use of the Liffey Valley’s cultural heritage assets.

Recommendations under this Objective include:

• Guidelines in regard to form and extent of development to be prepared
• Liaison with the State Development Agencies to be put in place
• Briefing of Chambers of Commerce and other representative bodies regarding the implementation of the Strategy
• Research and provide interpretation in each of the Liffey Valley towns and villages on cultural history of the town and provide signage to local cultural heritage attractions.
• Support the establishment of festivals along the Liffey Valley.
• Examine the existing cultural links between the Liffey Valley and adjacent sites.
• Examine the feasibility of establishing the ‘Friends of the Liffey Valley Park’.

CONCLUSIONS

The Strategy Document ‘Towards a Liffey Valley Park’ was circulated by the OPW to the four local authorities (Dublin City, Kildare, Fingal and South Dublin County Councils) and to the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The Strategy stresses the need for the OPW and the local authorities to proceed with its implementation including the identified ‘flagship’ projects.

This Council is already doing this in relation to, e.g. Lucan Promenade, Waterstown Park, Palmerstown Urban and Village Renewal Scheme, Fonthill House lands etc.

Lucan Promenade

It is intended to create a public space opposite Lucan Weir. This would allow for access from Main Street down to the area opposite the Weir as well as upgrading of the existing steps adjacent to the bridge. It is planned to create a stepped area down to the water’s edge, access for canoeists, a hard paved pedestrian area, a grass area for picnics as well as lighting and seating provision. It is hoped to begin this work in early summer 2008.

Waterstown Park

Work commenced in 2004 on the upgrading of the Liffey Valley Park at Riversdale and Waterstown. The work includes:

• improvement of the entrances to the park
• construction of a car park
• improvements to boundaries
• building of a children’s playground
• development of the old farm buildings
• construction of pedestrian paths and cycle paths

Palmerstown Urban and Village Scheme

Consultant landscape architects have prepared draft designs for a masterplan - a long term plan for the village in order that the renewal project can be progressed on a phased basis as funding is made available for each phase. The design is now being progressed by the consultants. When this has been finalised it will be put on public display as part of the Part 8 Public Consultation process. It is intended that this process will commence at the end of January of 2008. Following this, the agreement of the Elected Members and the provision of the necessary funding, work could possibly commence on the project in mid-summer 2008.

Fonthill House lands

An 8 acre parcel of land is to be handed over to the Council as part of the planning conditions for the construction of the Hermitage Clinic. This land runs down to the River Liffey and has a substantial area of woodland associated with it. It is proposed to make this land accessible to the public.

Other actions have also been pursued in line with the Strategy. These include the recent publication of the Lucan Village Design Statement and the forthcoming publication of leaflets on the Lucan and Palmerstown Architectural Conservation Areas – both in co-operation with the Heritage Council.

In conclusion the Strategy Document ‘Towards a Liffey Valley Park’ will form the basis of the Council’s approach to all future actions regarding strategy, policy, development control and the pursuit of opportunities to open up the Liffey Valley to public access consistent with the Council’s resources as opportunities present themselves.