COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE (1)

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

QUESTION NO 7.

QUESTION: Councillor K. Warren

“To ask the Manager if the Parks Department intend reinstating the bordering hedges and trees between Verschoyle Drive and Carrigmore Estate, given the instances of vandalism at this location, and if he is aware of groups of youths using this open space for drinking and anti-social behaviour, and if the Parks Department have considered blocking the access between Carrigmore and Saggart Abbey as a means of stopping and deterring anti-social behaviour in the area, and if he will make a statement on the matter?”

REPLY:

The County Council is aware of the problems relating to drinking and anti-social behaviour on the open space situated between Verschoyle Drive and Carrigmore Estate, Saggart.  However this area of land is currently in private ownership and is not under the control of the County Council. These lands were recently the subject of an application for planning permission for the development of a public park and associated recreational facilities but it is understood that this application has now been withdrawn. The area of land extends over approx.4.48 hectares (11 acres), is conditioned and designated for future parkland and is in the ownership of three separate landowners, the greater portion of which is related to the adjoining Carrigmore housing development.

The developer of the adjoining Citywest Shopping Centre has recently put forward updated proposals for the development of this area as an enclosed public park to serve the adjoining residential developments. The agreement to fund this proposal is in compliance with a requirement to finance local recreational facilities in accordance with a previous grant of planning permission for the Shopping Centre site.

The current proposals include the construction of a network of pedestrian pathways, retention of existing trees and hedgerows, children’s playground, additional car-parking, new tree plantings, junior kick-about pitch, boundary treatments, gates etc. The Parks Department has recently had discussions with the developer of the Citywest Shopping Centre regarding the proposals and has sought some amendments/improvements.  Further clarification on the precise and agreed details of the proposed works is now awaited, following which it is understood that local residents in the area will be consulted. It should be noted that any completion of the outstanding  park development works at this location, will not relieve the remaining two landowners involved of their specific obligations under any existing grants of planning permission, for the development of this and/or other open space areas under their control.