COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE (2)

Monday, April 28, 2008

MOTION NO. 5

MOTION: Councillor J. Hannon

That the proposed Brittas Housing Needs Study, as per the Development Plan, be now brought before this Committee and appropriate consultaion with the local community be initiated without further delay.

REPORT:

The Study has been commenced and is presently on-going. This has involved background survey and research work and consultations with other Departments within the Council and with statutory bodies such as Dublin City Council and the National Roads Authority

Research to date has involved an examination of a number of issues that significantly constrain the extent of development that might be accommodated in Brittas. These include that:

• Brittas is located within an area zoned ‘High Amenity’ in the Development Plan and at the foot of the Dublin mountains.

• The area is outside the area identified as the Metropolitan Area in the Regional Planning Guidelines for the Dublin and Mid-East Regions.

• The area is particularly sensitive environmentally in that it is partly within the catchment of streams / watercourse which flow into the Blessington Lakes i.e. the principal source of Dublin’s water supply and partly within the catchment of the Brittas ponds which feed the Camac River through Saggart and which flow on into Corkagh Park, Clondalkin.

• In addition there is an area declared to be a proposed Natural Heritage Area encompassing the Brittas ponds which adjoins the N81 Blessington Road to the north of the village.  Such areas are subject to protection under wildlife legislation.

• The National Roads Authority has in recent months initiated a study with a view to determining the future line for the improvement of the N81 route from Tallaght to Blessington and on to Hollywood in County Wicklow.

• Drainage to existing housing in the area is by septic tanks or proprietary treatment systems, while water is supplied from a well in the village. The protection of this vulnerable well is a significant consideration in the Study as is the sustainability of the local school.

The outcomes of these researches are necessary in order to complete the Study.  However a programme of consultation with members of the community is being formulated and it is expected that this initial consultation will commence shortly.