COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, May 12, 2008
HEADED ITEM NO. 7
Supplementary Report in respect of Proposed Variation of County Development Plan at Woodtown Manor to permit Retirement Homes Complex
Introduction
As requested, at the April Meeting of Council, a briefing on the above proposed Variation to which all Members were invited, took place on Tuesday 6th May, 2008 in the Council Chamber. Member’s questions were answered, with a commitment to supply further information to the Council on a number of specific issues as follows:
Details of Units – Floor Areas and Lift facilities.
96 of the proposed 100 homes will be 2 bedroom units. The floor area of the 2 bed units will range in size from 84 m2 (900 sq.ft.) to 112m2 (1,200 sq. ft.) The four 1 bed units will be 52m2 (560 sq. ft.) in floor area.
The applicant has confirmed that all units above ground level will be accessible via wheelchair accessible motorised passenger lift and that six duplex units will be fitted out with motorised chair/stair lifts. It is stated that the entire development will be designed to ensure that it is fully wheelchair accessible.
Protected Structure
The owners of Woodtown Manor, a Protected Structure, requested a Section 5 Declaration under the Planning and Development Act, 2000. A Section 5 Declaration for essential repairs and maintenance to Woodtown Manor was approved by the Conservation Officer and was issued to the owners on 30th July 2007. The building had fallen into a bad state of repair and the remedial works applied for under the Declaration were considered to be vital for the upkeep and safety of the structure. A full schedule of works and method statement were submitted by Carrig Building Fabric Consultants with the application for the Declaration. It should be noted that internal works consisted of minimal repair works and the removal of a modern interventions (i.e. kitchen and bathroom suite).
The works commenced in November 2007 and were to be completed by the end of March 2008. The Conservation Officer received a report giving an update of the Section 5 on 1st February 2008. Photographs were provided showing that the works were progressing and that these works were being carried out to a high conservation standard. The Conservation Officer received a letter from Carrig on 25th March 2008 stating that all works submitted in their application document have now been completed. A summary was provided in this, giving details of the works that have been completed in compliance with the Section 5 Declaration.
As illustrated in the Briefing on May 6th external restoration to wall facades, roof, chimneys, windows and doors have all been reinstated and restored to Woodtown Manor House and the house rendered weatherproof. Basic maintenance has been carried out to secure the interior and its features. Significant additional works would be required in the interior of the House to restore original plasterwork, doors, ceilings and floors to their original decorative condition.
In order to secure the property against deterioration due to vandalism, the applicant has in place full time security resident on the property.
Right of Way
The site plans indicate the proposed route of the public right of way, allowing public access through the applicant’s lands and connecting to the Killakee Road, utilising the existing access way immediately adjacent to No. 1 Woodtown Cottages.
Operator of Retirement Complex:
The applicant has stated in his submission that “Audley Life will operate and manage the Retirement Home Complex”.
Audley Life contact details are as follows:
Audley
Swan Court
Watermans Business Park
Kingsbury Crescent, Staines
Middlesex TW183BA
United Kingdom
Audley operate a number of retirement community schemes similar to that proposed throughout the UK such as the following:
· Clevedon Hall, Ilkley
· Mote House, Maidstone
· Inglewood, Kintbury
· St. Elphins Park, Darley Dale
Continued use of the complex as a retirement village is provided in a legal agreement already executed by the applicant undertaking to enter an agreement pursuant to Section 47 of the Planning & Development Act 2000 which will be registered on the title to the lands and notified to each purchaser and subsequent purchaser.