COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE (1)

Monday, October 20, 2008

MOTION NO 16.

MOTION: Councillor C. Jones

Cathaoirleachs Business

This committee calls on the manager to give an update on the progress between the residents of  Parklands Court and the Council on the issue of anti-social behaviour in Ballycragh Park.

REPORT:

At the Tallaght ACM on April 21st 2008, the following was reported:

‘Officials from the Parks Department met with a Representative of the Parklands Residents Association recently to explore means of preventing anti-social behaviour in the vicinity of the bridge and bin store to the rear of Parklands Court.

There is a well-established desire line of usage to and from Parklands Court and Ballycragh Park via the pedestrian access gate providing an element of passive supervision, which is a deterrent to those with anti-social intent.

It was agreed that the most effective course of action would be a re-design of the area and the following actions were proposed:

- The Parks Department to carry out pruning and clearing of the hedgerow along the stream on both sides of the bridge to increase passive supervision of the area and to reduce the amount of screening and cover for anti-social behaviour’. 

This work was completed by the Parks Department.  Following pruning and clearing of the hedgerow, the Parks Department was advised by the Representative of the Parklands Residents Association that the opening up of the area had proven to be very successful in deterring anti-social behaviour.

It was agreed that the Parks Department would carry out further pruning and clearing of the hedgerow to further reduce screening and cover for congregating youths as part of the 2008/09 Arboricultural Programme.

- ‘The location of the existing bin store obstructs views into the park and the rear wall provides cover and shelter on the park side for those congregating’.

The Residents Association is continuing to explore the feasibility of relocating the bin store to a more central overlooked location within the development.  It remains the view of the Parks Department that anti –social behaviour will continue to be an issue at this location until this matter is resolved.

The Parks Department continues to liaise with the local Gardaí in dealing with anti social behaviour at this location.