COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TERENURE-RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE (2)

Tuesday,  April 07, 2009

MOTION NO. 6

MOTION: Councillor C. Keane

"That this Committee discusses the provision of a fence between Grangebrook and Whitechurch – I was told when I raised this issue that it would be provided by housing department –also stated at deputation meeting. It has ended up Residents Association having to pay for it? Why? And that this be rectified immediately."

REPORT:

The provision of a fence between Grangebrook and Whitechurch was one of the items on the Agenda at the Deputations Meeting held on 22nd October 2008. 

At that meeting the Council's Senior Architect outlined the history of the Whitechurch development and the reasons these infill houses had been provided was to address anti social behaviour on the site.  He also explained that the layout design for the new houses was very limited due to the ground conditions.  Efforts had been made to keep the height of the new development as low as possible in order to reduce the impact on existing residents.  He recognised that there overlooking issues, in particular at unit 24 in the new development.  However, he also reported that due to technical difficulties the walls could not be raised and advised that arrangements would be put in place to erect a timber screen at the rear of units 24 - 27 in order to resolve the situation.. As reported to the Committee at its meeting on 10th February last, this timber screen has been installed and funded by the Council in accordance with the commitments given to the residents and local councillors. 

It now appears that some residents, have made arrangements to raise the existing boundary wall themselves. This is not in accordance with the advice given by our Senior Architect and the Council could not support the carrying out of the work from a safety perspective nor is it possible for the Council to pay for such works.