COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

MOTION NO. 130

MOTION: Councillor G. O'Connell

That it shall be an objective of the new County Development Plan to alleviate the traffic situation in Lucan Village and to remove through heavy commercial traffic from the village and its environs by entering into negotiations with neighbouring Local Authorities for the provision of a “Western Route” from the N7 to the M4 and that Table 2,2,5 and Table 2.2.6. of the Managers Draft Plan be suitably adjusted to reflect this priority.

REPORT:

With regard to the Strategic Environmental Assesment serious concerns are raised in relation to potential negative impacts arising from this motion. The west route will facilitate significant car based movements, both into and through the county, traversing agricultural land in the western hinterland of the County, impacting upon the river Griffeen and tributaries, the Tobermaclugg Stream, hedgerows and tree lines. The proposal traverses the Grand Canal (pNHA) and would impact severely upon the historic and landscape character of the Canal as well as upon associated banks, hedgerows and tow-paths which comprise one of the most significant biodiversity corridors in the County and Region. The devleopment of ths road would increase development pressure on the rural western section of the County out into the border with kildare.

Notwithstanding any possible positive environmental effects the proposed amendment can be addressed by the insertion of the following amendment in the relevant section relating to long-term road proposals.

 MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION:

Amend section 2.2.38 (page 112) to insert the following additional paragraph at the end of the section:

It is an objective of the Council in conjunction with neighbouring local authorities and relevant government departments and agencies to examine alternatives to the proposed ‘North – South Regional Road / Route District Distributor West of Adamstown SDZ linking N7 to N4 and on to Fingal’ as included in Table 2.2.6.