COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

MOTION NO. 37

MOTION: Councillor D. Keating

Under Housing, Section 2, ref. 1.2.14.i - Policy H1 - proposed to insert second sentence as follows "Exceptions will include where transport corridors are alongside high amenity areas, e.g. on the N4 at the Liffey Valley, incl. St. Edmundsbury and Woodville."

REPORT:

The Draft County Development Plan sets out a coherent spatial planning framework for the entire County within the context of national and regional policies. The core strategic aim of the Plan is to promote a more consolidated and compact urban form for the County which are outlined in a number of strategic aims including the promotion of infill development and the concentration of higher density development in areas with good public transport links. However, in tandem with this core strategic aim the Development Plan also aims to support and maintain our natural and human heritage including the protection of the mountain uplands and Liffey valley through the inclusion of policies to protect our landscape and heritage.

Notwithstanding any possible positive environmental effects it is considered that it is not appropriate that general policies regarding the spatial planning framework for the County should exclude specific areas as the suitability of areas for development must be matched against Development Plan policies that seek to protect sensitive areas. With regard to the Strategic Environmental Assesment concerns have been raised in relation to potential environmental conflicts of the motion. The policy is already guided by the phrase "in suitable locations" and this should be sufficient to achieve the correct balance between high density and natural amenity. In some instances suitable brownfield sites may be unnecessarily restricted due to this proposal.

Manager’s Recommendation:

The proposed motion should not be adopted.