COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

MOTION NO. 176

MOTION: Councillor R. Dowds

That office accommodation be permitted within all Zone E objectives.

REPORT:

Office use is permitted in all enterprise catagories, however they are split into a number of use categories based on square metreage. The Draft Development Plan addresses the issue of offices in industrial locations by an expansion of the use-definition of the E zone into three categories. This allows the flexibility of expanded mixed use with a view to increasing employment density and stimulating higher-order and better-paid jobs in existing and proposed industrial and urban locations.  This will be a key driver in attempts to advance the Knowledge Economy in the County. The two higher tiers are proposed to tie-in with locations with strong sustainability indicators- public transport, existing infrastructure, growing urban cores.  The promotion of car-based office uses away from public transport and alternative means of access such as walking or cycling will result only in increased commuter traffic and an unsustainable model.  Car-based office parks will compete with and possibly damage more sustainable urban locations already the centre of public investment in transit and community facilities.  

With respect to the Strategic Environmental Assessment, it is considered that the introduction of the Tiered approach to uses in the Employment and Enterprise zones is the mitigation measure that allows such an approach to be sustainable.

MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION:

No change to the Draft Development Plan required.