COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

MOTION NO. 14

MOTION: Councillor C. Keane

"That this Committee agrees that money be allocated/reinstated to construct the low stub wall at Whitecliffe Estate Rathfarnham in next years budget and that a commitment be given - taken into consideration it was removed from the 2007/8/9 budget.

REPORT:

A sum of €12,000 was allocated under the 2007 Parks Works Programme for the proposed construction of a low boundary wall along the Whitecliff open space at Whitechurch Road.  The proposed installation of the low wall was discussed by the Parks Department on a number of occasions during 2007 with representatives of the Whitecliff Residents Association.  Given that the re-alignment of that section of the Whitechurch Road is a long term road proposal in the 2004-2010 Development Plan, it was agreed with the residents that the installation of the wall be deferred with a view to it being provided as part of the Whitechurch Road re-alignment.  In this context, the Parks Department discussed with the Residents Association the consideration of using the funding to replace the existing boulders along the open space boundary with wooden bollards as a short term measure to upgrade the appearance of the boundary .  The Residents Association declined this proposal and the funding which was allocated under the 2007 Parks Works Programme ceased to be available at the year end. 

The proposed re-alignment of the Whitechurch Road has not yet advanced to design stage, and in the absence of an agreed new line for the road at Whitecliff estate, it is not considered appropriate or best use of resources to construct a boundary wall at this location which may be subject to removal in the future to facilitate the re-alignment of the road.  However, the matter will be further discussed by the Parks Department with the Roads Department to examine the possible location of a proposed boundary wall at Whitecliff which would not be compromised by any future development of the Whitechurch Road.  In this context, consideration can be given to including the construction of a low wall at Whitecliff in the 2011 programme of works subject to the identification of the necesary funding to undertake the works.