COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Tuesday, May 04, 2010

MOTION NO. 24

MOTION: Councillor J. Hannon

Motion also proposed by Cllr C. King.

That, notwithstanding any other provisions of this Development Plan, it will be the policy of South Dublin Co Council to seek to ensure the long term viability of the rural communities of  Glenasmole/ Bohernabreena/ Ballinascorney/ Brittas, and to this end will facilitate local residents who wish to build a family home in their local area.

REPORT:

It is considered that the existing development plan provisions are consistent with the Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines (April 2005), and are both appropriate and adequate to facilitate development proposals that are consistent with the relevant criteria set out in the plan.

Subsection 1.2.51 ‘Management of One-Off Housing in Rural Areas’ in the draft Development plan states:

The Council acknowledges the distinctive characteristics of the rural communities of the County, supports their way of life, and through its policies will endeavour to ensure their continued existence as viable communities subject to the principles of sustainability.

 

In order to protect the character and amenity value of the rural, mountain and high amenity zones and to promote the achievement of sustainable development, it is necessary to restrict the growth of urban generated one-off housing. In addition to the policy criteria set out below, all applications for housing will be subject to other relevant policy considerations and to such siting, design, density, occupancy or other development management requirements as may be appropriate.

All such development proposals are evaluated in accordance with the policy criteria set out in the Development Plan, and in the case of the Glenasmole/ Bohernabreena/ Ballinascorney area in accordance with the assessment criteria set out in the relevant Housing Study.

With regard to the Glenasmole area it should be noted that the Strategic Environmental Assessment and the screening for Appropriate Assessment raises serious concerns in relation to the continued rural housing development in Glenasmole which has the potential to impact significantly on one of the most sensitive environments in the County. The valley contains a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) designated under the EU Habitats Directive is one of the most sensitive habitats in South Dublin, provides drinking water for the city, and is visually fragile. Each development impacts on the valley, both individually and cumulatively in terms of reducing the ability of the land to absorb development and potentially exposing the SAC to damage.

The facilitation of applications for dwellings must be considered under the policies and objectives set out above.

Manager’s Recommendation:

It is recommended that the motion not be adopted.