COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, June 14, 2010

HEADED ITEM NO.H(9)

Report on Part 8 Public Consultation for Cycle Race Track at Corkagh Park, Clondalkin, in accordance with Section 179 Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended and Planning & Development Regulations 2001-2007.

Background. 

For a number of years now, discussions have been held between the Parks Department and CycleIreland (the National Governing body for the sport of Cycling in Ireland) to progress the provision of an off-road cycle race track facility in Corkagh Park, Clondalkin.

CycleIreland successfully applied for funding under the 2007 Sports Capital Programme, operated by the Department of Art, Sport and Tourism and has received  €400,000 grant approval for the development of a cycle race track.  To finance the development of the track, CycleIreland recently secured €400,000 funding  by way of a bank loan, which subject to the necessary approvals, would allow the track construction to commence on site, pending subsequent phased draw down of the grant from DAST.

The project involves the construction of a 2.040 km long tarmacadam Race track        ( 4.5m wide) located on a site in the southern part of Corkagh Park (beside the Green Isle Link Road and the Camac Valley Caravan Park). The track also includes a 743 m Junior Circuit for younger cyclists.   

The main advantages of locating such a facility in Corkagh Park are; 

• The proposed site for the track currently has excellent road access and nearby car-parking, which will allow it to operate as a National facility and become an important Tourist and Sports amenity within South Dublin. 
• The cycle track in the park provides an off-road and safe racing experience for young cyclists. Cycle racing on public roads is currently seen by Cycle Clubs as an obstacle to the development of the sport because of the safety issues for children, due to greater traffic volumes and the competition for road space. 
• The track can be used as a National road race cycle training facility, in advance of the London Olympics 2012. 
• The track would provide an additional facility in a relatively underutilized part of the park and will attract more visitors to that part of the park. 
• The track when not in use for Cycle Racing, can be used for leisure cycling and as an additional walking route. 
• Visitors to the Camac Valley Caravan Park who frequently travel with bicycles, will have a designated cycle route close to their base in the Caravan Park. 
• The site surrounding the proposed track currently consists of managed grasslands which will help to screen any hard surfacing when viewed from other parts of the park. 
• CycleIreland will be in a position to staff and manage the facility and can provide racing bicycles for hire and use by Cycle Clubs and members of the public. 
• CycleIreland have indicated that, if developed, the track could be used annually for an  Individual ‘Time –Trial’ Stage of the Rás, International Cycle Race. 
• The proposal also provides for ancillary and complimentary cycling activities e.g cycle safety and traffic school, subject to the availability of additional funding. In this way the facility could be used as a safe location for teaching young children and others to learn roadcraft in a safe and secure environment. A cycle safety programme could be developed with local schools in the area as well as other organisations further afield. 
• It may be also possible in the future to develop a BMX Track near the main track, as a complementary facility.

Consultation Process:

A presentation relating to the particulars of the proposed development was made to Lucan Clondalkin Area Committee Meeting on 17^th February 2010.

A formal notice in accordance with Article 81 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001-2007 was published in the National press  on the 27^th of February 2010  for “ Proposed Cycle Race Track at Corkagh Park, Clondalkin”

Plans and particulars of the development were also placed on public display at County Hall, Tallaght, The County Library, Tallaght, Clondalkin Leisure Centre, Clondalkin Civic Offices and Clondalkin Library until Friday, 16^th April 2010. A further period of two weeks was allowed for receipt of written submissions or observations with respect to this matter, dealing with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, in which the development would be situated.

The closing date for receipt of written submissions was Friday 30^th April 2010. 

List of persons or bodies who made submissions or observations with respect to the proposed development:

No submissions or observations were received from the public.

The report and recommendation on the proposed development was noted at the meeting of the Lucan/Clondalkin Area Committee held on the 19^th May 2010 and it was agreed that project should proceed as proposed.

Recommendation:

This report is submitted in accordance with Section 179 of the Planning & Development Act, 2000 and Part VIII of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001-2007. The various works proposed for the development of the proposed Cycle Race Track at Corkagh Park, Clondalkin are in accordance with the 2004 – 2010 County Development Plan and with the proper Planning and Sustainable Development of the area.

It is hereby recommended that this project proceed as proposed.