COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

14 June 2010

HEADED ITEM NO. 10

HEADED ITEM: Y. Dervan

PART 8 PUBLIC CONSULTATION FOR THE PROPOSED WALKING AND CYCLING ROUTES IN KILTIPPER PARK

(circulated herewith)

REPLY:

REPORT ON PUBLIC NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE UNDER PART 8 OF THE PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS 2001 – 2007 FOR THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF A PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLE PATH SYSTEM AND A LINK TO THE DUBLIN MOUNTAINS WAY AT KILTIPPER PARK AND SEáN WALSH PARK, TALLAGHT.

A report outlining the proposal to proceed to Part 8 Statutory Public Consultation in connection with the above was noted at Tallaght Area Committee meeting held on 22^nd March 2010. The report presented to the Committee read as follows:

“The purpose of these circulation routes is to encourage tourism within South Dublin by improved facilities within Kiltipper Park and Seán Walsh Park and by providing a link between Tallaght Town Centre and the Dublin Mountains, to continue the development of the Council’s long term Green Route Plan for linked walking and cycling routes that utilise the network of roads, parks and open spaces in the county as well as: 

 Kiltipper Park

• To enable the public to have greater access to the park and utilise the natural resources of these lands for recreational purposes.
• To form an integral part of the future development of this Regional Park which consists of approximately 47 hectares of land.
• To provide greater access to the park from Kiltipper Road and Bohernabreena Road.
• To form part of a linear route along the River Dodder which is to extend north along the public lands adjacent to Kiltipper Woods Care Centre.
• To form part of the Dublin Mountain Way Route which will connect South Dublin / Tallaght to the Dublin Mountains through the Bohernabreena Water Reservoir.  This linear route along the River Dodder will be an integral part of the Dublin Mountains Way from Shankill to Tallaght.

Seán Walsh Park

• To improve and extend the pedestrian path system and create new cycle paths in Seán Walsh Park.
• To upgrade the existing and provide new entrances to the park.

The proposed works are as follows:

Short term

1. In Kiltipper Park the construction of the Dublin Mountains Way Route (walking) link as described above including the installation of new road signage and a new entrance in proximity to Fort Bridge, Bohernabreena Road. 
2. In Seán Walsh Park the construction of a new entrance into Seán Walsh Park Phase 2 adjacent to Marlfield Estate and the linking together of existing paths in Seán Walsh Park Phase 1.  The purpose of the entrance adjacent to Marlfield Estate is to ensure the maximum amount of off road walking on the Dublin Mountains Way Route.

Long Term

1.      In Kiltipper Park to extend the Dublin Mountains Way route to create a pedestrian and cycle circulation network within Kiltipper Park and the construction of a car park accessed from Kiltipper Road.  The pedestrian path system will be approximately 4km in length and the cycle path system approximately 3km in length.

2.      In Seán Walsh Park to extend the existing pedestrian path system, create a new cycle path system and realign entrances to the park from Firhouse Road West.

In the case of Kiltipper Park the long term plans proposal for the circulation routes has been designed to have a minimum impact on the natural countryside appearance of the park and on existing hedgerows and wildlife.  It also represents the first phase of the development of the park”. 

 Public Notification:

A notice in accordance with Article 81 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001-2007 was published in the Irish Times on the 30^th of March 2010.

Plans and particulars of the development were also placed on public display at County Hall, Tallaght and the County Library between Tuesday 30^th March 2010 to Tuesday May 11^th 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 submissions was Tuesday 25^th May 2010. 

 Submissions received:

 Five formal submissions and one informal submission were received before the closing date: 

1	Redmond O ‘Hanlon, Honorary Secretary Dodders Anglers, Dodders Anglers Club, 82 Braemor Road, Dublin 14.	Suggested the following: Regrading of the northern river bank. Dealing with a suspected leachate discharge pipe. Dealing with the former landfill site on the southern bank. Staffing the park with “Warden staff” (i.e. Park Rangers). Works to the river to be undertaken to the guidelines from the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board.   Comment   The proposed works are only concerned with the construction of a walking and cycling network initially and in the long term with car park provision also.  In relation to the supervision of the park by Park Rangers it is the intention of the Council to include this park in the inspection rota of the Ranger Service.   A detailed masterplan for the long term development of this park is to be developed that will take into consideration the other comments raised above and the Dodder Anglers will be consulted during the preparation of this masterplan.
2	G. O’ Connor, Chairman, Tallaght Community Council, Bolbrook Enterprise Centre, Avonmore Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24.	The submission was positively in favour and also suggested consideration of angling facilities and pony trekking   Comment   A detailed masterplan for the long term development of this park is to be developed that will take into consideration the two suggestions and Tallaght Community Council will be consulted during the preparation of this masterplan.
3	John Kilbride, a resident of Bohernabreena	The query related to a start date for the project and dealing with anti social behaviour.  The queries were dealt with by email from both the Council and the Dublin Mountains Partnership and no formal submission was received.
4	Eastern Regional Fisheries Board (ERFB)	The ERFB advised that: the Council should take into account the guidelines issued by the Board when work is taking place adjacent to rivers   The work should be completed in a manner that protects and enhances this environmentally sensitive area   The maintenance of habitat integrity instream and riparian is essential in safeguarding the ecological value of this natural resource   Comment   The Council intends to work in collaboration with the ERFB before and during the course of the proposed work and in the long term in the further development of the parkland.
5	Councillor Eamon Maloney	Councillor Maloney is positive about this proposal but is concerned that:   The natural character of the land be maintained as much as possible and that the wildlife areas are protected The Dodder River should be made visible to the pubic The public be informed about the former mill which was located in the area in the 19th Century   Comment   It is the intention in the long term plans for the park to address all of the issues raised.  In the current proposal there will be no interference with any wildlife areas or with the natural character of the area.
6	Laurence Flood, Tulca Developments Ltd., Newpark, The Ward, Co. Dublin.	This was a commercial submission for the actual construction of the facility.

 Recommendation: 

This proposal is a link to the Council’s Green Route document for the construction of linked walking and cycling routes that connect our parks and open spaces with the existing on-road routes.  The routes allow for access to work, schools and leisure purposes by utilizing these routes which will be predominantly off road routes.  The proposal also fits in with Government policy in this area, i.e. Smarter Travel.  In the area of this route there will be connections to, inter alia:

·        The LUAS stop at Tallaght

·        At least 10 primary and secondary schools within a 2.5km radius

·        Tallaght Hospital

·        Institute of Technology Tallaght

·        Dublin Mountains Way

·        Numerous housing areas

As all submissions were generally positive to the proposal and it is considered that any suggestions made can be incorporated into the long term masterplan for the park and that the proposed development is considered to be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, it is proposed to proceed with the development in accordance with the drawings placed on public display. 

The recommendation of the Committee will be brought to the 14^th June County Council meeting for decision.