COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

MOTION NO. 8

MOTION: Councillor W. Lavelle

That this Committee requests the Manager to present a detailed report for discussion on the matters to be considered in progressing implementation of Specific Local Objective 25 of the newly-adopted County Development Plan 2010-2016, i.e. to "facilitate completion of the boundary fence that separates Bewley Grove and Mount Bellew Way running eastwards as far as the Outer Ring Road".

REPORT:

In order to progress implementation of Specific Local objective 25 of the County Development Plan 2010 -2016, the Council will also have to consider a number of other policies set out in the Development Plan:

Theme 1, Section 3, Social Inclusion, Community Facilities and Recreation, Green Routes Network Policy SCR47;  

Theme 1, Section 4, Sustainable Neighbourhoods, Policies SN1, SN9;

Theme 2, Section 2, Cycle Policy Framework, Policies T13 and T14.

These policies set out the principles in relation to the movement of pedestrians and cyclist through existing and new development in the county. The policies are intended to encourage and facilitate pedestrian and cycle movement, in particular, for local journeys accessing local facilities such as schools, shops and  public transport links as a viable alternative to the motor car.

The section of boundary between Bewley Grove and Mount Bellew Way running eastwards as far as the Outer Ring Road (ORR) is comprised of three distinct elements as described below.

1. At the west end of the boundary there is approximately 42 meters of bollards which are spaced at 1.5 meter centres. 
2. The next section moving east towards the ORR consists of a mature hedgerow and is approximately 70 meters long.  There is a 1.2 meter high post and rail fence erected along this section of the boundary. 
3. The final section between the mature hedgerow and the ORR is approximately 37 meters long and consists of a 1.2 meter high post and rail fence with a recently planted hedge comprised of Fagus, Rosa, Ilex and Cratageus sp.

There is strong evidence of a pedestrian 'desire line' existing between Bewley Grove and Mount Bellew Way.  Any proposal to remove the bollards from this location and replace them with a fence will have to take account of this desire line and make provision for a link between the two estates to facilitate access to the local primary school, public transport on the ORR and local facilities at the Castle Shopping complex.  The link would need to connect existing paths between the two estates and may therefore have to move away from the existing desire line.  Note: The ORR can be accessed through a pedestrian link at Mount Bellew Green.  The removal of the bollards and their replacement with a fence and pedestrian link would be subject to the availability of the necessary resources.

The mature hedgerow is in good condition and there are no gaps along its length.   There is no requirement to strengthen this section with additional fencing.  The hedgerow is also the subject of local dumping of green waste (grass clippings & shrub prunings) which can and should be disposed of via the brown bin system. 

The final section nearest the ORR has a small gap approximately 1.5 meters wide where a desire line has been created.  The hedge that was planted at this location has been damaged as a result of the movement of pedestrians through the gap.  It is the experience of the Parks Department that closing gaps such as this one, where strong desire lines exist, is very difficult to achieve.  It may be more beneficial to regularise this desire line as it facilitates users to maximise on the extent of the linear open space that runs along the western side of the ORR.