COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, July 11, 2011
HEADED ITEM NO. H11
REPORT ON PART 8 OF THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ACT, 2000 AND THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS 2001 – 2007
The following report was presented to the Tallaght Area Committee Meeting on 27th June 2011 and following discussion was NOTED by the Members.
A report, plan and location map was presented to the November 2010 Tallaght Area Committee (2) Meeting detailing a proposal to construct a new playground in Tymon Park at the Tymon North side of the park. The report was noted by the Committee and the proposal was advertised for Part 8 Public Consultation on the 10th March 2011 and with the closing date for submissions or observations on the 6th May 2011.
CONSULTATION
The Parks and Landscape Services Department consulted with and undertook a presentation in the following local schools:
1. Scoil Iosa (Primary School), Tymon North, Tallaght
2. St. Joseph’s School, Balrothery, Tallght
3. Tallaght Community School, Balrothery, Tallaght
The feed back from the schools was very positive and proved very informative: the information received from both the teachers and children will be included in the detailed design of the playground and will help inform the selection of equipment types.
Consultation was also undertaken with the local Gardaí and the residents of Tymon Lodge apartments.
SUBMISSIONS AND OBSERVATIONS
One submission objecting to the proposed location of the playground was received from Michael McGinn of Tymon Lodge. The submission detailed a number of concerns about the proposal. During the public consultation stage two meetings were held with Mr. McGinn to address these concerns. These concerns and the response of the Council to them are detailed as follows:
Concern 1
The playground would generate noise and anti social activity and impinge on the quality of life of the residents of Tymon Lodge Apartments.
Response
The proposals include provision for the installation of a CCTV system and lighting along the avenue which will reduce the potential for anti-social behaviour in the area. The playground is also located far enough away from the Tymon Lodge apartments that any sound generated from the playground would be dissipated by the time it would reach them.
It is also proposed to undertake extensive tree pruning along both the boundary to the park and within the woodland adjacent to the proposed site in order to facilitate enhanced views into the playground from the Tymon North Road and which will provide passive security for the playground and will reduce the potential for anti-social behaviour in the area.
Concern 2
That the Gardaí have voiced concerns about the location.
Response
A number of meetings were held with the Gardaí during the consultation phase of the project and it is noted that they have concerns about the security situation generally in Tymon Park. The response to Concern 1 above is intended to address these and it is the intention of the Council to continue with regular meetings with the Gardaí both during and after the construction of the playground in order to identify and address in a timely manner any issues that may arise.
Concern 3
That other locations for the playground should be examined
Response
A number of other sites were examined but were not considered to be suitable since they would be sited at an unacceptable distance from a passively supervised area of the park and one that is sited within 100m of the Parks Depot. The proposed site is located on a flat area adjacent to the main car park, visitor centre and main avenue. As such there is a high level of activity in this area which is conducive to passive surveilance and enhanced security. The proposed playground will also be adjacent to the allotment sites and the River Poddle, both of which will be used to enhance the play experience. This will provide passive security for the playground and will reduce the potential for anti-social behaviour in the area.
Recommendation
Following consideration of the submission and having consulted with the person who made the submission as well as locally through the schools and with the Gardaí, the Council is of the view that the site chosen is the most suitable for the playground in that area of Tymon Park. It is also the view of the Council that the new playground will help to reduce anti-social behaviour in that area through increased activity and usage of the Park and through the additional measures highlighted previously such as CCTV, additional lighting and pruning of trees to create views into the park.
It is, therefore, recommended that, as the proposal is in conformity with proper planning and sustainable development, the Council approve the proposal for a new children’s playground and woodland adventure trail at Tymon Park .
Construction of the playground will be dependent on the availability of the necessary finance to undertake the project.
The proposed development is considered to be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area and it is proposed to proceed with the development in accordance with the drawings placed on public display as clarified in the above report.