COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE (1)

Monday, October 17, 2011

HEADED ITEM NO.H-1(2)

REPORT:

PART 8 CONSULTATION JOBSTOWN PARK MASTERPLAN

A Draft Masterplan and detailed layout for the future development of Jobstown Park, Tallaght was placed on public display for the statutory period of six weeks from 2nd August 2011 until 13th September 2011, with a further statutory period of two weeks, extending to the 27th September 2011 for receipt of written submissions from the public.  

This Draft Masterplan provides for the development of a neighbourhood recreational hub providing a wide range of both active and passive recreational facilities in the Park. It is planned that these facilities can be secured on a phased basis, over the coming years, as resources become available. Emphasis has been given to the development of the widest possible range of outdoor sports and recreational facilities including an Athletic Track, Skatepark, Childrens Playground etc. to complement the indoor facilities, currently available in Tallaght Leisure Centre and those already operating in the Park.  The future environmental and financial sustainability of the park proposals, together with the need to meet the specific future recreational needs of the wider population of Jobstown and the Tallaght area, have been the main guiding principles in the overall Park Design. Future pedestrian and cycle linkages from this central recreational hub by way of a green bridge across the Outer Ring Road extending to the Luas - Saggart and Red Lines, Tallaght Town Centre/ Zip Project etc. are also provided for. The first phase of the park development includes the proposed construction this year of 4 no. floodlit five-a-side (astro-type) all-weather pitches, subject to funding. The possibility of support funding for the pitches was recently discussed with the Sports Capital Section of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

Report on the submissions received:

A total of three formal submissions were received during the specified period of the Public Consultation in respect of the proposed development. These submissions were generally supportive and complimentary of the Council’s proposals for the development of Jobstown Park and are summarised as follows;

Submission 1. – Ms.Rosemary Fitzgerald, c/o Jobstown Estate Management Committee. The Committee confirmed it is very supportive of the provision of the range facilities and improvements envisaged in the Masterplan and will support the securing of the necessary funding to enable the project to be developed in the future, on behalf of the local community.

Submission 2. – Mr.Gavin Doyle. Mr Doyle is involved in running a local team in West Tallaght and suggests some changes to the layout of the all-weather pitches to provide a full-size soccer pitch and two smaller pitches.

Response: The proposed changes to the layout would affect the space available for the proposed 400m athletics track. There is already a full size all-weather pitch nearby adjacent to St Thomas’s school. The 4 no. all-weather pitches should be retained in the draft layout, as proposed.

Submission 3. – Mr Pádraic Mac Oitir, c/o South Dublin Conservation Society.  The Society welcomes the Masterplan for the proposed development of Jobstown Park and compliments the range of facilities and landscaping. The Society requests that space be provided in the Plan for Allotments and a Community/School Garden and that as much as possible of the existing hedgerows on site are retained and re-inforced.

Response: The allotments and Community/School Garden can be accommodated in that part the site reserved for ‘Themed Gardens’. In addition, in the interest of wildlife and habitat conservation, it is proposed to retain as much of the existing hedgerow system as possible and to re-inforce the retained hedgerows with additional planting.

Following consideration of the above submissions, the Council is of the view that the issues raised by way of submission can be satisfactorily addressed. It is therefore recommended that, as the proposal is in conformity with proper planning and sustainable development, the Council approve the proposal to implement the Masterplan for Jobstown Park on a phased basis, as resources become available.

It is recommended therefore that this Headed Item be approved.