COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

MOTION NO. 18

MOTION: Councillor B. Bonner

Cathaoirleach's Business

That the Manager presents a report on the regulation of shopfronts in Clondalkin Village. There is particular concern about a garish pink shopfront on Main Street and a horrible digital sign on a phone repair shop in the same street.  These are an affront to the historic village centre and would not be tolerated elsewhere.  Is there any regulation of shopfronts?

REPORT:

The centre of Clondalkin Village is designated as an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA).  In Architectural Conservation Areas, the carrying out of works to the exterior of a structure will be exempted development only if those works would not materially affect the character of the area. This is in addition to the requirement under Section 4 (1) (h) of the Planning & Development Act 2000 that for works to be exempted, they must be consistent with the appearance of the structure itself and neighbouring structures. It is considered that the repainting of a shopfront is exempted development even within Clondalkin ACA in that it does not materially affect the character of village centre. Planning Authorities do not have any powers in relation to the colour of a painted shopfront.

The Planning Authority has however concerns in relation to signage at the phone repair shop; it is noted that planning permission was neither sought nor granted for the two electronic fascia signs, red LED (light emitting diodo) signage, on the front and side of the phone repair unit at 3, Main Street Clondalkin. This signage appears to have been erected recently; this unauthorised development has been brought to the attention of the Enforcement Section.