COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

MOTION NO. 22

MOTION: Councillor G. O'Connell

Cathaoirleach's Business

That the County Librarian explore a site for the proposed Digital Hub at Palmerston at the proposed sites (addresses supplied) and bring forward to this Area Committee in March 2012 costed proposals for the Digital Hub.

REPORT:

The site at Palmerston (location supplied) was visited by the County Architect and the County Librarian who have confirmed with the Development Department that the land is not in Council ownership. Unfortunately it is felt that the site is small and unsuitable for a public building as the arrangement of roads and junctions adjoining a very busy and fast road would make access/egress both very difficult and dangerous. The large road severs the northern catchment area and would reduce safe access to pedestrians and cyclists and necessitating the need for car-journeys and increasing dangerous and congested traffic-movements. The site also sits at the edge of a low-density housing estate, with low permeability and limited access to customers overall. The building if constructed would also suffer from traffic noise affecting its core use.

Although this site is not considered suitable the library department is always open to investigate opportunities for the provision of library services. The New Age Friendly County initiative currently being explored by the Council may provide an innovative mechanism for delivering service in the Palmerston area and will be explored in consultation with the members during 2012.