COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

MOTION NO. 9

MOTION: Councillor E. Higgins

"That this Committee requests the Manager to examine the potential of acquiring the ‘Coates lands’ in the Liffey Valley adjacent to Waterstown Park which is understood to be currently for sale."

REPORT:

The lands in question are within the area covered by the “Liffey Valley Special Amenity Area Order” and the Dublin County Council (Lucan Bridge to Palmerstown) Special Amenity Order.

These lands are zoned Objective I “To protect and enhance the outstanding character and amenity of the Liffey Valley and to preserve its strategic importance as a green break between urban settlement areas”.  Policy LHA3 and LHA6 of the South Dublin County Council Development Plan 2010-2016 states:-

4.3.7.i              Policy LHA3:  Lucan to Palmerstown Special Amenity Area Order

It is the policy of the Council to preserve and enhance the character and special features of the Lucan Bridge to Palmerstown Special Amenity Area, during the lifetime of the development plan and subject to available resources.

4.3.7.iv            Policy LHA6:  Preservation and Ownership of the Liffey Valley

It is the policy of the Council to secure the preservation of the Liffey Valley and its landscapes and to seek to have the lands brought into public ownership, during the lifetime of the development plan and subject to available resources.

The lands are the subject of a number of specific local objectives within the current Development Plan:-

Liffey Valley – Regional Park

Investigate the provision of a Regional Park in the Liffey Valley as a public amenity on lands at St. Edmonsbury and Woodville.

Palmerstown – Waterstown Park

Continue to investigate the acquisition of land adjoining Waterstown Park at Palmerstown (Coates land).

Mill Lane, Palmerstown – Mill Complex

Facilitate sensitive development within the Mill Complex, Mill Lane, Palmerstown, that would retain and protect the architectural and technical importance of the Protected Structures, the overall Architectural Conservation Area, and enhance and complement the SAAO/Liffey Valley.

There are also a significant number of protected structures within the site.

The Council’s Valuer is in discussions at present with the agents for the owner of the site.  However, the acquisition of land by the Council requires the identification of, and access to, the required resources.