COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
MOTION NO. 3
MOTION: Councillor W. Lavelle
"That this Area Committee recommends that South Dublin County Council initiate a variation of the South Dublin Development Plan as follows:
i) To vary the zoning of the plot of land located between Lucan Educate Together NS & Fforster Square development, as outlined in red on the attached map from Objective A
(residential) to Objective F (open space);
ii) To insert the following specific local objective applying to this plot: “To provide for the development of a Community Garden by local schools and residents in line with Policy
SCR72”
The purpose of this amendment is to dezone a small amount of residential land for the provision of an amenity, as requested by the community, in an already built-up residential area."
REPORT:
In terms of proper planning and sustainable development, the proposed variation to the County Development Plan that is the subject of the motion is both unnecessary and inappropriate.
The variation is unnecessary in planning terms, because the intended land use is already permissible under the current ‘A’ zoning of the site in the existing County Development Plan 2010-16. No change in zoning is required to facilitate the intended use of the subject site under the current County Development Plan.
The variation seeks to limit the range of possible planning options for the future use of the subject site. Given that the site immediately adjoins an existing primary school in an area of rapid population growth and is one of very few potential ‘infill’ sites in the Greater Lucan area, it would be not be in the interests of the proper planning and sustainable development of the area to further delimit this flexibility. For example, future uses might include primary school expansion to facilitate the adjoining school or housing for the elderly as the local population, most of whom settled in Lucan within a relatively short space of time, ages at the same time.
Even if the subject site didn’t already facilitate the intended land use, a variation of the County Development Plan is an inappropriate instrument to address the need for a specific land use by relating it to one site. It precludes proper planning consideration of alternative, potentially more suitable sites for that use in the area. There are many existing public parks and open spaces close to the subject site, including Willsbrook Park and Bewley in the immediate vicinity.
The motion seeks to initiate a course of action that would be unnecessary in the current planning circumstances, but is also inappropriate as it seeks to prejudge a future planning application. Irrespective of the zoning of the site, the intended use would require planning permission. Elements including the provision of access, car parking and the exact nature of the proposed use would need to be considered and assessed as part of the planning application process.
Further to this by way of example, additional road access in close proximity to the vehicular entrances to both the existing primary school and recently permitted residential development (including a shop unit) on immediately adjoining sites, may give rise to matters that would need to be addressed. Off-street car parking would be required to avoid conflict with existing adjoining uses. The impact of members of the public engaging in horticultural or gardening activity, particularly early morning, late night or at weekends, may have an impact on the residential amenity of adjoining properties. Should these matters prove problematic, the inflexible, single focus of the zoned land use as proposed by the motion would seriously limit the available alternative development options.
In conclusion, the motion is considered to be both unnecessary and inappropriate and it is strongly recommended that it not be adopted.