COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

HEADED ITEM NO. 7

12th LOCK DRAFT MASTERPLAN 

The 12^th Lock Draft Masterplan Strategy has been prepared in accordance with Specific Local Objective (SLO) No. 37 of the South Dublin County Development Plan 2010-2016.

The Draft Masterplan has been carefully considered having undertaken extensive desktop analysis, site visits, strategy formulation and consultation with staff in various Council Departments. Progress on the Masterplan has been reported at the Lucan Area Committee meetings in October, November and December of 2012.

The Draft Masterplan, which relates to some 30 Hectares/74 acres of lands, has been drawn up to centre on the 12^th Lock and include lands and structures that are relevant to the requirements of SLO No. 37, which reads as follows: 

“37. 12th Lock - Masterplan
To prepare a Masterplan for the area around the 12^th Lock to guide matters such as;

• The further development of a recreational and amenity zone given the presence of a variety of recreational and sporting amenities including the Grand Canal, Griffeen Valley Park, Lucan Sarsfields, Lucan pitch & putt and the ‘green route’ pedestrian and cycle paths along the Grand Canal and linking to Adamstown & Griffeen Avenue.;
• To protect and conserve the rich natural and cultural heritage of the area including the restoration of the historic Thomas Omer lock house and old mill buildings and the protection of natural habitats and ecological resources along the Grand Canal and Griffeen River.
• To facilitate the down-scaling of uncomplimentary extractive, heavy-industrial and distribution uses on adjoining lands which contribute to significant and undesirable HGV usage of the R120 / Newcastle Road;
• To facilitate development of complementary uses on adjoining lands;
• To secure environmental, social and physical infrastructural improvements and other planning gains for the community including the strategic reinforcement of the power network in the area, the possible undergrounding of overhead 110kv lines, the upgrading of the R120 / Newcastle Road and the extension southward of Griffeen Valley Park.  

The Grand Canal 12^th Lock Master Plan is subject to the following:-

• The Grand Canal Way should be developed on the North Side westbound to Hazelhatch but not on the South Side.
• Traffic control should be implemented for cyclists’ safety at the 12th Lock Bridge.
• The three storey Mill Building adjacent to the 12^th Lock Bridge should be included in the list of protected structures.
• The Grand Canal should not be used as a flood relief route.
• Any restorative work on the Grand Canal should not impact negatively on the local natural environment.”

 The Draft Masterplan comprises 3 main strategies that relate to Accessibility & Movement, Green Infrastructure and Land Use. Each of these strategies includes objectives that address the wide ranging requirements of SLO No. 37. 

In summary, the strategies aim to ensure that the 12^th Lock will be developed in a co-ordinated manner as a high amenity activity hub that will link and serve cultural, community, recreational, tourism, sports, employment and enterprise uses while protecting and enhancing the Grand Canal pNHA, adjacent wildlife habitats and historic canal and mill structures. 

The Masterplan includes details of the vision and framework for the extension and enhancement of Griffeen Valley Park on the southern side of the railway line as provided for under the Clonburris SDZ Planning Scheme and Local Area Plan (2008) together with proposals to extend and develop the Park with, inter alia, areas of active recreation including sports pitches and to provide links with such facilities. The Masterplan also includes an objective to further extend Griffeen Valley Park across a parcel of land on the western side of Hayden’s Lane. This will expand the park’s interface with the Grand Canal. 

Landowners, adjoining landowners and local representatives will be invited to make submissions on the Draft Masterplan. All submissions will be taken into consideration before the Masterplan is made.