COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
HEADED ITEM NO. 11
Progress Report on Lucan Specific Local Objectives (South Dublin County Development Plan 2010-2016)
Further to the two-year review of the County Development Plan 2010-16 noted by the County Council in September 2012, it was agreed that further reports would be brought to area committees detailing implementation on local objectives, although it was not possible at that time to specify the timescale. There are 93 specific local objectives listed in the County Development Plan, arranged geographically from west-east and north-south, many of which relate to operational areas of the Council other than Planning, such as Roads, Traffic, Parks, Community, Drainage, Environment, Housing and Development. There has been progress made on many of these objectives to date.
Up to date reports on the local objectives which relate to the Lucan area are now complete, see below
| 1 | 1. Liffey Valley - Amenity Provide for the amenity development of the Liffey Valley, including: • Secure control over some of the lands in the area covered by the SAAO with a view to the development of a Regional Park with public access to the banks of the River Liffey. • Consult with the E.S.B. with a view to removing or altering power lines in order to minimise their adverse effects on the visual amenity of the area. • Consider in detail the need for additional car-parks in the area and in this regard to seek by negotiations with the owners he improvement of existing carparks. • Encourage the development of facilities for anglers and canoeists. The Council will consider possible conflicts which might arise between these sports and methods of overcoming these. • Provision of public rights of way and public footpaths in the Liffey Valley without compromising or impairing habitats, biodiversity or the visual amenity of the landscape, or the riparian edge of the river. • Take appropriate steps to ensure the protection of the flora and fauna of the Valley. • Review the Management Plan for the area as necessary. | The refurbishment and repair of the Palmerston Weir was achieved with funding from the Structures at Risk Fund in 2011. The Council has also secured a small area of land to the rear of Fonthill House and the Hermitage Clinic and this land remains to be fully developed as public parkland. |
| 2 | 2. Liffey Valley – Guinness Bridge Pursue the connection to the Guinness Bridge in conjunction with Fingal County Council. | The achievement of this objective would provide opportunities to significantly open up walking and cycling routes across the Liffey in this area and would also to prompt the refurbishment of this Protected Structure before it deteriorates even further. However, in order to open up access to the structure to facilitate access to the Fingal side, SLO 5 (below) would need to be implemented first - to acquire the strip of land between the mill race and the river at the location of the bridge. This would allow access to the bridge from the Council-owned Waterstown Park. The issue of this SLO was raised recently with Fingal County Council, but no progress has been made. Fingal County Council is making plans to carry out an architectural survey of the bridge. |
| 3 | 3. Liffey Valley – Extension of SAAO Investigate the feasibility of extending the Special Amenity Area Order to include all of the lands at Lucan Demesne, the Embassy - owned lands, the area behind Lucan BNS, St Edmondsbury, Fonthill, Woodville, the Kings Hospital and Waterstown Park, extending from the River Liffey up to the N4 and bordered by the Leixlip-Lucan Slip Road, Lucan Village Road, the Lucan Hill Road, the Lucan Road from the Church Car Park to Woodies, the N4 onwards towards the Old Lucan Road and onwards as far as Waterstown Park. | An examination of the potential to extend the SAAO requested by Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government was forwarded to the Department in 2009. Apart from a number of clarifications sought, no response or direction has been received. In a reply to a Parliamentary Question in 2012, the Minister of State Jan O'Sullivan [24716/12] indicated that it is not intended to pursue the matter further at this time. A preliminary scoping exercise has been carried out. A number of background studies would be required, the resources for which have not been identified or allocated. Local Area Elected Members were briefed on the matter. An effort to recruit "JobBridge" Interns to carry out relevant studies was not successful. |
| 4 | 4. Liffey Valley – Regional Park Investigate the provision of a Regional Park in the Liffey Valley as a public amenity on lands at St. Edmondsbury and Woodville. | In 2006 the Office of Public Works, in association with South Dublin County Council, Dublin City Council and Fingal, Kildare and County Councils, commissioned consultants to draw up a strategy for the Liffey Valley, resulting in the strategy document Towards a Liffey Valley Park, which was published in November 2006. The document set out a strategy to provide an integrated management framework for the Liffey Valley, and to create a process towards the establishment of a Liffey Valley Park which would be composed of a necklace of publicly owned spaces within this area. This Strategy Plan is consistent with this Development Plan objective. South Dublin County Council has recently recommended that the implementation of this Strategy Plan be implemented under the guidance of the Regional Authority. |
| 5 | 5. Palmerstown – Waterstown Park Continue to investigate the acquisition of land adjoining Waterstown Park at Palmerstown (Coates land). | The Council is at present investigating the possible acquisition of The Sun Chemicals property at Mill Lane, Palmerston which is for sale. Discussions are ongoing between the Valuer and the Agent for the owners of the Sun Chemical Properties and a proposed exchange of lands is one possibility which has been put forward and which is under consideration by the parties. The acquisition of land by the Council requires the identification of, and access to, the required resources and also an assessment of the soil quality in and around the complex. A letter has also issued to the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government notifying him of motions agreed at a previous meeting of the Committee in relation to this matter. A response is awaited. |
| 6 | 6. 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 have been no recent development proposals in relation to the complex which is currently for sale (see above). Any possible future application would be assessed in accordance with the SLO. |
| 7 | 7. Areas of Flooding Potential – Assessment of Planning Applications The areas of flooding potential as indicated in the Dodder Catchment Flood Risk Assessment Management Study (CFRAMS) and the OPW alluvial soils floodplain maps are to be taken into account along with the requirements of Section 5 of The Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines (November 2009) when assessing planning applications, with a view to restricting or, if necessary, refusing development proposals within such areas in order to avoid flooding events. | The South Dublin County Council Development Management System takes full consideration of The Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines (November 2009) in determining applications for development. In addition, the Development Plan SEA Monitoring System provides an early warning system when any site proposed for development is located in an area of flooding potential. |
| 8 | 8. River Liffey and Grand Canal –Strategy Develop a sustainable strategy in conjunction with Waterways Ireland, National Parks and Wildlife Service and other relevant bodies, to promote the natural, historical, and amenity value of the Grand Canal and the River Liffey in South Dublin County (including the promotion of Lucan as a tourist destination for water–based activity). | Waterways Ireland is currently developing a tourism development strategy in conjunction with SDCC and other relevant Local Authorities for the Grand Canal Rural and the Royal Canal Rural which will be aimed at promoting these issues. The Minister for Transport and Tourism has recently written to the Managers of SDCC & FCC about an initiative to explore the tourism potential of the Liffey Valley. |
| 9 | 9. Lucan – Lighting of Key Buildings Encourage and facilitate the sensitive and selective lighting of key buildings and structures in Lucan Village such as churches and the Liffey Bridge. The design of any proposed future lighting of the Liffey Bridge shall be subject to assessment of the impact of such lighting on bat roosting, hunting and movements. | Planning applications in Lucan village are assessed in accordance with this SLO and any proposals to light key buildings and structures in Lucan village will be supported. Any proposal to reinstall bridge lighting would be subject to consideration of the impact of such lighting on natural heritage including bats. |
| 10 | 10. Lucan – Church of Ireland School Facilitate expansion of the Church of Ireland school in Lucan. Provision of facilities for existing schools only, given the existing tenure on the lands at St. Edmundsbury and Woodville, and in the context of its need, should be accommodated. While recognising the design of such facilities, they should not compromise the visual amenity and important landscape setting of the area. | Planning permission was granted by SDCC for a 16 classroom school in St. Edmundsbury, Lucan Road, in August 2012 and on appeal this decision was upheld by An Bord Pleanala in December 2012. The school was designed in order not to negatively impact upon Protected Structures in the vicinity and the vast majority of mature trees are to be retained. |
| 11 | 11. N4 – Pedestrian Bridge Secure the provision of a high quality pedestrian bridge over the N4 to provide a spacious landscaped boulevard linking Liffey Valley Town Centre to the Liffey Valley High Amenity Area to the north. | The Liffey Valley Town Centre Local Area Plan 2008 includes the connection of the Core Area of the Liffey Valley Town Centre to the Liffey Valley Park as a 'Key Pedestrian Linkage'. |
| 12 | 12. Libraries – Building Programme Secure the provision of new public libraries in suitable locations in accordance with an agreed programme. The development of a library in Palmerstown, subject to the acquisition of a suitable site and to satisfying DEHLG criteria, is to be the first priority of the Library Building Programme. The Programme will also include libraries in North Clondalkin and the Rathcoole/Newcastle area. | The South Dublin County Council Library Development Plan 2012-16 was approved before the end of 2012. The Actions 2012-2016 contained in the Library Development Plan include for securing resources for a Digital Hub at Palmerston. |
| 13 | 13. Palmerstown – Approved Plan To prepare an approved plan for the Palmerstown area, including measures to look at traffic in immediate Palmerstown area. To also conclude and action the Palmerstown Village Heritage Plan, having regard to its partial location within the Liffey Valley and the fact that it provides a gateway to both the Liffey valley and to the County as approached from the East or City Direction. | Engagement with the local community has taken place over the past two years regarding initiating a Local Heritage Plan for the old Palmerston area but further consultation is required to ensure local support and commitment from the local community is in place before undertaking such a project. |
| 14 | 14. Palmerstown – Traffic Divert unnecessary heavy commercial traffic out of Kennelsfort Road and adjoining residential areas and construct either a fly-over or a traffic roundabout at the junction of Kennelsfort Road/Galway Road to accommodate local traffic between Palmerstown Village and the Greater Palmerstown Residential area subject to funding being available and this will be a priority of the Council. | Traffic Weight restrictions in place on this strategic distributor road. HGV Mobility Policy currently being developed through the Transportation and Planning SPCs. |
| 15 | 15. Airlie Heights – Traffic To investigate traffic management measures to improve traffic flow in the vicinity of Scoil Mhuire, Airlie Heights. | A review of traffic management at Scoil Mhuire, Airlie Heights will be included in a future programme to investigate walking and cycling to schools. |
| 16 | 16. Newcastle Road – Parkland/Woodland Enhance and promote the small area of parkland/woodland along the Newcastle Road on the Lucan village side of Vesey Park and the Moat House area. | There is a small area of woodland along the Newcastle Road that is in the ownership of SDCC. Part of this woodland is located in Vesey Park, Griffeen Valley and the Council has protected and continues to enhance its value. The other areas of woodland along the Newcastle Road are mostly in private ownership. |
| 17 | 17. Esker Hill Viewing Locations To seek to develop the area at the top of Esker Hill as a Viewing Location for views over Lucan Village and the Liffey Valley. | This area is not in charge but should this happen it could possibly be developed as a viewing location. |
| 18 | 18. Old and New Cemetery Lucan Enhance both cemeteries by undertaking and implementing a landscape assessment and plan. | The enhancement of cemeteries generally should be considered in terms of open space and the old and new cemetery could form a future project of enhancement. Arrangements will be made to secure funding for such work in the future. |
| 19 | 19. Tandy's Lane and Esker Lane – Exit on to N4 To pursue and facilitate the reopening of Tandy's Lane and Esker Lane exits onto the N4 in an acceptable, safe and efficient layout subject to funding and approval from the National Roads Authority. | Access onto the N4 from Tandy's Lane was closed following off for safety reasons following negotiations with the NRA. The NRA's position on this has not changed. |
| 20 | 20. Esker – Site of former Green Waste Recycling Centre To reserve the site of former Green Waste Recycling Centre at Esker for the provision of school accommodation. Any application or proposal for development on this site shall require preparation and implementation of a traffic management and parking strategy. | This SLO was realised on 15th September 2011, when planning permission (SD11A/0181) was granted by the Council to the Minister for Education and Skills for a new two storey, sixteen classroom primary school; ancillary accommodation and associated siteworks, including two entrances from Esker Lane; gate controlled entrance from Castle Avenue; vehicular setdown/pick-up areas; staff parking; hard play areas and new boundary treatment, at Esker Lane Depot Site, Lucan. A third party appeal was considered by An Bord Pleanala and the decision to grant permission was upheld in September 2012. Work is due to commence shortly on site. |
| 21 | 21. Esker Lane – Traffic To facilitate provision of a safe drop-off and turning point, pre-school accommodation on existing footprint and pedestrian link to Esker Lane on lands adjacent to Gaelscoil Phádraig. | Outline planning permission (SD11A/0180) was granted to the Department of Education in October 2011 for a one classroom naoinra at this location. A subsequent application for full permission has not been lodged. Drop-off areas, a turning area and a pedestrian / cycle link was permitted as part of the application for the primary school at the former Esker Depot (SD11A/0181). |
| 22 | 22. Griffeen Valley Park – Swimming Pool Actively seek the provision of a swimming pool beside Lucan Sports and Leisure Centre at Griffeen Valley Park. | The provision of a swimming pool in Lucan is the next stage in the delivery of The Council's Water Leisure Strategy (as amended). Concept plans were prepared some time ago but this project is effectively in abeyance, like many other capital projects due to the economic/ financial climate. The most recent estimate provided by the County Architect was €10.8m which took account of more competitive pricing due to the major downturn in the Construction Sector. A report on the 3 Year Rolling Capital Program 2013-2015 was presented at the November 2012 OP&F Meeting. Lucan Swimming Pool falls under the Category of 'Projects planned subject to funding'. As no funding has been identified no progress is projected in the medium term. The 3 Year Rolling Capital Program is subject to annual review and report to the full Council. The previous elements of The Water Leisure Strategy were financed from a combination of Government Grant, Development Levy Receipts and Asset Disposal Receipts. · The Government Swimming Pool Grant Scheme has been closed for a considerable period and revenue from the latter sources has collapsed and is not expected to recover in the short to medium term. If the Government re-opened the Grant Scheme, the Council would still have a major difficulty in funding the balance. There would have to be certainty regarding the total funding of the project to support the submission of a grant application. Consideration would also have to be given to the consequential implications for the revenue budget resulting from the provision of such a facility. |
| 23 | 23. Griffeen Valley Park – Biodiversity To continue to improve Griffeen Valley Park and to increase its biodiversity through appropriate measures including the provision of lakes and water features. Any such works in this area should be subject to consultation with the Department of Defence, due to the possibility of waterfowl posing a threat to air safety at Casement Aerodrome. | The Council is continually seeking ways to increase biodiversity in Griffeen Valley Park and all other parks in the County. |
| 24 | 24. Mount Bellew Way – Road Safety Facilitate provisions to improve road safety at Lucan Educate Together, Mount Bellew Way | Ongoing preparation of preliminary design which aims to formalise well used pedestrian links in the area to promote and facilitate walking and cycling to the school in tandem with examination and upgrade of parking facilities, support for which has been recieved from the NTA. |
| 25 | 25. Bewley Grove and Mount Bellew Way – Completion of Boundary Fence Facilitate completion of the boundary fence that separates Bewley Grove and Mount Bellew Way running eastwards as far as the Outer Ring Road. | Ongoing preparation of preliminary design which aims to formalise well used pedestrian links in the area to promote and facilitate walking and cycling to the school in tandem with examination of parking facilities as an alternative to the completion of the boundary fence. |
| 26 | 26. Old Lucan – Newlands Road Embankment – Future Use Investigate the future use of the Old Lucan - Newlands Road Embankment between Moy Glas and Castle Riada estates in the interests of eliminating anti-social behaviour. | Preliminary design and Part 8 completed in 2012 for a proposed walking and cycling route. Due to design changes that arose from the consultation process funding for further detailed design and construction was refused by the NTA. |
| 27 | 27. Bush Centre & Parochial House, Foxdene – Redevelopment To redevelop lands at the Bush Centre & Parochial House at Foxdene in partnership with the Parish of South Lucan, to include delivery of a new community centre for the Balgaddy/South Lucan area. | Since 1996 the overall population of Lucan has risen by 23.4% from 22,179 in 2006 to 46,514 in 2011. Communities have formed and new demands have been placed on the available community space. Since 2007 there has been a decline on the construction side resulting in the collapse of revenue from development levies which formed the primary source of funding for new community facilities. The Ballyowen Castle and Griffeen Community Centres were secured to address local needs. The council planned to construct a major regional leisure/ community facility in Esker Park on the old Lucan Leisure Centre site and a second major leisure development was proposed for Adamstown. It was expected that the provision of both of these facilities would have addressed the community space deficit. In the absence of these new facilities, there now exists a demand which cannot be met within the current community facility portfilio and it is expected that this need will grow. The community team have commenced a Lucan Area Community Development Initiative 2013 to:
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| 28 | 28. Quarryvale Estate – Traffic Calming Carry out traffic calming at the entrances to Quarryvale Estate. | Traffic calming schemes are being developed as part of an over all strategy agreed with Councillors. |
| 36 | 12th Lock Canal Bridge. Retain and protect the character of the 12th Lock Canal Bridge. | The Part 8 for the improvement of the R120 and the widening of the 12th Lock Bridge was given approval by the Elected Members at the Council meeting in December 2012. |
| 37 | 12th Lock – Masterplan To prepare a Masterplan for the area around the 12th 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 12th 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 12th 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. | Work commenced on the 12th Lock Masterplan in October 2012 and included extensive desktop analysis, site visits, strategy formulation and consultation with staff in various Council Departments including the Environmental Services Department (includes Parks and Landscaping Services). Following on from progress reports in October, November and December of 2012, the 12th Lock Draft Masterplan was presented at the Lucan Area Committee Meeting in January 2013. The draft Masterplan was then circulated to approx. 60 stakeholders either in ownership or as occupiers within the Masterplan area. The recommendations following their submissions were agreed at the March Lucan ACM meeting and have been incorporated into the draft Masterplan. |
| Local Zoning Objective | ||
| 1 | Cooldrinagh – Redevelopment of Former Co-Op Site Facilitate the redevelopment of the portion of lands occupied by the former Tara Co-Op buildings with a replacement development of a scale, design and layout appropriate to its prominent location in a Green Belt Zone and in proximity to the Liffey Valley High Amenity Area, the M4 and the Lucan/ Leixlip urban areas. Any such development should not compromise the important geomorphic and archaeological heritage of the site, and adjacent sites. Additionally it should not compromise the vistas or landscape amenity or biodiversity of the Valley. | This Local Zoning Objective remains as one of a number of policy objectives in the County Development Plan that will regulate the development/redevelopment of lands occupied by the former Tara Co-Op buildings. There has been no application for permission since 2000 when the application for a hotel on the site was refused. |
| 2. | Primrose Hill, Lucan – Sheltered Housing Facilitate the provision of sheltered housing through development which has regard to the amenity and heritage importance of Primrose Hill House, a Protected Structure, and its gardens. | There has been no recent approach in relation to the provision of sheltered housing on this land. There has been no any further general 'Call for proposals' under the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government's Capital Assistance Scheme since the previous call in 2010. |
| 3. | Rail corridor - Framework Facilitate the preparation of a detailed framework plan for the identification of future development along the rail corridor from the city boundary to Adamstown including lands south of the Nangor Road extension. This framework plan will consider future economic and enterprise, commercial, residential and amenity development. | The preparation of a Framework Plan for the identification of future development along the rail corridor from the city boundary to Adamstown including lands south of the Nangor Road extension is premature pending the current review of the Adamstown SDZ. |