COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, October 14, 2013

HEADED ITEM NO. 16

HEADED ITEM: D. Econ. & Transport Planning Dept.

PROPOSED (DRAFT) AMENDMENTS TO THE ADAMSTOWN SDZ PLANNING SCHEME

REPORT : 

Introduction :

The Adamstown SDZ was approved by An Bord Pleanala in 2003. Due to both the passage of time and the economic and social changes in the interim a review of the Plan was considered necessary. Accordingly, a Pre-Draft Consultation  process was carried out between 25th March and 22nd April 2013. Following this process it is now recommended that the amendments to the Plan  proceed to the statutory public consultation phase. Proposed amendments and the timescale involved in the process are summarised in the report below.

 (1) Summary of Amendments                                  

A total of 49 Amendments are proposed. This includes a total of 20 major amendments and 29 amendments which result from the provisions of major amendments. Summary tables of quantum of development reduction and major amendments are provided below. 

·        Amendments to quantum and density requirements to reflect economic and policy changes and provide for sustainable development.

·        Update to bring scheme in line with current policy and guidelines and Include for 2006 amendment to Scheme to provide for Primary Health Care Facility and revisions to development area boundaries 

·        Makes provision for Green Infrastructure and Environmental Sustainability and Sustainable Design. 

·        Amendments that relate to requirements for facilities and amenities. 

·        Amendments to phasing and implementation requirements 

(2)  Provide for more sustainable Quantum and Density of Development

 •         Min-Max dwelling 6,700-8,200 (current Scheme 8,250-10,150) 

•     c20,000m² enabled for potential employment uses by introducing the option of transferring 200 units along the rail line in Adamstown Boulevard to future employment uses 

•        20% reduction in Retail floorspace to reflect new quantum and density of development. 

•        Provision made for additional primary school and primary health care facility 

•        Average unit size increased by 10% from 100m² to 110m² 

•        Average Min-Max dwellings per hectare proposed to be amended  from 53-64dph, (dwellings per hectare), to a more currently sustainable density of 44-51dph

(3)  Update in accordance with current guidelines  

Almost all guidance and strategy documents referred to in the 2003 Scheme have been replaced or updated. Scheme needs to reflect current policy and guidelines including provisions of the County Development Plan 2010-2016, updated Regional Planning Guidelines and new guidance including Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments (2007) and Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities (2007)  

Update to provide for Amendment No.1 (2006) re. provision of additional school and Primary Health Care facility now incorporated – slight changes to net development areas. 

Update to reflect varying proportions of 3 out of 11 development areas now built out. 

 Making provision for additional Sections on Green Infrastructure to protect and enhance public space network and Environmental Sustainability and Sustainable Design to comply with provisions of SDCC Climate Change Strategy.

(4) Facilities and Amenities

•        Community requirements changed to 2 x 500-600m2 facilities (currently 8-10 x 150m2 facilities) based on practical experience of community facility provision and usage over recent years.

•        In order to secure a viable model of local enterprise 1 Enterprise centre is proposed. (currently 2 centres required)

•        Changed childcare provision from 1450 places to 600 to reflect demand 

•        Min retail reduced, but remains focused on 3 x centres 

•        School sports hall and all-weather pitches introduced in phasing requirements

 

(6) Phasing

•        Updated to reflect infrastructure provided to date

•        Phasing bands reduced from 800 units to 600 units per phase (10 key phases in all)

•        Development of homes currently in Phase 2, Phases 1-3 infrastructure virtually complete and school from Phase 4 delivered. Incremental delivery between phases reduced from 800 to 600 units.

•        Last phase to be delivered at 6,400 rather than 8,200 units

•     Phasing would allow for either/or provision in respect of parks. This is also applicable to district/local centres. This allows for consideration of  viability and/or deliverability

The Timescale for Next Steps

Pre-Draft Consultation                25th March to 22nd April 2013

Draft Amendments Report          October 2013                 

Statutory Consultation                October – November 2013

Managers Report                       December 2013 

Council Determination                January 2014 

Appeal Period                           February 2014 

Determination by ABP                Early Summer 2014