COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

MOTION NO. 6

MOTION: Councillor P. Gogarty

"That the Chief Executive liaise with local clubs and Griffeen Glen Residents Association to identify an optimum safe location for the provision of changing room facilities as well as its parking times policy, so as to avoid the escalation of problems in relation to bad parking within the estate, people having to change at cars and anti-social behaviour at the changing rooms, which was exacerbated by their recent relocation and which the Council has indicated it is in the process of trying to address."

REPORT:

The majority of the dressing room units in Griffeen Valley Park are located close to the Lucan Sports and Leisure Centre. Beechpark FC applied earlier this year to relocate two of their three temporary dressing room units from the rear of the Sports and Leisure Centre to a location closer to the pitches which they use. Following examination of the park, the Council agreed a location with the club and gave permission for the two units behind the tennis courts to be moved. Beechpark FC then moved one of the units from behind the tennis courts and one from the group at Ash Park Estate, to the new location in the centre of the park. They also moved the last unit behind the tennis courts into the line at Ash Park. 

The Council is mindful that, regrettably, any structure or building in a public park appears to draw an element of anti-social behaviour, regardless of where it is located. The park was carefully examined to identify a location which would minimise the  impact of this type of activity on the residential areas surrounding the park. The Beech Park FC dressing room has been located adjacent to the pitches in the most discreet location available which is  over two hundred metres from the nearest house in Griffeen Glen.

In relation to car parking, it is a condition of allocation that clubs and visiting teams use car parks where provided. As there are two car parks provided in this section of Griffeen Valley Park, one at the Sports and Leisure Centre and the second off Hayden's Lane, the need to use local housing estates to gain access to the pitches should not generally arise. While the Council always encourages responsible and legal parking, the proper parking of any vehicle is a matter for the driver of the vehicle. The enforcement of parking regulations is a matter for the Gardaí.  

The Council will continue to liaise with the clubs allocated facilities in the park and local Residents Associations. A meeting will be arranged with Griffeen Glen Residents Association to clarify matters.