COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

MOTION NO. 6

MOTION: Councillor B. Bonner

That the Chief Executive present a report on the implications of Clondalkin Village's designation as an Architectural Conservation Area. 

Can the following aspects be addressed please

1. In any developments within the Clondalkin ACA, will any housing development be required to be two storey or less, in order to be in keeping with surrounding buildings?

2. Can developers be required to use materials that are in keeping with the historic centre of Clondalkin Village, particularly in walls etc with a requirement that the materials and style of stonework used is in keeping with the traditional stone walls in the village area.

3. Can the ACA designation be used to protect the sightlines to the Round Tower.  These have already been drastically impeded by development and the ACA designation did not seem to provide adequate protection,

REPORT:

Clondalkin Village was designated as an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) under the review of the 1998 County Development Plan. The 2004-2010 Development Plan was the first development plan to deal with the requirements of Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000 which relates to the statutory protection of Protected Structures and Architectural Conservation Areas. As such guidance leaflets were produced by the Councils Architectural Conservation Officer and a number of information sessions were held for residents of ACAs. Key features were identified within the guidance leaflets along with policies relating to the specific ACA (please see attached copy of Clondalkin ACA guidance leaflet).

 The purpose of an ACA designation is to define the boundaries of an area that merits protection and to use appropriate controls over development in order to protect and enhance the special character of the ACA under the following objectives:

-        Ensure that all proposed development are carried out in a manner sympathetic to the special character of the area

-        Conserve, restore and rehabilitate the existing building stock in the area.

 These objectives along with details on the features which contribute to the character of an ACA for Clondalkin Village includes streetscape, roofscape and views towards landmark buildings, including the Round Tower and Church of Ireland.

Under Section 4.2.9.ii Policy AA8 of the current County Development Plan (2010-2016) the Council will have particular regard to the following:

“Impact of proposed development on the immediate environs of the streetscape in terms of compatibility of character, design, colour and finishes, massing of built form and intensity of site use……”

 These policies were written in agreement with the Councils Architectural Conservation Officer with regard best practice, conservation guidelines and principles and are taken into account with regard to the assessment of any proposed development within an Architectural Conservation Area. Any planning application which relates to development within an ACA is referred to the prescribed bodies under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and is also referred internally to the Councils Architectural Conservation Officer as per her statutory role under the Planning and Development Act 2000.