COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Monday, March 23, 2015

QUESTION NO.16

QUESTION: Councillor N. Coules

"To ask the Chief Executive if lighting and cameras can be provided to combat anti social behaviour at the park and playground at Carrigmore?" 

REPLY:

The agreed plans for Carrigmore Park and that related to the grant of planning permission for it did not include for either CCTV or lighting with the exception of the car park which is due to be completed this year.

Lighting and CCTV are not routinely included in public park or open space design for a number of reasons including the capital costs, ongoing maintenance costs and, in the case of CCTV systems, the costs of monitoring. Where CCTV systems have been provided in parks they have been targeted at specific locations / facilities such as cycle routes and multi use games areas. In addition, one of the main reasons for the provision of public parks is to protect / provide for biodiversity and habitat. The introduction of lighting into public parks generally results in a negative impact on bio diversity and habitat.

Carrigmore Park is a very new park and it is already proving to be a very popular attraction for local residents. However, it is regrettable that parks also suffer from varying levels of anti-social behaviour. It is expected that the situation will settle as the surrounding communities get used to the park. In the meantime, the matter of antisocial behaviour in the park will be kept under review in consultation with An Garda Siochána.