COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Thursday, June 18, 2015

MOTION NO. 59

MOTION: Councillor E. Higgins

That 2.5.0 be amended to reflect the Council’s desire to house people in their own local area particularly where young families are reliant on grandparent support or where adult children wish to stay close to their elderly parents to provide day to day support.

Co sponsor: Cllr. Paula Donovan

REPORT:

The Sustainable Rural Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2005) identify that the rural areas of South Dublin County are under strong urban influence for housing. The guidelines advise that planning authorities should distinguish between urban and rural generated housing in such areas and avoid ribbon or haphazard forms of development. It is advised that housing should be directed to zoned lands in cities, towns and villages in order to counteract unsustainable growth patterns counteract unsustainable commuting patterns, support existing services and facilities within urban areas while protecting rural areas from the spread of unsustainable development.

The Landscape Character Assessment of South Dublin County (2015) highlights the high landscape value and sensitivity of the rural hinterland areas of the County and advises that development in such areas should be kept to a minimum.

Within the context of the above, the Draft County Development Plan sets out to restrict the spread of dwellings in the rural area in order to minimise the impact of development on the character and visual setting of the rural landscape and to focus such housing into existing settlements (Housing Policy 20 and Housing Policy 27).

In recognition of the demand to provide support for family members including dependents and older parents in rural areas, an additional provision for dwelling subdivision to accommodate older persons in rural areas has been inserted into the Draft County Development Plan under Section 2.5.7. The motion could be amended to ensure that this is further recognised under Section 2.5.0 of the Draft Plan.

Recommendation

It is recommended that this motion is adopted with amendment.

Amend Section 2.5.0 Introduction to take cognisance of the demand to provide support for dependents including family members and older parents in rural areas through the provision of dwelling subdivision to accommodate older persons.