COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Thursday, June 18, 2015

MOTION NO. 67

MOTION: Councillor M. Murphy

That all zoning RES-N along the south of the county be restricted to below the 120 meter contour line.

Co-signed by Cllr. B. Leech and Cllr. K. Mahon.

REPORT:

The extent of the ‘RES-N’ lands above the 120 metre contour in the County is shown on the attached map. The area includes large sections in the south west of the County, such as parts of Rathcoole and Saggart and significant ‘RES-N’ landbanks at Boherboy, Fortunestown and Killinarden/ Kiltipper. A restriction on zoned land to below the 120 metre contour will result in an effective ‘down zoning’ of circa 75 hectares of ‘RES-N’ residential lands on the south-western fringe of the County, many of which are already subject to planning permission for development.

It is a requirement under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) for the County Development Plan including its Core Strategy to be consistent with the Regional Planning Guidelines for the Greater Dublin Area 2010 – 2022 and to ensure that there are sufficient and suitable lands zoned to meet the population and housing requirements for the County.

The Regional Planning Guidelines for the Greater Dublin Area 2010 – 2022 and the latest CSO Regional Population Projections project significant population growth for the County and identify a need for between 32,132 and 39,649 additional homes within the County during the lifetime of the Draft County Development Plan.

The Core Strategy contained in the Draft Development Plan includes population and housing needs projections for each settlement of the County. The projected total residential capacity for the settlements of Tallaght (Metropolitan Consolidation Town), Saggart/Citywest (Moderate Growth Town) and Rathcoole (Small Town) would be significantly reduced by the proposed motion.  

The proposed restriction would require an amendment of the Core Strategy and would be contrary to meeting the statutory requirements of the Planning Authority in terms of meeting housing and population targets and directing such growth into the appropriate designated areas of the County.

Recommendation

It is recommended that this motion is not adopted.